Scotland's Mark on America Part 6

Stoddart, the veteran actor, was also of Scottish origin.

SCOTS AS INVENTORS

As Scotland gave to the world the knowledge of the art of logarithms, the steam engine, the electric telegraph, the wireless telegraph, illuminating gas, the knowledge of chloroform, and many other important inventions, it was to be expected that the inventive faculty of her sons would not fail when transplanted to this country.

Hugh Orr (1717-98), born in Lochwinnoch, inventor of a machine for dressing flax, took a patriotic part in the war of the Revolution by casting guns and shot for the Continental Army, besides doing much to encourage rope-making and spinning. His son, Robert, invented an improved method of making scythes and was the first manufacturer of iron shovels in New England. William Longstreet (1759-1814), a New Jersey Scot, invented and patented an improvement in cotton-gins called the "breast-roller," also a portable steam saw-mill. As early as 1790 he was at work on the problem of the application of steam power to the propulsion of boats, but lack of funds prevented operations until 1807, the same year in which Fulton launched his steamboat. His son, Augustus Baldwin Longstreet (1790-1870), became President of South Carolina College. Robert Fulton (1765-1815), of Ayrs.h.i.+re origin through Ulster, was, as every one knows, the first to successfully apply steam to navigation. Hugh Maxwell (1777-1860), publisher and newspaper editor, of Scottish descent, invented the "printer's roller" (patented in 1817), cast his own types and engraved his own woodcuts. Henry Burden (1791-1871), born in Dunblane, inventor of an improved plow and the first cultivator, was also the first to invent and make the hook-headed railroad spike "which has since proved itself a most important factor in railroad building in the United States." His "cigar boat" although not a commercial success was the fore-runner of the "whale-back" steamers now in use on the Great Lakes. William Orr (1808-91), manufacturer and inventor, born in Belfast of Ulster Scot parentage, was the first to manufacture merchantable printing paper with wood fibre in it, and made several other improvements and discoveries along similar lines. Cyrus Hall McCormick (1809-84), inventor of the reaping machine, was descended from James McCormick, one of the signers of the address of the city and garrison of Londonderry presented to William III. after the siege in 1689. Of his invention the French Academy of Sciences declared that by its means he had "done more for the cause of agriculture than any other living man." James Blair (1804-84), born in Perth, Scotland, was the inventor of the roller for printing calico; and Robert M.

Dalzell (1793-1873) was inventor of the "elevator system" in handling and storing grain. Samuel Colt (1814-62), inventor of the Colt revolver, and founder of the great arms factory at Hartford, Conn., was of Scots ancestry on both sides. He was also the first to lay a submarine electric cable (in 1843) connecting New York city with stations on Fire Island and Coney Island. Thomas Taylor, inventor of electric appliances for exploding powder in mining, blasting, etc., Chief of the Division of Microscopy (1871-95), was born in Perth, Scotland, in 1820. Duncan H. Campbell, born in Greenock in 1827, settled in Boston as a lad, by his numerous inventions, "pegging machines, st.i.tching machines, a lock-st.i.tch machine for sewing uppers, a machine for using waxed threads, a machine for covering b.u.t.tons with cloth," laid the foundation of New England's pre-eminence in shoe manufacturing. Gordon McKay (1821-1903), by his inventions along similar lines also helped to build up New England's great industry.

Robert d.i.c.k, (1814-93), born in Bathgate, Linlithgows.h.i.+re, died in Buffalo, lecturer, newspaper editor, writer, preacher, and inventor, was inventor of the mailing machine used in nearly every newspaper office on the continent. Alexander Morton, (1820-60), the perfector if not the inventor of gold pens, was born in Darvel, Ayrs.h.i.+re. James Oliver, born in Roxburgh, Scotland, in 1823, made several important discoveries in connection with casting and moulding iron, was the inventor of the Oliver chilled plow, and founder of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, South Bend, Indiana. The business established by him is now carried on in several cities from Rochester, New York State, to San Francisco, and south to Dallas, Texas. William Chisholm, born in Lochgelly, Fifes.h.i.+re, in 1825, demonstrated the practicability of making screws from Bessemer steel, organized the Union Steel Company of Cleveland, (1871), and devised several new methods and machinery for manufacturing steel shovels, scoops, etc. His brother, Henry, was the first to introduce steel-making into Cleveland, and might justly be called "The Father of Cleveland." Andrew Campbell (1821-90) was the inventor of many improvements in printing machinery, and of a long series of devices comprising labor-saving machinery relating to hat manufacture, steam-engines, machinists' tools, lithographic and printing machinery, and electrical appliances. William Ezra Ferguson (b. 1832), merchant and inventor of the means of conveying grain on steam s.h.i.+pments without s.h.i.+fting, was of Scottish ancestry. Alexander Davidson (b. 1832) made many inventions in connection with the typewriter, one of the most important being the scale regarding the value of the letters of the alphabet. As an inventor he was of the front rank. Andrew Smith Hallidie (b. 1836), son of a native of Dunfermline, was the inventor of steel-wire rope making and also the inventor of the "Hallidie ropeway," which led up to the introduction of cable railroads. James Lyall (1836-1901), born in Auchterarder, invented the positive-motion shuttle (1868) which revolutionized the manufacture of cotton goods. He also invented fabrics for pneumatic tyres and fire-hose. James P. Lee, born in Roxburghs.h.i.+re in 1837, was inventor of the Lee magazine gun which was adopted by the United States Navy in 1895. His first weapon was a breech-loading rifle which was adopted by the United States Government during the Civil War.

Later he organized the Lee Arms Company of Connecticut. The production of the telephone as a practical and now universally employed method of "annihilating time and s.p.a.ce" in the articulate intercourse of the human race will forever be a.s.sociated with the name of Alexander Graham Bell, born in Edinburgh in 1847. By its means he has promoted commerce, created new industries, and has bridged continents, all the result of "sheer hard thinking aided by unbounded genius." To Dr.

Graham Bell we are also indebted for the photophone, for the inductoin balance, the telephone probe, and the gramophone. During the war he designed a "submarine chaser" capable of traveling under water at a speed of over seventy miles an hour, and he has made important experiments in the field of aeronautics and in other arts and sciences. The mother of Thomas Alva Edison (b. 1847), it may here be mentioned, was of Scottish parentage (Elliott). The originator of the duplex system in the manufacture of railroad tickets was William Harrison Campbell (1846-1906), of Scottish parentage. William Malcolm (1823-90), also of Scottish parentage, was the inventor of telescopic sights, an invention adopted by all civilized governments. His attainments were better known and appreciated in Europe than in his own country. Daniel McFarlan Moore, electrician and inventor, of Ulster Scot descent, was inventor of the Moore electric light. James Peckover, born in England of Scottish and English ancestry, invented the saw for cutting stone and a machine for cutting mouldings in marble and granite. Rear-Admiral George W. Baird (b. 1843), naval engineer, invented the distiller for making fresh water from sea water, and patented many other inventions in connection with machinery and s.h.i.+p ventilation. James Bennett Forsyth (b. 1850), of Scottish parentage, took out more than fifty patents on machinery and manufacturing processes connected with rubber and fire-hose. John Charles Barclay, telegraph manager, descendant of John Barclay who emigrated from Scotland in 1684, patented the printing telegraph "said to be the most important invention in the telegraph world since Edison introduced the quadruplex system." Alexander Winton, born in Grangemouth in 1860, inventor and manufacturer, successfully developed a number of improvements in steam engines for ocean going vessels, founded the Winton Motor Carriage Company in 1897, and patented a number of inventions in connection with automobile mechanism. The works of the company at Cleveland, Ohio, now cover more than thirteen acres. The first to expound and formulate the application of the law of conservation in illumination calculations was Addams Stratton McAllister (b. 1875), a descendant of Hugh McAllister, who emigrated from Scotland c. 1732. He also holds several patents for alternating-current machinery, and has written largely on electrical subjects. Richard Dudgeon (1820-99), born in Haddingtons.h.i.+re, Scotland, was distinguished as a machinist, inventor of the hydraulic jack and boiler-tube expander.

SCOTS AS ENGINEERS

Thomas Hutchins (1730-1789), engineer and geographer was of Scottish origin. He was author of some topographical works and also furnished the maps and plates of Smith's Account of Bouquet's expedition (Philadelphia, 1765). James Geddes (1763-1838), of Scottish birth or parentage, was surveyor of ca.n.a.l routes in New York State and was chief engineer on construction of the Erie Ca.n.a.l (1816), and chief engineer of the Champlain Ca.n.a.l (1818). "In all matters relating to the laying out, designing and construction of ca.n.a.ls, he was looked upon as one of the highest authorities in the country." James Pugh Kirkwood (1807-77), born in Edinburgh, came to United States in 1832, was one of the most eminent engineers in the country, one of the founders of the American Society of Civil Engineers (1852) and President (1867-68). James Laurie (1811-75), born at Bell's Mills, Edinburgh, Chief Engineer on the New Jersey Central Railroad, consulting engineer in connection with the Housatonic Tunnel, and first President of the American Society of Civil Engineers. William Tweeddale, born in Ayrs.h.i.+re in 1823, rendered valuable engineering service in the Civil War, and was an authority on the sources and character of water supply. Henry Brevoort Renwick, noted engineer and expert in patent cases, first inspector of steam vessels for the Port of New York, was a son of James Renwick the scientist. David Young, born in Alloa, Scotland, in 1849, was President of the Consolidated Traction Lines of New Jersey and General Manager of the larger consolidated company. William Barclay Parsons (b. 1859), is partly descended from Colonel Thomas Barclay, a Tory of the Revolution.

Hunter McDonald (b. 1860), descended from Angus McDonald, a refugee from Culloden, is a prominent railroad engineer. T. Kennard Thomson, born in 1864, is prominent as a bridge builder, designer of pneumatic caissons, etc. His father came from Stranraer in 1834. Hugh Gordon Stott, born in Orkney, in 1866, President of the American Inst.i.tute of Electrical Engineers (1907), Superintendent of motive power of Manhattan Railway System, etc. William Gibbs McNeill (1801-53), of Scottish parentage, was another engineer worth mentioning. Theodore Crosby Henry (1841-1914), "the father of irrigation in Colorado," was also of Scottish descent. William McLean (d. 1839), brother of Judge McLean, was mainly instrumental in extending the Ohio Ca.n.a.l from Cincinnati to Cleveland. John Findley Wallace (1852-1920), of Scottish descent, was chief-engineer of the Panama Ca.n.a.l (1904-05), and also designed and constructed many important engineering works. Angus Sinclair (1841-1919), born in Forfars.h.i.+re, was an engineer, author of several text-books on engineering, and editor of the "Railway and Locomotive Engineering."

SCOTS IN INDUSTRIES

Robert Gilmor (1748-1822), born in Paisley, was the founder of the East India trade in this country. He also a.s.sisted in founding the first bank in Baltimore (the Bank of Maryland), and the Maryland Historical Society. His son Robert (1774-1848) was also prominent in Baltimore business and was President of the Was.h.i.+ngton Monument a.s.sociation which laid the foundation for the Was.h.i.+ngton monument in Baltimore in 1815 and completed it in 1829. Henry Eckford (1775-1832), s.h.i.+pbuilder, was a native of Irvine, Ayrs.h.i.+re. On the outbreak of the War of 1812 he built several s.h.i.+ps for the American Government for use on the Great Lakes. In 1820 he was appointed Naval Constructor at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and there built six s.h.i.+ps of the line. In 1822 he built the steamer "Robert Fulton," which made the first successful steam voyage to New Orleans and Havana. Angus Neilson Macpherson (1812-76), born at Cluny, Inverness-s.h.i.+re, was builder of the frigate "Ironsides," and designer of the furnaces for heating large plates and the method of affixing them to the sides of the vessel. Donald Mackay (1810-80), born in Nova Scotia, grandson of Donald Mackay of Tain, Ross-s.h.i.+re, established the s.h.i.+pyards at East Boston, and constructed a number of fast sailing s.h.i.+ps, and during the Civil War a number of wars.h.i.+ps for the United States Government. The beauty and speed of his clippers gave him a world wide reputation as a naval constructor.

Thomas d.i.c.kson (1822-84), President of the Delaware and Hudson Ca.n.a.l Co., was born in Lauder. William Grey Warden (1831-95), born in Pittsburgh of Scottish ancestry, was a pioneer in the refining of petroleum in Pennsylvania, and the controlling spirit in the work of creating the great Atlantic Refinery consolidated with the Standard Oil Company of Ohio in 1874. George Gibson McMurtry (1838-1915), born in Belfast of Scottish descent, steel manufacturer and philanthropist, was "one of the big figures of that small group of men which established the industrial independence of the United States from the European nations of cheap labor." James Edwin Lindsay (1826-1919), lumberman, was descended from Donald Lindsay, who settled in Argyle, New York, in 1739. John McKesson (b. 1807), descended from the McKessons of Argylls.h.i.+re, was founder of the, wholesale drug firm of McKesson and Robbins; and Alfred B. Scott of the wholesale drug firm of Scott and Bowne was also of Scottish descent. Edmond Urquhart (b.

1834) was one of the pioneers in the creation of the cotton seed oil industry. To Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), born in Dunfermline, "the richest and most free-handed Scot who ever lived," more than anyone else is due the great steel and iron industry of the United States.

His innumerable gifts for public libraries, etc., are too well known to need detailing here. To New York alone he gave over five million dollars to establish circulating branches in connection with the New York Public Library. In the development of the steel business of Pittsburgh he was ably seconded by James Scott, George Lauder (his cousin), Robert Pitcairn, Charles Lockhart, and others--all Scots.

James McClurg Guffey (b. 1839), oil producer and capitalist, was of Galloway descent. He developed the oil fields of Kansas, Texas, California, West Virginia, and Indian Territory. The town of Guffey, Colorado, is named in his honor. His brother Wesley S. Guffey was also prominent in the oil industry. John Arbuckle (1839-1912), merchant and philanthropist, known in the trade as the "Coffee King," was born in Scotland. Robert Dunlap (b. 1834), hat manufacturer and founder of Dunlap Cable News Company (1891), was of Ulster Scot origin. William Chalk Gouinlock (1844-1914), physician and manufacturer, of Scottish ancestry, was one of the first to establish the salt industry in Western New York (1883), and in 1887 established the first salt-pan west of the Mississippi (at Hutcheson, Kansas). Edward Kerr, born in Sanquhar, Dumfriess.h.i.+re, in 1842, was founder of the Laurenceville Bronze Company (1891); and William Mackenzie (1841-1914), born in Glasgow, was founder of the Standard Bleachery at Carlton Hill, New Jersey. Hugh J. Chisholm (1847-1912), capitalist and manufacturer, was of Scottish parentage. James Smith Kirk (1818-86), soap manufacturer in Chicago, was born in Glasgow. George Yule, born in Rathen, Aberdeens.h.i.+re, in 1824, was distinguished in manufactures. William Chapman Ralston (1826-75), developer of California, was of Scottish ancestry. William Barr (1827-1908), merchant and philanthropist, founder of one of the largest dry goods firms in the Middle West, was born in Lanark. Matthew Baird (1817-77), born in Londonderry of Ulster Scot parentage, a partner in the Baldwin Locomotive Works, in 1865 became sole proprietor besides being a director in several other important corporations. James Douglas Reid (1819-1901), born in Edinburgh, superintended the construction of many of the most important telegraph lines in the United States and founded and edited the "National Telegraph Review." Theodore Irwin (b. 1827), grain merchant, manufacturer, and bibliophile; and Edward Henry Kellogg (b.

1828), manufacturer of lubricating oils, were of Scottish descent.

James Abercrombie Burden (b. 1833), ironmaster and manufacturer, was son of the great Scottish inventor, Henry Burden. William Sloane (d.

1879), came to the United States in 1834 and established the great carpet firm of William Sloane and Sons. The development of the tobacco industry which so enriched Glasgow in the middle of the eighteenth century, drew large numbers of Scots to Virginia as merchants and manufacturers, and, says Slaughter, "it is worthy of note that Scotch families such as the Dunlops, Tennants, Magills, Camerons, etc., are to this day (1879) leaders of the tobacco trade of Petersburg, which has grown so great as to swallow up her sisters, Blandford and Pocahontas, which were merged in one corporation in 1784." David Hunter McAlpin (b. 1816) was one of the largest tobacco manufacturers; and Alexander Cameron, born in 1834 at Grantown-on-Spey, had an extensive share in the tobacco business, with four large branch factories in Australia. Alexander Macdonald (b. 1833), born at Forres, Elgins.h.i.+re, was President of the Standard Oil Company of Kentucky and Director in several other important business enterprises. James Crow, Kentucky pioneer, (c. 1800-1859), born in Scotland and graduated as a physician from Edinburgh University. In 1822 went from Philadelphia to Woodford County, Kentucky, where his knowledge of chemistry enabled him vastly to improve the methods of distilling whiskey, and he became the founder of the great distilling industry of that state. Walter Callender, born in Stirling in 1834, was founder of the firm of Callender, McAuslan, and Troup, of Providence. E.J. Lindsay, born in Dundee in 1838, was manufacturer of agricultural implements in Wisconsin. Alexander Cochrane, born at Barrhead in 1840, was a great chemical manufacturer. Edwin Allen Cruikshank, born in 1843 of Scottish ancestry, was a real estate operator and one of the founders of the Real Estate Exchange in 1883. George Harrison Barbour, born in 1843 of Scottish parentage, was Vice-President and General Manager of the Michigan Stove Company, the largest establishment of the kind in the world. William Marshall, born in Leith in 1848, was founder of the Anglo-American Varnish Company (1890). Robert Means Thompson, born in 1849 of Scottish ancestry, was President of the Orford Copper Company, one of the largest producers of nickel in the world. William James Hogg (b. 1851), carpet manufacturer in Worcester and Auburn, Ma.s.sachusetts; and Francis Thomas Fletcher Lovejoy, Secretary of the Carnegie Steel Company were of Scottish descent. William Howe McElwain (b. 1867), shoe manufacturer in New England, is of Argylls.h.i.+re descent; and the Armours of Chicago, descended from James Armour, who came from Ulster c. 1750, claim Scottish ancestry. William Barbour (b. 1847), thread manufacturer, was grandson of a Scot who moved from Paisley, Scotland, to Lisburn, Ireland, in 1768, and in 1784 established what is now the oldest linen thread manufacturing establishment in the world. George A. Clark (1824-73), born in Paisley, established the thread mills at Newark, New Jersey, the business of which was carried on by his brother William (b. 1841), who came to the United States in 1860. The great Coates Thread Mills at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, are a branch of the firm of J. and J. Coates of Paisley. Hugh Chalmers (b. 1873), President of the Chalmers Motor Company, of Detroit, is descended from Thomas Chalmers who came from Scotland early in the nineteenth century. Ramsey Crooks (1786-1859), fur trader, born in Greenock, Scotland; came to America and settled in Wisconsin. In 1809, he entered the service of John Jacob Astor and made, with Donald Mackenzie and Robert Stuart, the memorable 3,500-mile trip to Astoria, on the Pacific Ocean. In 1834, he settled in New York and engaged successfully in business. During his residence at Mackinac Island, Mich., and on his adventurous trips he was a great friend and confidant of the Indians. Black Hawk said he was "The best paleface friend the red men ever had." Mention may also here be made of the Anchor line of Steams.h.i.+ps founded by Thomas and John Henderson of Glasgow. The s.h.i.+ps of this line began service between Glasgow and New York in 1856. In 1869 they established a North Sea service between Granton, Scotland, and Scandinavian ports and through this channel introduced many thousands of industrious Scandinavian settlers into the United States. In 1870 they established the first direct communication between Italy, southern Europe and the United States, and in 1873 they inaugurated, and were the princ.i.p.al carriers of, the live cattle trade between the United States and Europe.

SCOTS IN BANKING, FINANCE, INSURANCE AND RAILROADS

In the financial and commercial field in this country the Scots have held a foremost place and stand unrivalled for integrity, energy, fidelity, and enterprise. Many jibes are made at the expense of the Canny Scot, but American business men have realized his value. In business and commercial life the success of the average Scot is remarkable and many of the guiding spirits among America's successful business men are Scots or men of Scottish descent.

James Blair (b. 1807), brother of John Inslee Blair, was largely identified with the development of banks and railroads in Pennsylvania. George Smith (1808-99), born in Aberdeens.h.i.+re, founded the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company (1839) and was later a prominent banker in Georgia. Alexander Mitch.e.l.l (1817-87), financier, railroad builder, and one of the Commissioners of Public Debt of Milwaukee, was born near Ellon, Aberdeens.h.i.+re. Brown Brothers, bankers in New York, was founded by Alexander Brown (1764-1834) who was born in Ballymena of Ulster Scot parentage. George Bain (1836-91), merchant, banker, and director in many railroads, banks, and insurance companies, was born in Stirling, Scotland. Robert Craig Chambers (b.

1831), miner, financier, and State Senator of Utah, was of Scottish descent. John Aikman Stewart (b. 1822), President of the United States Trust Company and a.s.sistant Treasurer of the United States, was born in New York city, son of a native of Stornoway, Hebrides. Alonzo Barton Hepburn (b. 1847), descendant of Patrick Hepburn who came from Scotland in 1736, President of the Chase National Bank, a distinguished New York banker, has written much on financial subjects.

Thomas William Lamont (b. 1870), whose forefather came from Argylls.h.i.+re, is a member of the firm of J.P. Morgan & Co., and prominent in international finance. Walter Edwin Frew, President of the Corn Exchange Bank, New York, and President of the New York Clearing House is of Scottish parentage. He was a pioneer of the branch banking system in New York. James Berwick Forgan, born in St.

Andrews, in 1852, President of the First National Bank of Chicago, is a pillar of finance. Andrew Gla.s.sell (1827-1901), descendant of a Dumfriess.h.i.+re emigrant of 1756, was a prominent lawyer and banker in Los Angeles. James Alexander Linen (b. 1840), President of the First National Bank of Scranton, was of Scottish parentage. George Rutledge Gibson (b. 1853), of Scottish descent, has written largely on questions of foreign finance. John Hall McClement (b. 1862), railroad and financial expert, is of Scottish parentage. Duncan MacInnes, born at Inveresk, near Edinburgh, has been Chief Accountant of the City of New York for many years, and is one of the best equipped men in munic.i.p.al finance in America. Robert Graham Dun (1826-1900), mercantile credit expert, was grandson of Rev. James Dun, minister in Glasgow, who emigrated to Virginia, c. 1815.

Robert Burns Beath (1839-1914), President of the United Firemens'

Insurance Company of Philadelphia, and author of the "History of the Grand Army of the Republic" (1888), was of Scots parentage. William C.

Alexander (1806-74), President of the Equitable Life Insurance Company, was second son of Dr. Archibald Alexander of Princeton. His son James Waddell Alexander (1839-1915), was also President of the same Company. John Augustine McCall (1849-1906), President of the New York Life Insurance Company, was of Ulster Scot descent.

Men of Scottish birth or Scottish descent have had a prominent place in the development of the railroads of the United States from their inception to the present day. It was a Scot, Peter Fleming, Surveyor of the upper part of New York city, who laid out the grades for the first railroad in the state. John Inslee (or Insley) Blair (1802-99), founder of the Lackawanna Coal and Iron Company (1846), financier and founder of the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad, was a descendant of Samuel Blair who came from Scotland in 1720. Blairstown, New Jersey, is named in his honor. He gave half a million dollars to various Presbyterian inst.i.tutions. Samuel Sloan (1817-1907), President of the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad (1867-99), was born in Lisburn of Ulster Scot ancestry. John T. Grant (1813-87), railroad builder in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, was of Scottish origin; and so also was Thomas Alexander Scott (1824-81), Vice-President and President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, a.s.sistant Secretary of War (1861-62), and President of the Texas Pacific Railroad. James McCrea (b. 1836), descended from James McCrea, an Ulster Scot who came to America in 1776, was one of the ablest Presidents of the Pennsylvania Railroad. John Edgar Thompson, third President, Frank Thompson, sixth Vice-President of the Pennsylvania system, were also of Scottish descent. Alexander Johnson Ca.s.satt, seventh President, was Scottish on his mother's side. Another prominent Scot connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad was Robert Pitcairn, born at Johnstone, near Paisley, in 1836. Angus Archibald McLeod (b. 1847), re-organizer of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was also a Scot; and George Devereux Mackay (b. 1854), banker and railroad builders, was descended from John Mackay who came from Caithness in 1760. John Allan Muir (1852-1904), railroad promoter of California, was of Scottish parentage.

SCOTS AS JOURNALISTS, PUBLISHERS AND TYPEFOUNDERS

The first newspaper printed in North America, _The Boston News-Letter_ for April 24, 1704, was published by a Scot, John Campbell (1653-1728), bookseller and postmaster of Boston. John Mein and John Fleming, the founders and publishers of _The Boston Chronicle_ (1767) were both born in Scotland. The paper was printed "on a new and handsome type, a broad faced long primer, from an Edinburgh foundry, and typographically far surpa.s.sed any paper that had appeared before it in New England." David Hall (c. 1714-1772), born in Edinburgh, emigrated to America shortly after 1740, became a partner of Benjamin Franklin in 1748. He was printer of the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, one of the few leading newspapers of the day, and one of the founders of the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia. His son, William (died 1831), who carried on the printing business, was one of the original members of the "Light Horse of the City of Philadelphia," afterwards known as "The First City Troop," and served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Robert Aitken (1734-1802), born in Dalkeith, Scotland, printer and publisher in Philadelphia in 1769, was publisher of the _Pennsylvania Magazine_ from January 1775 to June 1776, the first magazine in Philadelphia containing ill.u.s.trations, most of which were engraved by Aitken himself. He also published, at his own expense, in 1782, the first English Bible printed in America. Major Andrew Brown (c. 1744-1797), born in the north of Ireland of Scottish parents, was publisher of the _Federal Gazette_, later (1793) changed to _Philadelphia Gazette_. He is credited with being the first newspaper man to employ a reporter for the debates in Congress. It may here be mentioned that the publisher of the first directory of Philadelphia and its suburbs (1782), was a Scot, Captain John Macpherson (1726-92). James Adams, Delaware's first printer (1761), was an Ulster Scot who learned the art of printing in Londonderry and founded the _Wilmington Courant_ in 1762. Col. Eleazer Oswald (1755-1795), of Scottish origin, though born in England, rendered brilliant service on the side of the colonies during the Revolution.

In 1779 he became a.s.sociated with William G.o.ddard in the _Maryland Journal_, the first newspaper printed in Baltimore. Later removing to Philadelphia he issued the first number of the _Independent Gazetteer, or the Chronicle of Freedom_, April 13, 1782, and at the same time he also conducted in New York _The Independent Gazetteer, or New York Journal_ (1782-87). The first daily paper published in Baltimore (1791) was by David Graham. Alexander Purdie, a native of Scotland, was editor of the _Virginia Gazette_ from March 1766 to December 1774.

Shortly after this date he started a Gazette of his own, and in the issue of his paper for June 7, 1776, he printed the heraldic device of a s.h.i.+eld, on which is a rattlesnake coiled, with supporters, dexter, a bear collared and chained, sinister, a stag. The crest is a woman's head crowned and the motto: _Don't tread on me_. Adam Boyd (1738-1803), colonial printer and preacher, purchased the printing outfit of another Scot, Andrew Stuart, who had set up the first printing press in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1763. In 1769 (Oct.

13) Boyd issued the first number of the _Cape Fear Mercury_, and continued it till 1776. James Johnston, born in Scotland, was the first to establish a printing press in Georgia (1762) and in April, 1763, began publication of _The Georgia Gazette_, which was published by him for twenty-seven years. His successor (1793) was another Scot, Alexander M'Millan, "Printer to the State." Robert Wells (1728-94), born in Scotland, was a publisher and bookseller in South Carolina for many years, and published the _South Carolina and American General Gazette_. John Wells, Florida's first printer (1784), born in Charleston, served his apprentices.h.i.+p at Donaldson's printing house in Edinburgh. Matthew Duncan, son of Major Joseph Duncan, of Scottish ancestry, introduced printing into Illinois in 1809, and published the first newspaper there. Major Nathaniel McLean, brother of John McLean, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, was one of the first publishers in Minnesota (1849, the same year in which printing was introduced into the state). The towns.h.i.+p of McLean, Ramsey county, was named in honor of him. There is mention of a printing press being set up in Michigan in 1785 by Alexander and William Macomb, but nothing further is known of it. The first book printed in Montana was in 1864, and in August of the same year John Buchanan founded the _Montana Post_ at Virginia City. John Dunlap (1747-1812), an Ulster Scot born in Strabane, was Congressional Printer and first printed the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Ritchie (1778-1854), born of Scottish parentage. He wielded a powerful influence for good in both the national and state politics of Virginia, and his funeral was attended by nearly all the distinguished men of the times, including the President. Ritchie County, West Virginia, was named in his honor. Francis Preston Blair (1791-1876), political writer, negotiator of peace conference at Hampton Roads in 1864, and editor of the Was.h.i.+ngton _Globe_, was a descendant of Commissary Blair of Virginia. James Gordon Bennett (1795-1872), born near Keith, Banffs.h.i.+re, pioneer of modern American journalism and founder of the New York _Herald_, a newspaper which has long wielded a great influence on political affairs. Horace Greeley (1811-72), founder of the New York _Tribune_, unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency in 1872, anti-slavery leader, and author of "The American Conflict" (1864-66), was of Ulster Scot descent. Of the same origin was Joseph Medill (1823-99), proprietor of the Chicago _Tribune_ (1874); and Robert Bonner (1824-99), founder of the New York _Ledger_ (1851), was born in Londonderry of Ulster Scot origin. James Thompson Callender (d. 1806), a political exile from Scotland, a controversial writer of great power, a severe critic of the administration of John Adams, founded the _Richmond Recorder_, predecessor of the _Richmond Enquirer_. John Swinton (1829-1901), born in Haddingtons.h.i.+re, was editorial writer for the New York _Times_ (1860-70), and _Sun_ (1875-83, 1893-97). He took an active interest in social and industrial questions and was Progressive Labor Party's candidate for State Senator in 1887. James Redpath (1833-91), journalist and author, born in Berwick-on-Tweed, was prominently identified with the abolition movement, was organizer of the school system of South Carolina, founder of the Boston Lyceum Bureau, war correspondent for Northern newspapers during the Civil War, and author of several histories and biographical works. William Andrew Ure (b. 1839), of Scottish parentage, by his energy made the Newark, New Jersey, _Sunday Call_, one of the leading newspapers in the state. Whitelaw Reid is noted under Amba.s.sadors. St. Clair McKelway (b. 1845), who became Regent and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the State of New York, was of Scots parentage. Andrew McLean, born in Renton, Dumbartons.h.i.+re, in 1848, is editor-in-chief of the _Brooklyn Citizen_, which under his guidance has become an influential paper. Was.h.i.+ngton McLean and his son, John R. McLean, established one of the greatest newspapers in the Middle West, the _Cincinnati Enquirer_. David Alexander Munro (1848-1910), a native of Maryburgh, Ross-s.h.i.+re, educated at Edinburgh University, editor for many years of the _North American Review_. John Foord, born in Perths.h.i.+re, came to the U.S. in 1869; became editorial writer on the _New York Times_ and later editor-in-chief; after 1883, editor and publisher of the _Brooklyn Union_; editor of _Harper's Weekly_; leader writer on _Journal of Commerce_, and editor of _Asia_. Other journalists who may be mentioned are William Cauldwell (b. 1824) of New York, of Scottish parentage on both sides; George Dawson (1813-83) of Albany, born in Falkirk, Scotland; William Wiston Seaton (1785-1866) of Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., a Regent of the Smithsonian Inst.i.tution; and George Horace Lorimer (b. 1867), journalist and author of "Letters from a Self-made Merchant to His Son" (1902), etc.

John J. McElhone (1832-90), famous as a stenographer and chief Official Reporter of the House of Representatives, was of Scottish ancestry.

Thomas Dobson, publisher of the first American edition of the _Encyclopaedia Britannica_ (1791), was a Scot who gave a great impulse to printing in the United States. Robert Carter (1807-89), publisher and founder of the house of Robert Carter and Brothers, so long and honorably known in New York city, was born in Earlston, Berwicks.h.i.+re.

Henry Ivison (1808-84), born in Glasgow, became a prominent publisher in New York. His son, David Brinkerhoff Ivison, born in 1835, was also a prominent publisher and founder of the American Book Company. John Wilson (1802-68), born in Glasgow, was founder of the famous printing firm of John Wilson and Son of Cambridge, Ma.s.sachusetts, now Harvard University Press. George Munro (1825-96), publisher of the _Seaside Library, Fireside Companion_, etc., was of Scottish descent. In the course of his life he gave away half a million dollars for educational purposes. Whatever may be thought of his appropriating the works of British authors without compensation it cannot be denied that he did a great deal to raise the literary taste among the poorer cla.s.ses in this country. George William Quids (1829-94), publisher and proprietor of the _Philadelphia Public Ledger_, was of Scottish descent. Robert Clarke (1829-99), founded of the great Cincinnati publis.h.i.+ng house of Robert Clarke and Co., was born in the town of Annan in Dumfriess.h.i.+re.

Norman Leslie Munro (1842-94), publisher of the _Family Story Paper_ and founder of Munro's Publis.h.i.+ng House, was born in Nova Scotia of Scottish ancestry.

John Baine, born in St. Andrews, in partners.h.i.+p with his grandson, established the first type-foundry in Philadelphia in 1787. Their firm cast the types for a portion of the American edition of the _Encyclopaedia Britannica_, reprinted in Philadelphia in 1791.

Archibald Binny, (1763-1838), born in Portobello, near Edinburgh, and James Ronaldson (d. 1841), also born in Scotland, succeeded to and carried on the business established by Baine. In 1797 they cast the first $ sign used in this country. The quality and art of their product was in no wise inferior to the European and the sale of foreign made types ceased shortly after they established their business. Their foundry kept pace with the growth of the country and in the seventies of last century became the best and most extensive letter-foundry in the world. Archibald Binny loaned the United States Government the sum of 50,000 dollars for use in the war of 1812-14.

Ronaldson was first president of the Franklin Inst.i.tute in Philadelphia (1824-41), an inst.i.tution in which he took a great interest, and in 1831 presented to Philadelphia the beautiful cemetery bearing his name. He was described as "an upright, frugal and honest man, and a lover of his adopted country." George Bruce (1781-1866), born in Edinburgh, along with his brother David introduced the art of stereotyping, the secret of which David secured in Edinburgh. In 1816 they purchased a foundry for type making and stereotyping, and George Bruce in his seventy-eighth year of age produced type which has rarely been excelled for beauty of design and neatness of finish. "He did much toward facilitating American printing and towards making it a fine art, inventing, with the a.s.sistance of his nephew, David Bruce, Jr., a successful type-casting machine which has come into general use." Thomas Mackellar (1812-1899), printer and poet, also one of the leading type founders, was of Scottish parentage. William Vincent McKean, born in 1820 of Ulster Scot descent, was another distinguished type-founder and editor-in-chief of the _Philadelphia Public Ledger_ for many years. Another individual who may be included under this head is Adam Ramage who was born in Scotland and died at an advanced age in Philadelphia in 1850. He was distinguished as a manufacturer of printing presses in the beginning of last century, and patented the "Ramage" press in 1818.

SOME PROMINENT SCOTS IN NEW YORK CITY

Many names mentioned in other sections apply equally to New York city but for lack of s.p.a.ce they are not here again referred to. David Jamison, one of the early Colonial lawyers in New York, was born in Scotland. In 1707 he defended Francis Makemie, the Presbyterian clergyman, when he was arrested for preaching in the city without a license, and in 1710 he became Chief Justice of New Jersey. James Graham (died c. 1700), Recorder of the city, was also a native of Scotland. John Watts (1749-1836), of Scots parentage, was the last Royal Recorder of the city, Speaker of the New York a.s.sembly, Member of Congress, 1793-96, and founder of the Leake and Watts Orphan Asylum. Archibald Gracie, born in Dumfries, emigrated to America about 1778. Through his business enterprise he largely developed the commercial importance of the port of New York. He was also founder of the first Savings Bank in America, founder of the Lying-in Hospital of the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church, President of the Chamber of Commerce for twenty years, etc. Cadwallader David Golden (1769-1834), grandson of Cadwallader Colden, was Mayor of the city from 1818 to 1821, and made an enviable record in that office. James Lenox (1800-80), merchant, philanthropist, bibliophile, and founder of the Lenox Library, now incorporated in the New York Public Library, was one of the most useful citizens New York ever possessed. His public benefactions were numerous, but only the largest were made public.

Among these were the Lenox Library, formerly at Fifth Avenue and Seventieth Street; the Presbyterian Hospital, and liberal endowments to Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary. Alexander Turney Stewart (1803-76), merchant and philanthropist, born in Ireland of Scots parents, established the great dry goods business now owned by John Wanamaker. He was nominated as Secretary of the Treasury (1869) but was not confirmed. Hugh Maxwell (1787-1873), born in Paisley, was a.s.sistant Junior Advocate General in 1814, District Attorney for the city from 1819 to 1829, and Collector of the Port (1849-52). Robert L. Stuart (1806-82) and his brother Alexander (1810-79), sugar refiners, both gave large sums, estimated at over two million dollars, to many charities, and the library, pictures, and mineral and sh.e.l.l collections of the former are preserved in a separate room of the New York Public Library. Hugh Auchincloss (1817-90) and John Auchincloss, his brother, sons of Hugh Auchincloss of Paisley, were prominent merchants in the city. Robert Lenox Kennedy (b. 1822), banker and public spirited citizen, grandson of a Scot, was President of the Trustees of the New York Public Library, an inst.i.tution largely Scottish in its foundation and endowment. James Gibb, born in Scotland in 1829, a successful merchant, was President of Brooklyn Park Commission. James Cruikshank (b. 1831), of Scottish descent, was noted for his activity in furthering education in Brooklyn. Abram Stevens Hewitt (1822-1903), of Scottish parentage, was Member of Congress from New York (1875-79, 1881-86), and Mayor of the city (1887-88). John Stewart Kennedy (1830-1909), financier and philanthropist, born at Blantyre, near Glasgow, gave one million dollars to the Presbyterian Hospital as his golden wedding anniversary gift, five hundred thousand dollars to Columbia University, besides innumerable gifts to other inst.i.tutions. His will left over sixty-seven million dollars, nearly half of it for charitable purposes. Alexander Ector Orr (1831-1914), President of New York Rapid Transit Commission, Vice-President of many financial inst.i.tutions, was of Ulster Scot descent. Thomas Fitchie (1834-1905), of Scottish parentage, was an earnest worker for purity in civil life in Brooklyn.

Charles A. Lamont (1835-1904), son of Neil Lamont from Scotland, was one of the original members of the Republican Party and of the Union League prominent in city affairs. He was the originator of the Ramapo scheme of water supply for the city. Robert Maclay (b. 1836), of Scottish parentage, was President of the Knickerbocker Ice Company (1875), Commissioner of Education, Rapid Transit Commissioner, etc.

Dr. Albert Prescott Marble (1836-1906), a recognized leader in educational matters, President of the Board of Superintendents of the New York Department of Education, was a descendant of one of the Scots settlers of Maine. Robert Macy Galloway (b. 1837), merchant and banker, had a considerable part in developing the elevated railroads of the city. Eugene Gilbert Blackford (1839-1904), merchant and ichthyologist, of Scottish descent, "did more to advance the interests of fish culture in this country than any other man." He wrote much on the subject and to his efforts was due the creation of the Aquarium at the Battery. Alexander Taylor, born in Leith, Scotland, in 1821, was founder of the firm of Alexander Taylor's Sons. Walter Scott, managing Director of Butler Brothers, born in Canada, of Scottish parentage, is widely known as a liberal promoter of education, art, athletics, and patriotism.

SCOTTISH SOCIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES

That the Scots in America have not been solely devoted to business and the promotion of their own selfish welfare is evidenced by the remarkable growth of their numerous Societies based upon the extension of fellows.h.i.+p among Scots in the New World and for the collection and distribution of charitable funds among the poor and needy of their countrymen. The oldest of these Societies, the Scots' Charitable Society of Boston, was founded January 6, 1657, with twenty-seven members. It was followed by the St. Andrew's Club of Charleston, S.C.

(the first to bear the name of St. Andrew), 1729; the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia, December 7, 1749; the St. Andrew's Society of Savannah, Ga., 1750; the St. Andrew's Society of the Province, afterward of the State of New York, November 19, 1756; and the St.