DAGUERREOTYPE SKETCHES 
 
 OF THa 
 
 IMEIMBEIIS 
 
 0? 
 
 FIRST COMMO^^ COUNCIL, 
 
 AFTER CONSOLIDATION, 
 
 1854 AND 185 5. 
 
 BY 
 
 A REPORTER FOR COMMON COUNCIL. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 W. H. SICKELS, PRINTER, No. 102 CHESTNUT STREET. 
 
 1855. 
 
Tisi 
 
 r 
 
 ,k1^3 
 
 E E R A T A . 
 
 The age of Mr. Iloppel is iaconvctly stated, and we are sorry ws cannot give it. 
 
 ^'^^;v 
 
 / 
 
 
 '7 
 
 / 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Preface 5 
 
 Meeting Room of Council g 
 
 Dielil, John H. ( Chuirrnan,) 7 
 
 Abbey, Charles 9 
 
 Andress, Conrad B. 1 1 
 
 Austin, Seth 13 
 
 Berry, Eichard M. 15 
 
 Bishop, Stilhvill Shaw 1 7 
 
 Balch, Thomas 1 9 
 
 Bumra, Henry 21 
 
 Binder, George A. 23 
 
 Butcher, Thomas T. 25 
 
 Boswell, James J. 28 
 
 Boyle, Patrick 31 
 
 Copcland, Samuel 32 
 
 Cowell, Joseph M. 34 
 
 Cresswell, Robert 36 
 
 Conrad, William 38 
 
 Corlies, Daniel 40 
 
 Crispin, Benjamin F. 41 
 
 Dunk, Charles S. 42 
 
 Davenport, James 44 
 
 Dennis, William H. 46 
 
 Dougherty, Michael J. 48 
 
 Dubree, John 50 
 
 Eastwick, A. M. 51 
 
 Gibson, James Madison 54 
 
 Giller, John U. 56 
 
 Grove, Conrad S. 58 
 
 Gray, Anson 60 
 
 Griscom, George 62 
 
 Gilliugham, Robert P. 64 
 
 (iii) 
 
IV CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Gay, James 66 
 
 Green, Alpheus W. G8 
 
 Gratz, Edward 70 
 
 Graeff, Charles E. 72 
 
 Ilousermm, Jolin A. 74 
 
 HollirKui, C. J. 76 
 
 Harper, Alexander 78 
 
 Honi, John 79 
 
 Hacker, William 1\ 80 
 
 Hubbani, Charles 82 
 
 Hoppel, Albert E. 84 
 
 Hillis, Nathan 86 
 
 Hassiugcr, David S. 88 
 
 Laws, Peter E. 90 
 
 Lloyd, John ■ ; 92 
 
 Larzalere, William 94 
 
 Mercer, John A. 96 
 
 Moran, William 98 
 
 Marticn, James W. 100 
 
 Matthews, William 102 
 
 Manuel, Jr., Joseph 104 
 
 Magarge, Charles lOG 
 
 Norton, George 108 
 
 Newell, Eobert 110 
 
 O'Neill, Constantine B. E. 112 
 
 Powell, William M. 114 
 
 Pomeroy, George W. 115 
 
 Parham, William M. 117 
 
 Painter, John S. 118 
 
 Preston, John E. 120 
 
 Bead, William H. J. 122 
 
 Randall, Samuel J. 1 24 
 
 Rhoads, Andrew 126 
 
 Roberts, Thomas J. 128 
 
 Stuart, James 130 
 
 Shectz, Peter 132 
 
 Shuster, Henry 134 
 
 Smith, William E. 136 
 
 Stallman, John 138 
 
 Taylor, Edmund 140 
 
 Verree, James 142 
 
 Watt, William W. 144 
 
 Wickersham, Morris S. 146 
 
 Wagner, Charles M. 147 
 
PEEFACE. 
 
 In publishing our little volume, containing Daguerreotype Sketches of 
 the members of Common Council, we make no claim to having produced a 
 work of literary merit, but merely short, oir-handed sketches, written dur- 
 ing our leisure moments, while reporting for Common Council ; hence we 
 have said nothing of the members of the Select branch, leaving that body 
 for some future occasion. 
 
 From our intimate acquaintance with each of the gentlemen noticed in 
 our book, we have given our impressions of their character and position, 
 without any desire to flatter, and with a determination to " nothing extenu- 
 ate, nor set down aught iu malice." 
 
 Much has been said about the extravagance of the present City Govern- 
 ment. Though the expenditures may seem great, there is some reason for 
 it, in the fact, that the present Councils now provide for the entire Con- 
 solidated City, whilst, previous to its organization, the City was divided into 
 several distinct governments, and hence the expenditures for the public use 
 never came prominently before the public. 
 
 There must necessarily be much confusion, and some little extravagance, 
 in the organization of a new government, particularly when the Legislature 
 is composed almost entirely of men new to public life ; but time Avill cor- 
 rect this evil, and men who are now considered wild in their notions about 
 municipal affairs, will have justice done them, after they have retired to 
 private life. 
 
 We should foil iu one of the duties imposed upon us were we to fail in 
 returning our thanks to Mr. John M. Riley, the efficient Clerk of Common 
 Council; C. W. Steel, Assistant Clerk; James Zimmerman and Edward 
 G. Fox, Messengers of Common Council, and Jacob Smith, IMessenger of 
 Select Council, for the many favors we have received at their hands, dur- 
 ing our connection with Councils as reporter for one of the daily papers, 
 and our sincere wish is, that thoy may long retain the offices which they so 
 
 worthily fill. 
 
 Tine Reforteb. 
 
 (V) 
 
THE MEETING UOOM OF COUNCIL. 
 
 Previous to the Consolidation of the City, the old Councils met in the 
 two rooms in the upper part of the building at Fifth and Chesnut streets ; 
 but after that event took place, it was found that larger rooms were neces- 
 sary to accommodate the increased number of members. 
 
 With this object in view, the rooms in the second story of Independence 
 Hall were selected, and immediate preparations made to fit them up in a 
 style worthy the sacred Hall, and the purposes for which it was destined. 
 
 The rooms now used by Council, were occupied in 1776 by Congress. 
 The Senate of the first Congress met in the west end of the building. The 
 room on the east was used for the Committees of Congress. In addition to 
 these rooms, there was a " lobby" extending the entire length of the build- 
 ing eastward from the landing, and in colonial days was famed as being the 
 scene of many a sumptuous feast. In this lobby the American officei-s, cap- 
 tured at the battle of Germantown, were confined. A number of soldiers 
 wounded at the battle of Brandywine, breathed their last on this spot. 
 
 Under the skilful management of Mr. Jacob W. Colladay, the old rooms 
 have been entirely refitted and modernized, and now present the most beau- 
 tiful appearance of any rooms in this country used for mimicipal purposes. 
 So well has the work been performed by Mr. Colladay, tliat he lias been se- 
 lected by the proper authorities to furnish plans and fit up nearly all the 
 public buildings. 
 
 (Ti) 
 
|!rtsibcnt of Common (Louncil, 
 
 JOHN H. DIEHL, 
 
 SEVENTH WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is favorably and extensively known 
 throughout the city, not only as a merchant, and Presi- 
 dent of the Independent Mutual Fire and Marine Insu- 
 rance Company, but as an active and ardent Whig — one 
 who has by his constant advocacy of the doctrines of his 
 party, been frequently favored with their confidence and 
 votes. 
 
 Mr. Diehl, we believe, first came before the people as a 
 candidate for the Legislature of Pennsylvania, an office to 
 which he was elected in the year 1848, and again in 1849. 
 At that time the Democrats were larn;elv in the ascendant, 
 therefore there was but little chance for a full development 
 of his legislative capacities. 
 
 After his retirement from this office he was elected for 
 two successive years to a seat in the Councils of the old 
 City, and where he soon became one of the most prominent 
 members. While here he was on the Committees on Water, 
 
 (vii) 
 
VIU JOHN H. DIEHL. 
 
 Police and Highways. He was the most eloquent advocate 
 in Council for the building of the Sunbury and Erie Rail- 
 road, and we are sure but few of those present during the 
 discussion of the question, will ever forget his manly and 
 truly eloquent appeal in behalf of this great enterprise. 
 
 Mr. Diehl was also an able advocate for the removal of 
 the market-houses in Market street, and the success of the 
 measure may be mainly attributable to him. The report 
 made by the Committee, of which he was Chairman, was 
 one of the ablest and most convincing reports ever present- 
 ed to the old Councils. 
 
 Mr. Diehl is a native of the State of Delaware, but has 
 resided in Philadelphia ever since 1817, two years after be 
 was born. He was elected to the present Council from the 
 Seventh Ward, on the Independent Whig ticket, and on the 
 day of its organization, according to the provisions of the 
 Consolidation Act, was chosen almost by a unanimous vote, 
 as President of Common Council — a position which he fills 
 with much dignity. He brought to the Chair much legis- 
 lative experience, as well as a mind quick in its operations. 
 Thus he is enabled to preserve perfect order, and give de- 
 cisions which are very rarely appealed from. Common 
 Council was fortunate in the selection of such a man to pre- 
 side over its deliberations. 
 
gagucrrcfltipe ^htttljes. 
 
 CHAELES ABBEY, 
 
 FIFTH AVARD. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is familiar to most of our citi- 
 zens, as the proprietor of an extensive establishment for 
 gold beating, and a successful manufacturer of dentists* 
 gold foil, and as one of the " City Fathers," before and 
 since Consolidation ; he having served four years in the 
 old City Councils, and during that time won for himself the 
 respect and esteem of our citizens, by his unflinching integ- 
 rity and devotedncss to the City's interest, not only as ex- 
 hibited at the meetings of Council, but in services as member 
 of several important committees. 
 
 Mr. Abbey Avas elected to the present Council from the 
 Fifth "Ward, by a majority of one or two hundred votes, thus 
 
10 
 
 approving of his public acts in the old Council. Mr. A., 
 though making no great pretensions to being a public 
 speaker, is not slow in expressing his views upon all ques- 
 tions of public importance, and particularly in reference to 
 questions for sustaining the credit of the city. He is never 
 ,' absent from the meetings of Council, and is always in his 
 seat, watching narroAvly the proceedings, never allowing a 
 doubtful bill to pass, or what appears to be an exorbitant 
 charge, without opposing its passage, without proper expla- 
 nation and elucidation from the member submitting it. 
 
 Mr. Abbey was born in Connecticut, and removed to this 
 city in 1818, and has always voted in Dock Ward. He is 
 fifty-five years of age, but still retains all the buoyancy and 
 good humor of youth, at no time allowing the heat of debate 
 to ruffle his temper or treat his fellow members discour- 
 teously. He may be truly termed a worthy and honorable 
 representative, and whose continued return to Council 
 would be of service to his constituents as well as the public 
 generally. 
 
11 
 
 co?;rad b. andeess, 
 
 ELEVENTH WARD. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is in the thirty-eighth year of 
 his age, and was born in the okl district of the Northern 
 Liberties. He is well known to many of our citizens as a 
 builder and measurer, and as such has always maintained 
 an enviable character for honesty and integrity. 
 
 As an evidence of the esteem in which he is held, by 
 those who have the best opportunity of knowing him, we 
 have only to say that he was elected on the Whig ticket by 
 the highest vote of any of his colleagues on the Common 
 Council ticket. This was the only election, also, that he 
 had ever been before the people, except one year, when he 
 was a candidate for Commissioner. 
 
 The father of Mr. D. is one of the oldest residents of the 
 Northern Liberties, and for many years was one of the most 
 prominent politicians in that vicinity, and to his honor be it 
 said, was one of the first who raised his voice in favor of the 
 present glorious system of Public School education ; and 
 he is still living to witness the blessed fruits of his labors, 
 
12 
 
 which, " like the dews of Heaven, shed their influence upon 
 the rich and the poor." 
 
 He was, also, one of the Judges of the Recorder's Court, 
 to which Judge Conrad was attached, and after tlie expira- 
 tion of his term, served as Guardian of the Poor nine years. 
 He was, also, appointed as one of the Aldermen for the Dis- 
 trict of the Northern Liberties, by Governor Ritner. The 
 elder Mr. Andress is still living, having retired from busi- 
 ness after a long life spent in usefulness and honor. 
 
 His son, the subject of this sketch, is highly esteemed by 
 all that know him, not only in Council, but among his fellow 
 citizens. He has been, during the past fifteen years, an 
 active fireman, and still holds the position of President of 
 the Northern Liberties Hose Company. 
 
 Mr. A. oftan participates in the debates of Council, and 
 in his speeches evinces a mind well trained to the practical 
 necessities of the times, and not easily carried away by 
 theories — therefore his votes are always given after mature 
 deliberation and consideration. 
 
1'^ 
 
 SETH AUSTIN, 
 
 SEVENTEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr Austin is a native of New Jersey, but lias lived in 
 tliis city for the past thirty-two years. He is now in hia 
 fiftieth year, though apparently a much younger man. 
 
 Mr. Austin has always been an active Democrat, though 
 never was a candidate before the people, previous to his 
 election to the present Council. 
 
 To those who know Mr. Austin, it is unnecessary for us 
 to say, that he has ever maintained an unspotted reputation 
 in his AVard, not only as a politician, but as a business man. 
 
 In Council, Mr. Austin has not taken any part in the 
 debates, though he is always present at the meetings of 
 Covmcil, and the Committee on Surveys. His desire seems 
 to be, to so vote and act, as will best redound to the inte- 
 rest of his constituents, as well as that of tlie citv. 
 
14 
 
 It -would, no doubt, redound to the interest of this, as 
 well as future Councils, if many members could only under- 
 stand the same principle upon which Mr. A. operates, and 
 that is, to speak only when the importance of the occasion 
 demands it, and work harder in committees, where all the 
 discussions and close scrutiny into bills should take place. 
 
15 
 
 lUCHARD M. BEREY, 
 
 FIRST WARD. 
 
 Mr. Berry, like our friend from the Twenty-third Ward, 
 may be classed as one of the tall members, he being six 
 feet and two inches high. He is now in his thirty-third 
 year, and for one so young, is exceedingly popular among 
 the citizens of the First Ward of our City. He was elected 
 by four hundred majority, and the only Democrat in the 
 Ward that was elected to Council. 
 
 Mr. Berry is a good old fashioned Democrat, both in 
 manners and appearance, and though a little rough to the 
 eye, possesses noble traits of character, which render him 
 a favorite among his associates. No man in the Common 
 Council is more attentive to business, never missing a meet- 
 ing, either of the Committees or Council, and his votes will 
 always be found recorded favorable to measures which are 
 calculated to add to the greatness and prosperity of our 
 City. 
 
 Mr. B. may be considered one of the masses, making no 
 claim to great pretensions for the advantages of education, 
 
16 
 
 but relying mostly upon his good common sense, and busi- 
 ness capacity, which has won for him the confidence of those 
 who know him best. 
 
 He has on several occasions entered into the discussion 
 of questions before Council, and though making no preten- 
 tions to the claim of being a public speaker, he is enabled 
 to express his ideas with force and fluency. 
 
 !Mr. B. by industry and integrity, has been enabled to 
 establish himself firmly in the good esteem of the citizens 
 of his Ward, and we are satisfied that the confidence reposed 
 in him will never be betraved. 
 
17 
 
 STILLWILL SHAW EISIIOP, 
 
 FIFTH WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is the senior partner of the shipping- 
 house of Bishop, Simons k Co. The operations of the firm 
 are quite extensive, and their ships are engaged in the trade 
 of San Francisco, New Orleans, Texas and other Southern 
 ports. 
 
 Mr. Bishop has given but little of his time to politics, 
 though he has always been a consistent and ardent Whig. 
 He is a native of New Jersey, but has lived in this city 
 since 1823. On his first arrival, he entered the shipping- 
 house of Joseph Hand, so well known over the country, 
 where he remained until the present firm was organized. 
 
 His first appearance before the people, was as a candidate 
 on the Whig ticket, for a seat in the first Council, under 
 the Consolidation act, and his election was secured by a 
 large majority. 
 
 As a merchant, Mr. Bishop stands high. His dignity of 
 character, and punctuality in all business afiairs, has ren- 
 dered him exceedingly popular with all who come in coa- 
 
 tact with him. 
 3 
 
18 
 
 Since he has taken his seat, the same integrity of charac- 
 ter, and application to business, has been manifested — - 
 attending faithfully to his public duties, both in the meet- 
 inirs of Council and the committees to which he is attached. 
 
 Mr. Bishop has not yet participated in any of the debates 
 of Council, but we have no doubt, when occasion requires 
 it, he will be found willing and able to join in. 
 
19 
 
 THOMAS EALCH, 
 
 NINTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Balch may be classed among the new men in Coun- 
 cil, he never having been a candidate before the people 
 previous to his election to the present Comicil. Though 
 one of the youngest members of Common Council, he has, 
 by his knowledge of legislative business, and readiness in 
 debate, made himself one among the most prominent mem- 
 bers. 
 
 Mr. Balch is a native of Jefferson county, Virginia, where 
 his father, a lawyer, still resides. Mr. B. studied law in 
 the City of New York, with ]\Ir. Cambreleng, and was 
 admitted to practice in that city, in 1845. Soon after this 
 he removed to Philadelphia, and commenced the practice of 
 his profession. 
 
 Mr. Balch's family have been much distinguished in the 
 annals of our country's history. His grandfather, Rev. 
 Stephen B. Balch, D.D., settled and resided in George- 
 town, D. C, for fifty-seven years, and during the Revolu- 
 tionary war, threw off his priestly robes, and entered into 
 
20 
 
 the glorious struggle as a Captain. A brother of the Rev. 
 geutlemau's, Ilczekiah J. Baloh, was one of the authors of 
 the Mccklenhurg Declaration of Independence, which was 
 signed in May, 1775, one vear previous to the promulgation 
 of the glorious Charter of our Liberties, signed July 4th, 
 1776. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was selected by the ^lanagers 
 of the Franklin Institute, to deliver the Annual Address for 
 1854, a duty which he discharged with entire satisfaction to 
 the Managers, and a large and intelligent audience present. 
 
 Mr. Balch was elected to Council from the Ninth Ward, 
 on the Democratic ticket, by a majority of some three hun- 
 dred votes, the balance of the ticket elected being Whigs. 
 
 In Comicil, Mr. Balch has been quite prominent and 
 active, having served as Chairman of the Committee to in- 
 vestigate the aftairs of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad. 
 The report from this Committee was an able one, and re- 
 flected great honor upon the members of it, for the industry 
 and talent displayed on its pages. INIr. B. was also the 
 Chairman of tlie Committee on the Police and Fire Alarm 
 Telegraph, and through his untiring industry, assisted by 
 other members of the Committee, the plan recommended by 
 them Avas adopted by Common Council. 
 
 Mr. B. has introduced and carried through a great many 
 important resolutions, owing to the fact, perhaps, of his 
 general urbanity of demeanor, and able advocacy of them 
 in debate. 
 
21 
 
 HENEY BUMM, 
 
 EIGHTEEN T II W A R D . 
 
 Henry Bumm, of the Eighteenth "Ward, next claims our 
 attention. He is but twenty-nine years of age, and would 
 readily pass for twenty-five. He is short in stature, good 
 figure, blade hair and eyes, and taken altogether, may be 
 considered one of the good-looking members. 
 
 Mr. Bumm was a member of the Board of Commissioners 
 of the late District of Kensington, and was Chairman of the 
 Finance Committee, a position of great responsibility and 
 trust, the duties of which were discharged by him in a 
 maimer, not only satisfactory to his fellow members, but to 
 his constituents- During his connection with this Board, 
 Mr. Bumm rendered himself somewhat conspicuous for his 
 opposition to the building of certain useless culverts in that 
 district, the contracts for which were given out in opposition 
 to all rules of justice and right, and for the building of 
 which the city has been called upon to pay large sums of 
 money for a useless purpose. 
 
 The course of Mr. Bumm, on this and other questions of 
 
22 
 
 interest to the Dlt^trict, increased his popularity to a great 
 extent in the Eighteenth Ward, and after Consolidation his 
 name was among the first proposed for the new Legislative 
 body. 
 
 To show that the subject of this sketch was not forgotten, 
 by those for whom he had labored, it is only necessary for 
 us to state that he was elected by a majority of eight hun- 
 dred and twelve votes. This confidence in ]\Ir. Bumm, we 
 are satisfied, will never be violated or abused by him. 
 
 Since ]Mr. B.'s advent as one of the " City Fathers," he 
 has won the esteem and confidence of every member of the 
 Common branch, not because of his much speaking, but for 
 his industry and close application to the duties incumbent 
 upon him. He is rarely absent from either a meeting of 
 Council or the Committee to which he belongs, and in the 
 transaction of business he is prompt, energetic, and tena- 
 ciously alive to all measures calculated to promote the best 
 interests of his constituents and the whole city. 
 
 In conclusion, we might say, that Mr. Bumm is truly a 
 working member, and winning for himself, in and out of 
 Council, a fair fame, by his urbanity and honest endeavors 
 to do that which is right. To know him is to appreciate his 
 worth, and our humble wish is, that the city may long be 
 able to command his services. 
 
23 
 
 GEOllGE A. BIND Ell 
 
 TWENTIETH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Binder is a native of Philadelphia, and is now in his 
 thirty-fourth year, and was elected to the present Council 
 on the Independent Reform Ticket, by a majority of over 
 four hundred votes. 
 
 Mr. Binder is well and favorably known by the citizens 
 of the Twentieth Ward, he having served for six successive 
 years as one of the Board of Commissioners of the District 
 of Penn, and previous to which time served as Treasurer of 
 the District, the duties of which office he discharged with 
 satisfaction to the Board and the people. 
 
 While in this body, Mr. Binder was on the Committees of 
 Finance, Water, and several others, besides being Chairman 
 of numerous Special Committees, one of which, through his 
 agency, caused a certain delinquent to pay over a large 
 amount of money, which had been for a long time withheld 
 from the District. 
 
 During all the strunrdes in this Board of Commissioners 
 between the reform and anti-reform parties, Mr. Binder was 
 always firm in his endeavors to save the District frum ex- 
 
24 
 
 travagant contracts and corrupt legislation. Mr. Binder 
 was one of the few members of this Board, respected by 
 the people, and rewarded for his services by an election to 
 the first Council under the Consolidation act. 
 
 During his connection with Council, Mr. B. has lost none 
 of his popularity, for his speeches and votes on all questions, 
 and particularly that of the Thompson street Culvert, dis- 
 tinctly show that he still maintains his determination of 
 doing that which will add most to the interest of his con- 
 stituents and the welfare of the City, 
 
 His re-election, if he desires it, we should think, will be 
 certain. 
 
25 
 
 THOMAS T. BUTCHER, 
 
 TWENTY-FOUllTII WARD. 
 
 The subject of the following sketch was elected to Com- 
 mon Council by two hundred and fifty majority, by the 
 united Whig and American party. He is now in his fortieth 
 year, but to all appearance is a much younger man. He is 
 a Philadelphian by birth, and during the past fifteen or six- 
 teen years has been one of our most active merchants. 
 
 In the year 1839, in connection with his brother Wash- 
 ington, they commenced business under the firm of T. T. & 
 W. Butcher, (the firm previous to this was Amos W. But- 
 cher k Sons,) in the same building in Water street, which 
 had been the business place of their father and grandfather, 
 for near three quarters of a century. The style of this firm 
 was, some years afterwards, changed to Butcher & Brother. 
 
 In the year 1850 or '51, in consecjuence of their store 
 beiu'' insufficient in size to accommodate their increasinir 
 business, they purchased the building and lot of ground in 
 Front street, near Race, known at that time as the former 
 residence of Henry Pratt, Esq. Here they erected a 
 4 
 
26 
 
 spacious fire-proof warehouse, adapted in every respect to 
 the wants of their business. This building has a front of 
 fifty-one feet, by one hundred and fifty feet deep, and is five 
 stories high, and has been considered by strangers and mer- 
 chants, who have visited our city, as one of the largest and 
 most substantial buildings in the United States, and admi- 
 rably adapted for their particular business. 
 
 For several years past, this firm has been considered one 
 of the largest and most successful in our city. They also 
 show the rather unusual circumstance, in our country, of 
 three generations of merchants, of the same direct family, 
 pursuing an active business career, in the same place, for 
 nearly a century, and sustaining an unblemished integrity 
 of character, having never failed during that whole period, 
 to the present time, to meet their every engagement. 
 
 Thos. T. Butcher, the senior partner of the firm just 
 named, retired from business in November, 1852, to a 
 beautiful residence that he purchased some years before, 
 from our talented townsman, Joseph R. Ingersoll, Esq., ad- 
 joining the Powelton estate, in the Twenty-fourth Ward, 
 where he is at all times ready to receive his friends with 
 open hearted welcome. 
 
 Mr. Butcher has never desired or occupied any political 
 position previous to his present election, but has been for 
 several years, and is now, an active Director and Manager 
 in several ?>lercantile and Philanthropic Institutions of our 
 city. lie was a Director of the Girard Bank for several 
 years. Their firm has always been a warm friend of the 
 Pennsylvania railroad, and contributed liberally to the origi- 
 nal subscription for building that road. His brother. Wash- 
 
27 
 
 ington, has been a Director of the road from the commence- 
 ment to the present time. 
 
 In Council, Mr. Butcher is ever attentive to the interests 
 of his constituents, not only in giving his vote but in speech, 
 whenever such a course is necessary. With a little more 
 legislative experience, Mr. B. will become a good speaker, 
 not that he lacks at present ideas or language to express 
 them — but that confidence in himself, which is only attained 
 after years in the public service. 
 
28 
 
 JAMES J. BOS WELL, 
 
 TWENTY-FOURTH WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is one of the few, in the present body 
 who has had the advantage of enlarged experience as a 
 former representative of the old city. Although born in 
 Virginia, a long residence in Philadelphia of some forty 
 years has almost made him " native and to the manor born," 
 ■while a continuous service for the last fifteen years in a 
 public capacity, has given him an intimate knowledge of the 
 power, the interests, and the necessities of the new corpo- 
 ration. 
 
 In 1841, Mr. Boswell was first appointed a member of 
 Common Council, from what then constituted New Market 
 Ward, in the old City of Philadelphia, and continued to be 
 successively chosen a member of that branch of Councils, 
 until 1845, when he was elected to the Select Council, to 
 fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the late well 
 known and lamented Thomas P. Cope. In this latter ca- 
 pacity, Mr. Boswell served until January, 1850, Avhen he 
 resigned his place in Councils, but continued to serve the 
 
29 
 
 public in the capacity of a Director of the Girard College, 
 until June, 18o4, Avhcn he was chosen to represent tho 
 Twenty-fourth Ward, in the organization of the new City. 
 Upon his first appointment to Councils, Mr. BosAvell waa 
 placed upon the very important Committee to superintend 
 and direct the building of the Girard College, and for two 
 years, and until its completion, he continued to be a mem- 
 ber of that Committee, one year of which he served as 
 Chairman. Upon the organization of that Institution, he 
 was appointed one of its Directors, and continued in that 
 capacity, as stated above, until his recent election to the 
 new City corporation. 
 
 The experience which has been gained, by fifteen years of 
 intimate connection with this most important trust, has been 
 recognized by his appointment to the Committee of the Gi- 
 rard Estate of the present Councils. 
 
 During Mr. Boswell's connection with the old City Cor- 
 poration, he served on several Special Committees of great 
 importance, and sustained by his voice and vote several 
 matters of public action upon which sentiment was at that 
 time greatly divided, but which experience has since shown 
 to be most important to Philadelphia interests. Upon the 
 c^uestion of a City subscription to the Pennsylvania Rail- 
 road, he especially took an active part, and as one of the 
 Committee who reported in favor of this f»roposition, he 
 aided materially in determining a favorable vote, at a time 
 when Select Council was almost equally divided on the sub- 
 ject. 
 
 Upon his resignation from Councils, Mr. Boswell was 
 honored by the unusual compliment of resolution of regret, 
 on the part of his fellow members. 
 
30 
 
 Mr. Boswell has always been, and still continues to be 
 noted for his prompt and faithful attendance at the meetings 
 of Council and its Committees, from which he is very rarely 
 absent. His large experience in public affairs, as well as 
 his natural temperament, leads him to be very decided in 
 his course upon all public questions, and hence he is gener- 
 ally known for his equally frank and ardent support or op- 
 position. A very warm friend or a most determined oppo- 
 nent, he spares no effort to accomplish or defeat what his 
 judgment leads him to favor or disapprove. 
 
31 
 
 PATllICK BOYLE, 
 
 NINETEENTH WARD. 
 
 In the present Council there are but two members not to 
 the " manor born," and Mr. Boyle is one of them, he having 
 first seen the light of the glorious sunshine in the " Green 
 Isle." 
 
 The absence of Mr. Boyle from his seat at nearly every 
 session of Council, has prevented us from ascertaining any 
 facts, by observation, of his fitness for the post bestowed 
 upon him by the Democrats of the Nineteenth Ward. 
 
 When he is present, the chamber is never interrupted, nor 
 business delayed by speeches from him, preferring rather 
 to listen to others, and vote whenever called upon so to do. 
 
 Indeed so little is he known, even by his fellow members, 
 I that we are at fault completely in any effort to give a faith- 
 ' ful Daguerreotype of this member, but asjwe desire our little 
 I work complete, so far aa Common Council is concerned, we 
 'have concluded to say thus much of the absent member, 
 (Mr. Boyle. 
 
 I 
 
32 
 
 SAMUEL COPELAND, 
 
 NINTH WARD. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is well known to our citizens 
 as a carpenter and builder, he having been engaged in this 
 business for some thirty-seven years. 
 
 Mr. Copeland is now in his sixtieth year, 'and forty years 
 of that time he has resided in Philadelphia. He was born 
 in Bucks county. 
 
 Mr. C. has always been an active Whig, and during his 
 long life has so conducted himself, as to become exceedingly 
 popular with his constituents, and was by them elected to 
 the old City Councils for four successive years. 
 
 During his coimection with the old Councils, he was two 
 years Chairman of the Committee on Highways, and during 
 that time exhibited so much fitness for the position, dis- 
 charging its duties so thoroughly and practically, that he 
 was selected to the same position in the new Council. 
 
 It was predicted by many, that Mr. Copeland's course 
 in the old Council, in reference to the Rice contract for 
 Market-houses, would prevent his return to the new body ; 
 but the result proved otherwise, as he was elected from the 
 
33 
 
 Ninth Ward hy over one thousand majority, some three 
 hundred greater than any other man on the ticket. 
 
 Mr. Copeland, though unblessed vith the advantages of a 
 liberal education, hesitates not to cope witli the most formi- 
 dable in Council in debate, lie brings to the discussion a 
 mind eminently practical, and an experience of years in 
 legislative business, which often effects more than the graces 
 of education and an extensive command of language. He 
 sticks with much tenacity to his opinions, and only changes 
 his mind after the most mature deliberation. He is a 
 member of the Committee on Markets, in addition to that of 
 Chairman of the Committee on Highways. 
 
34 
 
 JOSEPH M. COWELL, 
 
 TENTH AYARD. 
 
 Mr. Cowell was born in Bucks county, Pa., and is now 
 forty-four years of age. He was engaged in mercantile 
 pursuits in that county for seven years, when he moved to 
 this city in 1831, and commenced the wholesale hat, cap 
 and fur business, in Avhich he is still engaged. 
 
 Mr. Cowell commenced life poor, but by industry and 
 integrity of character he has won for himself a name and 
 position in society. 
 
 While he was a resident of Bucks county he was the 
 Whig candidate for Register of Wills, and was only defeat- 
 ed by twenty-two votes whilst all the other candidates upon 
 the Democratic ticket were elected by over six hundred 
 majority. No better evidence of Mr. Cowell's popularity 
 and standing could be given than this. 
 
 The same qualities that endeared him to the people of 
 Bucks county, have, we should judge, had their effect upon 
 the citizens of the Tenth Ward, as his selection was secured 
 on the Whig ticket, to the first Council, under the Conso- 
 lidation act, by a majority of one thousand and fifty-six. 
 
35 
 
 Mr. Cowell is a fine-looking man, being about six feet 
 high, Avell proportioned figure, good head, and a face beam- 
 ing Avith good humor, lie is, therefore, a general favorite 
 amono; the members, and if attention to the business of 
 Council and the Committees is worth anything, will in- 
 crease his popularity among his constituents. 
 
 If he so desires it we have no doubt he Avill be again 
 returned to Council. 
 
36 
 
 EOBEllT CllESSWELL. 
 
 TENTH WARD. 
 
 The manufacturing and mercantile interests of Philadel- 
 phia are largely represented in the new Councils, and it is 
 well for the prosperity of our City that such is the fact. 
 Philadelphia being the largest manufacturing city in the 
 Union, and scarcely second to any in a commercial point of 
 view, should be represented by those whose business, wealth 
 and position, impels them to guard her treasury and her 
 credit. 
 
 Among the gentlemen representing the commercial classes 
 is Mr. Robert Cresswell, known as one of our most esteemed 
 Market street merchants. Ho is about thirty-seven years 
 of age, and was elected to Councils as a Democrat, from the 
 Tenth Ward, by a majority of four hundred and sixty votes. 
 
 He is an entirely new man, fresh from the people, never 
 having held any public position or been a candidate before 
 the people previously, and during a residence of nineteen 
 years in this city, no one has been able to say aught against 
 his character or integrity. 
 
37 
 
 He is a native of Iluiitingdon count}', in this State, and 
 made his first appearance in Philadelphia as a clerk in one 
 of the wholesale establishments in this city, and after re- 
 maining in this position some five years, commenced busi- 
 ness for himself, in connection with two other gentlemen, 
 one of whom is still connected Avith him as partner. 
 
 ;Mr. Cresswell is urbane and gentlemanly in his bearing 
 towards all who have the pleasure of coming in contact with 
 him. He makes a good member of Covmcil ; punctual in 
 attendance upon all meetings, and faithfully sitting out each 
 session to the hour of adjournment, so that his vote may be 
 recorded either for or against measures introduced. 
 
 Mr. C. has not yet been able to overcome the modesty 
 attending a first appearance in public life, sufficiently to in- 
 dulge in the frequent debates which occur, but there is no 
 doubt but that he will acquit himself creditably whenever 
 the interests of his constituents demand a speech. 
 
38 
 
 WILLIAM CONRAD, 
 
 FOURTEEXTH WAED. 
 
 Mr. Conrad is about fifty-five years of age, and -was born 
 in Germantown, and is one among the members who has 
 never been in public life before, vrhether this was owing to 
 the fact that he lived most of his time iu a strong Demo- 
 cratic Ward, (he being a Whig,) or to his modesty and in- 
 nate desire for retirement, we are unable to say ; at all 
 events, his first nomination was from the American party, 
 and his election was secured by over three hundred majority, 
 a practical endorsement not only of his sentiments, but the 
 esteem in which he is held in the Fourteenth Ward. 
 
 Mr. Conrad is one of the most attentive members to busi- 
 ness in Council, never absent from his seat or the meeting 
 of the Conmaittees on which he has been placed. A trait 
 of character highly commendable m a legislator, and one 
 that will ensure justice being done to the interest of his 
 constituents. 
 
 Mr. C. has not yet favored Council with a speech, prefer- 
 rinsr rather to record his sentiments bv his votes, and so far, 
 
39 
 
 vre believe, his name will be found attached at all measures 
 for sustaininfT the credit of the City. 
 
 Mr. C. was, owing to his industry and appplication, able 
 
 to retire from business at the early age of thirty-seven, 
 
 since which time he has lived a life of ease, and at present 
 
 filling up his time by a close application to his public du- 
 
 ies. 
 
40 
 
 DAKIEL CORLIES, 
 
 NINETEENTH WARD. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, is, we believe, an entirely new 
 man in a legislative capacity, though he is well known in- 
 the Ward he represents as an ardent and active Democrat. 
 
 Mr. Corlies is about fifty years of age, and is one of the 
 most quiet and unassuming men in Common Council, never 
 indulging in speeches, with the exception of recording his 
 vote, yea or nay. 
 
 Whether this is owing to his bashfulness, or a lack of 
 power to express his ideas, Ave are unable to say, as our 
 acquaintance with him has been limited to the interchange 
 of the civilities of the day. 
 
 Mr. C. was elected to the present Council on the Demo- 
 cratic ticket, and, we presume, his votes at least have met 
 with the approval of his constituents. He is a member of 
 the Committe on Health, but we believe he has never attend- 
 ed any of the meetings of said Committee. 
 
41 
 
 BENJAMIN P. CmSPIN, 
 
 TWENTY-THIRD WARD. 
 
 Mr. Crispin is between fifty and sixty years of age, a 
 little bald and portly. He represents one of the rural 
 districts. 
 
 Mr. C. has long been a prominent and active Democrat in 
 the county, and on several occasions has been nominated for 
 and elected to the House of Representatives and the Senate 
 of Pennsylvania. 
 
 His familiarity with legislative business renders him a 
 stickler for points of order, and nothing seems to give him 
 greater uneasiness, than for a member to violate any par- 
 liamentary rule. This sensitiveness frequently brings him 
 before Council, on questions of order, though his speeches 
 are not always directed to this point, as he is also tenacious 
 of the rights of the rural districts, and any measure intro- 
 duced which appears to be burthensome to that portion of 
 the city, is sure to find in ]\Ir. C. a strong and untirmg 
 opponent. 
 
 Mr. Crispin was elected to the present Council by the 
 
 Democrats of the Twenty-third Ward, and his constituents, 
 
 we are sure, will have no cause of complaint at the manner 
 
 in which he discharges his duties, either in Council or in 
 
 Committees. 
 6 
 
42 
 
 CHAELES S. DUTs^K, 
 
 FIRST WARD. 
 
 ]\Ir. Dunk is one among the many members of Council 
 fresh from the people, he having never served in any public 
 capacity, until his election to the first Council under the 
 Consolidation Act. He was elected on the American ticket 
 by a large majority. 
 
 Mr. D. has been successfully engaged in the manufactur- 
 ing business for many years in the lower section of the City, 
 near the spot where he was born, in 1821, and those who 
 are familiar with him as a man, in his social and business 
 capacity speak of him in the highest terms of commenda- 
 tion and praise. 
 
 He is very attentive on all meetings of Councils, and the 
 Committees on Poor and the Prison, to which he was ap- 
 pointed soon after the organization of Council, and in the 
 transaction of business is ever found upon the side which 
 will redound to the welfare and prosperity of the government. 
 
 We have had no means yet of ascertaining the calibre of 
 Mr. Dunk as a speaker, he having refused so far to take any 
 
43 
 
 part in the discussion of questions, but judging from his 
 fluency of speech, when engaged in conversation, and the 
 intelligent smile which often lights up his countenance, we 
 should imagine that modesty rather than a want of power, 
 keeps him silent. At all events he is a worthy representa- 
 tive of the First Ward. 
 
44 
 
 JAMES DAVENPORT. 
 
 SECOND WARD. 
 
 Mr. Davenport is now forty-six years of age, and can 
 scarcely be classed among those members knowTi as " new 
 men, and fresh from the people," as he was a candidate in 
 1852, for a seat in the Board of Commissioners of Moya- 
 mensing, but was defeated by a small vote. 
 
 Previous to this, however, Mr. Davenport was elected 
 Assessor in the Second Ward, being the only Whig elected 
 in that Ward during a number of years. 
 
 He was nominated by the Americans, and elected to the 
 present Council, by a majority of five hundred and thirty- 
 five, one hundred and thirty-seven more than were given to 
 Mayor Conrad. 
 
 If any endorsement was needed as to the moral worth of 
 Mr. Davenport, this sweeping majority, given by those who 
 knew him intimately, would be suflScicnt, but no such thing 
 is needed, as all can testify who have had the pleasure of 
 an acquaintance with him. 
 
 Mr. D. is highly esteemed by his associates in Council, 
 and, judging from his attention to business in Council and 
 
45 
 
 on Committees, we should presume that his popularity would 
 be increased among his constituents. 
 
 We have not, as yet, heard a speech from Mr. Davenport, 
 and, therefore, cannot give our impressions of him as a de- 
 bater, but judging him as a physiognomist, we should thinlc 
 there is the right stuff in him for speech making. 
 
46 
 
 WILLIAM IL DEIN^KIS, 
 
 THIRD WARD. 
 
 Mr. Dennis is a native of Newport, Rhode Island, and 
 "was born in the year 1808. He was left an orphan at the 
 tender age of eight years, and at thirteen started out to 
 seek his own fortune, unaided by relatives or friends. 
 
 In the year 1844 Mr. Dennis moved to this city, and 
 commenced the manufacture of oil, at which business he 
 continued until July 1st, 1854, when he retired with, what 
 he considers, a sufficient to make the rest of his days com- 
 fortable. This competence was not won without constant 
 and laborious labor, aided by a good repute for integrity 
 and honesty, which Mr. D. has ever maintained in the city 
 of his adoption. 
 
 Mr. Dennis is a new man in political life, never having 
 been before the people for office until his nomination by the 
 American party, for a seat in the new Councils, under the 
 Consolidation act, and to which he was elected by a majo- 
 rity of nearly two hundred votes, and this too in a ward 
 which gave a Democratic majority at the succeeding State 
 
47 
 
 election. His election was but an ocular demonstration of 
 the esteem in which he was held by the citizens of the Third 
 Ward. 
 
 Mr. D. was selected by the President of Common Council, 
 as Chairman of the Gas Committee, in which capacity he 
 has labored faithfully for the oi'i^anization of the Gas De- 
 partment, in such a manner as to equalise the price of gas 
 to consumers in all portions of the Consolidated City. He 
 also advocated the increase of the Police force, as asked for 
 by the Mayor of the City, believhig it to be the only way 
 of properly securing the property and lives of the citizens. 
 
 As a debater, Mr. Dennis stands very fair for one new to 
 legislative discussions. His speeches indicate a strong prac- 
 tical mind, disdaining the adornments of rhetoric, and rely- 
 ing altogether upon the truth of the propositions under 
 discussion. 
 
48 
 
 MICHAEL J. DOUGHEETY, 
 
 FOURTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Dougherty is the youngest member of Council, being 
 now in tbe twenty-third year of his age. 
 
 He studied law under the Hon. Charles Gilpin, and was 
 admitted to practice in the District Court, and Common 
 Pleas, October, 1853. 
 
 At the time of Mr. Dougherty's election he was but a 
 little over twenty-one years of age, but his adherence and 
 advocacy of the principles of the Democratic party, pointed 
 him out as the most fitting person to serve in the first Coun- 
 cil under the Consolidation Act. 
 
 Mr. D. is a native of Philadelphia, and graduated at the 
 Philadelphia High School, with the highest honors, in Janu- 
 ary, 1848. His election to Council, soon after this period, 
 stamps him as a rising man, and we have no doubt his 
 course in Council will bo heartily approved of by his con- 
 stituents. 
 
 Soon after the organization of Council, Mr. Dougherty 
 was selected as one of the Committee on Law, a most im- 
 
49 
 
 portant post, and since that time he has been one of the 
 most active in the discharge of the duties imposed upon 
 said Committee, as well as always being present at each and 
 every meeting of Councils, and watching Avith attention the 
 passage of all Ordinances and Resolutions introduced by 
 the Committees and Members. 
 
 On a number of occasions Mr. Dougherty has engaged in 
 the discussions which occur in Councils at every meeting. 
 Though exceedingly modest, and feeling keenly his position as 
 the youngest member of that body, he acquits himself with 
 much credit. He has but little difficulty in expressing his 
 views with clearness and to the point, and always leaves 
 a favorable impression upon the minds of his fellow members 
 when he has concluded. 
 
60 
 
 JOHN DUBEEE, 
 
 SEVENTEENTH WARD 
 
 Mr. BubRee is now about fifty-two years of age, and hag 
 been a resident of Philadelphia some thirty-one years, 
 twenty-eight of Avhich were spent in the old district of the 
 Northern Liberties. He is a native of Bucks county, Pa., 
 where he resided upon a farm until his removal to this city. 
 
 Mr. D., during his residence in the Northern Liberties, 
 was elected for three years a member of the Boai'd of Com- 
 missioners. In this Board he won the esteem of his fellow 
 members, by his strict attention to the business of the Com- 
 mittees and the Board. 
 
 He was elected to the present Council by the Democrats 
 of the Seventeenth Ward, by a majority of nearly five hun- 
 dred, a sure indication that the course pursued by Mr. D., 
 as a Commissioner and a Democrat, had met with the entire 
 approval of his friends. 
 
 Mr. D. is emphatically a self-made man, having in his 
 early years to depend upon his own exertions to win fortune 
 and a name. In both of these particulars he has succeeded 
 as he is now enabled to retire from business and live a life 
 of ease. So far as we have been able to ascertain, he has 
 ever maintained a character free from stain or blemish. 
 
51 
 
 A. M. EASTWICK, 
 
 TWENTY-FOURTH WARD 
 
 Tins gentleman illustrates, in a remarkable degree, the 
 great results flowing from a mind practically alive to the 
 "business affairs of our people, combined with industry and 
 application to the pursuit in which inclination or circum- 
 stances may have thrown him. 
 
 Mr. Eastwick was born in Philadelphia in the year 1811, 
 and is now forty-four years of age, and though but in the 
 prime of life, has been enabled to retire from business with 
 a large and ami^le fortune. He commenced in this city, in 
 1835, the building of locomotives, and was the first to 
 secure a patent for the eight-wheeled locomotives, mih 
 trucks equalizing the weight of the engme now in use. 
 After continuing business in this city up to the year 1844, 
 Mr. E. was oifered a contract, which he accepted, from the 
 Emperor of Russia, to build all the locomotives and ma- 
 chinery for a railroad in his dominions, commencing at St. 
 Petersburg and extending to Moscow, a distance of four 
 hundred and twenty miles. The first contract amoimted to 
 over six millions of dollars. 
 
62 
 
 Mr. Eastwick renicained in Russia six years, and during 
 that time built the first twenty miles of the road, constructed 
 one hundred and sixty two locomotives, and two thousand 
 five hundred and eighty-one burthen cars, besides all the 
 turn-outs and other machinery for the successful operation 
 of the road. On the completion of this contract Mr. E. sold 
 out to his partner, who still retains an interest in the 
 road, and returned to this country, and to his native city, 
 with a fortune suflSciently large to surround himself and 
 family with all the comforts and luxuries that Avealth can 
 procure. 
 
 Mr. E., soon after his return, purchased the old Botanical 
 Garden, belonging to the estate of Mr. Bartram, situated 
 upon the banks of the beautiful Schuylkill. Upon this place, 
 and near the old Manor House, which was built in the year 
 1731, and which Mr. E. allows to remain in all its primitive 
 glory and uniqueness, a splendid villa, in the Norman style, 
 has been erected as the residence of 'Sir. Eastwick. The 
 interior of this splendid edifice, as well as everything apper- 
 taining to its exterior, has been fitted up in the finest style 
 of art. The rooms are luxuriously furnished and adorned 
 with costly paintings, sculpture, &c. The grounds have 
 been tastefully laid out in walks, and such improvements 
 made, without interfering with or destroying the ancient 
 character of the place, as render it one of the most desirable 
 residences within the consolidated city. In the old Inde- 
 pendence Ilall, and among the latest pictures placed there, 
 may be seen the likeness of Wm, Bartram, a son of the ori- 
 ginal proprietor of Bartram Garden. 
 
 Mr. Eastwick is fresh from the people, never having 
 
63 
 
 served in any legislative body previous to his election to 
 the first Council under the consolidated city. His habits 
 of industry and application to business are carried out in 
 his public capacity, always being in his scat, and taking an 
 active part in the discussions and business before the body 
 to which he is attached. 
 
 As a debater he is quite forcible, speaks freely and to the 
 point, never covering up his meaning in a redundancy of 
 words, but, what is sometimes rare in public speakers, 
 ahvays takes his seat when he has finished his argument, 
 without deeming it necessary to reiterate his ideas for fear 
 his fellow members have forgotten what he had said. 
 
54 
 
 JAMES MADISON GIBSON, 
 
 SECOND WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is now in his forty -third year, but to all 
 appearances is a much younger man. Mr. Gibson has so 
 conducted himself in the Ward he represents, as to make 
 him exceedingly popular >Yith the citizens, and though 
 always taking an active part in the affairs of his party, he 
 never consented to be a candidate before the people, until 
 at the election for members of Council. He was elected on 
 the American ticket, by a majority of over four hundred 
 votes. 
 
 Mr. Gibson makes no pretensions to oratory, though he 
 is not deficient in language, giving utterance with conside- 
 rable fluency to his opinions on questions coming before 
 Councils. He may be considered a working member, punc- 
 tual in attendance upon all meetings of Councils and Com- 
 mittees, and tenaciously adhering to his opinions on subjects 
 interesting to his constituents. 
 
 During our constant attendance on Councils, we have 
 ever found Mr. Gibson strictly upright and honorable in his 
 
65 
 
 dealings with bis fellow members, and ever anxious for sus- 
 taining the credit and prosperity of the city. His labors 
 for remunerating the lamii-lighters of the city, for duties 
 legally performed, will endear him to all those who feel an 
 interest for the working men of our city. 
 
56 
 
 JOHN U. GILLEE, 
 
 FOURTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Giller is a fair specimen of the Philadelphia mer- 
 chants, he having been in the firm of Tennent, Derrickson 
 & Co., for the past fifteen years, a firm which has maintain- 
 ed its integrity amid all the mutations of trade. 
 
 He is about forty years of age, and a native of good old 
 Chester county, where he resided until the year 1826, when 
 he removed to this city. 
 
 During Mr. Giller's residence in Philadelphia, he has 
 been an ardent and active Whig, but never consented to be 
 a candidate before the people until the occasion by which 
 he was sent to the first Council under the Consolidation Act. 
 
 Mr. Giller was placed on the Finance Committee, of 
 which Mr. Wickersham, now in Europe, was Chairman. 
 After that gentleman had left the country, Mr. G. was 
 selected to fill that post, a position which his business talent 
 and acquirements eminently fitted him for. But Mr. G. was 
 compelled to resign his arduous post, in consequence of the 
 pressing nature of his own business. During his Chairman- 
 
57 
 
 ship he drew up the Shiking Fund bill, which afterwards 
 passed Council by a large majority, and a measure which 
 he advocated with great force and eloquence. 
 
 In Council, Mr. Giller is one of the most prominent and 
 active members, participating in nearly all the debates upon 
 important questions before Council. He is an able writer 
 as well as debater. He speaks With much force and con- 
 ciseness, seldom using figures of speech or noisy declama. 
 tion, but stating his opinions and enforcing his views in a 
 plain business-like manner, which seldom fails to carry con- 
 viction to the minds of his fellow members. 
 
 His course in Council, we are satisfied, will render him 
 still more popular and ensure his return if so desired. 
 
 Mr. G. may be considered the father of the Moyamensing 
 Literary Institute, having raised more money for its estab- 
 lishment than any other man in that section of the city. In 
 every benevolent movement he has ever been prominent. 
 
 8 
 
58 
 
 CONKAD S. GROVE, 
 
 SIXTH WARD. 
 
 Mk. Grove is a native of Philadelphia, and is now in his 
 thirty-second year. He has a good face, prominent fore- 
 head, and with features beaming with good humor. 
 
 He is an entirely new man, never having been before the 
 people previous to his nomination by the Whig party, for a 
 seat in the first Council under the Consolidation act. His 
 election was secured by a large majority, attesting to his 
 worth and fitness for the capacity to which he has been 
 elected. 
 
 Mr. Grove belongs to that class of our citizens known as 
 " the Producers," he being engaged extensively in the 
 manufacture of Linseed oil, under the firm of Col. S. Grove 
 & Bro. His establishment is the only one of the kind in 
 Philadelphia, or in the State, and an immense capital is 
 required to conduct it successfully. 
 
 The pressing of oil from the seed leaves behind a brown 
 looking cake, known " as oil cake." This is used exten- 
 sively in this country and Europe for feeding cattle. 
 
69 
 
 Large qiiantlties of it are shipped to Europe by Mr. Grove, 
 six months in the year, and the remaiiuler of it is purchased 
 for home consumption. 
 
 Mr. Grove having his entire property and interests in 
 Philadelphia, of course feels an earnest desire for its welfare 
 and prosperity, and therefore he is never absent from his 
 seat at the public meetings of Councils, or inattentive to the 
 calls of the Committees on Gas and Surveys, to which he 
 was appointed by the President soon after the organization 
 of Council. 
 
 Though but seldom participating in the public debates in 
 questions before the Chamber, he is known as one of those 
 having their own views and opinions, and no vote is cast by 
 him until the subject receives a thorough and impartial 
 investigation. 
 
 In his hands may be safely trusted the city's interests 
 and those of his constituents. 
 
GO 
 
 ANSON GEAY, 
 
 SEVENTH WARD. 
 
 The beauties of our Republican form of Government is 
 eminently illustrated in the rise and elevation of the work- 
 ing classes to posts of honor and trust. Industry and in- 
 tegrity are often, and should always be so, the sure road to 
 place and power. 
 
 Mr. Anson Gray was born in Washington county, State 
 of New York, in the year eighteen hundred and thirteen, 
 and removed to this city in 1841. Mr. G. owes his present 
 position almost entirely to his integrity of character, he 
 having so conducted his business as to win a competence 
 for himself and the esteem of all who have his acquaintance. 
 
 Mr. Gray was elected in the Seventh Ward, on the Whig 
 ticket, by a majority of four hundred and forty votes, over 
 any one on the same ticket. No better evidence of Mr. 
 Gray's popularity could be given than the above fact. 
 
 This was his first experience in running for office, and so 
 strong is his love of retirement, that it will require very 
 strong inducements to obtain his consent to be a candidate 
 a second tune. 
 
61 
 
 Mr. Gray has been for several years, and is still now 
 Vice President of the Keystone Insurance Company, the 
 duties of -which he has discharged with fidelity, and to the 
 entire satisfaction of all connected with the Institution. 
 
 Mr. Gray but seldom participates in the debates in Coun- 
 cil, though always present to cast his vote for the interest 
 of the city or his constitnents. His longest speech was made 
 during the discussion on the Ordinance licensing Pawnbro- 
 kers, and then he desired the bill so framed as to impose a^ 
 heavy sum for a license, believing such establishments are 
 in the main more for the advantage of thieves than honest 
 people. 
 
62 
 
 GEOE.GE GEISCOM, 
 
 EIGHTH WARD. 
 
 The subject of the following sketch is a native of Salem, 
 N. J., but has been a resident of Philadelphia since he was 
 four years of age. He is now in the forty-sixth year of his 
 age, but still retains quite a youthful appearance. 
 
 Mr. Griscom is of one of the oldest Philadelphia families ; 
 his immediate paternal ancestor, Andrew Griscom, having 
 come over preceding the first arrival of William Penn, and 
 settled at Philadelphia in 1680. 
 
 Mr. Griscom read law in the office of John Sergeant, and 
 was admitted to the bar in 1834. In 1840 he was elected 
 Alderman for South Ward, a position which he filled some 
 five years, to the entire satisfaction of all having business 
 connection with him. He was re-elected in 1845, but the 
 calls of his profession compelled him to decline the active 
 business of the office. He was Chairman of the Committee 
 on Police in the old Council, after Mr. Charles Poulson had 
 retired from the duties of the station. This Committee was 
 one of the most important in Council. 
 
 In 1851, Mr. Griscom was nomuiated and elected by the 
 
63 
 
 Whigs a member of the Common Council for the old City, 
 a position which he held until the Consolidation of the City 
 was effected. While in the old Council, Mr. G. was select- 
 ed as the Chairman of the sub-Committee to visit the West, 
 to survey the route of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad Com- 
 pany. 
 
 After Mr. G.'s return he framed a report, and proposed a 
 list of interrogatories, which was submitted to prominent per- 
 sons on the route, and in Cleveland, Buffalo, Erie, &c. 
 
 Mr. Griscom drew up and submitted to Council an elabo- 
 rate and able report, setting forth his views, as well as those 
 of the Committee, upon the advantages likely to result to 
 Philadelphia by building the road to the harbor of Erie. 
 This report met the hearty approval of Council, and through 
 it the subscription was obtained to this great enterprise. 
 
 Mr. G. was also the early friend of the Pennsylvania 
 Railroad Company, and assisted in framing the first report 
 adopted by a meeting of citizens. 
 
 Mr. G. was elected to the present Council on the Whig 
 ticket, though the honor Avas entirely unsolicited. In con- 
 sequence of bad health, at the time of forming the Com- 
 mittees, Mr. G. was not not placed on any of the Commit- 
 tees except those of Law and Police. He is a good debater, 
 and often participates in the debates before the Chamber. 
 
64 
 
 EOEEET P. GILLO'GHAM, 
 
 SIXTEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Gillingham belongs to that important class of our 
 citizens known as coal merchants, in which business he has 
 been engaged several years, with great profit to himself, 
 and doubtless to bis customers. 
 
 He is a native of the State of Delaware, and but thirty- 
 one years of age, and from the cares of business he has al- 
 ready found time to travel extensively in South America, 
 Mexico, California, and through his own country, thus storing 
 his mind with historical as well as geographical events. 
 
 Mr. G. was elected on the American and Whig ticket, by 
 a majority of four hundred and eighty-eight votes, in a 
 strong Democratic district, and commenced his first duties 
 as a legislator in the first Councils elected after Consolida- 
 tion. He is exceedingly attentive to the duties imposed 
 upon him, being but seldom absent from the public meetings 
 of Council, or the Committees on Police and Port Wardens, 
 to which he was appointed by the President. 
 
66 
 
 The same metliodical habits which has enabled him to be 
 successful in his daily avocation, are carried out in his 
 public capacity, and therefore the interest of his constituents 
 are not likely to be neglected while he is honored by their 
 confidence and support. 
 
 Mr. G., previous to Consolidation, was nominated by the 
 Whigs for the Legislature, but owing to the heavy Demo- 
 cratic vote against him was defeated ; but in his election to 
 Council he received a majority in every precinct in his 
 Ward, thus showing the estimation in which he is held by 
 those familiar with him. 
 
 Mr. G. seldom makes long speeches, but frequently par- 
 ticipates in the discussions before Council. What he has to 
 say is said in few words, and directly to the question, pre- 
 ferring rather to express his sentiments by his vote than by 
 consuming the time of the House. 
 
 9. 
 
66 
 
 JAMES GAY, 
 
 SEVENTEENTH WARD 
 
 The present Council, as is well known to all our citizens, 
 is composed almost entirely of Native Americans, those of 
 foreign birth having stood but a slim chance at the election. 
 
 Among those who have no lot or part in Nativism is the 
 subject of this sketch, Mr. James Gay, an Irishman by birth. 
 
 Mr. Gay is now in his fifty-fourth year, and has been a 
 resident of Philadelphia for the past thirty-seven years, and 
 during this time he has ever maintained a character for 
 honesty, as well as a love for his adopted country. 
 
 He has always been an active Democrat, and by them 
 was elected to the present Council by a handsome majority. 
 
 His course in Council, and in the Committees of Trust, 
 and Fire Department, has met with the entire approval of 
 his colleagues, and we are satisfied that no member of Coun- 
 cil has the respect of his constituents to a greater extent 
 than Mr. Gay. He is ever present at the meetings, and 
 exceedingly attentive and watchful for the city's interest. 
 
 Mr. Gay, though belonging to that party which is large- 
 
67 
 
 \y in the minority, hesitates not to express his views upon 
 questions before Council, and his speeches show him to be 
 a man practically alive to the subject matter before him, 
 and not swayed or influenced by outside clamor. 
 
68 
 
 ALPHEUS W. GPtEEN, 
 
 EIGHTEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Green is now in his forty-fourth year. He is a 
 native of the township of Scarborough, in Cumberland 
 county, State of Maine, where he resided until the year 
 1828, when he moved to Philadelphia, and entered as an 
 apprentice in Wm. Keer's cordage manufactory, on Otter 
 street, of which his brother was superintendant. 
 
 After serving out his full time, he commenced the same 
 business on his own account, and continued it until within a 
 few years, when he commenced a gentleman's furnishing 
 Btore in Kensington. 
 
 Mr. Green's father was a sea captain for thirty years, 
 and made many profitable voyages from the port of Port- 
 land. He died a few years since at the advanced age of 
 eighty-four years. 
 
 Mr. Green, ever since his residence in Philadelphia, has 
 been an active Whig, enjoying the confidence and esteem 
 not only of his party, but all who had the pleasure of his 
 acquaintance. As an evidence of this fact, we have only 
 to say, that he was elected to the present Council from the 
 
60 
 
 Eighteenth Ward, by over eight hundred majority. This 
 was Mr. Green's first race before the people, but he won 
 nobly, and by large odds. 
 
 No member of Council is more attentive to business than 
 Mr. Green, very rarely missing a meeting of Council or the 
 Committees to which he is attached. 
 
 As a debater, Mr. Green will always command attention, 
 in consequence of the earnestness and sincerity with which 
 he speaks. The impressions he makes is that the subject 
 has had his serious thoughts, and his argument is but the 
 reflection of an honest opinion. 
 
70 
 
 EDWARD GEATZ, 
 
 TWENTIETH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Gratz is forty-nine years of age, and apparently is 
 just in his prime. Pie is well known to our citizens as the 
 proprietor of the Gratz estate, a beautiful property on the 
 west side of Broad street. He is also well known for his 
 efforts to defeat the many projects of extravagance indulged 
 in by the late Commissioners of the District of Penn, a 
 Board which he was a member two years. 
 
 Just previous to the passage of the Act of Consolidation, 
 an effort was made by the Penn District Commissioners, to 
 purchase a tract of land, embracing twenty-eight acres, for 
 which they were to pay the sum of §12,000 per acre, and 
 which would have been successful but for the intervention 
 of Mr. Gratz. 
 
 When the subject came up for a final disposition, it was 
 found that a majority of the Board were favorable to the 
 unconditional purchase, but in the discussion it was stated 
 " that such an act, upon the part of the Board, would in all 
 probability defeat the Act Consolidating the City and 
 County of Philadelphia," Mr. Gratz, who had himself pre- 
 
71 
 
 dieted such results, submitted a resolution in effect that the 
 ratification of the purchase should be left to the Councils 
 under the Consolidation Act. After a long discussion the 
 resolution was adopted, and the new city escaped this enor- 
 mous debt. 
 
 ^Ir. Gratz has won for himself an enviable name by his 
 opposition to all species of extravagance during his connec- 
 tion with the Board, and when the nominations were made 
 for the new Councils, Mr. Gratz Avas selected by the Ameri- 
 can*party, and elected by over four hundred majority. 
 
 He was selected by the President to be the Chairman of 
 the Police Committee, and in the discharge of the arduous 
 duties imposed upon him has been untiring, so as to intro- 
 duce a system of Police which will, and has already made, 
 Philadelphia one of the most quiet cities of the Union. 
 
 In the transaction of business in Council, Mr. Gratz takes 
 an active part in all measures of importance, frequently in- 
 dulges in a speech, to which his fellow members listen with 
 attention. He is a fine scholar, and invests his arguments 
 with much that is interesting and instructive. But few will 
 ever forget his masterly expose of the contracts entered into 
 by the Penn District Commissioners, for the construction of 
 a culvert in Thompson street. Mr. G. may be termed one 
 of the leading members of the present organization, and no 
 one is more highly esteemed for honesty and integrity. 
 
72 
 
 CHARLES E. GRAEFE, 
 
 TWENTY-FIRST WARD. 
 
 « 
 
 Mr. Graefp may be truly termed one of the good humor- 
 ed members of Common Council, ever with a pleasant smile 
 upon his face, and a hand ready to grasp -warmly all -with 
 ■\vhom he meets. 
 
 He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in the 
 beautiful city of Reading. He is now in his thirty-fifth 
 year, and twenty years of that time has resided in the City 
 of Philadelphia. 
 
 Mr. Graefi" is a practical business man, and by industry 
 and a strict adherence to the principles of honesty in the 
 transaction of business, has earned for himself and family 
 much of this world's goods. He owes his election more to 
 the fact of his unwavering integrity, than for his labors 
 politically. 
 
 He was nominated for the new Council in the Twenty- 
 first Ward, by the Whigs and Americans, and he was 
 chosen by a majority of some two hundred and fifty votes. 
 
 As a member of Council Mr. Graeff is on the best terms 
 
fo 
 
 with the members, and it couhl not be well otherwise. 
 Open and free in his maimers, no concealment of senti- 
 ments, or doubtful opinions upon questions introduced in 
 Council. He is always ready to meet any responsibility 
 which may arise in consequence of his action. 
 
 Though but seldom participating in the debates of Coun- 
 cil, Mr. Graeff is not deficient in those qualities which make 
 a successful public speaker, and when he does speak it is 
 in such a quaint humorous way that is far more likely to 
 win favor with the members, than the more learned argu- 
 mentative speeches of some of his associates. 
 
 Taken altogether Mr. Graeff makes a worthy member of 
 Council, and deserving the confidence of the constituency 
 which honored him with a seat. 
 
 10 
 
74 
 
 JOHN A. HOUSEMAN, 
 
 FIRST WARD. 
 
 Mr. Houseman made his first appearance in a public 
 capacity after the Consolidation of the City, and was elect- 
 ed to Council on the American ticket, by a large majority, 
 being, we believe, the highest man on the ticket. He, as 
 well as his great-grandfather, were born in Philadelphia, 
 the latter personage having contracted to furnish the timber 
 for the erection of the old Fort on the Delaware, the re- 
 mains of which were discovered some years since when the 
 Ship House at the Navy Yard was removed. 
 
 Mr. H. is quite young yet, being only thirty-four years 
 of age, and will have ample opportunity to serve his consti- 
 tuents in any capacity to which he may be called. He is 
 attentive to the business of Council, and seldom absent 
 from the meetings of the Committee on Highways, of which 
 he is a member. 
 
 In Council, Mr. H. is seldom heard, except when record- 
 ing his vote, feeling, no doubt, that older members, and 
 those more familiar with Legislative business, can do the 
 speaking for him. Among his friends, however, he has no 
 
75 
 
 lack of words to express his ideas, and vre can only attri- 
 bute his non-participation in the debates, to the fact of the 
 novelty and importance of his position. When, however, 
 the City or his constituents demand his services in this 
 way, he will doubtless be found ready to discharge the 
 obligation. 
 
76 
 
 C. J. HOPTMAN, 
 
 SIXTH WARD. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Lewistown, Mifflin 
 county, Pa. He removed to Philadelphia in 1837, and com- 
 menced his mercantile career in the commission house of C. 
 Humphries & Co., where he remained several years. He is 
 now in the same business, but in his own name, and for his 
 own profit. His close application to business, and integrity 
 of character, has rendered him completely successful. 
 
 Mr. Hoffman's first appearance in public life was in 1853, 
 when he was elected to the old City Council, from Chesnut 
 "Ward, on the Independent ticket. During his connection 
 with that Council, he served upon the Committee of High- 
 ways, and a number of special Committees. 
 
 His course in the old Council met the entire approval of 
 his friends, and he was again placed in nomination and 
 elected a member of the first Council under the Consolida- 
 tion Act. In this Council he is attached to the Committees 
 on Highways, and Legacies, and Trusts, the duties of which, 
 so far as we know, he faithfully attends to. 
 
 Mr. H. is not ambitious enough to make him a speaker ; 
 therefore he seldom, if ever, participates in any of the dis- 
 
77 
 
 cussions before the Chamber ; but we have no doubt that 
 his practical business talent ■would soon make a speaker of 
 him, if he should once begin the practice of this necessary 
 talent for a successful politician. 
 
78 
 
 ALEXANDEE HAEPEU, 
 
 ELEVENTH WARD. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Philadelphia, 
 and is now in the fortieth year of his age. He is well 
 known to our citizens not only as a competent druggist, but 
 as an active and uncompromising Whig, by whom he has 
 been honored with several posts of honor and trust. 
 
 Mr. Harper was for many years the Assessor of the North 
 Ward, in the old City. He also served six years in the 
 Board of Guardians of the Poor, and four years as one of 
 the Prison Inspectors. The father of Mr. Harper was, for a 
 number of years, a member of the old Common Council, 
 and a member of the Board of Inspectors for the old Wal- 
 nut Street Prison. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was elected to the present 
 Council by the Whigs of the Eleventh Ward. Those who 
 know him best, speak of him as a frank, generous-hearted 
 man, liberal to a fault, and possessing great business talent, 
 and a good reputation for integrity and honesty. 
 
79 
 
 JOHN HORN, 
 
 ELEVENTH WARD 
 
 This gentleman is a native of Baltimore, where he was 
 born in tiie year 1808. lie came to Philadelphia in 1819, 
 for the purpose of seeking his fortune, in which he has suc- 
 ceeded to his entire satisfaction. 
 
 Mr. II. has been in the drug business for the past thirty 
 years, at the corner of Third and Brown streets, and during 
 that time he has won for himself a name for industry and 
 integrity, as well as a snug competence. 
 
 Mr. Horn is an active Whig, and was honored by that 
 party, for three years, in the Board of Commissioners of 
 the Northern Liberties. He has also been a Director in 
 the Manufacturers' and Mechanics' Bank for the past fifteen 
 years, and nine years a Trustee of the Northern Liberties 
 Gas Works, and was, in fact, one of its first originators. 
 
 He is also a Manager of the Northern Dispensary and 
 several other charitable associations. 
 
 Mr. II. was elected to the present Council on the Whig 
 ticket, by a majority of one hundred and fifty votes. He 
 was selected by the President as a member of the Com- 
 mittee on Survey, and he is always exceedingly attentive 
 to the business of the Committee as well as that of Council. 
 
80 
 
 WILLIAM P. HACKE]^, 
 
 TWELFTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Hacker is a Whig, and received a majority of four 
 hundred and thirty-eight votes in a strong Democratic Ward 
 — a strong evidence of his worth and popularity. He is 
 about forty-six years of age, but time has touched him with 
 so slight a finger, that he Avould readily pass for a man ten 
 years younger. His black hair, dark eyes, florid com- 
 plexion, and rather good humored face, and well proportion- 
 ed head, marks him as one of the notables in the Common 
 Council. 
 
 He was selected by the Chairman as one of the members 
 of the Finance Committee, and after the departure of Mr. 
 Wickersham for Europe, he was chosen Chairman of that 
 important Committee, a station requiring untiring industry, 
 application, and great financial knowledge. These qualities 
 have been found in Mr. Hacker, and by his efforts every 
 department of the city government has been kept in order, 
 and all their demands promptly met. To his untiring in- 
 dustry and self-sacrificing labors for the City's welfare and 
 credit, the interest upon her loans and bonds were promptly 
 
81 
 
 met upon the first of January, and we confidently expect 
 the City to be Avell governed financially, so long as Mr. 
 Hacker holds the important position that has been intrusted 
 to him. 
 
 In the introduction of Ordinances for the appropriation of 
 public monies, he is ahvays ready to explain the items, and 
 the necessity of such an outlay, showing that the business 
 of the Committee has been faithfully attended to in the 
 Committee Room, and not left to be matured after its intro- 
 duction to the Councils. By this means but few bills are 
 referred back to the Committee a second time. 
 
 Mr. Hacker is a good, though not a very fluent speaker, 
 owing to the fact, we suppose, of his having passed more 
 of his time in mercantile pursuits than among politicians. 
 When he speaks, it is always to the point, and without much 
 loss of words, " disliking," as he expresses it, " to consume 
 the valuable time of Councils." 
 
 11 
 
82 
 
 CHAHLES HUBBARD 
 
 FOURTEENTH WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is a fine specimen of the industrious 
 honest mechanics of our city, carving out for themselves a 
 position in society by which they become useful members of 
 the community. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard is a house and sign painter, and about forty- 
 two years of age, though he would readily pass for a man 
 of thirty-five. He has lived for the past twenty years in 
 the Fourteenth Ward, and so well and favorably known has 
 he become, that he was the only Democrat elected to Coun- 
 cil from his Ward, a fitting tribute to the worth and integ- 
 rity of Mr. Hubbard. 
 
 Mr. H. faithfully attends all the meetings of Council, and 
 and is assiduous in performing the duties devolving upon 
 him as a member of several committees. By this means he 
 is ever watchful of the interest of his constituents, and will 
 no doubt be rewarded by them in his return to Council at 
 the next election. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard is evidently modest and retiring in his dis- 
 position, making himself felt in Council by his labors in 
 committees, and votes on questions before the House, rather 
 
83 
 
 than by speeches, though he is not deficient in the qualifi- 
 cations which -would enable him to express himself clearly if 
 desirable. 
 
 Mr. H. is exceedingly popular in his OAvn "Ward, and 
 is pointed to with great satisfaction by his fellow mechanics. 
 
84 
 
 ALBEUT E. HOPPEL, 
 
 EIGHTEENTH WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is also a member from the Eighteenth 
 Ward, and two years younger than his colleague Mr. Bumm, 
 being bvit twenty-seven years of age. Mr. Hoppel was 
 a member of the Whig party, and is now a representa- 
 tive of the opinions and feelings of the American party. 
 There are but few so young as Mr. H. wielding the same 
 influence, and so widely Imown among the various parties 
 in the Consolidated City, and since his advent as one of the 
 " City Fathers," has made a decided impression upon mem- 
 bers of Councils, as a man of quick perceptions and ever 
 anxious for the welfare of the city. 
 
 Mr. Hoppel, like his colleague, is opposed to the Ken- 
 sington culvert contracts, and will, doubtless, when the 
 question comes before the Councils, do much to prevent the 
 City fi'om being defrauded of its just rights. 
 
 Mr. H. is a ready debater, quiet, fluent, and speaks 
 directly to the question under consideration, using no un- 
 necessary words for the sake of making a long speech. His 
 manner is cool and collected, never allowing the heat of 
 
85 
 
 debate to carry him beyond the rules of courtesy and pro- 
 priety ; to this fact may be attributed much of the influence 
 exercised by him over his more excitable colleagues. Mr. 
 Hoppel is a useful and industrious member, and his course 
 Avill no doubt meet the approval of his constituents. 
 
 Mr. Hoppel, in 1853, was nominated by the American 
 party as their candidate for the Legislature, but OAving to a 
 compromise between the Whig and American party, Mr. H. 
 withdrew his name, for the purpose of effecting harmonious 
 action. This decision of Mr. II. resulted in the success of 
 the American ticket. 
 
 This was Mr. IIoppcl's first appearance before the public, 
 and his course on that occasion rendered him very popular 
 with the people in the Eighteenth Ward, thereby securing 
 his election to the present Council by a large majority. 
 
86 
 
 NATHAN HILLIS, 
 
 TAVENTY-THIRD WARD, 
 
 It is but seldom that we find those belonging to the So- 
 ciety of Friends participating in political contests, except 
 to deposit their votes, and only then on the most important 
 questions. 
 
 The appearance of Mr. Hillis, dressed in plain Quaker 
 garb, attracts considerable attention. He is about forty 
 years of age, tall, and spare in person, with a pleasant and 
 intelligent face. For one of his creed, he has been, and is 
 still exceedingly popular with the citizens of the Twenty- 
 third Ward. He is a native of the borough of Frankford, 
 and has long been identified with its interests, and served 
 four years in the Councils of that borough. He was also 
 Treasurer of the Borough, and is now one of the Directors 
 of the Poor for the townships of Lower Dublin, Oxford, 
 and the Borough of Frankford. 
 
 Mr. Hillis now represents the Ward composed of the 
 Boroughs of Frankford and White-hall, and his election to 
 Council was secured on the Whig ticket, by a majority of 
 one hundred and sixty-six votes. 
 
87 
 
 Mr. II., though living a long distance from the meeting- 
 place of Council, is always present to take part iu the pro- 
 ceedings, and vote and speak fur the interest of his con- 
 stituents as well as those of the City. His course, we are 
 satisfied, will increase his popularity with those who sent 
 him, and ensure, in all probability, his return to the next 
 Council. 
 
88 
 
 DAYID S. HASSINGEE, 
 
 TWENTY-THIRD WARD. 
 
 Mr. Hassinger's ancestors were amongst the earliest 
 settlers in the State of Pennsylvania. In the breaking out 
 of the Revolution, they espoused the cause of Independence. 
 His father, Jacob Hassinger, participated in the struggle. 
 He belonged to General Wayne's brigade, and served with 
 that gallant officer at the storming of Stony Point. Some 
 years after the war, when the business of the country came 
 to be more settled, he engaged in commercial pursuits, and 
 was, at the close of the last century and the beginning of 
 the present, an enterprizing and respectable merchant of 
 the City of Philadelphia. David S. Hassinger was born in 
 Berks county, in this State. 
 
 He received his primary education at the Grammar 
 School of the University, and graduated at Princeton Col- 
 lege, New Jersey. He subsequently read law in the office 
 of Hon. Horace Binney, and was admitted to the bar. 
 Having identified himself with the Democratic party, he 
 took an active part in the politics of the day, and he was in 
 succession, from the year 1828, twice elected to the House 
 
89 
 
 of Representatives, and twice to the Senate of this State, by 
 the Democratic party of the City of Philadelphia. 
 
 Holding a prominent position in the party during General 
 Jackson's administration of the general government, and 
 Governor Wolf's administration in this State, he was ten- 
 dered on several occasions, whilst in the Legislature, high 
 oflSccs of honor. Notwithstanding these flatteruig manifes- 
 tations in his favor, he conceived it to be his duty to forego 
 political preferment, and to continue at the post in which 
 his constituents had placed him. 
 
 Upon the change of politics in the City, he ceased to be 
 a Representative. Although since solicited by his party to 
 be a candidate for public station he has uniformly declined, 
 but was prevailed upon to be a candidate for the Common 
 Council, to aid in organizing the new City Government, 
 upon a basis that would meet the wants and expectations of 
 the people, and secure its lasting prosperity. 
 
 Mr. Hassin<rer, though bclon^in"; to those known as rural 
 members, his age and experience in legislation is felt and 
 appreciated by his fellow members. 
 
 12 
 
90 
 
 PET Ell E. LAWS, 
 
 TWELFTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Laws is a native of Philadelphia, and is now in the 
 thirty -second year of his age. He is well known to a large 
 number of our citizens, and particularly to the residents of 
 the old district of the Northern Liberties, he having served 
 as one of the Board of Commissioners of that District. 
 
 During Mr. Laws' connection with the Board of Commis- 
 sioners, he saw the necessity of some eflort to secure to the 
 City the title to Windmill Island, situated in the Delaware, 
 nearly midway between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 
 Having this object in view, he was successful in having a 
 a resolution passed, calling for Committees from the City 
 Councils and the Districts to meet together for the purpose 
 of considering the matter. 
 
 The various Committees Avere appointed, and they as- 
 sembled at the State House. Mr. Laws Avas selected as the 
 Chairman of the Convention, and during its deliberation a 
 Committee was appointed to proceed to Harrisburg for the 
 purpose of carrying out the views of the meeting, which 
 was decidedly favorable to the City's interest. 
 
91 
 
 Through the Committee the subject was brought before 
 the Legislature, but owing to the question of consolidation 
 being a prominent and all absorbing topic, it was thought 
 best to defer action until the next session of the Legislature, 
 (that of 1855,) when the controversy will doubtless be 
 ended, by giving to the City the title to the Windmill 
 Island. During this entire controversy, Mr. Laws de- 
 serves unqualified commendation for his untiring efforts to 
 benefit the City. 
 
 Mr. Laws was elected to the present Coimcil on the Demo- 
 cratic ticket, by a handsome majority. In fact, he was the 
 only Democrat elected from the Ward. Mr. Laws is ex- 
 ceedingly attentive to the business of Council, always being 
 present at the meetings of the Chamber, as well as that of 
 the Committees to which he is attached. He frequently 
 participates in the debates, and possesses considerable influ- 
 ence, from the fact that his ideas are practical, and ex- 
 pressed in a plain practical manner. 
 
92 
 
 JOHTs[ LLOYD, 
 
 THIRTEENTH WARD 
 
 The subject of this sketch is also a new man in public 
 station, he never having been before the people as a candi- 
 date previous to his election to the present Council, though 
 he has always been a strong Clay Whig, and a hard worker 
 for the success of his party, 
 
 Mr. Lloyd is a Philadelphian by birth, and is now in his 
 forty-eighth year. For many years he was engaged in 
 mercantile pursuits, but for the past fifteen years has been 
 a member of the Board of Brokers, and actively employed 
 as a stock-broker. 
 
 As a merchant and broker Mr. L. enjoyed and continues 
 to enjoy the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has 
 business, and his election to Council was secured by a large 
 majority. In fact but few men who have taken an active 
 part in politics, are more popular with the people than Mr. 
 Lloyd. 
 
 He is exceedingly attentive to the business of Council 
 and the Committees to which he is attached, but seldom 
 being absent from his seat. Though but seldom partici- 
 pating in the discussions before Council, he is looked upon 
 
93 
 
 as one of influence, and who votes from a sense of right and 
 justice, and not easily swayed or turned in his purpose by 
 the eloquence or sophistry of those gifted Avith oratorial 
 powers. 
 
 j\Ir. Lloyd's course will no doubt prove acceptable to his 
 constituents, and if he so desires it, will no doubt be return- 
 ed in his present position. 
 
94 
 
 WILLIAM LARZALEEE, 
 
 FOURTEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Larzalere is a native of New Jersey, and moved to 
 this city in the year 1832. He is in his forty-first year, 
 though in appearance would pass for a gentleman of thirty- 
 five. He was a candidate on the American ticket, and was 
 elected by a majority of six hundred and seventy ; a decided 
 approval of the man as an honest and upright citizen. 
 
 Mr. L. was never a candidate before the people at any 
 other time, having been industriously engaged in mercantile 
 pursuits ever since his removal to this city. But his ardent 
 attachment for the glorious Public School System of Penn- 
 sylvania, and his honest endeavors to give it countenance 
 and support, induced his friends to make him a School Di- 
 rector for the_Fourth Section, which position he faithfully 
 attended to for seven years. He also served as a Controller 
 of the Public Schools for two years, and during that time 
 won the esteem and confidence of his fellow members. 
 
 Mr. L., as a member of Council, still maintains and re- 
 tains the good opinion of his associates and constituents, 
 and so far has taken no part in the debates before Council. 
 
95 
 
 His votes are always given, however, after mature delibera- 
 tion, and the effect of a measure well scanned previous to 
 j receiving his sanction. When the interest of those who hon- 
 ored him with a seat, demands a speech, we have no doubt 
 that he will be found ready and competent to discharge the 
 duty with satisfaction to them and to the Councils. 
 
96 
 
 JOHN A. MEECEH, 
 
 SECOND WARD. 
 
 Mr. Mercer is a Philadelphian by birth, and is now in the 
 thirty-fifth year of his age. He is a tall spare man, modest 
 and retiring in his disposition, exceedingly so for one who 
 has been so often favored by the citizens of the Second 
 Ward. 
 
 During the existence of the government of the old Dis- 
 trict of Southwark, Mr. Mercer was chosen, for six succes- 
 sive years, the last time in March, 1848, by his fellow 
 citizens, to serve them in the Board of Commissioners. At 
 the time of his election he was the youngest member of the 
 Board, but notwithstanding this fact, was selected as the 
 Chairman of the important Committees of Public Property, 
 and Lamp and Watch. He was also Chairman of the Water- 
 ing Committee for six years, and on that of Finance, Vac- 
 cine, Engine and Hose, two years. 
 
 In the discharge of the duties imposed upon him, as 
 Chairman of these Committees, and member of several 
 others, he won the esteem of his fellow members, and most 
 certainly the confidence of his constituents. 
 
97 
 
 After Consolidation, and when nominations veere made 
 for candidates for seats in Council, Mr. Mercer was among 
 the most prominent in his ward, and he was elected by a 
 majority of four hundred and sixty-five votes, thus showing 
 conclusively, that his course, during his connection with the 
 Board of Commissioners of Southwark, had met with the 
 entire approval of his fellow citizens. 
 
 Mr. M. was selected by the President, as one of the 
 Committee on Health and Port Wardens, and he is always 
 found at his post whenever the wants or interest of the City 
 demands a meeting of these Committees. He is also always 
 present at the meetings of Coiincil, and what is commen- 
 dable, watching attentively every measure introduced by 
 members, or the various committees. 
 
 Mr. Mercer occasionally participates in the discussions 
 before the Chamber, but has never indulged in long speeches, 
 preferrmg rather to record his sentiments by his votes. 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 WILLIAM MOHAN, 
 
 THIRD WARD. 
 
 Mr. Moran is a native of Chester county, Pa., where he 
 was born on the 27th day of July, 1826. He removed to 
 this city at a very early age, where he has resided ever 
 since. At that time his father was largely engaged in the 
 manufacture of cotton goods. 
 
 Mr. Moran is a printer by profession, he having served 
 his apprenticeship in the office of Hector Orr. Mr. M. sub- 
 sequently became one of the proprietors, and senior partner 
 of the firm of Moran & Sickles, in publishing the Daily Reg- 
 ister, a paper extensively knoAvn among the reading portion 
 of our community. 
 
 Mr. Moran has always been an ardent and active Whig, 
 and no member of his party, of his age, has so won upon 
 the esteem of those composing that organization. In 1848 
 he was nominated on the American ticket for the Legislature 
 of the State, but subsequently declined in favor of the Whig 
 candidate. In 1851 he was again Dominated by the Whigs 
 for the same post, but the Democratic majority in the county 
 was too overwhelming for him to secure his election. 
 
 In 1854, Mr. M. was almost unanimously nominated by 
 
99 
 
 the Whig Convention as a candidate for the State Senate. 
 In the same year the citizens of the Third Ward, comprising 
 Whigs and Americans, nominated and elected him to a seat 
 in the first Council of the Consolidated City, a post which 
 he has filled with honor to himself, and profit to his con- 
 stituency. 
 
 Mr. Moran has many sincere friends, and is a gentleman 
 of a warm temperament, ardent in his attachment for his 
 friends, and exceedingly desirous at all times to do a favor 
 or benefit his fellow men. 
 
 Mr. M., since he has been in Council, has been appointed 
 upon many important Committees, and upon all important 
 ({uestions is found engaging in many of the debates that 
 occur. He may be considered a good speaker for one so 
 young, and with his ambition to excel, will one day excel as 
 a debater. 
 
100 
 
 JAMES W. MAUTIEN, 
 
 TENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Martien is one of the oldest members of Council, 
 being fifty years of age ; but his good humor, active tem- 
 perament, and regular features, bespeak a man of not more 
 than forty years. He was elected to Council by eleven hun- 
 dred majority, a heavy vote for a first trial before the people. 
 Mr. Martien has been engaged in mercantile pursuits for 
 many years, and for strict integrity and honesty, no man in 
 our community stands higher. 
 
 Mr. M. has been a fireman for thirty-three years, and an 
 active one for sixteen years, and during the whole time he 
 has been at the head of the legislative department of the 
 Institution. Being thus engaged, he became familiar with 
 all the difiiculties and objections to the present organization 
 of the Fire Department ; and when he introduced his bill 
 for its re-organization, so complete was it in all its details, 
 and so suitable to the wants and exigencies of the time, that 
 it passed Councils by a unanimous vote. 
 
 Some twenty years gone by, Mr. Martien, with several 
 others, originated the "Association for the Relief of Disa- 
 bled Firemen j" an institution which has, since its existence, 
 
101 
 
 expended nearly fifteen thousand dollars for the relief of per- 
 sons injured and disabled at fires, and of their -widows. Du- 
 ring the year 1854, twelve hundred and eighty dollars were 
 expended for the relief of forty-four persons, averaging near- 
 ly one a week. It should be the pride of the Fire Depart- 
 ment to sustain this Institution munificently. 
 
 Mr. M. is also connected with many of the charitable and 
 benevolent institutions in our city, including the Masons, a 
 society of which he has been a member for twenty-nine 
 years, and in which he has held many high and honorable 
 positions. In every situation in which he has been placed, 
 he has won for himself the esteem and confidence of his fel- 
 low citizens ; and no man in Council, perhaps, stands better 
 with all classes of our people. 
 
 Li Council he possesses much influence, succeeding gene- 
 rally in carrying through all measures introduced or advo- 
 cated by him ; not because of his eloquence, though as a 
 speaker he stands fair, but because his felloAV members have 
 suflacient confidence in his integrity and right-mindedness, 
 as to convince them that he would not introduce a measure 
 unworthy of their votes. May he long be an ornament to 
 our city government. 
 
102 
 
 WILLIAM MATTHEWS, 
 
 FIFTEENTH WARD. 
 
 The subject of this sketcli belongs to that class of our 
 citizens ' knoAvn as the producers, he having had an iron 
 founder's establishment for the past nine years, in the old 
 district of Spring Garden. 
 
 Mr. Matthews is a native of Philadelphia, and is now in 
 his fortieth year. He is well and favorably known to the 
 citizens of the Fifteenth Ward, he having served three 
 years as Commissioner of the district of Spring Garden. 
 During his connection with that Board, he was one year 
 Chairman of the Joint Watering Committee, and also the 
 Chairman of the Committee on Gas, at the time the present 
 Gas Works were commenced. These positions were filled 
 with much credit, and to the entire satisfaction of his con- 
 stituents, judging from the fact that he was elected to the 
 present Council, on the American ticket, by a majority of 
 four hundred and fifty votes. 
 
 Mr. M. has always been a strenuous advocate for the pub- 
 lic school system, and served for three years as School Di- 
 rector of the Fourth School District. 
 
103 
 
 Mr. Matthews may be classed among the industrious mcm- 
 bei's of Council, ahvays in his seat, and exceedingly attentive 
 to the business of the Committees to which he is attached. 
 As a debater, he stands fair ; though no orator, he never 
 fails in his eifort to deliver with fluency, his ideas upon (ques- 
 tions in which the city and his constituents are interested. 
 
104 
 
 JOSEPH MANUEL, JR., 
 
 TWENTY-FIRST WARD. 
 
 INIr. Manuel belongs to that class of our citizens wlio 
 have risen in the world by means of industry and integrity 
 of character, rather than by wealth. 
 
 His father is one of the oldest builders in our city, he 
 having; contracted for the erection of some of the first and 
 most substantial fire-proof warehouses in our city. He also 
 erected the buildings at the Navy Yard. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in old Dock Ward, 
 and is now in his thirty-sixth year, and is, we believe, the 
 oldest practical gas-fitter now living in our city. He is still 
 extensively engaged in the same business, at the corner of 
 Buttonwood and Spring Garden streets. 
 
 Mr. Manuel has long been an active politician in the 
 Twenty-first Ward, and well known as an American. Pie 
 has always been identified with the Reform movement in his 
 Ward, and at the election of members to the new Covmcils, 
 he was elected by over four hundred majority, and was the 
 hiirhest on the ticket. 
 
 Mr. M. is fresh from the people, enjoying their confidence 
 
105 
 
 and esteem, because he is truly one of the people, always 
 striving for their interests, and to elevate them in the social 
 scale. 
 
 He was appointed to the Committees on Gas and Markets, 
 by the President ; and no member is more attentive or punc- 
 tual in the discharge of the duties imposed upon him. 
 Though but seldom engaging in the discussions that so often 
 occur, he is always found prepared to give his vote for 
 measures calculated to sustain the credit of the city. 
 
 14 
 
106 
 
 CHAULES MAGAEGE, 
 
 TWENTY-FIRST WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is also amonii; the number of new men, 
 fresh from the people, elected to the first Council under the 
 Consolidation Act. 
 
 Mr. Magarge was born in the old district of the North- 
 ern Liberties, in 1805, and for the past twentj-five years 
 has been extensively engaged in that important branch of 
 trade, paper-making. Mr. M. and the gentlemen connected 
 with him, have a large mill on the romantic Wissahickon 
 creek, in the Twenty-first Ward. They are also connected 
 with a number of mills in various parts of the county. 
 
 As an evidence of the estimation in which Mr. Magargee 
 is held by those who are familiar with him, as a man of cor- 
 rect business integrity, and unswerving honesty, we have 
 only to state that he was elected some five years since as 
 the second President of the Gcrmantown Bank. In this po- 
 sition Mr. M, enjoys the confidence and esteem of all con- 
 nected or transacting business with the institution. 
 
 Mr. Magarge was elected to Council from the Twenty- 
 first Ward, on the Whig and American ticket, by a majority 
 of over two hundred votes ; and soon after taking his seat, 
 
107 
 
 was selected by the President as Chairman of the Commit- 
 tee on Poor, the duties of which he faithfully and strictly 
 attends to. 
 
 Mr. M. is modest and rctirinjf in his manners, making no 
 effort to become prominent as one of the " City Fathers," 
 but preferring to watch the proceedings, and express his sen- 
 timents by his vote. 
 
108 
 
 GEORGE NOETON, 
 
 THIRD WARD. 
 
 Mr. Norton is a Philadelphian by birth, and lie is now in 
 the forty-fifth year of his age ; but time has been so gentle 
 in its dealings with him, that he would readily pass for a 
 man some ten years younger. 
 
 He is a lawyer by profession, having studied with E. 
 D. Ingraham, Esq. He was admitted to practice in the 
 year 1831. 
 
 Mr. Norton is well known to our citizens, not only as a 
 lawyer, but as an active and uncompromising Whig, and in 
 1835 and '36 was elected to the Legislature of Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 In 1838 Mr. N. was elected County Auditor, a post which 
 he filled for three years, to the entire satisfaction of all 
 those having business with the ofiice. 
 
 The course pursued by Mr. Norton, in the various offices 
 held by him, rendered him popular with the people of the 
 Third Ward, and after the passage of the Consolidation Act, 
 he was urged to become a candidate for a seat in the first 
 Coimcil of the Consolidated City, a position to which he was 
 elected by a large majority. 
 
109 
 
 Mr. N. is chairman of the Committee on Claims, and he 
 is also attached to the Committee on Surveys, the duties of 
 ■which are discharged with fidelity and promptness. 
 
 As a debater, Mr. Norton stands very fair ; his familiarity 
 ■with legislative business renders him au fait in the rules of 
 order, as -well as the forms and modes of conducting legisla- 
 tive business. He is exceedingly attentive to business ; but 
 seldom, if ever, absent from the meetings of Councils, or the 
 Committees to ■which he is attached. 
 
no 
 
 EOBEET ^^EWELL, 
 
 FIFTEENTH WARD. 
 
 The Consolidation of the City and County of Philadel- 
 phia, caused an entire change in the character of those com- 
 posing our City Councils. Instead of old politicians and 
 ofifice-holders being chosen, new men were demanded by the 
 people. 
 
 Among the number of those who had never served the 
 city in a public capacity, was Mr. Robert Newell, known 
 favorably to a large number of our citizens as one of the 
 Market street wholesale merchants, during which time Mr. 
 N. had ample opportunity for travel, and did, we believe, 
 visit nearly every State in our Union. 
 
 Mr. Newell was elected on the American ticket, by a ma- 
 jority of four hundred and fifty-two votes, thus proving 
 that, though a new man in public political life, he was not 
 considered untried or new by his fellow citizens. 
 
 Since he has taken his seat in Council, he has been active 
 and energetic in the transaction of business, never flinching 
 from any duties imposed upon him. As a speaker, Mr. N. 
 stands very fair — never at a loss for words to express his 
 
Ill 
 
 ideas ■with clearness and force, or battle successfully for the 
 interest of his constituents. His defence of the government 
 of the old district of Spring Garden, when assailed by those 
 unfamiliar Avith its minutia, has endeared him to those who 
 sent him to Council, and Avill doubtless secure his return, if 
 he so desires it. 
 
112 
 
 COA^STAIN'TINE E. E. O^NEILL, 
 
 SEVENTEENTH WARD 
 
 Mr. O'Neill is about forty-four years of age, a lawyer 
 by profession, having studied under Thomas P. McMahon 
 and Charles Goodman, the first named having died previous 
 to his finishing his studies. He was admitted to the bar in 
 the year 1832, and up to his nomination for a seat in the 
 new Council, under the Consolidation Act, had j)ursued his 
 profession with great diligence, outstripping many of his 
 more brilliant and classically educated brethren in the road 
 leading to competence. 
 
 Mr. O'Neill is truly a man of the people, careless m his 
 personal appearance, and despising all kinds of flattery to 
 accomplish his ends. He belongs to the Democratic party, 
 and its principles are faithfully adhered to and carried out 
 by him. 
 
 His nomination to Council was made during his absence 
 from the city, and unsolicited by him ; and he was also 
 elected while absent, thus making no eJSbrt to secure a seat 
 in Councils. 
 
113 
 
 Since he has been a member, but few questions of impor- 
 tance have arisen without his taking an active part in their 
 discussion. He has ever been a bitter opponent to exorbi- 
 tant salaries, and battled Avith great energy to prevent the 
 passage of the Ordinance increasing the Police force to over 
 one thousand men, denoimcing the movement " as an effort 
 to fix upon the tax payers an armed standing army." 
 
 In all his movements he has shown that the welfare of the 
 city is his highest aim, and to carry out this intention he 
 hesitates not to strike friend or foe. 
 
 15 
 
114 
 
 WILLIAM M. POWELL, 
 
 FOURTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Powell is a Philadelphian by birth, and is now- in 
 the forty-third year of his age, though to all appearances a 
 much younger man. 
 
 He belongs to the Democratic scliool of politics, though 
 at present he considers himself an Independent Democrat, 
 more desirous of voting for good men and measures, than 
 giving a blind adhesion to party. 
 
 Mr. Powell has always been active as a politician, but 
 never ran for office previous to his election to the present 
 Council, and if his own wishes are consulted, he will never 
 be a candidate again. 
 
 Mr. P. is a druggist, a business in which he has been en- 
 gaged for the past twenty-two years, at Second and South 
 streets. During that time he has ever maintained a cha- 
 racter for integrity and great business qualifications. 
 
 In Council, Mr. Powell has never indulged in speeches, 
 in consequence, we suppose, of his belonging to the minority, 
 or from the fact that his constituents have not been directly 
 interested in the measures before Council, though we feel 
 satisfied that Mr. P. will not do discredit to himself or his 
 constituents, whenever he shall make his maiden speech. 
 
115 
 
 GEOEGE W. POMEEOY, 
 
 THIRTEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Pomeroy is thirty-one years of age, a native of this 
 city, and belongs to the Whig party, from whom he received 
 the nomination for a seat of Councils, in the Thirteenth Ward, 
 and an election by a majority of over two hundred votes, 
 notwithstanding he was opposed by the i\.merican and Demo- 
 cratic party. 
 
 The father of Mr. P. was well known in our city as an 
 active and popular politician, and was a prominent candi- 
 date before the nominating Convention, for the Sheriffalty, 
 in 1844. 
 
 Mr. Pomeroy, though yet young, has also been active in 
 political life, and was selected as a delegate to the State 
 Convention which nominated Governor Johnson. Mr. P. 
 took an active part in the discussions before that body, and 
 also brought before the Convention the name of John W. 
 Couley, as a candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court. 
 
 Mr. P. is engaged in mercantile pursuits, and has ever 
 maintained a character for integrity and promptness in 
 meeting all his en";aii;emcnt3. 
 
116 
 
 As a member of Council, he has won upon the confidence 
 of his associates for his strict attention to the business of the 
 Chamber, and the Committee on Water Works. 
 
 In nearly all questions coming before Councils, Mr. Pom- 
 eroy takes an active part, frequently engaging in the de- 
 bates. As a speaker, he stands very fair, never at a loss 
 for words to express his ideas, and but seldom wearying the 
 patience of members by dry arguments, or the piling of 
 words upon words merely to fill u]) time. 
 
 He has the entire confidence of his constituents, and will, 
 we have no doubt, be returned by them to the second Coun- 
 cil under the Consolidation Act. 
 
117 
 
 WILLIAM M. PARHAM, 
 
 SIXTEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Paruam may be classed among the members of Coun- 
 cil fresh from the people, he never having been a candidate 
 except for a seat in the first Comicil under the Consolidation 
 Act. 
 
 He is a native of Philadelphia, and is now in his thirty, 
 sixth year. During the last twelve years he has been suc- 
 cessfully engaged in the importation of plushes for hats, 
 furs, &c. 
 
 Mr. Parham, though not an active politician, has rendered 
 himself exceedingly popular with the citizens of the Six- 
 teenth Ward, and his election to Council was secured by a 
 majority of nearly five hundred votes. 
 
 In Council, Mr. Parham is ever found at his post, watch- 
 ing with fidelity the interest of those who sent him, as well 
 as that of the city, and he is never absent from the Com- 
 mittees on Health and Markets, to which he was appointed 
 by the President soon after the organization of the present 
 Council. 
 
 Mr. Parham is highly esteemed by his fellow-members, as 
 a man of stern integrity and honesty of purpose, never 
 shrinking from his duty for fear of responsibility. 
 
118 
 
 JOHN S. PAITsTER, 
 
 SIXTEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Painter was born in the old district of the Northern 
 Liberties, and is now in his forty-third year of his age. He 
 is extensively known in that section of the county, as well 
 as in the old city proper. 
 
 Mr. Painter is a silversmith by trade, having served his 
 time with Mr. Thomas Fletcher. He followed this business 
 for many years. Mr. P. has enjoyed the confidence of his 
 fellow-citizens at various times, by his election to a number 
 of responsible offices. 
 
 He was elected, some twenty years since, a member of 
 the Board of Commissioners of Kensington, in which capa- 
 city he served two years. During that time he was an 
 active fireman, and was selected, by the President of the 
 Board, as Chairman of the Fire Committee. 
 
 Mr. Painter was afterwards elected a School Director, 
 for twelve successive years, for the Tenth Section, and at 
 the time an effort was made to exclude the Bible from the 
 Public Schools, was the only one in the Board to oppose it. 
 
 It was during this time that Governor Porter appointed 
 him Notary Public, an office which he held for three years. 
 
119 
 
 He was also, at the same time, Clerk of the Board of Com- 
 missioners of Kensington, Tax Collector three years in the 
 Second Ward, and four years Clerk in the County Commis- 
 sioner's office, under Wagner and Simpson. 
 
 He was also a candidate for Congress on the American 
 ticket, but his opponents were much too strong for him, and 
 he Avas therefore defeated. Thus it will be seen that Mr. 
 Painter has been frequently before the people, previous to 
 his nomination for the new Council in the Sixteenth Ward. 
 
 That he faithfully discharged these various duties there 
 can be but little doubt, as he was returned to Councils, on 
 the American ticket, by five hundred majority. 
 
 The various public positions held by Mr. Painter fits him 
 in a peculiar manner to discharge the duties imposed upon 
 him as a member of Council. On nearly every question of 
 importance, jNIr. P. participates in the discussions arising, 
 and he is but seldom deficient in power to express his views 
 with clearness and force. Ilis ideas are truly practical, 
 and are always clothed in language so plain that none need 
 misunderstand. 
 
120 
 
 JOHN F. PRESTON, 
 
 TWENTY-FIRST WARD. 
 
 Mr. Preston was born in Philadelpbia, and is now in the 
 thirty-third year of his age. His father has long been a 
 resident of the late borough of ]\Ianayunk, where he was 
 among the first to commence the manufactory of woollen 
 goods, from which business he retired several years since, 
 leaving his sons to continue an occupation pursued so profit- 
 ably by himself. 
 
 Mr. Preston moved to Manayunk in 1840, and engaged 
 in the manufacturing business ; and previous to Consolida- 
 tion, served for three years as a member of the Board of 
 Borough Council for that place. He was elected to the 
 present Council from the Twenty-first Ward, on the Ameri- 
 can ticket, by a majority of some two hundred votes. 
 
 Previous to the organization of the various Departments 
 by Council, the affairs of the diiferent Wards were placed 
 in the hands of local Committees, composed of the members 
 of Councils from said Ward, and be it said to the honor of 
 Mr. P. and his associates, all attempts to bleed the City 
 Treasury proved abortive. The whole amount expended 
 not exceeding over one hundred dollars. 
 
121 
 
 The election of Mr. Preston is another evidence that 
 modest merit, and private worth, are not forgotten. At- 
 tending with diligence to his daily avocations, he spent but 
 little time in seeking popularity, or a nomination for a seat 
 in Council ; but the people of the borough, knowing his 
 worth and honesty of purpose, nominated him, and without 
 abating in their friendship, triumphantly returned him as a 
 member of the first Council under the Consolidation Act. 
 
 We have no knowledge 'of Mr. Preston's powers as a de- 
 bater, never having heard him express his views upon ques- 
 tions before Council ; but for a member who lives so far 
 from the State House, he is exceeduigly attentive to his 
 legislative duties. 
 
 16 
 
122 
 
 WILLIAM II. J. HEAD, 
 
 SIXTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Read is a native of Philadelphia, and was born in the 
 year 1817, in the street where he now lives. 
 
 Mr. Read served his apprenticeship at the clock and 
 watch making business, with Mr. Charles Townsend, and he 
 has been in the same business, on his own account, about 
 sixteen vears. He is known as a skilful workman, and what 
 is far better, an honest man, punctual to all his engage- 
 ments. 
 
 He has alwa^^s been an" active Democrat, working for its 
 interest, without desiring or expecting reward ; but his 
 well known popularity in the Sixth Ward, caused his friends 
 to nominate him for a seat in the new Council, they well 
 knowing that it would require a Democrat, who could obtain 
 the votes of the opposing parties, to be elected. 
 
 The result of the election proved that their selection had 
 been well timed, for on counting the ballots, it was disco- 
 vered that Mr. Read was the only Democrat on the ticket 
 elected ; the Whigs having elected the balance of their 
 ticket by a majority of over three hundred votes. 
 
123 
 
 Mr. Read is a member of the Finance Coirimittee, one of 
 the most important as well as arduous in Council. The 
 duties devolving upon him as one of this committee, as well 
 as a member of Council, are fiiithfullj discharged. 
 
124 
 
 SAMUEL J. EATs^EALL, 
 
 EIGHTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Randall -was a member of the old City Councils for 
 three years, having been first elected when he was but 
 twenty-two years of age. He is now twenty-six, and is, we 
 presume, the youngest member of Common Council. 
 
 He owes his present position, and the large majority he 
 received, nearly six hundred, to his devotedness to public 
 business, and his independent course upon all questions upon 
 which Council acted, never dodging a question, or pinning 
 his opinions to the skirts of others. 
 
 Mr. Randall is a Whig in politics, and since the inaugu- 
 ration of the Councils of 1854, has always been found upon 
 that side of the question which would be likely to result to 
 the honor of the city, without regard to party lines or favor 
 of individuals. He is, in fact, not only a Philadelphian by 
 birth, but in every feeling of his heart ; and from our fre- 
 quent opportunities of scanning his movements, we are sat- 
 isfied that his whole desire is to so vote and speak as to 
 maintain his own integrity and that of the city. 
 
 Mr. Randall is quite a fluent speaker, expressing his 
 
125 
 
 views readily and with much confidence ; and though easily 
 excited, and in the heat of debate sometimes using language 
 that may appear harsh, is always ready to make the amende 
 honorable, and live in unity with his fellow-members. Mr. 
 R. may be considered a useful member, and his constituents 
 have just cause for feeling proud of their representative. 
 
126 
 
 AIN^DEEAV UIIOADS, 
 
 FIFTEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Rhoads, unfortunately alike for his colleagues and 
 his constituents, has suffered so much from illness as to have 
 been, for the last three or four months, a stranger to the 
 Council Chamber. Of a clear and discriminating mind, and 
 unshrinking firmness in the advocacy of what he esteems 
 the right, his physical organization is delicate, and almost 
 unfits him for the pursuits of active life. 
 
 Mr. Rhoads entered political life as a Native American, 
 and during the ascendancy of that party in Spring Garden, 
 long represented his Ward in the Board of Commissioners 
 of that flourishing district. To the universal approbation 
 of his course, as a member of that body, is to be attributed 
 his elevation to the more enlarged sphere of usefulness he 
 at present occupies. It is extremely unfortunate that he is 
 prevented from being constantly in his seat, as his clear 
 views and undoubted influence might often have a beneficial 
 eftect in regard to measures affecting the interests of tho 
 people at large. 
 
 Mr. Rhoads is about forty-five years of age, and, should 
 
127 
 
 his health be re-established, he may look forward to a career 
 of honor and usofidness. 
 
 Mr. II. is a member of the Committee on Gas, but in con- 
 sequence of his health, has not been able to give the busi- 
 ness that attention which its importance demands. 
 
128 
 
 THOMAS J. ROEEETS, 
 
 TWENTY-SECOND WARD. 
 
 Among the members of Council there are a number who 
 own and live upon extensive farms in the rural portion of 
 the Consolidated City. So extensive are the city's boun- 
 daries, that the aid of steam and horse power is necessary 
 to brinor the members to the meetino;s of Council. 
 
 Of this number we name Mr. Thomas J. Roberts, of the 
 Twenty-second Ward, who resides upon an excellent farm 
 of sixty-three acres, located in the old Bristol township, 
 which has been in the Roberts family ever since 1750, three 
 of whom came to this country with William Penn. This 
 farm once belonged to Griffith Jones, the third Mayor of 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Mr. R. is thirty-seven years of age, and a firm adherent 
 of the Democratic party, and was by them elected to the 
 new Council by a majority of about four hundred votes. 
 
 Though Mr. Roberts had never been a candidate before 
 the people previous to his election to Council, he was well 
 known to his fellow-citizens in consequence of having served 
 them as School Director, of the Sixth Division, for six 
 
129 
 
 years, and as one of tlie Board of Gurdians for the Poor 
 for four years. 
 
 In all these offices, as well as Tax Collector for two years, 
 Mr. Roberts won an enviable name for honesty and strict 
 attention to the duties devolving upon him. 
 
 Notwithstanding Mr. R. has been often called upon to 
 serve the public, he has ever retained his fondness for a far- 
 mer's life, and will no doubt continue to till the soil until 
 the tide of improvement, swelling so widely in our city, 
 shall have crowded him from his retreat. 
 
 As a member of Council, Mr. Roberts has won the esteem 
 and confidence of his fellow-members of all parties, not only 
 for his attention to business, but for his gentlemanly cour- 
 tesy. 
 
 Mr. R. makes no pretensions as a debater, though well 
 educated and posted up on all the topics of the day ; but 
 there is no fear that his constituents will suffer in conse- 
 quence of this fact, as his vote will always be intelligently 
 and honestly cast. 
 
 17 
 
130 
 
 JAMES STUAET, 
 
 FIFTH WAKD. 
 
 Mk. Stuart is a native of Philadelphia county, he having 
 been born in the old district of Southwark, in 1809, ivhich 
 is now in the Fourth Ward. 
 
 Mr. S. may be termed a successful and enterprising 
 merchant, having been engaged in commercial pursuits in 
 the firm of Joseph R. Evans & Co., which house has been 
 long in the London trade, as well as that of other European 
 ports. 
 
 In October, 1854, Mr. S. was elected to the Council of 
 the old City, from New Market Ward, on the Whig ticket, 
 by a large majority ; many of his personal friends in the 
 old Democratic party cast their votes in his favor. This 
 was owing to the fact that Mr. S. has ever maintained a 
 character for probity, during his long business operations in 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 During his connection with the old Councils, he was an 
 active member of the Finance Committee. He was also 
 chosen, with others, to represent the City at the election of 
 Directors of the Hempfield Railroad Company, held in the 
 
131 
 
 Borough of "Washington, in Washington county, Pa , in the 
 month of Novemher, 1854, at which time Robert T. Conrad 
 was the President of the Company. 
 
 Mr. Stuart was re-elected to the present Council by a 
 large majority, and was placed on the Committee on Law 
 and Girard Estate, the duties of which are faithfully dis- 
 charged by him. 
 
 Mr. S. frequently participates in the debates before Coun- 
 cil, though he never indulges in long speeches, preferring 
 rather to express his sentiments in a few practical remarks 
 and by his votes. 
 
L32 
 
 PETEE SHEETZ, 
 
 EIGHTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Sheetz is a native of Philadelphia, having been born 
 in the old City proper in eighteen hundred and twelve, and 
 in which he has resided ever since. His parents were also 
 natives of Philadelphia County. He belongs to that useful 
 and numerous class of citizens known as " Master Brick 
 Makers." 
 
 As an evidence of Mr. Sheetz's popularity, growing out of 
 his integrity and unimpeachable character, it is only neces- 
 sary for us to state that he was the only Democrat elected in 
 his Ward. 
 
 Mr. S. has always been an active politician, working for 
 the interest of his party, for the love of the principles advo- 
 cated by them, and consented to run as a candidate for Coun- 
 cil in 1852 and 1853, besides running for Assessor in 1850 ; 
 but owing to the strong Whig majority in the Ward was de- 
 feated. 
 
 Mr. Sheetz may be truly termed a working man, and re- 
 presenting their interests ; and his election to Council por- 
 trays the beneficent influences of a republican form of 
 
133 
 
 government, when compared with those of the old country, 
 where wealth and family influence is entirely predominant. 
 
 Mr. Sheetz, since the mauguration of the new Council, 
 has been punctual in attending to all the meetings of Coun- 
 cil, as well as the Committee on Health, to which he was 
 appointed by the President. 
 
 As a member of Council, Mr. Sheetz stands fair for in- 
 tegrity and honesty ; though seldom indulging in long 
 speeches, he is always on hand to cast his vote for measures 
 to benefit his constituents or advance the city's interest or 
 prosperity. 
 
134 
 
 HENRY SHUSTER, 
 
 THIRTEENTH WARD. 
 
 In Mr. Slmster we have another sample of the power of 
 industry and integrity to carve out a fortune and a name 
 among men. Mr. Shuster has been the artificer of his own 
 good name, having none of the advantages of wealth or a 
 liberal education to force him before the people. 
 
 For the past twenty years he has been engaged in beauti- 
 fying and adorning our City, by contracting for the erection 
 of houses, and during that time has maintained an enviable 
 reputation. 
 
 He is a native of Philadelphia, having been born in the old 
 district of Spring Garden in the year 1811, and in which he 
 has always lived. 
 
 The year previous to the Consolidation of the City and 
 Districts, Mr. Shuster was elected as one of the Board of 
 Commissioners of Spring Garden. He was also Assessor of 
 the Second, Third, and Fourth Wards, Spring Garden, for 
 five years, and the duties of the office were faithfully and 
 honestly discharged. 
 
135 
 
 Mr. Shuster Avas elected to the present Council on the 
 American and Whig Ticket by a majority of twelve hundred 
 and twenty-eight votes, and soon after taking his seat was 
 appointed on the Committee of Health, also upon the special 
 Committee on Printing. 
 
 Mr. S. exhibits the same industry and attention to the du- 
 ties of his office, as he has always done to his own business, 
 and therefore his constituents can have no fear that their in- 
 terests will be neglected by him. 
 
136 
 
 WILLIAM F. SMITH, 
 
 TWENTY-SECOND WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is a native of Salem county, New Jersey, 
 where he was born in the year 1821„ He, however, moved 
 to Philadelphia at the age of three years. For several 
 yeai"s past he has been actively engaged in Mercantile pur- 
 suits, and now belongs to the firm of Raiguel & Co., for- 
 merly Eckel, Raiguel & Co. 
 
 Mr. Smith first came before the people as a candidate for 
 a seat in the old Council in 1852, from Upper Delaware 
 Ward, a place to which he was elected, and what is some- 
 what remarkable, he was the only Whig ever elected to 
 Council from that Ward. While a member, he was on the 
 Committee of City Property and Library, and no member 
 attended more strictly to the duties devolving upon them, 
 than Mr. Smith. 
 
 He was among the most eloquent and firmest advocates for 
 the removal of the Market Sheds in Market street, and was 
 one of the Committee from whom the able report emanated 
 upon this question. During Mr. Smith's term, he was un- 
 
137 
 
 tiring in his eiforts to increase the pay of the Police to a 
 living rate, and the addition that was granted them -was 
 owing in a great measure to his able advocacy of the 
 measure. 
 
 ]Mr. Smith was elected to the present Council by the 
 Whigs of the Twenty-second Ward, and since his connection 
 with this body has been exceedingly attentive to business 
 and the meetings of the Committees of Finance and Girard 
 Estates. He has always been a firm friend of the Public 
 Schools, and but recently advocated an increase in the pay 
 of the Female Teachers, a measure which, in our opinion, 
 should be passed by Council. 
 
 Mr. Smith is also known as a warm advocate of the Tem- 
 perance cause, and for many years has been a leading spirit 
 in the Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance of the 
 State of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Since the election of Gov. Pollock, Mr. Smith has been 
 complimented by the appointment of aid to the Governor, 
 with the rank of Lieut. Colonel. In our opinion, a good 
 appointment. 
 
 18 
 
138 
 
 JOHN STALLMATs^ 
 
 TWENTY-SECOND WARD. 
 
 The subject of this sketch may be considered one of our 
 old Philadelphia residents, and among the oldest members 
 of Common Council, he having been born in the year 1795, 
 thus making him sixty years of age. 
 
 Mr. Stallman Avas born at Chesnut Ilill, in the county, 
 and has resided ever since Avithin a half mile of the spot in 
 which he first saw the light. Mr. S. served some ten yearg 
 as one of the School Directors for the Germantown District, 
 and was Overseer of the Poor, in the same district, for ten 
 or fifteen years. lie was also a member of the Board of 
 Control of the Public Schools, one year. 
 
 Mr. Stallman, in connection with Mr. Peters, started some 
 thirty years gone by, the line of stages which noAV runs 
 from Chesnut Hill to GermantoAvn and to the Philadelphia 
 Exchange. After a feAV years, Mr. Stallman purchased Mr. 
 Peters' interest, and conducted the line on his OAvn responsi- 
 bility, until a few years since, when he disposed of it, and 
 retired from business. He was also the proprietor, for 
 twenty years, of a line of stages running from the Broad 
 Axe and Blue Bell, in Montgomery county. 
 
139 
 
 Mr. Stallman, during his long life and various business 
 operations, has maintained an unblemished reputation, and 
 his nomination and election, on the American ticket, to the 
 new Coimcil, was but a just tribute to his worth by those 
 who knew him well and favorably. 
 
 Mr. S. is always punctual in his attendance on the meet- 
 ings of Council and the Committee on Port AVardens, to 
 which he was appointed by the Chairman. 
 
 Mr. Stallman in the early days of the Public Ledger was 
 one of its carriers, and during the nine years he owned the 
 route, never missed delivering about one thousand copies 
 but one morning during the whole period. He enjoyed the 
 full confidence of the proprietors of the Ledger, as well as 
 their patrons. 
 
140 
 
 EEMU^^D TAYLOE, 
 
 NINETEENTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Taylor is quite a young man, being now in his thirty- 
 eighth year. He is a native of Philadelphia county, having 
 been born in Blockley township. 
 
 Mr. Taylor is well known to many of our citizens as a suc- 
 cessful business man, and to the citizens of the old district 
 of Kensington, very favorably known, he having served four 
 years as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Ken- 
 sington, also one of the Assessors for the Eighth Ward. 
 
 During Mr. Taylor's connection with this body, he was 
 Chairman of the Committee on Markets, and also a mem- 
 ber of the Committees on Paving, Water, and Survey. 
 The duties of these various Committees were attended to by 
 him with fidelity and great satisfaction to his constituency. 
 
 As an evidence of this fact, we have only to state that he 
 was elected to the present Coimcil, on the Democratic ticket, 
 by a majority of over two hundred votes. 
 
 In Council, Mr. Taylor is much respected for his urbanity 
 and devotedness to the interests of the city and his constit- 
 uency. Never being absent from his seat, or from the meet- 
 
141 
 
 ings of the Committees on AVater and Prison, to wliicli he 
 ■was appointed by the President. 
 
 Mr. Taylor bids fair to become a prominent member of 
 the city government, and his re-election will confirm the 
 good opinion already entertained of him by his friends. 
 
142 
 
 JAMES YEEIIEE, 
 
 TWENTY-THIRD WARD 
 
 The subject of this sketch is from one of the rural Wards, 
 and was called from his farm and factory to become one of 
 the " City Fathers." He is forty-three years of age, and 
 ViG blush to own it, still unmarried. He is six feet, two and 
 a half inches high, well proportioned, graceful in his move- 
 ments, and a classical scholar, and possessing every neces- 
 sary requisite to make him a popular and useful legislator. 
 
 Mr. Yerree's first appearance before the public was as the 
 Whig candidate for Senator, but he was either not wxU 
 enough known, or his opponent was a better politician, for 
 him to succeed. He has served as Director of the Public 
 School in the Fifth Section, and also as Controller. 
 
 Mr. Verree was also one of the members of the Commit- 
 tee to draft the bill consolidating the city and county into 
 one city, and his efforts to render this measure popular 
 among the inhabitants of the rural districts, brought him in 
 familiar contact with the people, and induced them to secure 
 his election to the first Councils under the new government. 
 A fitting tribute to one who labored faithfully for a measure 
 
143 
 
 •which he believed would be of incalculable benefit to the 
 county of Philadelphia. 
 
 Mr. Verree may be termed a rather modest member, and 
 rarely speaks, except upon questions of importance. lie is 
 a good speaker, apt in his illustrations, at times witty, never 
 dull, and always energetic in enforcing his opinions. His 
 recent efforts in Council, in opposition to the establishment 
 of a sinking fund, and the reduction of taxes upon property 
 in the rural districts, stamped him as one of the best speak- 
 ers in Council. 
 
144 
 
 WILLIAM W. WATT, 
 
 SEVENTH WARD. 
 
 Tins gentleman is a Philadelphian by birth, and is now 
 in the thirty-SQventh year of his age. Since the year 1836, 
 he has been engaged in connection with his father in manu- 
 facturing; cotton and Avoollen goods. Their establishment is 
 quite an extensive one, located in Pine street, between Nine- 
 teenth and Twentieth streets, and the average number of 
 hands employed amounts to about two hundred. The pre- 
 sent business was started by Mr. Watt's father in 1811. 
 
 Mr. Watt was never before the people as a candidate 
 previous to his nomination by the Whigs for the first Coun- 
 cil midcr the Consolidation act, though he served seven 
 years as Tax Collector of old Cedar Ward, the duties of 
 which office he discharged with fidelity and satisfaction to 
 all parties concerned. 
 
 Mr. Watt was elected to Council by a majority of over 
 three hundred votes, a fitting tribute to one who had always 
 maintained a name for honesty and fair dealing. The office 
 was not sought after by Mr. W., nor does ho now, we sur- 
 mise, care a great deal about holding the position longer 
 than his present term, but this determination, we presume, 
 
145 
 
 will depend for its fulfilment upon his political friends. 
 They in all probability will desire him again to be a can- 
 didate. 
 
 Mr. Watt is one of the members of the Committee on 
 City Property, and he is ever attentive to its meetings, as 
 well as upon those of Council. 
 
 19 
 
146 
 
 MOlllilS S. WICKERSHAM, 
 
 NINTH WARD. 
 
 This gentleman is a stock broker, and is now in Europe 
 seeking relief from the ardous duties of business, 
 
 Mr. Wickersham is well known to most ofsour citizens from 
 his connection with the old Council, and his position as Chair 
 man of the Finance Committee ; a position for which he was 
 well fitted, in consequence of his familiarality with all matters 
 connected with the monetary affairs of our City. 
 
 Soon after his election to the new or present Council, Mr. 
 W. was selected as the chairman of the Finance Committee 
 by Mr. Diehl, who knew the fitness of Mr. W. for the posi- 
 tion, from the fact that he had many opportunities of knowing 
 his capabilities by serving in the old Council with him for 
 several years. 
 
 Mr. Wickersham is a good debater, professing that kind of 
 power of speech which carries conviction with it. After his 
 departure for Europe, the chairmanship of the Finance Com- 
 mittee was placed in the hands of Mr. Giller, and afterwards 
 in that of Mr. Hacker, Mr. G. having been compelled to re- 
 sign in consequence of pressing private business. 
 
147 
 
 CHARLES M. WAGTsEH, 
 
 TWELFTH WARD. 
 
 Mr. Wagner is but thirty-three years of age, and may 
 also be classed as one of the good looking members of Com- 
 mon Council. He was born in the old Fourth Ward of the 
 old district of the Northern Liberties, where he still resides. 
 His father was also born in this Ward, and was a member 
 of the Senate of Pemisylvania during the celebrated Buck 
 Shot War. 
 
 Mr. W. has been jManager of the Northern Dispensary 
 for several years, an institution that has afforded relief to 
 thousands who were unable to procure medicines for them- 
 selves. He is also a life and active member of the Histori- 
 cal Society of Pennsylvania, and takes great pride in all its 
 operations. 
 
 Mr. Wagner also belongs to the new men in Council, he 
 having never been a candidate before the people previous 
 to his election to his present position, an office which he 
 fills with much dignity, and to the satisfaction of his con- 
 stituents. 
 
 He has always been an active AVhig, and his election was 
 
148 
 
 secured by a large majority of Whig and American votes, 
 a fitting tribute to one who has ever maintained a reputation 
 for industry and integrity. 
 
 Mr. W. is exceedingly attentive to the business of Coun- 
 cil, never missing a meeting of either Council or the Com- 
 mittees on Police and Railroads, to which he was appointed 
 by the President. He has the esteem and confidence of his 
 fellow-members, as well as those who sent him to Council. 
 
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