People

Rev. Dr. David Beale

At the time of the Johnstown Flood of 1889, Rev. Dr. David J. Beale was pastor of First Presbyterian Church on Main Street, one of the largest congregations in town. On that Friday afternoon, inside his parsonage on Lincoln Street, Dr. Beale was working on his sermon for the upcoming Sabbath, while outside the streets were underwater as a result of the heavy rains. Just after the 4:00 PM bells tolled in Johnstown, the town was struck by the waters and debris of the Great Flood. The Beale family scrambled for safety, and, with hundreds of others, spent a terrifying night in Alma Hall a few doors away.

After the Flood, Dr. Beale was named co-chairman of a committee charged with the recovery of the dead. Together with some associates, he created a handwritten “master” record of the dead, compiled from the records of the different morgues, intended mostly to assist those looking for missing loved ones. He drew national praise for his work in assisting the survivors of the Flood, and was offered a contract to write a book on the disaster. (To complete this book, Dr. Beale solicited photographs and stories from his fellow survivors.)

Dr. Beale also became a controversial figure after the Flood. Some in his congregation opposed his decision to allow his church to be used as a morgue, while others accused him of profiting from the morgue records, and of dedicating too much time to the writing of his book. Tensions in his congregation came to a boil, and he left Johnstown in 1890, eventually accepting a charge in Philadelphia.

Historians of the Flood often wondered the fate of Dr. Beale’s notes, papers, and, most importantly, the master morgue book. Astonishingly, all of these items were found in the Philadelphia area a few years ago. The National Park Service and the Johnstown Area Heritage Association were able to secure the funds to acquire these treasures for preservation.

Colonel Elias Unger 1830-1896

Colonel Elias Unger probably never had a military record. He was, however, the manager of hotels along the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Seventh Avenue Hotel in Pittsburgh. These accomplishments did not get him much noteriety after his death in 1896, but what did was one of the worst disasters in United States history.

Unger happened to be, in 1889, the president of a corporation who maintained a dam and resort property called the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. This resort was located high up in the Allegheny Mountains near Johnstown, PA, a city in central Pennsylvania.

In the early morning hours of May 31, 1889 Unger noticed that the level of Lake Conemaugh had risen considerably during the night of the thirtieth. Elias then made a quick calculation and estimated that the dam was rising 4-6 inches per hour. This scene alarmed Unger and around 10:00 AM he ordered 10-20 Italian laborers to start digging a spillway on the west end of the dam and to try to heighten the top of the breast. The immigrants worked heroically but the situation, unfortunately, grew worse. So Unger ordered a young graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, John Parke (who was also the club’s resident engineer), to ride to the nearest town (South Fork) and get a message to Johnstown about the condition of the dam. During Parke’s ride, water started pouring over the top of the dam and once the young man returned from South Fork saving the dam seemed like a hopeless cause. The water was rising faster than the men could build up the dam so at 2:45 PM Unger returned to his home above the South Fork dam due to exhaustion.

At 3:15 PM the South Fork dam finally gave way spilling the entire contents of Lake Conemaugh into the valley leading to Johnstown. The result of the 20 million-ton lake was over 2,000 dead in the valley.

The South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club

Members

Edward Jay Allen

Born in New York City in 1830, Allen helped to organize the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company.

D. W. C. Bidwell

Bidwell’s firm, D. W. C. Bidwell and Company sold dynamite, explosives, and powder used for mining.

James W. Brown

James Brown in 1889 was the secretary and treasurer for Hussey, Howe and Company, Steel Words, Ltd. He later served in the House of Representatives from 1903-1905.

Hilary B. Brunot

Brunot was one of the many attorneys in Pittsburgh serving in 1889.

John Caldwell, Jr.

It is uncertain which John Caldwell from Pittsburgh joined the SFFHC due to lack of strong documentation. He was most likely the John Caldwell who was treasurer of the Philadelphia Company, a firm that involved it with natural gas.

Andrew Carnegie

Probably the most recognized name of the SFFHC. Carnegie was involved with steel production among other things. Carnegie gave the city of Johnstown a free library after the 1889 tragedy. The people of Johnstown, in turn, gave him a heroe’s welcome.

C. A. Carpenter

Freight agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad.

John Weakley Chalfant

In 1889, Chalfant was listed as the president of People’s National Bank. He was also associated with Spang, Chalfant and Company, a firm, which became one of the largest producers of steel tubing in the United States.

George H. Christy

Christy was an attorney from Pittsburgh.

Thomas Clark

Possibly an attorney.

Charles John Clarke

Clarke had already retired in 1874 from a transportation business called Clarke and Company. He kept himself busy by investing in real estate, railroads, and securities. He is the father of Louis Semple Clarke.

Louis Semple Clarke

Charles Clarke’s son, Louis, is probably most famous for the spark plug he developed for use in gasoline engines. He also perfected the drive-shaft system for use in automobiles and was the first to design a useful oil circulation system.

A. C. Crawford

Due to lack of strong documentation the A. C. Crawford associated with this club is unknown. Most likely this Crawford was an attorney from Armstrong County.

William T. Dunn

Dunn was associated with the William T. Dunn and Company, which sold building supplies.

Cyrus Elder

The only member from Johnstown in 1889, Elder was the attorney and chief counsel for the Cambria Iron Company.

Daniel R. Euwer

Associated with Euwer and Brothers, lumber dealers.

John King Ewing

Ewing was involved with real estate in 1889 and associated with Ewing and Byers.

Aaron French

Along with Calvin Wells, French’s company, A. French Spring Company, produced the first steel springs for railroad cars. He quietly did philanthropic work until his death in 1902

Henry Clay Frick

Frick made a fortune in selling coke and was the chairman of Carnegie Brothers Company in 1889. Along with about half of the clubmembers Frick donated money to the relief effort in Johnstown. His donation involved thousands of dollars.

Walter Franklin Fundenburg

Fundenburgh was a dentist.

A. G. Harmes

Associated with the Harmes Machinery Depot, Harmes was involved with the production of engine broilers and sawmill machinery.

John A. Harper

Harper was assistant cashier of the Bank of Pittsburgh in 1889 and later became the president of Western Pennsylvania Hospital.

Howard Hartley

Associated with Hartley Brothers, manufacturers of leather belting and hose, rubber belts and machinery packing.

Henry Holdship

Holdship was associated with banking, mining, and oil throughout his career. He is probably best known for helping to found the Art Society of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Orchestra.

Americus Vespecius Holmes

Involved with real estate and vice-president of Dollar Savings Bank.

Durbin Horne

Durbin Horne was president of Joseph Horne and Company, a company involved in retail.

George Franklin Huff

Huff was involved in banking, coke, coal, railroads, natural gas, and other utilities. He was elected to the House of Representatives, serving until 1910.

Christopher Curtis Hussey

Associated with Hussey, Howe and Company, steel manufacturers. Deceased by 1889.

Lewis Irwin

Irwin was the brother in law and partner of Henry Holdship.

Philander Chase Knox

An attorney with a distinguished political career, he was Secretary of State from 1901 to 1921 and twice elected to the Senate.

Frank B. Laughlin

Laughlin was the secretary of the Solar Carbon and Manufacturing Company.

John Jacob Lawrence

Involved with paint and color manufacturing. Partner of Moses Suydam.

John G. A. Leishman

Steel broker, president of Carnegie Steel Company, and after 1897, involved with diplomatic works.

Jesse H. Lippincott

Associated with the Banner Baking Powder firm.

Sylvester Stephen Marvin

Involved with crackers and pancake flour, he helped form the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco).

Frank T., Oliver, and Walter L. McClintock

Associated with O. McClintock and Company, a mercantile house.

James S. McCord

McCord owned the McCord and Company, wholesle hatters.

James McGregor

This James McGregor was possibly Major James McGregor, an attorney.

W. A. McIntosh

McIntosh was president of the New York and Cleveland Gas Coal Company.

H. Sellers McKee

McKee was president of the First National Bank of Birmingham.

Andrew Mellon

Mellon was the owner of T. Mellon and Sons, a banking firm. At one time he was on the board of directors for 60+ companies. He served as Secretary of the Treasury under Harding, Coolidge and part of Hoover’s administrations.

Reuben Miller

Associated with Miller, Metcalf and Perkin, Crescent Steel Works.

Maxwell K. Moorhead

President of Moorhead and Mcleane Company, Soho Iron Works.

Daniel J. Morrell

Originally bought his membership to keep a closer watch on the SFFHC. Morrell was well qualified to become a member of the "boss’ club". He was quite the boss himself, being the head of the Cambria Iron Company. Morrell was deceased by 1889.

William Mullens

Due to lack of strong documentation nothing is known about Mullens.

Edwin A. Meyers

Associated with Myers, Shinkle and Company.

H. P. Patton

Patton was associated with A. and D. H. Chambers, a window glass manufacturer.

Duncan Clinch Phillips

Phillips was associated with Phillips and Company, a window glass manufacturer.

Henry Phipps, Jr.

Phipps was the chairman of Carnegie Brothers and Company.

Robert Pitcairn

Pitcairn was superintendent of the Pittsburgh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Andrew Carnegie's old position.

D. W. Ranking

Ranking was a physician.

Samuel Rea

A banker and broker with Rea Brothers and Company.

James Hay Reed

A partner with Philander Knox in the law firm Knox and Reed. Appointed to the post of federal district court judge of western Pennsylvania by President Harrison.

Benjamin F. Ruff

Railroad tunnel contractor, coke salesman, real estate broker, and first president of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.

Marvin F. Scaife

Associated with W. B. Scaife and Sons, a producer of iron products.

James M. Schoonmaker

Associated with J. M. Schoonmaker Coke Company.

James Ernest Schwartz

Schwartz was president of Pennsylvania Lead Company.

Frank Semple

Clerk with the Pennsylvania Company. Perhaps had banking interests.

Christian Bernard Shea

Shea was a member of Joseph Horne and Company.

Moses Bedell Suydam

Affiliated with M. B. Suydam and Company.

F. H. Sweet

Due to lack of strong documentation little is known about Sweet.

Benjamin Thaw

Founder of Heda Coke Company along with his brother.

Colonel Elias J. Unger

Even though he was called "colonel", Unger does not have any military record. He did, however, manage hotels along the Pennsylvania Railroad and also employed as manager of the 7^th Avenue Hotel in Pittsburgh. Unger was the 2^nd and last president of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.

Calvin Wells

Wells was president of Pittsburgh Forge and Iron Company.

James B. White

Associated with James B. White and Company, manufacturer of manganese ore.

John F. Wilcox

Wilcox was a civil engineer.

James H. Willock

Cashier of the Second National Bank.

Joseph R. Woodwell

Served on the board of directors for Deposit Band of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Institute.

William K. Woodwell

Associated with Joseph R. Woodwell and company.

H. C. Yeager

Associated with C. Yeager and Company, dry goods and trimming wholesaler.