William Anderson Herron,
an honored and public-spirited citizen, and one of the leading business
men of Pittsburgh, was born August 7, 1821, at Pittsburgh, in the house
which is still standing at the corner of Penn Avenue and Eighth Street.
Mr. Herron comes of Revolutionary stock, his ancestry being
Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. His paternal great- grandfather, Francis
Herron, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, came to America in 1734,
and with his younger brothers David, William and James and his two
sisters Mary and Elizabeth, settled on what is known as Herron's Branch
(named after him) in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1745.
Francis
Herron married Mary McNutt, also of a Scotch Presbyterian family, and
had issue three sons and two daughters, viz.: John, James and William,
and Mary and Sarah. He was a farmer by occupation and died in 1755.
James, the second son of Francis, and grandfather of William A. Herron,
was born in 1754. He married Nancy Davidson, and had issue four sons
and two daughters, viz.: John, (William A. Herron's father), William,
Davidson and James, and Nancy and Sarah. He was an ardent patriot and
brave soldier, and was made Major in the American army during the
Revolutionary War. He died in 1829, leaving behind him an excellent
record as a Christian gentleman and a soldier.
John, his eldest
son and father of our subject, was born at Herron's Branch, April 3,
1792. In 1812 he went to Pittsburgh, where he engaged in the lumber
business. Having a fair education and being industrious, energetic and
sagacious, he prospered, and in a few years became owner of a large saw
and grist mill on what is now Eighth Street, below Penn Avenue, besides
acquiring other property. He was always fully abreast of the times, as
is evidenced by the fact that he was among the first to utilize steam
power, having put the second steam engine in use west of the Allegheny
Mountains, in his mill on Eighth Street. He also owned a farm, coal
lands, and other properties of value, at Minersville, now the
Thirteenth Ward of Pittsburgh, and was largely engaged in contracting
and building, making brick, coal mining and farming. He superintended
all his enterprises and kept almost constantly employed a number of
clerks and a small army of men, in whom he took a friendly interest. He
was generous and charitable and always stood ready to succor the needy
and unfortunate. He was kind and considerate and it was said of him
that he knew most of the children in Minersville by name. Indeed, he
was generally loved and respected by all. He married, in 1817, Miss
Clarissa Anderson, daughter of Major William and Nancy (Cann) Anderson.
Major
Anderson, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was
one of the pioneers of the notable Pittsburgh family of that name. In
the History of Allegheny County reference is made to him as follows:
"He
came to America when the cry of liberty had lately arisen among the
colonists, and with all a young man's ardor he entered heartily into
the revolutionary spirit of the age. It was between 1775-'80, when he
first put his foot upon the soil of the country that was so soon to
shake off the thrall of the tyrant of the old world. He first settled
in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, but soon joined the army under General
Washington, taking the rank of Major, and serving with distinction
throughout the war."
At the close of the war he resumed the
building business and in competition with others was awarded the
contract for building the Executive Mansion (the "White House") at
Washington, D. C., the excellent condition of which at this day, more
than a century later, is a splendid testimonial to his honesty and
judgment. "Stout, hearty and vigorous, he possessed remarkable
executive ability and was honored with the friendship of some of the
greatest men of his time, including Washington himself. As an instance
of his physical strength as well as his determined will, it is related
that at one time, on account of sickness in his family, he walked from
Washington to Carlisle in twenty-four hours." Major Anderson removed
from Carlisle in 1795, going first to Huntingdon and afterwards to
Bedford, Pennsylvania, in each of which places he erected public
buildings.
In 1797 he took up his residence in Pittsburgh, on
Penn Street near Pitt (now Fourth) Street, in a house built of logs. He
built the second grist mill put up in Pittsburgh, and the first steam
saw-mill west of the Allegheny Mountains. Buying logs from the Indians
round about he did a large business in lumber, his mill often running
day and night to supply the demand. He was an intimate friend of
Colonel James O'Hara, and with him took an active part in all public
enterprises. He built a number of the principal edifices of Pittsburgh,
including the First Presbyterian Church on Wood Street, which was built
over the old log structure "the logs being taken out of the windows of
the new church." He died in 1821, being then a resident of Mercer
County, Pennsylvania, where he owned a large tract of land and whither
he had removed in the preceding year, having retired from business. His
remains were buried in the churchyard of the First Presbyterian Church
at Pittsburgh, beside those of his wife, a native of Carlisle, and
whose maiden name was Mary Ann Cann. From the foregoing brief account
of his family, it will be perceived that Colonel William A. Herron, the
subject of this sketch, springs from ancestors distinguished for their
love of God, love of country and love of work. From their advent in the
New World they enjoyed a high degree of prosperity and the respect and
favor of their neighbors and fellow-citizens. The patriotic instincts
of the family are remarkable and have continued unabated from the
Revolution down to recent times. Three of Mr. Herron's uncles served in
the War of 1812, under General Harrison. Three of his brothers and one
of his sons served in the Union Army. One of the former, Francis J.
Herron, now of New York City, rose to the rank of Major-General, when
but twenty-six years old, and enjoyed the distinction of being the
youngest General officer in the Union army.
William A. Herron
started his business career with a good education, beginning early in
life as a clerk for A. Way & Company, dry goods merchants, at
Pittsburgh, but finding indoor life too confining and not agreeing with
his health, he gave up his position and went into the coal business to
assist his father, who was then operating a large number of mines in
Minersville, now the Thirteenth Ward of Pittsburgh. In 1846 he became a
member of the coal firm of Herron, Brown & Company, of which his
father was the senior member. The firm owned an extensive tract of land
on the Monongahela River near Turtle Creek, and filled large contract s
for iron mills, factories and gas works in Pittsburgh, besides shipping
large quantities of coal to Cincinnati, Louisville, Cairo and New
Orleans, in flat boats. Owing to failing health Mr. Herron was
compelled to discontinue business for a time, and he then devoted two
years to general travel and rest to recuperate, after which, with his
brother-in-law Richard Sill, he engaged in the lumber business. He
shortly afterwards had partnership interests in a brass foundry, the
manufacture of glass and cotton batting, besides being part owner of a
large tract of coal land near Pine Run, on the Monongahela River, which
was operated under the firm name of Herron, Blackburn & Company.
This firm did an extensive business, building a coal railroad to supply
the trade. Mr. Herron also formed a partnership with Mr. Hercules
O'Connor, and together they purchased the steamboat "George Albree" and
some model barges and took contracts to supply the gas works at St.
Louis with coal, running the cargoes to Cairo in flat boats and
reloading there in model barges to tow to St. Louis. In 1855 Mr. Herron
engaged in the banking business at the corner of Wood Street and Sixth
Avenue, where the Germania National Bank is now erecting its fine new
building. In 1860, perceiving the need of greater banking facilities in
Pittsburgh, he took an active part in founding the German Bank, (now
the German National) and later on he helped to organize the Iron City
Trust Company, which subsequently became the Second National Bank. He
also co-operated in the formation of the Third National Bank and the
Mechanics' Bank, which, like the others named, are to-day among the
strongest financial institutions of the city.
In 1863 he, with
two other well-known citizens, secured a charter and organized the
People's Saving Bank, of which he became the first President, and which
has become one of the most successful institutions of its kind in the
city. In 1860 Mr. Herron was induced to accept the nomination of Clerk
of the Courts of Allegheny County. He was elected by a flattering
majority and served with eminent satisfaction to his fellow-citizens
until 1866 (being re-elected in 1863) when he retired, owing to the
condition of his health, although he could have been again re-elected
had he cared to continue in office. Freed from the cares of office he
next engaged in buying and selling real estate, and so continued for a
number of years. In 1877 he took his youngest son John W. Herron in as
partner, and still later, in 1883, his son, Rufus H. Herron, the
business being carried on under the name of William A. Herron &
Sons. The firm does a large business, second to none in the city, and
holds a high rank. Rufus H. Herron and John W. Herron have since risen
to prominence in Pittsburgh business circles, and the latter is
Vice-President of the Commercial National Bank, in that city. During
the progress of the Civil War Mr. Herron was active and indefatigable
in his services to the Union cause. Although prevented by ill health
from taking the field, he accomplished a great deal of good work at
home and aided liberally with his means and influence in upholding the
supremacy of the National government. At several crises during the war
his services proved of the utmost value. He was appointed a Colonel on
the staff of Governor Pollock and an aide-de-camp to Major-General J.
G. Barnard, U. S. A. Some years after the war General Barnard wrote as
follows of Colonel Herron's service, the letter being intended for
historical purposes:
Washington, March 26, 1879.
Colonel
W. A. Herron:--At the time of the invasion of Pennsylvania by the
Confederate army under General Lee in June, 1863, great anxiety was
felt as to the safety of Pittsburgh, whose manufacturing establishments
in iron, machinery and other objects of great importance to the
country, not only in a commercial sense but as supplying the material
of war, offered a strong inducement to a powerful raid, if not as a
direct object of the enemy's campaign. At the solicitations of leading
citizens of Pittsburgh and her representative in Congress, General
Moorhead, I was sent to Pittsburgh by Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War, to
direct the efforts of her citizens in fortifying the place. The great
manufactories were, for the time, mostly closed, and nearly all the
working forces of able-bodied men -- several thousand -- were, the very
first day of my arrival placed at my disposal. Without previous
knowledge of the surrounding country and with but a single engineer
officer (Major Craighill) to assist me, the reconnaissance and the
putting intelligently at work such a large body of men, with no
previous organization, was an arduous and embarrassing task. The
intelligent aid of many of the citizens, especially of the proprietors
of the large iron works, enabled me to surmount the difficulty. But to
yourself I was more particularly indebted. Placing your services
entirely at my disposal, you constituted yourself virtually an
aide-de-camp and an adjutant -- guiding me with your intimate knowledge
of the localities, in my reconnaissance -- pointing out before hand the
salient features of the surrounding country, thus furnishing the
indispensable clues to a proper location of field works and enabling me
to send out my working parties to proper points, before I, myself, had
been able properly to reconnoitre them. I cannot too highly speak of
the value and importance of your services in those critical days. I am
very respectfully,
Yours most obediently,
J. G. Barnard,
Colonel of Engineers, and Brevet Major-General, U. S. A.
Mr.
Herron was never a politician, but in 1879 he was appointed Pension
Agent for Pittsburgh by President Hayes, who was his warm friend, and
he held that office four years. His health failed him during his term
as Pension Agent, and since leaving that office he has not taken any
very active part in business outside of a general oversight and
interest in the purchase and sale of real estate. It is proper to state
here that at the end of his term of office as Pension Agent he was
warmly complimented by the authorities at Washington for the careful
and prompt manner in which he conducted the business of the office.
Within a few months after his retirement the Government was able to
close his account and sent him a certificate in full to that effect; a
fact all the more remarkable when it is understood that it usually
requires several years to settle the accounts of a retiring Pension
Agent. Mr. Herron is an influential member of the Pittsburgh Chamber of
Commerce, with which he has been connected a number of years, and also
a member of Select Council of the city for several years. In religious
and charitable work he has always taken a leading part. Since his
fifteenth year he has been a professing member and active worker in the
Presbyterian Church, has held the office of Elder and Trustee for many
years, and has done excellent work in the Sabbath-school at
Minersville, of which he was Superintendent for a long period. In 1888
he was a delegate to the Centennial General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church, held at Philadelphia. He has also at various times
been a delegate to the Synod and Presbytery, representing the Third
Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. In charitable matters he has
likewise taken a warm interest. Since 1863 he has been an active member
of the Board of Directors of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital. He is
also a member of the Executive Committee of Dixmont Asylum for the
Insane, Vice-President of the Homeopathic Hospital, Vice-President of
the Blind Asylum of Western Pennsylvania, and a Director in the Young
Men's Home, and also in the Young Men's Christian Association. In
educational work he has always taken a deep interest and for many years
held the office of Director of the Public Schools.
Mr. Herron is
still one of the active and busy men of Pittsburgh, interested in its
welfare and development and prominent in all movements of a public
charitable character. Although annoyed by ill health in early life, he
is today a vigorous specimen of manhood, erect and sturdy, and capable
of no end of hard work. His family have long been noted for their
kindly natures, and he is no exception to the rule. Indeed, it has been
asserted of him that "he has probably more friends to the square mile
than any other man in Western Pennsylvania." His wife, formerly Miss
Louisa J. Hills, daughter of the late Dr. Rufus Hills, a physician of
note of Erie, Pennsylvania, and a native of Amesbury, Massachusetts, is
one of the most estimable and respected women in Pittsburgh, where she
has been active for many years in religious, charitable and
philanthropic work. Her splendid executive ability was recognized by
her election, in 1865, as the first President of the Woman's Christian
Association of Pittsburgh, of which she was one of the principal
organizers. She has been President since 1875 of the Association for
the Improvement of the Poor, one of the most beneficial organizations
in Pittsburgh, which she was the means of organizing, and which
relieves and assists thousands of the worthy poorannually, without
regard to color, nationality or sect. She likewise renders valuable
assistance in almost all the other charitable work of the city. Of her
it has been written that "she is the personal friend of every needy
family in the city." Mr. and Mrs. Herron were married October 23, 1843.
They have had seven children, of whom three survive, viz.: Rufus H.
Herron, Sarah (now Mrs. Ogden M. Edwards) and John W. Herron. In
speaking of Mr. William A. Herron, one who has been intimately
connected with him for many years remarked:
"Mr. Herron is an
exemplary man, a Christian gentleman of the highest type; always kind
to and thoughtful of those around him, never forgetting a friend but
always ready to forgive an enemy; strictly temperate, scrupulously
honest and of such superior ability that had nature given him health
and strength he must have risen to distinction among the chief men of
his day, for he is a man of great natural parts."
He loves
nothing so well as to talk about the city that he has seen grow, almost
from a village, to the most important manufacturing centre in the
Republic. As it is, even with the great drawback of delicate health in
earlier life, Mr. Herron has carved a name for himself among the most
active and energetic men of Pittsburgh, which will long endure."
Encyclopedia of Contemporary Biography of Pennsylvania, Volume II, 1868
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