John G. Sadlier

As printed in 1902

JOHN G. SADLIER.

John G. Sadlier, deceased, was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1856, a son of John and Ann (Graham) Sadlier, the latter a native of the Keystone state, while the former was born in Ireland and was a farmer by occupation. The subject of this review attended the common schools until thirteen years of age, and then began learning the holder’s trade in the Cambria Iron Works, where he was employed for eight years, thoroughly mastering every ‚branch of the business with which he was connected. He then went to Alliance, Ohio, entering the service of the Morgan Engineering Company in the capacity of assistant foreman, serving three years. At Sharon, Pennsylvania, he was for three years employed by D. J. Egan, in his iron and steel works, being: for one year the foreman of the plant. He had been very much interested in steel work from his boyhood and he made the first steel casting ever manufactured in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Removing to Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Sadlier entered the works of the Walker Manufacturing Company, now the Westinghouse Company, and after a short time was made assistant foreman of the foundry department, his duties being important and onerous. When six years had passed in that way he gave up the position and came to the Springfield Company, at Springfield, Olhio, taking charge of the foundry, which was then a very small concern, but under his able guidance the business increased until an extensive plant was demanded in the conduct of the enterprise, and the works were enlarged until they became one of the leading industrial concerns of the city. Mr. Sadlier was after a short time made vice-president and manager, and to his practical knowledge cf the foundry business, his unflagging industry and enterprise the splendid growth of the business was largely attributable. At the time of his.death he was planning to place upon the market a dust-proof rader for cleaning. The model had been completed, but the machine had not been constructed when his life’s labors were ended in death. He designed the drill made by the Fairbanks Machine Tool Company, secured the patent upon it and a vast number are now in use. In addition to acting as the vice president of the Springfield Foundry Company, he was the manager of the Fairbanks Tool Company amd the Indianapolis Switch & Frog Company, and his connection with extensive and important mechanical interests made him known in trade circles of this kind throughout the country. Devices which are his inventions have proved of practical utility in the business world, and his life work was therefore of material benefit to his fellow men.

In 1876 Mr. Sadlier was united in marriage to Miss Mary Luther, a native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and unto them were born thirteen children, ten of whom are now living: John W., Mary G., Daniel I., Thomas, Frances, Charles, Margaret, Rose, Laurence and Ruth. They also adopted a son, William, a nephew of Mrs. Sadlier. To his family Mr. Sadlier was devoted, putting forth every effort in his power to promote the happiness and welfare of his wife and children.

s- Although Mr. Sadlier started out in the business world with little education to aid him, he broadened his knowledge by attending night school, also by reading, experience and observation, and became a well read man. He often wrote articles for publication upon subjects relating to foundry work. He was an honorary member of the Iron Moulders’ Union, and in June, 1901, he was elected the president of the American Foundry Association, at Buffalo, and was filling that position at the time of his death. In politics he was a Democrat who took an active interest in the growth of the party, and when in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, he delivered many campaign addresses in behalf of Hancock and was a delegate to the convention) which nominated Patterson. In 1901 he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for mayor of Springfield. He held membership in St. Joseph's church and in that faith died, passing away January 6, 1902, his remains being interred in St. John's cemetery, at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was an earnest Christian man, and perhaps no better estimate of his character can be given than the words of his pastor, who delivered the funeral sermon, and who:said; “Early in life he learned to follow the Savior’s instruction—‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice and all things will be added unto you.’ He has left a legacy more precious than jewels and gems—a legacy of faith, hope and charity. He has shown that a man could live, mingle and labor in the world and practice his faith every day.” The transcendent goodness and purity of his life commanded uniform respect and the life record of John G. Sadlier 1s worthy to be cherished in the minds and hearts of his man friends as long as memory endures.

Since 1898 Dr. D. Walter Spence has engaged in the practice of medicine and Professional vancement is proverbially slow, for the physician has to demonstrate his ability and sell, and time, which tests the merits of all things, then places its approval or disapproval upon his work, and thereby public patronage is gained or lost. Dr. Spence, however, has continually advanced in public regard since he became a factor in the medical fraternity in Springfield. He was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, March 22, 1864, and is a son of David! Spence, whose birth occurred in New Brunswick, in March, 1843, and who. in early life was employed as a foundryman. He is now living at Dover, New Hampshire, and is the general manager ot the Kidder Press Company. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Mac- Claren, was born at Charlottetown, on Prince Edward's Island, in 1844, and both were educated in the academic schools of Canada. They were married in New Brunswick, and afterward the father removed with his family to Nova Scotia, where he engaged in the foundry business at Annapolis. There he continued until 1878, when he went to Boston, Massachusetts, remaining for four years in that city, acting as superintendent of the Sturtevant Blower Works. Later he surgery in Springfield. adwas located at. Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as superintendent of the Demorest sewing machine and bicycle factory, capable filling that position until 1894. From there he went to Dover, New Hampshire. He is a scientific meter and foundryman, fully acquainted with great mechanical principles and has always led an active, busy and useful life. In the family were two children, the Doctor and Florence E. The daughter died at Valatia, Columbia county, York, at the age of twenty-one years.

Dr. Spence of this review pursued an academical education and was fourteen years of age when he went to Boston, Massachusetts, with his parents. There he entered a drug store in the capacity of clerk and after some connection with mercantile life he determined to devote his time and energies to the important work of alleviating human suffering, and accordingly, in 1884, he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in that institution in the class of 1888, with the degreeof M. D. “He afterward took a post-graduate course in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York, and was graduated in 1889. After his graduation the Doctor located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he continued in practice until 1898, when he came to Springfield. He has here made a specialty of surgery and of the diseases of women, and in these lines has progressed rapidly, for his skill and close attention to ‘his professional work have made his labors of much value in the line of his chosen calling. He has built up a lucrative practice and is numbered among the representative surgeons of the city. He was vice president of the Springfield Academy of Medicine before it was merged into another organization, and in Williamsport he was a.member of the Lycoming County Medical Society. He now belongs to the Clark County Medical Society, of which he is the treasurer. He is one who puts into practice modern methods of utility and value, and at the present time he is surgeon for the Detroit Southern railroad, is examiner for the Pacific Life Insurance Company of California, the Interstate Company of Cincinnati, and the Central Life Insurance Company of Pittsburg, in addition to performing the duties devolving upon him as a practitioner.

The Doctor was married in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1899 to Miss Blanche V. Fegley, who was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1876. Her father, Alvin D. Fegley, was engaged in merchandising. She was one of two children, the other having died in infancy. The Doctor and his wife have one son, ‘Walter Alvin, who was born in July, 1901.

The Doctor belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican and is a citizen of worth, his efforts in behalf of the general good having been effective and far-reaching. His close and earnest study of the science of medicine has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the best methods of treating disease and Dr. Spence's reputation is by no means far behind that of many surgeons of twice his years.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.