[27] Since the above was written the greater part of Wood street has been paved, Front and Third streets from Market to Wood, Diamond alley gravelled, and Chancery lane paved from the river to Second street, and preparations are making to pave others this season, 1810.—Cramer.
[28] General James O’Hara embarked in the Indian trade near Fort Pitt about 1773. On the outbreak of the Revolution, he enlisted in the ninth Virginia regiment, but was soon employed as quartermaster, also serving in that capacity in the Whiskey Insurrection (1793), and Wayne’s Campaign against the Indians (1794). His business talents and enterprise were employed in building up the new town of Pittsburg, where at its inception he had purchased much land. In 1797, he built the first glass manufactory west of the Alleghenies; about the same time he made arrangements to transport salt by water from Onondaga, New York, greatly cheapening the price of that necessity. In 1804, O’Hara was made director of the branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania established at Pittsburg; and on his death (1819) left a large estate to his heirs. General O’Hara was generous and patriotic as well as enterprising. He was a friend of Washington, and served as elector when the latter was chosen president in 1788.—Ed.
[29] Son of Mr. Benjamin Dearborn, of Boston, much celebrated for his mechanical and inventive genius.—Cramer.
[30] William Wilkins, at this time but a young lawyer, afterwards became distinguished in American political circles. He served as state and federal judge from 1820-28; three years later he was elected to the United States Senate; and in 1834, was sent by President Jackson as minister to Russia. Wilkins was in Congress again in 1842; and when Upshire and Gilmer were killed (1844), President Tyler appointed him Secretary of War.—Ed.
[31] James Ross was one of the most eminent of Pittsburg’s early lawyers. Born in 1761, he was admitted to the bar in 1791, and three years later chosen to fill out Gallatin’s term in the United States Senate, wherein by re-election he served until 1803. Ross was a staunch Federalist, and ran three times unsuccessfully upon that ticket for governor of Pennsylvania, twice (1799 and 1802) against McKean. Although a Federalist, he had sufficiently imbibed Western views to advocate, while a senator, the forcible seizure of New Orleans from the Spaniards. After retiring from politics (1803), he practiced law until his death in 1847, being considered the leader of the Pittsburg bar.—Ed.
[32] Since dead.—Cramer.
[33] Cuming has here given a summary of the noted members of the Pittsburg bar at the time of his visit. Steel Semple made a specialty of land cases, and had great influence with juries. Henry Baldwin was afterwards distinguished in politics, serving in Congress 1817-23; seven years later he was appointed to the supreme court of the United States, wherein he served until his death in 1846. Thomas Collins was an able and successful lawyer, with high social connections. For a sketch of Judge Addison, see Harris’s Journal, vol. iii of this series, p. 363, note 46.—Ed.
[34] Mr. Steele died March 22, 1810.—Cramer.
[35] Removed to near Fredericksburgh, Virginia. His place has been filled by the Rev. Mr. Hunt, who officiates to the second Presbyterian congregation.—Cramer.
[36] Removed to St. Louis, Louisiana.—Cramer.