This is eminently the age of young men, and William Marconi is a case in point. He was born at Marzabotto, Italy, September 23, 1875, his father being an Italian and his mother an Englishwoman. After being educated at the universities of Bologna and Padua, he, at a very early age, began to evidence a liking for scientific pursuits. Happily for the world at large, Marconi’s father was so placed financially that he could permit of his son following his inclinations to the utmost. After some preliminary work, young Marconi instituted a series of experiments in order to test the theory, which at that time was a theory only, that electric currents under certain conditions are able to pass through any known substance. The result was that when but fifteen years of age he invented an apparatus for wireless telegraphy, which attracted the attention of Sir William Henry Preece, engineer and electrician-in-chief of the English postal service. The apparatus was tested in England and with success. For the next few years Marconi was engaged in perfecting his system. Public attention was called to his further successes in 1897 by messages being sent from Queen Victoria on land to the Prince of Wales (now King Edward), some miles distant on the Royal yacht. Later the British government engaged Marconi to install a number of wireless stations around the southern coast of England, and from that time on, wireless telegraphy has become an accepted fact with civilized governments all the world over. He came to this country in 1889, where he made more experiments and organized and incorporated a company for the commercial use of his methods. At the present writing messages have been successfully sent between England and America, a greater number of liners are equipped with the Marconi apparatus, and the same remark applies to the warships of the United States and European powers.
George Westinghouse.
George Westinghouse was born at Central Bridge, New York, October 6, 1846. Ten years later his parents removed to Schenectady, where he was educated in the public and high schools, spending much of his time in his father’s machine-shop. During the Civil war he served in the Union army. At its close he attended Union college, Schenectady, for two years. In 1865 he invented the device for replacing railroad cars on the track. In 1868 he invented and successfully introduced the Westinghouse air-brake. From time to time he has modified and improved this, one of the most notable of his inventions. He is also the inventor of many other devices connected with railroads, such as signals, automatic and otherwise, electric devices of several sorts and other things which make for the efficiency of transportation in general. He is the president of twelve corporations, a member of many scientific societies, and is also the recipient of medals and decorations from the king of Italy, the king of Belgium and other European notables. It is not too much to say that without the Westinghouse inventions railroading as we know of it to-day would hardly be possible. Apart from adding much to the safety of railroad travel, the Westinghouse brake permits paradoxically enough of speeds being attained which would not be possible under old-time conditions. Mr. Westinghouse’s inventive genius has been largely rewarded in a financial manner.
MERCHANTS.
Edward Cooper.
Edward Cooper, one of the more prominent merchants of New York, was born October 26th, 1824. He is the son of Peter Cooper, the philanthropist, and, like his father, has, during the course of a busy life, done much for the well being of the people of the municipality in which he lives. Mr. Cooper was educated in New York public schools and is a graduate of Columbia university. Throughout his life he has been more or less active in New York political affairs, and, while a consistent Democrat, has had no hesitation in putting principle before party. He was one of the leaders of the successful movement which overthrew the infamous Tweed ring. From 1879 to 1881 he was mayor of New York and added to his reputation by the honesty and energy of his administration. Mr. Cooper is associated with his brother-in-law, Abram S. Hewitt, in the conduct of the Trenton Iron Works, New Jersey Steel Works and other enterprises of a like nature. He is a good example of the man who does not permit his business affairs or his wealth to interfere with his obligations as a citizen.
Robert Curtis Ogden.
Robert Curtis Ogden was born at Philadelphia, July 20th, 1836, and is the son of the late Jonathan Curtis Ogden. He was educated in private schools in the city of his birth. On March 1st, 1860, he married Ellen Elizabeth Lewis, of Brooklyn. Since 1885 he has been a partner in the firm of John Wanamaker. His business acumen, as well as his bent toward philanthropic and religious work, has eminently fitted him to hold the responsible position which he occupies in the firm’s affairs. In spite of the many commercial duties which are part and portion of Mr. Ogden’s every-day life, he nevertheless finds time to attend to the many philanthropic enterprises in which he is interested. In 1889 he acted as a member of the State Johnstown Flood Relief Commission, which accomplished much in the way of relieving the sufferers from the disaster in question. He is also a director of the Union Hill Theological seminary, trustee of the Tuskegee Institute of Alabama and is first vice-president of the Pennsylvania Society of New York. Mr. Ogden takes an active part in church matters and is the author of several books and pamphlets, including “Pew Rentals and the New Testament—Can They Be Reconciled?” “Sunday School Teaching,” etc. As a contributor to the magazines, he is well known, some of the articles from his pen which have attracted much attention being “Getting and Keeping a Business Position” and “Ethics of Modern Retailing.” Mr. Ogden takes an active interest in the welfare of the young people employed by him and his partners.