The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-01-05

The funeral OF George p. Whitaker,
the well known iron manufacturer,
who died last Wednesday, took place
on Saturday from his late residence,
atrffincipio Furnace and was largely
attended by relatives and friends from
Delaware. Maryland and Pennsylva-
mia. The religious services were con-
Quoted by the Rev. E. X. Miller of
North East and the Rev, William
Senonler, Of Elkton. The pall-bearers
We're: Joseph Condor, Henry Cecil
Whitaker, Clifford Carroll Whitaker,
George Price Whitaker Albert Nathan
Whitaker, Nelson Price Whitaker, all
OF whom are grandsons OF the de-
ceased.
The Philadelphia Inquirer OF Satur-
day in speaking Of tire deceased says:
George +. Whitaker, who will be
buried from his home at Principle
Furnace, Cecil county, Maryland, to-
day, was the lurgest real estate owner
in that State. He was the youngest
brother Of a Chester county, Pennsyl-
v,inia, family of fourteen children and
the iron ilrin of Joseph and George p.
Whitaker, of Philadelphia, thirty years
ago was well known to the business
world Of the United States. George p.
Whitaker died on his birthday, having
Just finished his s7th year. The oldest
brother, james, also well-known
Pennsylvania iron master, lived TO be
over 80. These brothers were among
the pioneers of the iron business in
I Pennsylvania, and were owners or
operators Of the Duran furnace, Bucks
county, Gibraltar forge at Reading,
the Phpnix iron works at PhGnixville,
besides iron works on the eBrandywine,
In Delaware; ut North East, Maryland,
ut Bridget0n, New Jersey; the Princi-
pio furnace, one of the oldest in the
United States, In which George Wash
ington once had an interest, and a
furnace which they built mt Havre de
Grace, Maryland and iron works at
Wheeling, West Virginia.
At the outbreak of the rebellion the
brothers, Joseph and George p, di-
vided their iron works, George r.
taking those south of Mason and
Dixon's lines. He was, however, a
strong Union man. He WAS a man of
great physical strength and force and
energy of character, suDerlntcnded the
operations of Principle furnace up to
the time Of his Inst sickness, aud until
within few years was In the habit Of
riding on horseback over his farms
and many thousands OF acres of wood
land.
When the Philadelphia, Wilmington
and Baltimore Railroad Company OBJ
tained the right OF way through the
Principle property II gave life passes
and the right to stop all trains to
Joseph and George r. Whitaker In
| the neighborhood Il story is told to the
effect that some years ago George p.
appeared at the little Principle station
to take the Congressional limited. The
! train stopped, but some distance be-
You'd the platform. The train waited
and MIR. Whitaker waited The con
ductor motioned to him to come up.
He motioned to the conductor to back
his train, and after a few moments of
delay the contest was decided in Mr..
Whitakers favor. Whether the story
Is true OF not illustrates accurately u
trait OF his character.
With him the type of The old-time
| iron master passes away. There was
little law or the evidence OF civil au-
tholity al these pioneer iron works.
! The owner no. Giiiy had % mafi,,.sS
/ business, but with the strength of lis
right arm he had to settle disputes,
stop fights and quell riots among a
turbulent class of employees He was
lnwnaker, judge and executive officer
IN one, besides being The banker of the
community and employer. Mr.. Whit
akers decisions were always respected
and in any event never appealed from.
lie leaves two SONS, Nelson of tho
| Whitaker Iron Works at Wheeling, and
Edmund Of the Principle Works. lie
was a great uncle of Judge Penny,
| packer.