Evening journal., 1898-02-12
SKETCH OF Mr.. TODD'S CAREER.
IT WAS A BUSY ONE AND COVER
ED A LONG PERIOD.


The late John w. Todd was born
February 19 1850, at the Todd farm,
near Riveryiew, which property etill
remains in possession of the family.
Until about 16 years OF age he worked
on the farm, attending school first at
Shellpot, and later at Clarkson Taylor's
school, in this city, after which he took
a business course at the Bryan & STRAIT
ton Business College, at Philadelphia.
About 1870 he connected himself with
the Diamond State Iron Company, in
the capacity of clerk, and with a view
to learning practically the mechanical
part of the business, and has continued
with the company since. He was fOrtu-
nate in having the privilege of being
trained by that master of the iron busi-
ness, John T. Davis, who for so many
years preceded him in the capacity of
general superintendent OF the works
and upon the death of Mr.. Davis, which
occurred May 2S, 1890, Mr. Todd was
well equipped to succeed him in the
position of general superintendent Of
the company
Mr.. Todd was a very close student of
everything which pertained to his busi-
ness, both theoretical and practical
keeping thoroughly posted as to all
that was being written as well as prac-
ticed in the trade from time to time,
and his peculiar ability in the line Of
mathematics assisted him greatly in
his information as to the costs of the
products of the works, so that he al
ways had thoroughly in hand the full
est information as to the working out
OF his plans. Again, his happy and
cheerful disposition made him most
agreeable employer, so that it seldom
happens that one having charge of
large numbers OF men is held In such
high esteem as was Mr.. Todd by the
employees over whom he had charge,
so that a simple request from him 10
his men that any special piece of
work be done in unusual haste
or with special care, always
met with the most cheerful compliance.
Mr. Todd was married May 5, 1876,
to Mary Grubb Palmer, daughter OF
John Palmer. They had one son, Clar-
ence, who died several years ago when
quite small Mrs. Todd survives him.
He was thoroughly temperate, al
ways cheerful, and was member OF
| Trinity p. Il. Church. Mr.. Todd always
/ had a great fondness for music, and
| until his business responsibilities alb
| sorbed so much Of his time, gave a
great deal OF his services to various
churches of the city, and some of the
special choruses Of which he had charge
a number of years ago, which gave
| several sacred cantatas in the Opera
House and at other places, were very
| successful, and were the special musi'
| cal features Of the city at the time.
The long and painful illness which
Mr.. Todd was called upon to endure
brought forths the strong points in his
character. and il seldom happens thai
such manifestation Of manly courage
and sublime resignation is shown. His
end came so gradually and peacefully
that he was fully aware of it almost t6
the last. and among his latest words
were. ',Praise the Lord.
The foremen of the different depart
ments of the Diamond State Iron Com
pany held a meeting yesterday anC
passed the following resolutions on the
death OF the former general superin
tendent, John w. Todd:
1--WE. the foremen of the dimeren
| departments of the works OF the Dia
mond state Iron Company, are met 10
| gether at this time, and,
"Whorcas. IL hath pleased the All
wise One to take from us by death ON
general superintendent, John w. Todd
who died at $50 this morning; there
| fore be it
Resolved That we. who have en-
iOyed for so many years his friend
shin. whose lot it has been to be per
mitted to labor under his kindly an
efficient supervision, feel that ther
has come to us, each, a deep and abid
ing personal loss.
"And we cannot refrain from eS
pressing our great appreciation of tn
happiness and good cheer he ever ad
ded to our business lives and eXper
ences, in the friendly and considerat
manner in which he gave us such il
formation as we required, bore with u
in our infirmities, and freely con
mended us in our successes. Our del
: of gratitude to him can never be r.
paid, but the memory of these kin
Z acts shall be to us his enduring monl
ment.
Z I'VE desire that this expression {
/ our feelings shall be presented in wri
Ing to his bereaved family, tOgeth'
with our sympathy in this, their hon
Of affliction."
n Il