New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-14
JOHN FRITZ DEAD At 81
Last OF Group Who introduced
BeSSemer Process in u. S.
WAS PIONEER IR0NMASTER
Achievements Brought Him
Honors from Engineering So
cieties and Many Institutions.

Bethlehem. Penn. Feb. l3--John Fritz.
Il pioneer iron and steel master. died at
his homo here early to-day. He was
ninety-onc years old Mr. Fritz was tho
last Of the group OF men who introduced
into the United States the Bessemer steel
process, which was responsible for the
development Of the steel industry in this
country.
John Fritz occupied a leading place in
the steel business, and has been referred
TO as the father OF the modern steel in
Gustry" He was at work in the Bethle-
hem and Cambria foundries even before
Andrew Carnegie appeared in the field.
and four national engineering societies
have founded gold medals in recognition
o: his work Nj. Fritz was born In
Chester County. Penn. on August 81. 1922.
The Fritz. or F'ritzius. family had come
from IIessc-Cassel some twenty years be-
fore. John Fritz attended the common
schools until he was fifteen years OF age
and then was apprenticed to black
smith. He first saw "a percussion cap
shotgun in 1889. and made over his old
Hint lock rifle with such success that the
neighbors kept him busy nights FOR a
long time undermining their weapons. In
1874 mill for rolling bar iron was built
at Coatesville, Penn. ana this sttracteh
the attention OF Young Fritz 10 foundry
work. He go. a job at mill in MOTIFS
town. Penn. and in three months had
become n mechanic. and in less than
wear was in charge as an ironmaster.
Fritz studied every branch OF the in
dustry with characteristic thoroughness
and in every branch OF the business he
found ways 10 make Improvements.
In 1871 Fritz was called on 20 assist in
the building of the Cambria Works. at
Johnstown. Penn. Many important en-
Eineering improvements were introduced
and changes In the working Of iron rats
were brought about New laho:-saving
machinery was installed, which event
ual,y revolutionizcd the manufacturing
methods. His innovations were opposed
by his Welsh workmen. and consequently
the mill was burnea. but Fritz. I'M
d,unted. obtained backing and started
again With a much larger plant.
In 1850 SIR Fritz built the Bethlehem
Iron COmpany's works. at South Beth
lohem. OF when he was general superin-
tendcnt and chief engineer mp 20 the time
OF his retirement in 1896. When the Bes-
scIner process of making steel was dis
covered and introduced in the United
States. in lsa Mr.. Fritz was among the
FIST 10 recogniz. IFS possibilities
Tho civil War closed. and Andrew Car
ncgir entered the steel business. direcS-
Ing his energies toward it, development
at Pittsburgh. The manufacture 81 steel
rails at Bethlehem became Improbable.
and Friz put his plant IN condition TO
manufacture structural iron. but ~ there
wa. no immediate demand Tor the pred
net he took up the manufacture of armor
plate and large shafting. In the manu-
facturr Di armor plate he WAS pioneer
and ~ -reod"d ia introducing in America
the NnitVoIth process. used IN England,
aud the French Schneider-C reusot meth
cd. lie was chosen to make the plans
and estimates Tor the government armor
plate plant.
Mr.. Fritz was 4 Fellow o. the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences. a mem
Der Of the Society Of CIVIL Engineers ard
an honorary member OF the American SO
ciety Of civil Engineers, OF which he was
at one tim" president. He was also a
member OF the American Institute o; Min
ing Engineers. and its president IN 1874.
nc was also an honorary member OF the
British Iron auc Stec! institute. Ia 1881
ne Was awarded the Besscmcr sold medal.
Mr. Fritz also had honorary degrees from
tie University Of Pennsylvania and Co
limbia University and received the IL
lott Crcsson medal from the Franklin
Institute. Philadelphia. IL 1919
Nj. Fritz was Republican Presiden-
tial elcctor from Pennsylvania in 1886. but
otherwise took little interest in politics.
tie married Ellen Maxwell in 1871. She
died several wears ago. They had one
daughter. Gertrude. who died Al the age
of seven years.