Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-10
THE PEPPER FAMILY
Its Most Distinguished Members a
Scientist and a senator-Alts
Fortunes Began Long Years
Ago In a Little Sixth
Street Brewery
BY GEORGE NOx MCCAIN
rT1HE PEPPERS of Philadelphia have

BY GEORGE NOX Mccain
rJ1HE PEPPERS of Philadelphia have been
L as conspicuous in the social, professional
and public life. Of Philadelphia as have the
Peppers of Kentucky in similar fashion.
The appointment of George Wharton
Pepper to the United States Senate by Coy
ernor Sproul will naturally bring to the
front oil sorts of interesting stories about
the man and his family.
Not all those who bear the name of Pep
per in the city directory and the telephone
books, however, are of the old ancestry.
And yet Pepper Is not common name.
The descendants Of the original Pepper
family, which goes back to the eighteenth
century In Philadelphia, are nearly oil
identified, and have been, with the learned
professions or with finance in this city.
TVHE beginnings of some Of the best known
Il American families, the roots of whose
family trees go deep into Revolutionary or
pre- Revolutionary soil, have been modest, to
say the least.
While Chauncey NJ. Depew was unques-
tionably right, in the majority of cases,
when he said that there are only three
generations from shirt sleeves to shirt
Sleeves, there are exceptions.
The Astors, the Vanderblts. Goulds,
Armours, Crockers and Rockefellers had
their origin in good, virle American earth.
The fathers and grandfathers Of many So
called iron and steel magnates of Pittsburgh
once worked in the mills or wheeled cinders
on the dump, as I we'll know.
These facts add emphatic truth to a once
popular song, "It isn't what your father
was, it's what you are yourself
GEORGE WHARTON PEPPER and the
~ late DIR. William Pepper. provost Of the
University quarter of century ago. stand
conspicuously as the most noted representa-
tiyes of noted Philadelphia family
DIR. William Pepper died suddenly Of
heart disease at Pleasanton, Calf, on July
20, 1893.
He had distinguished career. When
only twenty-five years of age he was ap-
pointed lecturer on morbid anatomy at the
University of Pennsylvania.
In lSI! he was chosen to the chair Of the
theory. and practice Of medicine, and four
years later was unanimously elected provost
Of the University.
1t was during his period as provost, which
closed in 1894, that the University of Penn
syiVania made its greatest forward stride.
TT WOULD require u column on this page
l. to give even an outline of the work ac-
Compilshed and honors received by DIR. Will
liam Pepper.
MAJ Exposition while still a very young
man.
Was knighted by the King of Sweden and
received distinguished honors from foreign
scientific and medical organizations.
lie founded the Medical Times and was
largely instrumental in founding the Penn
Art. 1"'
Not only was he n fellow Of the College
OF PhySicians, but was also q member of the
american Philosophical Society and of the
Pathological Society.
lie was. prolific writer and author no
several biographies. "
Above all he was great physician.
GEORGE WHARTON PEPPER, the new
~ United States Senator, is n nephew of
Provost William Pepper.
estate. ""1'@
= among other prominent members Of the
family are DR.. o. II. Perry Pepper and DR.,
W illiam Pepper. of this city.
An antiquarian friend. whose information
ABOUT Old Philadelphia families il almost
encyclopedia, has handed me Il nut brown
strip OF newspaper half column in length
ua'eu ISn'' which contains an Interesting
story OF the beginnings of the Pepper fam.
lily and its wealth
-, ine story Is apropOs of my reference TO
the Astors, Rockefellers and Armours.
40 Phlladelphians stand more promi-
u%elt % IN social circles or are more respected
J.. ,lhey have half dozen representatives
IN hGnored positions in this city" saws the
article In question, notably DR. WiIlian
iSpper, provost of the University of penn
SyNnhla, man of undOubted talents and
great energy Of character.
I'm social life no fashionable ball or ,ortv
Is complete without some member of ~,
hon3red family being present.
itt the starting point Of the great
S Smualln they inherit was begun in little old
brewery ON Sixth street above jayne, which
re" years ago was torn down in the march
OF modern improvements.
"NOT that there is any dscredit in being
brewer. The present lion Of Phila-
delphi4 society. Count Pappenheim, owns
several breweries in Austria and Is an ex-
celrnt judge of good beer.
The Pepper brewery adjolned the Old
JACK taistuf Hotel, famous in its dav for
itS hne old alea, served in pewter mugs Which
were always secured as clean as q new min
Grandfather Pepper, as we called him.
had Two partners, Messrs. Smith and
otcheIs' ana peculiar sign heralded their
Thus in walking from Chestnut street th.
urst name seen was Pepper. A little further
on on fepper was transformed into Smith. and
idItti InHt IN turn was superseded by Sickles,
looking from Market street.
The Pepper mansion stood on Chestnut
street above Seventh, north side, and was
torn down to make room for the old Masonic
hall, which stood on the present site of Mr.
SIngerly's big granite bank building.
Brewer Pepper also owned many other
properties on Chestnut md WoIn,,. ,...a.a