George P. Whitaker
George P. Whitaker | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the Cecil County district | |
| In office 1867–1867 | |
| Preceded by | Jesse A. Kirk, James McCauley, Jethro J. McCullough, George B. Pennington |
| Succeeded by | John Ward Davis, Levi R. Mearns, William Richards, James Touchstone |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 1803 near Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 31, 1890 (aged 87) Cecil County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Chapel near Perryville, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | National Union |
| Spouses | Eliza Ann Simmons (died 1875)
|
| Children | 10, including Nelson E. |
| Relatives | Joseph Whitaker (brother) Samuel W. Pennypacker (great nephew) |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | owner of the Principio Furnace |
George Price Whitaker (December 1803 – December 31, 1890) was an American politician and iron manufacturer of the Whitaker iron family from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County in 1867.
Early life
George P. Whitaker was born on December 30 or 31, 1803, near Reading, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Whitaker of the Whitaker iron family. His father was a farmer. Whitaker attended local schools.[1][2][3] He learned the business of iron manufacturing.[1]
Career
Whitaker worked at Delaware Iron Works in New Castle County, Delaware. He was later made superintendent of the Gibraltar forges in Reading, Pennsylvania.[2] In 1832, Whitaker and his brother Joseph bought Elk Rolling Mills near Big Elk Creek in Elkton. He later bought North East Rolling Mills with the same partners. In 1835, he sold North East Rolling Mills. That year he purchased the Principio Furnace along with 9,000 acres (3,600 ha) of timberland. Their company manufactured pig iron there.[1][2][3] In 1845, he built Havre de Grace Iron Works.[2] In 1861, Whitaker dissolved the partnership with his brother, and he incorporated the company as George P. Whitaker Company. He worked as the head of the company until his death.[1][2] He also owned a rolling mill in Wheeling, West Virginia and worked as director of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He owned over 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) in Cecil County, Maryland.[2] He also owned the Duram furnace in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and the Phoenix Iron Works in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.[4]
Whitaker was a member of the National Union Party.[5] He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County in 1867.[1][6] He served with Alexander Evans, William Lindsey and Henry S. Magraw. The four delegates were known as "The Big Four" due to their physical size.[3][6]
Personal life
Whitaker married Eliza Ann Simmons. They had ten children, including Edmund S., Nelson E. and Caroline (married Joseph C. Naudaine). His wife died in 1875. He then married Mary Evans, widow of Amos A. Evans. He was vestryman of St. Ann's Episcopal Church.[1][3] His great nephew was Samuel W. Pennypacker.[4]
Whitaker died on December 31, 1890, at Principio Furnace in Cecil County.[1][2] He was buried at St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Chapel near Perryville.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland. 1897. pp. 184–168. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via Archive.org.
- ^ a b c d e f g "George P. Whitaker Dead". The Evening Journal. January 1, 1891. p. 2. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Death of George P. Whitaker". Cecil Whig. January 3, 1891. p. 3. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "The Funeral of George P. Whitaker". The Wilmington Daily Republican. January 5, 1891. p. 1. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "George P. Whitaker Dead". Delaware Gazette and State Journal. January 8, 1891. p. 1. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Historical List, House of Delegates, Cecil County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 1, 2000. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ "Funeral of George P. Whitaker". Delaware Gazette and State Journal. January 8, 1891. p. 5. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
