Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Washington Augustus ROEBLING
Washington Augustus Roebling
was born on May 26, 1837, at Saxonburg, Butler County, Pennsylvania, the oldest son of John Augustus and Johanna (Herting) Roebling. At an early age, he was educated at the Trenton (New Jersey) Academy and later went on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Upon his graduation from Rensselaer in 1857, he a position in his father company wherein his first job was to assist in the construction of the Allegheny Suspension Bridge at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
At the event of the Civil War, Washington enlisted in the 6th New York Artillery and later served as an engineer officer. His star began to shine brightly as he was credited with various important structures, among the most notable being a 1200 foot long suspension bridge across the Rappahannock River and another across the Shenandoah River at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Besides his duties as an engineer he was also given the lofty task to ascend every morning in a hot air balloon to survey the enemy and his whereabouts. It was during one of these missions, in June, 1863, that Washington was the first to discover that General Robert E. Lee was heading towards Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. During the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg Washington was on Little Round Top with General Gouvenour Warren when the furious attack led by Confederate General John Bell Hood commenced. Washington Roebling assisted in placing the first cannon atop Little Round Top which helped maintain that all-important position in Union hands. He took part in the siege campaign around Richmond, Virginia, and assisted in the destruction of the Weldon Railroad, in December 1864. For his notable service in the Army of the Potomac, he was awarded three brevets for gallant conduct, thus ending his military career with the rank of Colonel.
Following the war, Washington returned to his father's business and assisted in completing the Cincinnati and Covington Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River. When his father's company received the contract for the design and construction Brooklyn Bridge Washington moved to Brooklyn, until the structure was completed. In the course of the beginning stages of the bridge's construction his father died as the result of an injury sustained when a ferry boat crashed into the pier he was working on crushing his foot. This sad event, left Washington with the whole responsibility of building the largest bridge in the world at that time. It also left the care of the growing wire rope business in Trenton to his three sons, Washington, Ferdinand and Charles Roebling. They incorporated the business in 1871, as John A. Roebling's Sons Co., with Washington as the first president. The increasing burden of his work on the Brooklyn bridge compelled him to relinquish this office, although his interest in "the mill" never flagged, and he was later made vice-president. The most difficult part of the Brooklyn bridge was the sinking of the pneumatic caisson foundations. Roebling himself spent more hours out of the twenty-four in the caissons than any of his assistants until one day in 1872 he was brought out nearly insensible and his life was saved with difficulty. Fearing that he might not live to finish the work himself he spent the ensuing winter preparing minute and detailed directions for making the cables and erecting the complicated superstructure. The extent of his labors and his enfeebled condition impaired his eyesight, and he became too weak to carry on a long conversation with his assistants. Unquestionably no great engineering problem was ever studied and conquered by a man under such stupendous difficulties. Completed in 1883, the largest clear span in the world was formally opened by the President of the United States on May 24, 1883. Roebling resided in Troy, New York, four years. In 1893 he returned to Trenton. After the death of his nephew, Karl G. Roebling, in 1921, he again became president of the John A. Roebling's Sons Co. So far from being a mere figurehead, he assumed the heavy responsibilities of the great manufacturing business with the zest and enterprise of a young man. He changed the motive power of the main plant from steam to electricity; developed an entirely new department for the electrolytic galvanizing of wire; and completed the contract for the cables of the Bear Mountain bridge over the Hudson river. His executive handling of the business was an example of the best modern practice. He was a life-long Republican, having east his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1860. He was several times a delegate to the Republican national convention and a presidential elector for New Jersey on the Republican ticket. He was vice president of the Trenton Trust Co. for many years. The study and collecting of minerals was his keenest pleasure, a hobby begun in college and continued with unabated enthusiasm throughout his entire life. His collection comprised more than 16,000 carefully selected specimens
His collection said to be the largest in the world, the making of which cost him more than $150,000, was presented to the Smithsonian Institution by his son, John A. Roebling. He was twice married: (1) Jan. 18, 1865 to Emily, daughter of Sylvanus Warren, of Cold Spring, N. Y., and sister of Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren; she died in 1903, leaving one son, John A. Roebling, 2d; (2) Apr. 21, 1908, to Cornelia Witsell Farrow, of Charleston, S. C.
Washington Augustus Roebling died at his home at 181 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey on July 21, 1926.
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Return to The Pennocks of Primitive Hall website.
The information in this database may contain errors. If you find any questionable data, or if you have something to add my findings, please feel free to e-mail me by clicking on the "E-MAIL" link above. Thank you!
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.21 ©2009 on 07 July 2020