Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Edwin Henry FITLER
Brief biography of Edwin Henry Fitler (1825-1896)
© Ken Milano (2007), from a collection of articles published as 'The Rest is History' in the Star Newspaper (Philadelphia), and at www.kennethwmilano.com
When Edwin Henry Fitler (1825-1896) was laid to rest at Laurel Hill Cemetery, the honorary pallbearers were made up of the governor of Pennsylvania, the mayor of Philadelphia, an ex-mayor of Philadelphia, the Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and some of the leading businessmen of Philadelphia. Mourners were plentiful and had the names of Elkins, Widener, Biddle, and Singerly, names famous in Philadelphia’s history. Who was Edwin H. Fitler? And why was this Kensingtonian so respected?
You may have heard of Center City’s neighborhood of Fitler Square, but do you know the man it is named after? Edwin H. Fitler was the son of a leather merchant who lived at 2nd & Otter (Wildey) Streets, in the old District of Kensington. In 1846, after studying law briefly, Fitler entered the cordage factory of George J. Weaver, at Germantown Avenue and 10th Street. In two years time he became so knowledgeable that he was invited into the business as a full partner, the firm changing its name to George J. Weaver & Co. An 1857 advertisement had this to say about Fitler’s establishment:
Messrs. Weaver, Fitler & Co. are proprietors of the Fairhill Steam Cordage Works, manufacturing every style of Manilla, Tarred and Italian Ropes, Tow Lines for canal boats, all the various styles of Carpet and seine Twine, &c. This is the largest manufacturing establishment in this business in Philadelphia. They do an exclusive wholesale business, and merchants throughout the country can find no better establishment to order and make purchases from than Weaver, Fitler & Co.,…[They] Have constantly on hand, a full assortment of Ropes, &c; Anchors and Chains of Of all Sizes; American, Italian and Russian Hemp Ropes of any size or description Made to order on short notice
In 1859, Fitler bought out Weaver and changed the company’s name to Edwin H. Fitler & Co. Eventually Fitler’s two sons (Edwin & William) would enter the business. The offices of the company were located downtown on Water Street, on the Delaware River waterfront, near their wharf. About 1880 the old works at 10th & Germantown was seen as inadequate and a new works was built in Bridesburg.
Fitler eventually moved to the 1600 block of Walnut Street, only a short walk from the Manufacturer’s Club, where he became active and served for a time as the Vice President. He was also elected the president of the American Cordage Manufactuers’ Association. During the Civil War Fitler organized and equipped a company of men from his cordage works, as well he was an early member of the Union League and a one time president of that organization. He served in many other capacities on various philanthropic institutions’ boards.
In 1876 Fitler was a Republican Presidential Elector for Pennsylvania. His abilities in business and finance were so great that he was sought out as the Republican choice to be mayor of Philadelphia in 1887 and he won by 30,000 votes. As the first mayor under the new City-Charter, Fitler’s duties were immense. “The whole city administration needed to be organized, competent heads of departments appointed, and methods of action devised for which there was no precedent in the history of the city. He fulfilled these duties to the general satisfaction of the public and left a thoroughly organized system of municipal government to his successors.” He was so well respected that his name was presented at Chicago by Philadelphia delegates as their choice for President of the United States. While not seeking the office, he did nevertheless appreciate the honor by the mere mention of his name in that capacity.
While Fitler moved up and out of Kensington, he never forgot where he came from. He was active as an officer and as a benefactor to the Kensington Soup Society. During the rise of Fitler’s ropewalk career, he also took in another Kensingtonian to help run the business. Conrad F. Clothier (1829-1886), associated with the First Presbyterian Church of Kensington, a church where he is honored with one of the stain glass windows dedicated to him, became the bookkeeper for Fitler’s company. When Edwin H. Fitler bought out his partner George J. Weaver and took over the company, he invited Clothier to become a partner in the new firm that was created. The year before joining the Weaver & Fitler firm, Clothier married in 1854, Mary Victoria Byerly, a member of a well-known local Kensington shipbuilding family who was also related to the famed shipbuilder William Cramp.
Edwin H. Fitler died on May 31st, 1896 and was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. He was a local Kensington boy who became one of Philadelphia’s richest citizens, its mayor, and its choice for President of the United States.
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