Person:Francis Semple (13)

Watchers
m. 22 Aug 1836
  1. Louisa Semple
  2. Francis Semple1841 - 1908
  3. Mary Semple
m. 27 Apr 1865
  1. Eliza Semple1866 - 1924
  2. John Bonner Semple1869 - 1947
  3. Anne Semple1871 - 1960
  4. Frank Semple, Jr.1871 - 1950
  5. Herbert Semple
Facts and Events
Name Francis Semple
Alt Name Frank Semple
Gender Male
Birth? 4 Feb 1841 Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States
Marriage 27 Apr 1865 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United Statesto Annie North
Death? 6 Nov 1908 Sewickley, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States
References
  1.   Jordan, John W. Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography. (New York, NY: Lewis Historical Pub., 1914-1967)
    Vol. 2, Pages 656, 657.

    SEMPLE, Francis, Financier, Man of Affairs.

    Some men there are whose personalities are at once so pervasive and powerful that their influence is felt in every important interest of the community. Pittsburgh has numbered among her citizens not a few of this exceptional type, and up to a very recent period one of the most prominent was the late Frank Semple, conspicuously associated with the banking, railroad and coal interests of his native city, and known as a successful man of affairs.

    Francis (or Frank, as he was generally known), only son of John Bonner and Mary Jane (Blair) Semple, was born on Penn avenue, near Eighth street, Pittsburgh, February 4, 1841, and received his preparatory education at the Travelli School at Sewickley [ie. Sewickley Academy], and other private schools. After a short time spent as a clerk in his father’s bank, he entered the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, and in his senior year accompanied Professor Benjamin Silliman, of the University, as secretary, on a tour of inspection of the mines of California, going and returning by the way of Panama, there being no railroad across the continent at that time. One year was spent inspecting mines and then Mr. Semple came back to Pittsburgh and began his business career. After engaging in several enterprises he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Company, with which he was connected for about twenty years. Succeeding his father, who died in 1873, Mr. Semple became a partner in the firm of Semple & Jones, at the same time holding his position with the railroad company. In December, 1881, Mr. John B. Jones sold his interests to William Reed Thompson and the firm name was changed to Semple & Thompson. Seven years later Mr. Semple disposed of his interest to Mr. Thompson, and devoted his time to the railroad business and to the affairs of his uncle, William Thaw. On the death of Mr. Thaw in 1889, Mr. Semple severed his connection with the railroad company and took charge of the estate, looking after its widespread interests, as well as serving on various banking and coal company boards until the time of his own death. His knowledge of men and affairs, his aggressive industry and his quick and decisive judgement combined to make him most successful. To his associates he showed a genial, kindly, humorous side of his nature which made their business relations most enjoyable, and he was noted for the justice and consideration which marked his conduct toward his subordinates, who were always devoted to him. Gentle and courteous, yet firm, courageous and honest, Mr. Semple was particularly fitted for affairs requiring executive and administrative ability. His thorough business qualifications caused his services to be always in demand on boards of directors of philanthropic and business organizations, and his public spirit led him to accept many such trusts. He was very closely connected and active in church work, belonging to the Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, and when he moved to Sewickley, in 1873, became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of that place, where he served as a trustee for twenty years and an elder for three years. Ever ready to respond to any deserving call made upon him, the full number of his benefactions will never be known, for he delighted to give in such a manner that few were aware of it.

    Mr. Semple was married at Philadelpia, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1865, to Annie, daughter of Lemuel North and Eliza (Fleming) Wilcox, by Rev. Dr. D. H. Riddle, of the old Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. They became the parents of the following children: Eliza (Leila), married Dale Bakewell; John Bonner; Annie; Frank; and Herbert, who died when young.

    Mr. Semple was a man of simple tastes, disliking all ostentatiousness, and one to whom the ties of home and family were sacred, his happiest hours being passed at his own fireside. His death, which occurred at Sewickley, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1908, deprived Pittsburgh of one of her foremost business men and most respected citizens. He belonged to that class of distinctively representative American men who promote public progress in advancing individual prosperity and whose private interests never preclude active participation in movements and measures which concern the general good.

  2.   Frank Semple, in Find A Grave.

    Semple Family Coat of Arms Carved on Headstone

  3.   Patrick Hogue (Samples). The Samples / Semples Family.
  4.   Cushing, Thomas. History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: including its early settlement and progress to the present time; a description of its historic and interesting localities; its cities, towns and villages; religious, educational, social and military history; mining, manufacturing and commercial interests; improvements, resources, statistics, etc. Also portraits of some of its prominent men, and biographies of many of its representative citizens. (Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic, 1978)
    Page 333.

    FRANK SEMPLE, private secretary, Sewickley.

    William Semple, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1771, near Dublin Ireland, came to America in 1795, and at Trenton N. J., learned architecture. He came to Pittsburgh about the year 1800, and worked on the old courthouse on the Diamond. He followed his trade till the latter part of his life, when he kept a hardware store. He died in 1829. He married Anna, daughter of Charles Bonner, who fought in all the principal battles of the Revolution, and they had nine children:

    Nancy Semple
    Alexander B. Semple
    William M. Semple
    Samuel W. Semple
    Mary C. Semple
    Charles Semple
    Ellen Semple
    John B. Semple
    Frank Semple.

    Of these, Samuel W. Semple was a retail dry-goods merchant in Louisville, and later was in the iron business in the Pennsylvania mountains.

    Another son, John B. Semple, the father of FRANK SEMPLE, was born in Pittsburgh, where he was in the wholesale dry goods business, and afterward, and at the time of his death, a member of the firm of Semple & Jones, bankers. He married Mary J. Blair, of Washington, Pa., and they became the parents of three children:

    Louisa Semple, m. Clarke
    FRANK SEMPLE
    Mary Semple, m. Sharpe

    At his death, in 1873, his son FRANK SEMPLE continued the banking business, and in 1881 his partner, John B. Jones, sold his interest, the firm then being known as Semple & Thompson, who conducted the business till 1888, when our subject sold his interest to Mr. Thompson, and has since then been engaged in the railroad business. He was educated in Pittsburgh, clerked in a dry-goods store, and later in a bank, after which he entered Yale College. Later he accompanied Prof. Benjamin Silliman, of Yale College, as private secretary, inspecting mines in California. At present he is attending to the private business of William Thaw.