town of Sandwich, Mass., in Norristown, Pa., and Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1863 he entered the University of the City of New York as a sophomore, but after deciding to take a course in engineering, transferred, 1865, to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, at Troy, from which he was graduated with the degree of civil engineer, 1867. It was then his purpose to devote his talent to the field work of his profession, and to that end he accepted the position of chief engineer of the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad, with headquarters at Hannibal Mo., retaining it five years. May, 1872, he returned east for a favorable connection with the Riverside Iron Works, of Wheeling W. Va., filling the position of assistant general manager for three years, when he was promoted to the general management. For some years the works were employed chiefly in the manufacture of nails, an industry in which Wheeling occupied first place. However, the period of most active demand for iron and steel was just opening, the variety of steel construction was increasing rapidly, so that expansion under wise direction was justified and necessary. It was the opportunity of a board-gauge thoroughly educated manager. A blast furnace was purchased across the river at Steubenville, a steel plant was constructed, 1884, and modern plate mills were added the following year. The enterprise of the corporation responded heartily to the increasing demands, additions were made as required, the latest improvements were adopted; so as to keep the plant abreast of the times in whatever the management undertook to produce. 1887 the Riverside Works provided the facilities for manufacture of steel pope, which were increased several times until the output of the mills was multiplied over and over again. As may be assumed, the works were operated with abundant profit to the stockholders. The tendency to combine large kindred interests, for the advantage recognized in the employment of unlimited capital, and also in conducting the business from one central executive office rather than a hundred small ones widely scattered, has affected the steel industries more than any other. It has attracted the largest capitalists and the largest minds engaged with that class of production. Hence the Riverside Iron Works were absorbed by the National Tube Co., July 1, 1899 at a fair valuation. Colonel Hearne was elected first vice-president of the tube works thus enlarged, with central offices in Pittsburg, Pa., to which his residence was changed soon afterwards. Apr. 1901, he was elected president of the Tube

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Thanks to Candy Hearn for transcribing this page.