Husband George Alexander Macbeth 1 2
Born: 29 Oct 1845 - Urbana, Champaign Co, OH 3
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Died: 11 Feb 1916 4
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Father: James Reed Macbeth (1805-1882) 1 2
Mother: Frances A. Bayard ( - ) 1 2
Marriage: 1 Jun 1880 4 5
Wife Kate Vodges Duff 4 5
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Father: George Duff ( - ) 5
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Children
1 F Anna Vodges Macbeth 5
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Spouse: Judge Robert von Moschzisker ( - ) 5
2 F Helen Whitehill Macbeth 5
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Spouse: W. B. Boggess, M.D. ( - ) 5
3 M George Duff Macbeth 5
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General Notes: Husband - George Alexander Macbeth
He was born in Urbana, Ohio, where he received his education and passed his childhood and early youth. His business career began in 1862, when he went to Springfield, Ohio, where for the following six years he was employed as clerk in a retail drug store. In 1868 he came to Pittsburgh, and for the next three years was engaged in the wholesale drug business in this city. It was in 1872 that Mr. Macbeth first associated himself with the glass business, becoming in that year a travelling salesman. It was not long before his enterprising spirit inspired him to independent effort, and he engaged in the manufacture of glass, undertaking in 1877 that branch of the industry with which his name will ever be inseparably associated-the making of optical glass. Into this venture he threw his whole soul, devoting himself to it with all the intense application and concentrated energy of which he was capable. The success which rewarded his efforts was exceptional in that it was immediate, his early achievements meeting with as much favor from the public as his later. In 1893 he exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago the first specimens of American-made optical glass, receiving a prize, a medal and a diploma. At this fair he was alternate commissioner, receiving his appointment from Governor Patterson. Mr. Macbeth's large plant was justly regarded as one of the industrial glories of Pittsburgh. Extensive in proportions and perfect in equipment, its products had a world-wide reputation for unsurpassed excellence, and beginning in 1880 manufactured more lamp chimneys than any other manufactory in the world, and their finest grades were sold all over the world.
Mr. Macbeth was the first American manufacturer to undertake the manufacture of lighthouse lenses and illuminating apparatus for lighthouses and for coast service, and his firm has successfully competed with foreign manufacturers and secured many government contracts. They were the first American manufacturers to light the Ambrose channel at New York harbor, one of the greatest harbors of the world. Their factory at Charleroi, Pennsylvania, was devoted to the manufacture of illuminating glass entirely, the factory having twelve acres under roof and employing 1,400 people. Other factories were at Toledo, Ohio; Ellwood and Marion, Indiana, altogether employing 4,000 people in their factories.
In politics Mr. Macbeth was an Independent, although all his life he was too busy a man to take any active part in public affairs. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Club; Rowfant Club of Cleveland, Ohio; Grolier Club of New York, National Arts Club of New York, Transportation Club of New York, Reform Club of New York; and of the Engineer& Society of Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Macbeth was a director of the Carnegie Institute, being a life member in the original board of trustees. He was chairman of the library committee of the Carnegie Institute beginning at its foundation. In religious belief Mr. Macbeth was a Swedenborgian. [GPHWP, 51]