John Heman Converse and Elizabeth Perkins Thompson

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Husband John Heman Converse ¹

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           Born: 2 Dec 1840 - Burlington, Chittenden Co, VT 1
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         Father: Rev. John Kendrick Converse (1801-1880) 2 3
         Mother: Sarah Allen (1810-1873) 3

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       Marriage: 9 Jul 1873 4

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Wife Elizabeth Perkins Thompson ⁴

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         Father: James Thompson (      -      ) 4
         Mother: Mary Johnson Bishop (      -      ) 4

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Children

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1 F Mary Eleanor Converse ⁴

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           Born: 10 Apr 1877 4
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2 M John Williams Converse ⁴

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           Born: 30 Mar 1879 4
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3 F Helen Prentiss Converse ⁴

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           Born: 26 Jul 1880 4
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         Spouse: Warren P. Thorpe (      -      ) 4
           Marr: 5 Jun 1905 4

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General Notes: Husband - John Heman Converse

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He was fitted for college in the schools of his native town and entered the University of Vermont, in 1857, and graduated in the class of 1861. After graduation Mr. Converse engaged in journalism, being for three years connected with the editorial department of the Burlington, Vermont, Daily and Weekly Times. In 1864 he went to Chicago and for two years was in the service of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company. In 1866 he removed to Altoona to accept a position with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company under Edward H. Williams, the general superintendent of the road. In 1870 Mr. Converse secured a position with the Baldwin Locomotive Works through Dr. Williams, who had become one of the proprietors thereof, and three years later was admitted into the firm. Mr. Converse was intrusted with the general business and financial management of the works, as apart from the mechanical departments. In addition to the successful management of the business affairs of this great manufacturing establishment, Mr. Converse for many years held directorships and took an active part in the management of numerous financial and other institutions, all of which received his active and constant attention, bringing to all his undertakings a well trained mind and a wonderful aptitude in the conduct of financial matters. Among these institutions were the Philadelphia National Bank, The Philadelphia Trust Company, the Real Estate Trust Company and the Philadelphia Savings Fund. Beginning in 1889 he was a member of the Board of Directors of City Trusts, at first serving at the head of the committee having in charge the Girard Estate outside of the city, and later filling the position of chairman of the Household Committee. In addition to these positions he was a member of the Board of Public Education, president of Fairmount Park Art Association, trustee of the Presbyterian Hospital and of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
During the war with Spain Mr. Converse served as president of the National Relief Commission, organized in Philadelphia in aid of the soldiers and sailors called into active service by the exigencies of war. He was always a large contributor to public objects; one of the principal buildings of the Presbyterian Hospital was erected entirely at his expense, and his benefactions to churches, charities and various educational and civic institutions were constant and generous. To the University of Vermont, his alma mater, he was a liberal benefactor; a trustee of the university, he made himself intimately acquainted with its needs, so that his benefactions were wise as well as liberal. He erected for the university three buildings of great architectural beauty and completeness; including two dwellings for the use of professors and a student's dormitory. In 1897 the University conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D.
"Mr. Converse's career exemplifies in a marked degree the value of trained intellect in extensive business affairs and fidelity in the administration of great trusts. Coming to Philadelphia thirty odd years ago practically unknown, he has since become one of its foremost citizens, whose name has been frequently urged for civic honors, and if merit and not politics were the guiding force, he would have long ago been called to fill the chief magistracy of the city."
"In his private life Mr. Converse has gathered around him in a quiet and modest way the luxuries which are congenial to a man of culture. In his home, art, music, literature and genial society abound, presided over by an amiable and accomplished wife, who is in full sympathy with his tastes and aims. It is not quite so difficult to conceive how a man can carry such manifold serious business cares with such serene and sunny ease after one has seen what relaxations and refreshments are available to a man of intellectual resources, of social gifts, and of domestic tastes."
Mr. Converse was a member of the New England Society of Pennsylvania and of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution, having been admitted to membership in the latter Society, June 14, 1898, as a great-grandson of Corporal Enoch Allen (1744-89).

1 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania (New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1911), Pg 1099.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania (New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1911), Pg 1097.

3 Emma Siggins White, Genealogical Gleanings of Siggins and Other Pennsylvania Families (Kansas City, MO: Tiernan-Dart Printing Co., 1918), Pg 433.

4 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania (New York, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1911), Pg 1101.