Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades - Mechanic Yearbook (Media, PA)

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IN NIEIVIORIAIVI JOHN M. SHRIGLEY

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Zguarh nf Trustees ALFRED C.TLUNNSON CHARLES 5 DAX GEORGE H.BkFADDEN

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WILLIAMSON SCHOOL I3 jifnbn 31111. bbtiglep OHN MYERS SHRIGLEY, the eldest son of a. Universalist min- ister, was born in Baltimore, Md., August 29th, 1844. Although compelled to change schools frequently, as his father was called from one church to another, he was fond of study and when a student at Reading High he made an average in studies and conduct which had not been excelled fifty years later. He was a great reader and up to the time of his death he read Q three or four books of biography or travel every week. I At the age of fifteen he obtained his first position as clerk in a mercantile agency in Richmond at the salary of ten dollars a month. With his first wages his journal records the purchase of Holmes' Auto- crat of the Breakfast Table. In 1861 the family moved to Philadelphia and he was employed for short periods at the mercantile agency, with a wholesale drug dealer, and in a brass goods factory. William B. Bement, of the Industrial Works, 21st and Callowhill Streets, Philadelphia, having noticed his neat penmanship, offered him a clerkship at fifteen dollars a week, which he gladly accepted. He prospered in business and became a member of the firm of Wfilliam B. Bement Sz Sons, with whom he continued until 1885, when he retired to Lans- downe on account of ill health. When he read of Mr. XVilliamson's great bequest for a Trade School he was deeply interested and the Trustees, having offered him the .Assistant Secretary- ship of the School, he accepted. Later he served in order as Secretary, General Manager, and finally as President. He served in this last capacity until he re- signed in IQI2. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1894, and after 1912 acted as Secretary of the Board. He was an ardent student of industrial education, on which he lectured before many organizations, having visited schools in America and Europe to TW 'R Q l' 9 6 in W Zi ,., - 9-.X iv? ll 4 iihqnfll 513 secure his data. He always considered XVilliamson School the best work of his life. and to it he gave his deepest thought and unceasing effort that the standard of Good Men and Good Mechanics might be maintained. In the death of Mr. Shrigley graduates and students, alike. of NVilliamson School feel that they have lost a friend whose one interest was their progress and success, not only during their term in school, but also in the industrial field. F. B. VVEAR.