Capt Jackman T Stockdale

 

Jackman Taylor Stockdale, son of Joseph H and Mary M Sterigere Stockdale, was born on 1 Mar 1828 in Fredericktown, Columbiana Co, OH.  While the general manager of the famous Pittsburgh Cincinnati Packet Line, aged 59, he died quite suddenly on Jun 8, 1887 at his home in Allegheny City.  According to his obituary, the Captain had just finished supper and fell from his chair.  Several physicians were summoned who examined the body and “pronounced life extinct”.

 

Family Background.

Jackman Stockdale had a first cousin named Stockdale Jackman.   Unfortunately, whether Stockdale Jackman’s middle  name was Taylor  or even whether his middle initial was “T” is unknown.   Before moving to Fredericktown, OH from Washington, PA, Joseph H Stockdale and John Jackman had become great friends.  John Jackman married Joseph Stockdale’s sister, Deborah.  Each couple had a son named to honor that friendship resulting in first cousins named Jackman Stockdale and Stockdale Jackman.  Eventually, both families achieved wealth and fame.  Capt Jackman T Stockdale worked in river commerce while the Stockdale Jackman family by marriage became the founders of several of the early pottery companies in East Liverpool, OH.  On Aug 3, 1848 in Georgetown, Capt Jackman T Stockdale married Mary Jane Calhoon, the youngest child of William and Elizabeth Hutchinson Calhoon.  At that time Jackman T Stockdale was a clerk on her brother, his uncle Richard Calhoon’s steamer American. [1]

 

Ohio River at Georgetown from the north bank ca 1880 (Frances and John Finley Collection)

Ohio River at Georgetown from the north bank ca 1880 (Frances and John Finley Collection)

The JT Stockdales moved to Georgetown, in 1849 where they lived till 1864.  On the riverbank in Georgetown, the Stockdales built a home two blocks west (down river) from Richard Calhoon’s home (the site where Thomas S Calhoon’ home was later built).  In 1864, the JT Stockdales moved to North Avenue and Palo Alto St in Allegheny City (now the North Side of Pittsburgh).  They were members of the Third Presbyterian Church.  Their daughters, Ida, Minnie, Mary (Birdie), and Catherine (Katie), were educated at the Pittsburgh Female College.  With his father, Willis, the eldest son, worked in the family steamboat business, but was mostly interested in Second Ward politics.[2]   Sons Charles and John T were still in school at the time of their father’s death.

 

According to Harriet (Calhoon) Ewing, who lived in Georgetown near the Stockdales and often visited them in Allegheny City, JT Stockdale was handsome, genial, and very dignified.  He was generous and a good provider. [3]

 

Boarding Pass 1887 signed by JT Stockdale (F Nash Collection)

After moving to Allegheny City, JT Stockdale discontinued active work on the rivers although he continued to manage the Pittsburgh Cincinnati Packet Line.  His interests turned to oil refining with Standard Oil Co.  He became a member of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.  He was an officer in the Peoples Railway Co and secretary treasurer of the Pleasant Valley Street Railway Co.  Not completely forgetting his roots, he acted as a steamboat agent and worked in the commission business for hay, grain, etc.  At that time, James A Henderson was his associate.  JT Stockdale is credited with the installation of the first electric lights on the wharf at Pittsburgh and hydrants to supply drinking water to steamboats.[4]

 

JT Stockdale’s wife, Mary Jane died on Jan 12 1898 at the home of daughter Ida (Stockdale-Knowles) Stafford in New York City.   The family cemetery is Uniondale Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

 

 

Lotus Ware Vase (F Nash Collection)

Lotus Ware Vase (F Nash Collection)

In addition to having one of the most famous mountain boats named in her honor, Ida Stockdale married Homer S Knowles in 1877.  He was the second K in the company Knowles, Taylor and Knowles (KT&K) which made Lotus Ware in East Liverpool, OH.  Ida and Homer Knowles regularly hosted William McKinley, our 25th President.  When Homer S Knowles died in 1892, William McKinley was one of his pallbearers.  Ida remarried, moved to New York City, and died in Oct 1904. [5]

 

 

 

 

River Career.

Str Golden Gate Llicense dated 1854 (Frances and John Finley Collection)

After a good common school education and one year of teaching school, Jackman Taylor Stockdale began his life on the river in 1845 as a clerk aboard the steamer American.  Jackman T Stockdale also worked as a master on steamboats owned by Georgetown men such as the str Golden Gate owned by his  Joseph MC Calhoon.  That was the start of 18 years as an owner, captain, pilot, and clerk on the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries.  In all, he built more than 15 steamboats and was an organizer and officer in several packet line companies.  In 1872 he was the director of the Glencoe Transportation Company; at the same time he was a stockholder in the St Louis and New Orleans Packet Co;  with his nephew Thomas S Calhoon, he organized the second Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Packet Line.

 

American.   The American was a sternwheeler built in Smith’s Ferry and finished in Pittsburgh in 1845.  She was rated at 118 tons.  Richard Calhoon was her first master and JT Stockdale, his first position afloat, was clerk.   The American exploded downbound between Louisville and Madison killing four and scalding ten.    In 1850, she was off the books = dismantled.[6]

 

AleoniaRated at 286 tons, the Aleonia was a sidewheeler built in Elizabeth, PA in 1851.  Owned principally by JT Stockdale (5/16), the remainder was shared between three Pittsburgh men and three men from Georgetown.  She was off the books in 1858. [7]

 

 

John C Fremont/Horizon.    Built in California, PA in 1854, the John C Fremont , as the Horizon was first named, was a modest sized sternwheel packet rated at 315 tons.  At that time its principal owner, Capt Jackman Taylor Stockdale, was a young man of 26 years who lived in Georgetown, PA.  The unpretentious Fremont was manned for the most part by Georgetown men:  Capt Richard Calhoon was her master with Thomas S Calhoon (clerk) and Joseph Calhoon (steward), and William Briggs (engineer married to Capt Stockdale’s sister). [8]

 

On 22 Apr 1863, the Horizon ran the Vicksburg and Grand Gulf batteries with supplies.  Her civilian crew, except for her pilots, was temporarily replaced by Army officers and soldiers.  Badly damaged by shell fire, she ran the gauntlet successfully. [9]

 

On May 1, 1863 the Horizon collided with the streamer Moderator at night.  Both boats were running without lights.  Many soldiers were lost when the Horizon sank including Swedish members of Stolbrand’s Battery. .[10]  The government paid $18,500 for the loss of the packet.[11]

 

Capt Stockdale or Richard Calhoon was quite probably the pilot of the Horizon during its missions in the Civil War.  I have found no evidence of any other boats Capt Stockdale owned or operated between the years 1861-1863 so I assume he was aboard the Horizon.

 

 

 

JT Stockdale.   The JT Stockdale was a sternwheeler built in Brownsville, PA in 1863 for Capt JT Stockdale.  Working the Pittsburgh to Cincinnati trade, captained by  BM Laughlin of Georgetown, she was sold to the US Army Quartermaster on Nov 13, 1863. [12] Known as the Stockdale during the Civil War  according to Capt Way, the vessel is not listed in the “Dictionary of Transports and Combatants Vessels Steam and Sail Employed by the Union Army 1861-1868” compiled by Charles Dana Gibson and E Kay Gibson.

 

 

Ida Stockdale.   The Ida Stockdale was built in McKeesport, PA for Capt JT Stockdale in 1867.  Designed for Missouri River commerce and named for his daughter Ida who married Homer Knowles, the second K of the famous KT&K pottery was one of three boats to make the trip to Ft Benton five times.  On her first trip to Ft Benton Capt Grant Marsh of later Indian War fame, was in charge.  Thomas S Calhoon was first clerk.  That first season the Ida Stockdale cleared $42,500 while transporting Gen Alfred Terry and his staff to Ft Benton.  Capt Marsh worked for JT Stockdale for several seasons on the Missouri.  [13]

 

BarranquillaBuilt under the supervision of JT Stockdale in Pittsburgh in 1869, the Barranquilla was designed for work on the Magdelena River in Columbia South America.  Master Thomas S Calhoon with Jacob Poe and Andreww Parr as pilots, left Pittsburgh on Aug 23, 1869 for New Orleans.   From new Orleans, a gulf pilot island hopped the boat to Columbia.   [14]

 

Sallie.    In 1867-8 partners Thomas S Calhoon and Jackman T Stockdale built the Sallie for the Montana  mountain trade.  The Sallie was a wooden hull sternwheel packet built in McKeesport and finished in Pittsburgh.  Rated at 399 tons, the Sallie ran to Ft Benton three years with Capt Calhoon in command.  The ownnership was 2/3 Thomas S Calhoon and 1/3 Jackman T Stockdale.  The cost of the Sallie was $29,457.83.

 

The Sallie made the fastest trip ever to Ft Benton.  The following dates are provided by a genealogy report and taken from Thomas S Calhoon’s diary.  On 15 Mar 1868, the Sallie left Pittsburgh for St Louis; departed St Louis on 9 Apr 1868; arrived at Ft Benton on 26 May 1868; returned to dock at St Louis on 10 Jun 1868.  That is 47 days out of St Louis.

 

On the 1868 trip, the Sallie gross receipts were $33,508.92 with a profit of $12,747.69.  In addition to his share as an owner, Thomas S Calhoon earned a salary of $6,138.35.  By the way, Horace Bixby was one of the pilots that year.  He was the man who taught Mark Twain river piloting.

  

Glencoe.    The Glencoe was a sidewheel wooden hull packet built in Shousetown, PA in 1870 and completed in Pittsburgh in 1871.  It was a big sidewheeler (275x43x7) built for deep water and operation in the Louisville to New Orleans trade.  The original owners were Capt Thomas S Calhoon and Capt Jackman T Stockdale.  The pilots who took her out for her maiden voyage were Jacob Poe and his son George WE Poe.  The first clerk was John QA Parr. [15]

 

On 19 Jan 1871, the Glencoe made her first trip to Nnew Orleans with Capt Thomas S Calhoon at the wheel and JQA Parr clerk.  Later the route switched to St Louis to New Orleans trade.  The Glencoe Transportation Co was established with Capt John Bofinger, president and Thomas S Calhoon, secretary. [16]

 

The Glencoe was snagged and lost near Vicksburg on 28 Oct 1877.  It was a total loss, but much of her equipment was salvaged and installed on the Katie Stockdale including the whistle. [17]

 

 

 

Str Katie Stockdale (From the Collection of the UW La Crosse Murphy Library Special Collections)

Katie Stockdale.    The Katie Stcokdale was a sternwheel wooden hull packet built in California, PA and completed in Pittsburgh in 1877.  It was a big boat (228×33.5×5) built for Pittsburgh to Cincinnati trade.  The original owners were Capt Jackman T Stockdale (1/2)and Capt Thomas S Calhoon (1/4) and Willis Stockdale (1/4).  The original pilots were James Rowley Sr and George Hughes.  The whistle and cabin furniture were reused from the Glencoe.  She was the first boat of the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Packet Line.  [18]

 

The Katie Stockdale was dismantleed in 1890 and much of her equipment was transferrred to the Keystone State.[19]

 

 

 

City of Charier.    The City of Charier was a sternwheeler built in Pittsburgh in 1886 for Capt JT Stockdale.  In its early days, Capt Willis Stockdale was its master and Jim Rowley Jr was its pilot.  The City of Chartiers operated as an hourly ferry between Pittsburgh and McKees Rocks.  JT Stockdale died in 1887 and his partner Capt James A Henderson gained control and sold her in 1889.

 

 

Scotia.    The Scotia was a 601 tons sternwheeler built in Hamar, OH in 1880.  She ran in the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Packet Line along with the Katie Stockdale, Keystone State, and Emma Graham.[20]

 

 

Emma Graham.   Built in 1877 for the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Packet Line under the supervision of Capt JT Stockdale,  

 

 

Granite State.    Built in 1870 in California, PA, the granite State worked Pittsburgh to Portmouth trade.  Acquired by the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Packet Line, she worked till retired.[21]

 

 

Hudson.    A handsome, proudly built boat in Freddom, PA and completed in Pittsburgh in 1886 for Capt Frank Ellison worked the Paducah to St Louis trade.  In 1889, Capt Ellison became a stockholder in the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Packet Line and superintendent at the Cincinnati office.  In 1903 she was replaced, yet many of her virtues were enhanced in the building of the Virginia and Queen City. [22] 

 

 

Str Queen City on Ohio 1912 RPPC (F Nash Collection)

Str Queen City on Ohio 1912 RPPC (F Nash Collection)

 

Pittsburgh Cincinnati Packet Line Postcard (F Nash Collection)

Pittsburgh Cincinnati Packet Line Postcard (F Nash Collection)

 

 

Summary.

 

As neighbors in Georgetown and partners in many steamboat and packet line ventures, the names Jackman Taylor Stockdale and Thomas Stevenson Calhoon stand head and shoulders above the rest.  Their body of work, from early river experiences to their Civil War service and their participation in the development of “the West” in general and specifically the Montana Territory, surpasses any other steamboat captains and pilots life’s work.  Their long careers witnessed the rise and decline of steamboat commerce.  From independent operators, they formed packet companies which pooled a number of vessels to serve specific trade routes.  They were over achievers who lived their lives fully.

 

References.

 


[1].   Alexander C McIntosh, A Genealogy Report on the Calhoon Family.
[2]  Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Gary Winterburn and Regis Scharf, The Enchanted Village:  The History of Fredreicktown Ohio, (privately published, 1992).
[6]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 20.
[7] Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 9.
[8] Frederick Way, Jr. Personal Letter.
[9] Charles Dana Gibson and E Kay Gibson, Dictionary of Transports and Combatant Vessels Steam and Sail Employed by the Uniion Army 1861 – 1868, (Ensign Press, Cambridge, MA 1995), p 152.
[10] Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 217.
[11]  Charles Dana Gibson and E Kay Gibson, Dictionary of Transports and Combatant Vessels Steam and Sail Employed by the Uniion Army 1861 – 1868, (Ensign Press, Cambridge, MA 1995), p 152.
[12]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 237.
[13] Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 221.
[14] Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 39.
[15]  Capt Frederick Way, Jr., The Steamboating Poe Family, (S&D Reflector (Dec 1965)).
[16]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 189.
[17]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 189.
[18]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 268.
[19]  Ibid.
[20]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 421.
[21]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 197.
[22]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 218.

 

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