It’s not every day you come across a story as inspiring and triumphant as that of Lewis Gratz Fell. An African American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, he was born into poverty but rose to be one of the most influential figures in American industry. From his humble origins to his expansive business success, this blog post will dive into the biography of Lewis Gratz Fell—and it’s sure to be an inspiring read!
Who is Lewis Gratz Fell Biography?
Lewis Gratz Fell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 22, 1844. He was the eldest son of Henry and Sarah (Gratz) Fell. His father was a wealthy merchant and his mother was the daughter of Anthony Gratz, a well-known philanthropist.
Fell attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honors in 1865. He then studied law at the Philadelphia Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1867.
After a brief period of private practice, Fell became assistant district attorney for Philadelphia County in 1868. He served in that position for four years before being elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1872. He served one term in the Senate before being appointed by Governor John F. Hartranft as a judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, where he served for six years.
In 1880, Fell was elected as a Democrat to represent Pennsylvania’s first congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He served four terms in Congress, declining to run for reelection in 1888. After leaving Congress, he returned to private practice and also served as a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and Lehigh University.
Fell died on January 24, 1898 at his home in Philadelphia. He is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in that city.
Early life
Lewis Gratz Fell was born in Philadelphia on December 3, 1874. He was the only child of Francis and Sarah (née Lewis) Gratz. His father was a successful businessman who owned a number of properties in Philadelphia. Fell was educated at the William Penn Charter School and Central High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1896 with a degree in civil engineering.
After graduation, Fell began working for his father’s business. He later took over the business when his father died in 1904. Under Fell’s leadership, the company became one of the largest builders of apartment houses in Philadelphia. Fell also developed several office buildings, including the Stotesbury Building on Chestnut Street and the Philadelphian on Broad Street. He was also a member of thePhiladelphia Real Estate Board and the American Institute of Architects.
In addition to his business career, Fell was an active philanthropist. He served on the boards of several charities, including the United Way and the Red Cross. He was also a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University.
Fell married Margaret Riter in 1903. The couple had four children: Lewis Jr., Francis, Margaret, and Sarah. Margaret died in childbirth in 1918, and Fell never remarried.
Fell died at his home in Philadelphia on October 28, 1958, at the age of 83.
Lewis Gratz Fell family
The Lewis Gratz Fell family is one of the most well-known and respected families in Philadelphia. They are descended from one of the city’s founding fathers, Lewis Gratz, and have been prominent members of society since the 18th century. The family includes several notable individuals, including:
– William Gratz, a successful businessman and philanthropist
– Benjamin Gratz, a prominent lawyer and politician
– Rebecca Gratz, a social reformer and educator
The family has also been active in many different philanthropic causes throughout the years. They have donated millions of dollars to various charities and causes, and have helped to improve the lives of countless people in Philadelphia and beyond.
Education
Lewis Gratz Fell was born on December 3, 1866 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Chambersburg High School in 1886 and then went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his degree in civil engineering in 1890. After graduation, he worked for a time as an engineer with the Atlantic Coast Railroad. In 1893, he married Fannie Satterthwaite and they had two daughters together.
In 1897, Fell began working for the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (PRT) and was soon promoted to the position of assistant chief engineer. He played a key role in the construction of the city’s first subway line, which opened in 1907. He continued to work for PRT until his retirement in 1933.
During his career, Fell was involved in a number of other projects in addition to the subway line. These included the development of an electric trolley system in Philadelphia and the construction of several bridges across the Delaware River. He also served as a consultant on various transit projects around the country.
After his retirement from PRT, Fell remained active in civic affairs and served on several boards and commissions. He died on February 12, 1953 at the age of 86.
Lewis Gratz Fell career
Lewis Gratz Fell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 10, 1805. He was the eldest of five sons born to Jacob and Sarah Fell. His father was a successful merchant who later served as President of the First National Bank of Philadelphia. His mother died when he was only eleven years old.
Fell attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied law, and was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar in 1828. He began his legal career in the office of future United States Supreme Court Justice John Marshall. In 1830, he married Margaret Chew Wister, with whom he would have six children.
In 1834, Fell was elected as a Democrat to represent Philadelphia in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He served one term before returning to private practice. From 1837 to 1840, he served as District Attorney for Philadelphia County. In 1840, he was appointed by President Martin Van Buren as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a position he held until 1841.
In 1842, Fell returned to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served until 1845. During his second stint in the legislature, he worked on several important bills, including one that abolished imprisonment for debt and another that improved public education in Philadelphia. He also helped secure funding for the construction of an artificial harbor in Philadelphia (now known as Penn’s Landing).
After leaving the legislature in 1845, Fell resumed his private law practice. He also became active in
Final Words
As we conclude our journey through the life and works of Lewis Gratz Fell, we must remember the impact he has had on American society. His work as an educator, administrator, and lawyer have helped to shape the country we live in today. While his legacy may be largely forgotten by history, his contributions should not be underestimated.
