Willis B. Boyer Namesakes

WILLIS B. BOYER
1915-1974

Mr. Willis Boothe Boyer was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1915 and attended Lafayette College, as well as the Case Institute of Technology. His business career began in 1937 when he was employed in the strip mill of the Republic Steel Corporation. In 1942 he was named foreman of the mill. While at Republic and during wartime, he was manager of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He became assistant to the treasurer in 1946, assistant treasurer in 1951, and treasurer January 1, 1953. In 1960 he was appointed vice president and treasurer and in 1963 was made a director and vice president of finance and administration. On May 1, 1966 Mr. Boyer became executive vice president and on May 8, 1968, president of the Republic Steel Corporation. He was also director of several other local and national companies. Mr. Boyer passed away in 1974, yet his namesake lives on through his son Willis Boothe Boyer Jr. and our museum ship which bears his name.

Colonel James M. Schoonmaker
1842-1927

James Martinu Schoonmaker was born 30 June 1842 in Peebles Township, PA. Schoonmaker was of New York "Knickerbocker" stock, his paternal ancestors having been born in Ulster and Orange counties, New York, subsequent to 1660. Schoonmaker was educated in Pittsburg private and public schools. He left Western University at age 19 to enter the Army on 15 August 1861. Schoonmaker initially served in the Captain Robert Patterson Company, First Pennsylvania Calvary, which joined the Army of the Potomac. During the first year of duty, he was made Lieutenant in Company A, First Maryland Calvary Regiment, to which the First Pennsylvania was attached. In August 1862 Schoonmaker was ordered back to Pittsburg to take command of the 14th Pennsylvania Calvary. He achieved the rank of Colonel in November 1862. Being 20 years, 5 months of age, Schoonmaker was believed to be the youngest Colonel in the Army.

On 1 January 1864, Colonel Schoonmaker assumed command of the First Brigade, First Averill's Calvary Division, Army of the Shenandoah, under General Philip Sheridan. At Winchester Virginia, on 19 September 1864, Schoonmaker led a charge on Star Fort and “at a critical period, gallantly led a cavalry charge against the left side of the enemy's line of battle, drove the enemy out of his works, and captured many prisoners.” A painting 'Calvary Charge of Colonel Schoonmaker' by Thor Thulstrup, hangs in Soldier's and Sailor's Memorial Hall. Schoonmaker's Medal of Honor was issued 19 May 1899.

Following the Civil War, the War Department assigned the First Brigade to guard the Overland Stage Route from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains. The Brigade served until 31 July 1865, then was mustered out of service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Schoonmaker returned to Pittsburg and entered business with his father. In 1872 he went into coal mining and coke manufacturing with his father-in-law, William H. Brown. Their company controlled more than 1,400 coke ovens in Fayette and Westmoreland counties of Pennsylvania.

Schoonmaker was in part responsible, for his namesake steamers proportions. In 1909, he made a trip aboard the steamer Shenango and while watching the maneuvering of one of the big freighters at the Soo Locks he remarked to Mr. Snyder, as a reflection of his own experience, that the great freighters would be more manageable if they had greater beam. Mr. Snyder said nothing, but some time later, meeting Col. Schoonmaker in Pittsburgh, he told him that he had given thought to his remark and had decided to build a steamer of 4 feet greater beam than any other on the lakes and name her after him. Schoonmaker considered this honor to be one of his proudest achievements. Not only did he make the maiden voyage aboard his namesake vessel, but became a frequent passenger.

Schoonmaker also served as Vice President of the Tradesmen's National Bank, Vice President of the Union Trust Company, and Director of Mellon National Bank and Union Savings Bank. For many years he was President of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind.

James Schoonmaker died 11 October 1927 following an appendicitis operation. At the time of his death, Schoonmaker had advanced to P&LE Board of Directors Chairman.