GRAFF, Jr. F.

GRAFF, Jr. F. 23.05. 1817 Philadelphia PA/USA 30.03. 1890 Philadelphia PA/USA Frederic Graff, son of Frederick Graff (1774-1847), was educated at Philadelphia PA, becoming assistant engineer in 1842 in the Water Department. In 1863 he designed and built the pipe bridge across River Wissahickon, in which the water pipe was used as compressive member. From 1873 to 1877 he was engaged on the design of water works in connection with Henry R. Worthington (1817-1880). Graff then had a private consulting office, notably for the water supply of Washington DC. However, he stayed all through his life essentially in his home town, adding to his city both in engineering and in its society, so that he was and still is considered one of the important citizens of Philadelphia. When Graff was from 1851 chief engineer of the Philadelphia Water Department, he suggested to establish a park upon Schuylkill River. This was then developed to park improvements. He added considerably to his city such as near his home, where he was active in promoting engineering works and advanced arts, charity and science. He was member of the Franklin Institute from 1839, director for six years and vice-president for three years. He also was one of the founders of the Zoological Society and Gardens of Philadelphia, and acted as president from 1882. He presided over the Engineer’s Club of Philadelphia in 1880. He was further one of the founders of the Photographical Society and its president during years; he was personally an excellent amateur photographer. His character was remarkably pure and all his actions were based of the highest nature. His habits were simple, his charities large but little known. Knowing for years that he was liable to sudden death, he continued in the constant unselfish performance of the duties and works, exhibiting always geniality and cheerfulness, which made his society and companionship always a pleasure. He was member and president of the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE in 1885. His elevation to that distinguished office was accepted by him as the highest honour to which a civil engineer could aspire. Anonymous (1891). Graff, Frederic Jr. Proc. ASCE 17(8): 247-250. Graff, F., Worthen, W.E., Smith, E.W. (1862). Reports on trials of duty and capacity of the pumping engines No. 2, at Ridgewood, and of No. 1, at Prospect Hill. Trow: New York. Graff, F. (1886). Notes upon the early history of the employment of water power for supplying the city of Philadelphia with water, and the building and re-building of the dam at Fairmount. Engineers’ Club: Philadelphia. https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/FairmountWW.html P

GRAY .05. 1842 Andover MA/USA 05.11. 1921 Providence RI/USA Samuel Merrill Gray was a recognized authority in the field of water works, sewerage, and hydraulics. While the later years of his professional experience were devoted to consulting work, he had served for thirteen years as city engineer of Providence RI, and was for thirty years a member of the State Board of Health for Rhode Island. His works covered not only cities in the USA, but also in Canada and in Mexico, the most important including the design of the reconstructed water works at Baltimore MD, the remodelling of the Worcester MA sewage treatment plant, as also the design of the complete system of intercepting sewers for the District of Columbia. After leaving school, Gray began his engineering career on railroad construction in Connecticut. He went to Providence RI in the early 1860s, and secured a position as assistant to the chief engineer for the novel city water supply. His work received favourable notice so that he was elected city engineer of Providence. His duties also included supervision of the departments of water works, sewerage, bridges, and highways. While in that position, he was sent to Europe to study there novel sewage disposal methods, thereby visiting England, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. During these years, he was one of those who designed the modern toilet, including the midden closet, the excrement pail, the dry ash closet, and the night soil van. Gray resigned as city engineer in 1890 and opened a consulting office, specializing in municipal and sanitary work, and continuing in the field almost to his death. During these years he was retained on water and sewage works for various cities. In 1913, he became engineer for the study of a new water supply for Providence, keeping this position until the general plans for the new work were developed. He was then retained as chief consultant. Gray served in 1892 as vice-president of the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE. Anonymous (1921). Samuel M. Gray. Engineering News-Record 87(21): 872. P Gray, S.M. (1884). Proposed plan for a sewerage system, and for the disposal of the sewerage of the city of Providence. Providence Press Co.: Providence. Hering, R.G., Gray, S.M. (1889). Plan of the city of Toronto: Proposed intercepting sewers and outfall. City Engineer’s Office: Toronto. Nader, J., Gray, S.M. (1885). Sewerage of Madison: Report of the city engineer, transmitting the report of Mr. Samuel M. Gray, consulting engineer. Common Council: Madison WI.