Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of the Great Lakes Illustrated, In Two Volumes, Vol. II Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1899 Page 16 JOSEPH R. OLDHAM was born in 1848, in Liverpool, England. His father's family were old Lancashire people, but his mother was Scotch, her family having come from Edinburgh to England in 1836. Mr. Oldham's first experience in iron- shipbuilding was gained under Duncan Mc- Donald, and Peter McNidder, of Denny's of Dumbarton. He received his early theo- retical education from Edward Arnold, a chief draughtsman at the Royal Navy Yard in England, becoming a student of naval architecture with him at Ramsey in 1864. He was for several years draughtsman at the Eagle Engine Works Bootle, and the Caledonian Engine Works, Preston. Being a thorough and ambitious man, he now rose in his profession in connection with draught- ing and building iron ships, and was em- ployed by Gilbert S. Goodwin, consulting engineer and chief engineer surveyor of the Veritas, as draughtsman and out-door as- sistant for five years. In 1874 he became surveyor to Lloyd's at Sunderland, showing the greatest diligence, care and efficiency in prosecuting work that he was appointed to superintend. Mr. Oldham is a man of good presence, courteous and gentlemanly, and there is no hesitancy in saying that to these qualities, coupled with his thorough knowl- edge of the requisites of a surveyor, he owes his rapid advancement in his profes- sion. He has been employed in the Liver- pool offices of the Veritas. The Inland Lloyd's Register, and the Record of the American and Foreign Shipping. Mr. Oldham came to America more than Page 17 ten years ago, and first opened an office in Buffalo, N.Y. He came supported with excellent recommendations from most of the principal shipbuilders and shipowners of England, amongst whom are included Sir James Laing, J. P. Lloyd's committeeman, Suez Canal commissioner, chairman of the River Wear Commissioners, etc.; Messrs. Palmer of Jarrow-on-Tyne, the superintend- ent of the Cunard Steam Ship Co., the Un- derwriters Registry for Iron Vessels, the Chief Surveyor of the Veritas, etc. His knowledge as a superintendent and consult- ing engineer soon created a demand for his services in this country. He remained in Buffalo but a short time, removing to Cleve- land in 1888, where he has since resided, accepting a position in 1890 with the Globe Iron Works Company, for which company he designed such well known steamers as the Castilia, Republic, and others of equal size and prominence on the lakes. He has also been employed as special expert marine appraiser by the United States Government. Mr. Oldham is Lloyd's Agent, Underwriters Surveyor, and is a meber of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine En- gineers, the Civil Engineers of Cleveland, Ohio, the Mechanical Engineers and The Engineers Club of New York. Mr. Oldham was united in marriage to Miss Annie E. S. Banks, of Liverpool, En- gland, in 1874. Nine children have been born to them, five of whom are living: G. Ashton, Amy L., John L., Mabel A., and Annie J. It is the purpose of Mr. Oldham to have the eldest son, G. Ashton, follow the same line of business as himself, as he has been so successful as a workman in the shipyards, hence he will take a course of scientific training at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Mr. Oldham, thought a quiet member of the Republican party, has done useful service with his pen for the protec- tion of American shipping. He was one of the Republican reception committee of the National Republican League of 1895, and is a member of the Tippecanoe Club. As a writer on maritime matters, the subject of this sketch is well known, and we may mention the pamphlets - "North American Lake Steamers versus Ocean Cargo Steam- ers. " published in 1891; "Screw Steamships and Tow Barge Efficiency," and the "Great Lakes Register of Shipping," published in 1883. He has recently contributed several articles of "Structural Strength of Ships and Improved Arrangement for Repairing with- out Diminution of Strength;" "Shibuild- ing and Transportation on the Great Lakes," and "Analysis of Lake and Ocean Steamship Models and Efficiency of Propelling Machinery." Mr. Oldham is a member of the Socie- ty of Naval Archictects and Marine Engin- eers, and of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce Maritime Committee; and he acts as a member of the vestry of Emman- uel Church. =========================================================================