Horatio Gates Jones

“ His early life was devoted to the trade of a carpenter, and he acquired skill as a draughtsman. When twenty years old he met with an accident, and was employed by H. B. Latrobe, as his assistant engineer, in erecting the first water-works in Philadelphia, which were in Centre square, the site of the present city-hall. On 1 April, 1805, he was elected superintendent and engineer of the works. These were found to be wholly inadequate after several years of trial, and in 1811 he recommended Fairmount as the proper place for the water-works, and was intrusted with their construction. ”