Introduction
Edward Julius Berwind (June 17, 1848 - August 18, 1936) was the founder of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company. He was head of the company from 1886 until 1930.
Biography
Berwind was the son of German immigrants, and he was born in Philadelphia in 1848.
Berwind entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in July 1865 and graduated in June 1869 as a midshipman. He was promoted to ensign in July 1870 and to master (equivalent to the modern rank of lieutenant, junior grade) in March 1872. He was placed on the Retired List in May 1875.
Upon leaving the Navy, Berwind went into business with one of his brothers, Charles, and Judge Allison White co-founding Berwind, White & Company, which was incorporated as Berwind-White in 1886.
Berwind worked closely with J.P. Morgan in the consolidation, reorganization, integration, and expansion of his coal mining operations. In his day he was also considered to be the world's largest individual owner of coal mining properties. Berwind also refused to bargain with his employees, making his mines among the last open shops in the coal fields.
He built the Edward J. Berwind House in New York City and The Elms in Newport, Rhode Island.
He died on August 18, 1936 and was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, along with his wife Sarah Vesta Herminie née Torrey (1856-1922).