Looking back at it now the sum seemed very small, but "tall oaks from little acorns grow." In this way was organized in 1862 the firm of Piper and Schiffler which was merged into the Keystone Bridge Company in 1863--a name which I remember I was proud of having thought of as being most appropriate for a bridge-building concern in the State of Pennsylvania, the Keystone State.

From this beginning iron bridges came generally into use in America, indeed, in the world at large so far as I know.

My letters to iron manufacturers in Pittsburgh were sufficient to insure the new company credit.

Small wooden shops were erected and several bridge structures were undertaken.

Cast-iron was the principal material used, but so well were the bridges built that some made at that day and since strengthened for heavier traffic, still remain in use upon various lines.
The question of bridging the Ohio River at Steubenville came up, and we were asked whether we would undertake to build a railway bridge with a span of three hundred feet over the channel.