YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 06471 8530 mkwt . ,.i ...^ ...... .... .Ah fw« II Kil v* t-t ShtKlI ¦.:! * ifiSSlSW I ,-h i :.'-^:: :1 ''.,./! fS»K '!.i:-::.;'„i ...i. ¦ Jltl ......,..,,'.¦ m mmmmmmmwrn mm, mmmi mm<: mi i'.'.iiV;'. f ,( . : i I. * i ' i ( W H * \ V if-' f f , .' i V, 11/ ti f '! I V;-1 V, w itwml i ' i"',' ' '', ' 1 1 ' W I ifrevjiii .'¦'.-.v fJ? 'kV V.->V-i; ¦^J,.i:>Vl7l-.;!>V ;.ij> i'.M' %#-;,:5V!1'• ,.., i ...' -. , . ("i i.f .<(« , • ( ; *iUV II '• ' 'I ( I ' I I # i « . si '/, ,;'',i.'; '¦'¦'' ¦>„.'¦ ilffilflliMWllii . m YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 1944 A TWENTIETH CENTURY HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA A NARRATIVE ACCOUNT OF ITS HISTORICAL PROGRESS, ITS PEOPLE, AND ITS PRINCIPAL INTERESTS BY JOHN MILLER ILLUSTRATED Volume II 1909 THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO C$u^i^U^ Frederick Brevillier. Nearly a half century ago Frederick Brevillier became one of the two interested principals in what eventually became one of the leading wholesale grocery houses of Northern Penn sylvania and until within very recent years he continued to be identified with this line of enterprise in the city of Erie, where he remains to-day a representative citizen and one whose course has been such as to com mand for him the confidence and high esteem of the community which has been his home during the major portion of his life. His capitalistic investments are of important and varied order, and as a man he is es sentially broad-minded, liberal and public-spirited. Self-aggrandizement has not hedged him in, and his name is known in the realm of practical philanthropy and judicious benevolence. His influence has definitely permeated the civic and business life of the city of Erie, and it is most consonant that he be accorded recognition as a publican of this pro vince. Frederick Brevillier was born in Sonnenberg, Sachsen-Meiningen, Germany, on the "29th of August, 1838, and is a son of Alexander and Christiane (Koch) Brevillier. The agnatic lineage is traced back to stanch French-Huguenot origin, and the founders of the family in Ger many were refugees who fled from France to escape the persecutions in cident to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685. Like many others of the same patrician French lineage, they found hospice in Ger many and located in the city of Frankfort-on-Main, where they be came identified with extensive business and banking enterprises. The mother of Frederick Brevillier was of German descent. In 1840, when he was about two years of age, his parents removed from his native place to Hildburghausen, Thuringia, and there he received his rudimen tary education in a private school, after which he entered the local gym nasium, a collegiate preparatory institution comparing with the Ameri can high school. He there continued his studies until the spring of 1852, when he entered a polytechnical school in the city of Nuernberg, Bavaria, where he remained a student until the spring of 1854, when he with drew to accompany his parents on their removal to the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, where his elder brother, Gustave F., had taken up his resi dence several years previously. The family arrived in Erie June 10, 1854, and this city has represented their home during the long inter vening years. Here the honored father died on the 20th of July, I860, and the cherished and devoted wife and mother was summoned to eternal rest on the 16th of February, 1876. During the year. 1855 Frederick Brevillier was a student in the Erie Academy, and in the spring of the following year he became an employe in a large importing house in New York City, where he remained until the latter part of 1857. He then entered the Bryant & Stratton Business College in the city of Cleveland, where he completed a three months' course, after which he accepted the position of secretary and treasurer of the Croton Glass Works, at New Castle, Pennsylvania. Later on, in compliance with the wishes of his venerable parents, he returned to Erie, where he entered the employ of J. V Boyer, who conducted a hardware establishment on upper State street. In January, 1861, he be came bookkeeper in the wholesale grocery establishment of J. Johnston Vol. II— 1 2 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY & Brother, and on the 23rd of February, 1864, he was admitted to the firm as a copartner with Joseph and Orville Johnston, under the firm name of Johnston & Brevillier. Under this title the business was con tinued for nearly two score of years, and during all this time the reputa tion of the firm was impregnable, while it advanced to the rank of one of the leading commercial concerns of this section of the state. Based upon honorable dealings and most effective service, the business of the house reached extensive proportions and covered a large territory. On the 12th of March, 1901, Joseph Johnston retired from the firm, owing to advanced age and the desire to be free from the exactions of active business. Mr. Brevillier purchased his honored partner's interest in the business, which he thereafter continued under his own name until April 1, 1906, when, after forty-five years of arduous and effective work in the wholesale grocery trade, he too felt it expedient to retire, and the business was closed out. A man of fine intellectuality and broad mental ken, it is but natural that Mr. Brevillier should have taken at all times a lively interest in public affairs, especially those of a public order. He has been repeatedly honored with positions of public trust, and no citizen has maintained a more secure hold upon popular confidence and esteem in Erie than has this veteran business man and sterling citizen. He is one of the charter members of the Erie Board of Trade, which was organized in 1874, and for many years he was a member of its directorate ; he was president of the organization for the fiscal year 1902-3. As a member of the board of corporators of St. Vincent's Hospital, he has served several years on its board of directors, and he is also connected with the board of corporators of Hamot Hospital, and that of the Erie cemetery. In the latter he has served as a member of the board of directors since May, 1905. He was for seven years a valued member of the Erie board of education, and was president of the East ward school board at the time when, in June, 1870, the East and West ward school board were consolidated, under the title of the Erie school district. In February, 1901, Mr. Brevillier was elected a member of the board of trustees of the Erie public library, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Charles Jarecki, and in the following December he was elected for the regular term of three years, at which expiration he was chosen as his own successor, retiring at the expiration of his third term, December 31, 1907. In politics Mr. Brevillier gives his allegiance to the Republican party. He became a charter member of the Erie Liedertafel, organized in September, 1862, and ser.ved as its president for two terms. Pie has been affiliated with the Masonic fraternity since October 20, 1868, when he became an entered apprentice in Perry Lodge, No. 392, Free & Accepted Masons, with which he is still identified. In the Scottish Rite he is affiliated with Presq'isle Lodge of Perfection, and the Pittsburg Consistory, besides which he is enrolled as a member of the adjunct organization, Zem Zem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Since his retirement from the wholesale grocery trade Mr. Brevillier has kept constantly in active touch with the business affairs of his home city, where he has various capitalistic investments, including stock in manufacturing concerns. He has devoted much of his time and attention to the various civic and public offices of which he has been incumbent since his retirement from active business. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 3 On the Gth of October, 1864, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Brevillier to Miss Charlotte M. Walther, daughter of the late Jacob Walther, of Erie, and of this union have been born four sons, all of whom are actively identified with business interests in Erie. Frederick A., who married Miss Katharina E. Conrad is secretary of the Erie Brewing Company; Charles G. is one of the representative members of the bar of his native county and is engaged in the practice of his profes sion in the city of Erie; Arthur W., who married Miss Eda W. Conrad, is secretary and treasurer of the Morse Iron Works; and Edwin H. is identified with the Union Iron Works. In studying a clean-cut, sane, distinct character like that of Frederick Brevillier interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation. His character is the positive expression of a strong nature, and he has made his life count for good in all its relations. In his home city he is veritably surrounded by "troops of friends" and by other gracious influences which make for the gaining and holding of the "durable satisfactions" of life. Edwin Walker, president of the Erie Specialty Company, is one of the best known citizens of the city. He is a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and descended from hardy pioneers of the Key stone State, his ancestors occupied a prominent place in the development of Northeastern Pennsylvania also having been noted woodsmen and Indian fighters in the early days of the commonwealth. His great- great-grandfather, as well as several other members of the Walker family, met death at the hands of Indians, some of them in the historic Wyoming Massacre. His great-grandfather was last seen when starting out on a hunting trip from which he never returned ; he was supposed to have been killed by Indians or lost in the wilderness as his fate was never known. He left but two sons at his death, one of whom drifted into the wilds of Canada and was never heard of thereafter by his family ; the other, William Walker, became a rugged pioneer, passing through many hardships and exciting experiences. He was a fine specimen of manhood, nearly six feet in height and proportioned accordingly. His wife, Amanda Granger, was a descendant of the family whose members have figured in the history of the country since 1640, at which time Launcelot Granger, the progenitor of this family in America, came to Massachusetts from England. Since this time, men of the name have figured in every war from King Philip's to the present time, and in times of peace have shown their ability in all the walks of life, in the professions, politics and commercial affairs. At the time Launcelot Granger returned to England to secure his share of his father's estate, he met an adventure that might well have resulted disastrously to one of a less brave and intrepid nature. After securing his patrimony, which he secreted about his person, he proceeded toward the nearest seaport, intending to embark immediately for America; as night overtook him, he thought it advisable to repair to an inn, but when he reached one he was able to see at once that it was of an unsavory character, so he felt safer in continuing his journey, although the landlord of the inn urged him to rest there for the night, warning him of danger from highwaymen. He had not proceeded far on his way when he saw in the moonlight two masked figures by the roadside, who peremptorily halted him and demanded his money or his life; though armed only with a loaded cane, while the highwaymen had 4 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY broadswords, he offered to fight them singly, and after a short parley they agreed to this; one stepped forth, his broadsword to be used against the loaded cane. Launcelot Granger was an expert with the broadsword, and was of such alertness as soon to send his adversary to earth with a blow on the head that made him drop in his tracks and never stir again. Upon this unexpected outcome of the encounter, the other miscreant took to his heels, and Launcelot pushed on to the next village and informed the authorities of what had taken place. When the mask was lifted from the face of the dead highwayman, it was discovered that he was a man of considerable prominence in the village, supposed to be a respectable citizen. Upon his return to America, Launcelot Granger settled on what is known as Kent's Island, near Newburyport, Massachusetts, and there built a house which stood until 1884, and his descendant above named, Edwin Walker, now has in his possession some of the bricks which were used in building the fireplace, and which were brought from England. Though not a Puritan himself, Launcelot Granger lived among these people, and the high regard in which he was held by his neighbors, as well as his personal worth and uprightness of character are shown by the fact that for his wife he won the daughter of a Puritan, whose first American ancestor was Deacon Hanchett, who settled in Boston, in 1634. When the Connecticut Valley was opening up, Launcelot Granger decided to locate there, so started to make the journey with an ox team and took one cow along, to what was then considered the far west, then full of hostile Indians. King Philip's war, a few years later, made it necessary for the women and children around Suffield, Connecticut, where the Granger family settled, to take refuge at West- field, Massachusetts, while the men took up arms against the Indians. Launcelot Granger, who commanded a company, was wounded in one of the encounters. When peace was restored, the family again took up their residence at Suffield, and a house was built there which is standing to the present day. From Launcelot Granger have descended families who settled in all parts of New England, and later in the region west and south. Amanda Granger, grandmother of Edwin Walker, came with her parents to central New York, when young. The father of Edwin Walker, George Walker, a native of Owego, New York, and reared in Pennsylvania, was a man of very large stature and great strength, as well as superior mental attainments. He was a well read man and an earnest student of the Bible, with which he was thoroughly familiar; he was also a deep thinker along other lines, and kept himself well-informed on all the leading questions of the day. Though in early life he was imbued with the idea that there was no hereafter, he later became a convert to the spiritualistic faith, of which he became a strong exponent, and into the realms of which he made deep research. Until the date of his marriage he resided in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, but afterwards removed to Southeastern Michigan, making the journey thereto by way of the Erie Canal, thence by boat to Detroit, and from that city to the interior of the state by means of the old fashioned "prairie schooner." The climate of Michigan, however, was not agreeable to him, and manv in the locality suffered from the prevailing chills and fever, which also claimed Mr. Walker for a victim, so he returned to Pennsylvania settling at Towanda. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 5 George Walker was an expert mechanical engineer, bridge-builder and millwright; in 1851 he planned and built the bridge across the Susquehanna River at Towanda, which is standing at the present time, and he built many other bridges in that section of Pennsylvania, as well as in Western New York. In 1856 Mr. Walker removed to Hamburg, Erie county, New York, and at that location and throughout the surrounding country built large flouring mills, mostly run by water. He foresaw the early necessity in utilizing the natural resources of the county's water powers, so made an extensive research and study with a view to obtaining the greatest amount of power from the fall of water which resulted in his discovery of the action of water and formulas for determining the lines of turbine water-wheels to obtain the highest per centage of power from the water, this was his greatest work and to this date there is no evidence that any one else has discovered the same since. His discovery was put into practical and successful use in build ing turbines, but owing to his death was never made general use of. His plans and formulas are extant but not in operation at present. Now that water powers are proving so valuable owing to electric power being so extensively used, it is the intention of his sons to put his valuable discoveries into general use, thereby saving the great waste of power under present conditions. His wife, Mary McMicken, was the daughter of William and Mary (Bathrick) McMicken. Her great-grandfather McMicken was a scout in the Revolutionary war and was killed by the Indians while making observations from the top of a stump. His first wife died on the ocean when on the way to this country. The McMicken family were of Scotch descent, and early settlers in Eastern Pennsylvania ; the American ancestor first settled in Connecticut. Mary Cleveland Bathrick, mother of Mrs. McMicken, was first cousin to Moses Cleve land, founder of Cleveland, Ohio. George Walker died in 1889, .at Hamburg, from lagrippe, and his widow died about four weeks later. Here their only daughter, Miss Eliza I. Walker, and remaining son, Mr. Frank Walker, sister and brother of Edwin Walker of this sketch, now reside. Edwin Walker was born at Sheshequin, Pennsylvania. He spent his boyhood at Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and at Hamburg and Springville, New York; his parents removed to the last-named place about 1858, in order to secure for their children better educational advantages, the town affording an academy, which is now known as Griffith Institute. After spending ten years at this place, during which time Edwin finished his education, they returned to Hamburg. As a boy he evinced a genius for mechanics and invention, and when a young man constructed a bicycle, with the assistance of his father, using as guide designs and descriptions published in the "Scientific American," which was the first bicycle ever seen by him, and which he became an adept at riding, winning many hotly contested races on this wheel. He also constructed a mud-guard for his machine, which was of his own invention, and same as the guard with which all modern bicycles are fitted. Mr. Walker left home at the age of twenty-one years, his first employment being at Silver Creek, near Dunkirk, New York, for a concern manufacturing flour-milling machinery; in a short time he be came superintendent of another plant in the town in the same line of manufacture, and remained with them until 1880, when he removed to Erie. In Erie he entered the employ of Sterns Manufacturing Com- 6 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY pany, as draughtsman and pattern-maker, and later became employed in a similar capacity by Taper Sleeve Pulley Company, and later by Skinner & Wood Engine Company. His first independent business venture, in 1883, was in the manufacture of tools under the firm name of the E. Walker Tool Company, his plant being on Eighteenth street, in the plant of the Noble Sewing Machine Company, and later he bought a plant on West Fourth street, near State, which is now used by the Erie Lithographing Company. At this time E. Walker Tool Company was reorganized and incorporated as a stock company, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and in 1888 Mr. Walker severed his connection with the company, shortly after which he organized what is now the Erie Specialty Company, on an upper floor of what was then Reifle Pump Works plant, on West Twelfth street; the business was a partner ship affair, consisting of Benjamin B. Brown, present collector of the port of Erie, T. A. Thomas, and Mr. Walker, as equal partners. Three years later Mr. Walker bought out the interests of his partners, and took as partner Z. T. Brindley, at the same time changing the name of the firm, which was Erie Specialty Manufacturing Company, to Erie Specialty Company. In 1902 the business was incorporated, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, and Mr. Walker's son, Clarence L. Walker, became the third stockholder and an officer of the company. October, 13, 1908, Mr. Walker purchased the holdings of stock belonging to Mr. Brindley, and since this time all the stock has been held by him and his immediate family. Mr. Walker has natural gifts in the lines of inventor, mechanic, manufacturer and salesman, in combination with great executive ability and business acumen. He has a thorough knowledge of all details of his business, and is equally efficient in the office, the factory or on the road as salesman, a combination rarely found in one individual. The large enterprise over which he presides has been completely under his control from the beginning, and its policies shaped and executed by him. He has taken out some fifty or more patents, all his own inventions, covering articles and appliances which are leaders in their lines, and find a ready market not only in all parts of the United States, but in foreign countries as well. They are in the lines of sundries for hotels and kitchens, hardware articles, soda water specialties, and metal advertising contrivances, all of which are manufactured at the Erie plant on West Twelfth street. The company occupies a three-story brick building, covering three hundred sixty-five square feet, modern in con struction, and containing special automatic machinery, all designed and constructed by Mr. Walker and his son. The Erie Specialty Company is very successful as a business enterprise, and ranks anion" Erie's leading industries, while its guiding and controlling spirit, Edwin Walker, has long been accorded a place among the city's most enterprising and progressive manufacturers. Besides managing the affairs of the factory Mr. Walker gives his personal attention to the sale of their products' spending considerable time in visiting the large trade centers of the country, in search of trade. Though busy in the interest of his business ventures, Mr. Walker finds time to spend in the interest of his fellow- citizens, and the progress and development of the city and its institutions and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade. In physical characteristics Mr. Walker inherits the fine frame and figure of the Walker family, but has inherited to a remarkable decree HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 7 the features of the Granger family. So strong is his resemblance to them, in fact, that when he paid a visit to the old Granger home at Suffield, Connecticut, on being introduced to a man who had ten genera tions before branched from the Granger family, the two men bore such a striking likeness to each other as to be immediately noticed, and frequently commented on. Before Mr. Walker's identity was known in the town, several old inhabitants recognized in him a descendant of the Granger family. Edwin Walker married, in 1871, Edith May Wight, born at Sheri dan, New York, and reared from early childhood at Silver Creek, same state. Her father, Amos Wight, who died at Fredonia, New York, at the age of seventy-six years, was a man of unusual gifts, being author, poet, artist and newspaper man. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker are: Clarence L., of whom further mention is made; Jessie, who married Miles Sterrit, of Erie; Mary G., married Albert Steiner, of Erie ; Edith May died- at the age of four years ; Bertha E., living at home; and Irene, who resides with her parents. Clarence L. Walker, treasurer and superintendent of the Erie Specialty Company, is one of Erie's well-known young manufacturers. He was born at Silver Creek, New York, November 15, 1871, and educated in the common schools and commercial college. Since com pleting his education he has been identified with the business interests of his father who finds in him an able assistant in the conduct of his affairs. He also is a member of the board of trade. Mr. Walker married Alice, daughter of John and Anna (Webber) Strucken, both natives of Germany. The father was born in 1831 and the mother, who was born in 1830, died in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Walker became parents of one son, Clarence Edwin, July 4, 1906. Winter J. Olds. "Jesse" Olds, the proprietor of the Union City Greenhouse, represents a family well-known in Erie county. The Olds family is of English origin, but was established in the colonies as early as 1669, the founder of the American line being Dr. Robert Old (also written Ould), who, according to colonial records, resided in Windsor and Suffield, Connecticut, from 1669 to 1728, and whose third son, Mindwell Old, was the first white child born in Suffield. Robert Old was the father of fourteen children, thirteen of whom were sons, and at least ten of these sons grew to manhood. There was little of "race suicide" among the early Olds families as the official records of the state of Massachusetts contain the names of more than twenty members of this family who bore honorable part in the early Indian and French wars, and of more than fifty of this name who served in the Revolu tionary war. The direct ancestor of the Erie county Olds families was Captain William Old, the sixth son of Robert Old, who lived in Brook- field, Massachusetts, where he was the first to organize and establish the public school system in that town, and the first public school was held in his home. Captain William Old took active part in the famous Cape Breton expedition in Queen Anne's war 1746-1747. The siege and capture of Louisburg, by this expedition was reckoned one of the most notable military events in history. The fourth son of Captain William Old was Ezekiel, who is on record as having been a sergeant in the French and Indian war in 1751, and a captain of Massachusetts troops at the siege of Boston and the 8 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY battle of Bunker Hill. He was also a member of the Committee of Cor respondence, Inspection and Safety, dying in the service in 1777. The sixth son of Captain Ezekiel Old was Phinehas, who settled about 1795 in Williamstown, Vermont, where he became eminent as one of the leading agriculturists of that part of the state. He was the father of thirteen children, seven of whom were sons, and four of these sons settled in Erie county. The eldest of these sons was Joel Olds, who came with a company from Vermont in the early spring of 1813. This Company were intending to go on to Ohio and settle in the "Western Reserve," but having camped overnight at a little settlement then or later known as Federal Hill (now within the city limits) a sudden thaw set in and the company having come on sleds or sledges found themselves unable to proceed on the bare ground and were constrained to settle in that immediate neighborhood — thus many good citizens were saved to the state of Pennsylvania who except for "ha.rd sledding" would have gone further west. Joel Olds settled about two miles south of the city near the old French Military road. He was followed some two cr three years later by the next younger brother, Asa Gilbert Olds, who settled on the Lake Pleasant road just where the P. & E. R. R. now crosses that highway. He became the father of the late L. W. Olds, for many years one of the leading residents of Erie City, Nelson Olds, late of Greene township, and Erskine Olds, late of the old homestead in Mill Creek township. A few years later came another brother, Elisha Olds, who settled on the next farm east while still later, in 1835, came Lewis, seventh and last son of Phinehas Olds. Lewis was born in Williams- town, Vermont, March 14, 1814, and located in Conneautville, where in 1840 he was married to Eunice V. Scovel, whose ancestry also dates back to the Revolutionary period and whose maternal grandfather was Col. John Titus, a member of Washington's staff, who by special act of Congress was granted a pension for gallant service. The children born of this union were Mary E., born April 7, 1850; Independence L., born July 4, 1852, at Conneautville; and Winter Jesse, born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, January 22, 1860. Winter J. Olds followed clerking during the first year of his business life, and coming to Union City in 1873 he has since made his home here. He is the present proprietor of the Union City Greenhouse, one of the leading establishments of its kind in Erie county. He is well versed in the germination and cultivation of flowers of every kind native to or grown in this climate, but he has made a specialty of the growing of chrysanthemums. His greenhouse contains ten thousand square feet of glass, and he receives orders from all parts of the United States, his trade extending as far as Oregon, Texas and Nova Scotia, and this extensive business has grown from his small gardening plant of 1882. On the 22d of January, 1889, Mr. Olds was married to Miss Evan geline Van Meurs, and they have had four children: Lewis W. born November 18, 1889 ; Mary E., deceased, was born September 4, 1892 • Hugh W. was born April 13, 1895; and John Alfred was born June 27, 1904. Mr. Olds votes with the Prohibition party, is one of the pioneers of that party organization in Erie county, and has served as secretary of the Prohibition county committee and is one of its strongest men and most efficient workers in the county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Royal Arcanum. Since 1884 his religious home has been with the Presbyterian church. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 9 Franklin Farrar Adams. Now a retired and deeply honored citizen of Erie, Franklin F. Adams was for half a century a leader not only in its business and industrial development, but in its municipal and civic progress. A pioneer in many things; ultimately successful in all his undertakings ; a careful, practical calculator, and yet a broad operator in all the affairs of his life — Mr. Adams is a typical New Englander, transplanted in his youth to the more stirring life of Pennsylvania, where his substantial and adaptable nature has developed into a type of man hood fully representative of the state and his home community. Ex- mayor of Erie, ex-president of its board of trade, for years at the head of some of its largest business and industrial enterprises — no man is more representative of past progress, present aspiration, and future ad vancement all along the line. Mr. Adams was born at Amherst, New Hampshire, on August 6, 1830, son of Levi and Lucy (Farrar) Adams, natives respectively of the Granite and the Green Mountain states. In early life his father was a merchant, subsequently keeping a hotel at Ipswich, New Hamp shire, and farming near that town, his death occurring on his homestead in the latter locality in 1834. Following the death of her husband, when Frank F. was but four years of age, the widow went to make her home with her father in Vermont. At the age of nine years the boy was apprenticed to a farmer to remain until he reached his twenty-first year, at the end of which service he was to receive one hundred dollars in money and a yoke of oxen. But his new home was not congenial to young Adams and at the end of a year his mother took him away. When he was twelve years of age the boy came to Pennsylvania and spent a year with his uncles, F. F., and A. J. Farrar, merchants at Waterford, this county. He then joined his uncle, Wheeler Farrar, of Boston, and, until 1848, resided on Mr. Farrar's farm at Lexington, Massachusetts. Then (in his eighteenth year) he left the Lexington farm and returned to Waterford, soon afterward buying the right for Pennsylvania for the manufacture and sale of a patent washing machine. This was the commencement of a long and remarkably successful career in this field. Mr. Adams began the manufacture of the washing machines at Waterford on a very small scale, first selling the finished product to the citizens of the village and surrounding country. A year later he sold his patent rights for $2,000, with which he went to Winchendon, Mass achusetts, where he purchased a machine for the manufacture of clothes pins. This he brought to Waterford and installed it at Middleton dam, on French creek, at which point was located the Hayes chair factory, and to which concern he sold his business a year later. He next began the manufacture of cheese boxes in Waterford. In equipping this factory he went to the state of Maine and purchasing a steam engine of a Kennebec river mill owner shipped it to Waterford. But the engine was delayed in transit and was finally frozen in the ice of the Erie canal. Impatient to get his box factory in operation, Mr. Adams de termined not to waste the winter, and so came to Erie and had the old firm of Senet and Barr make him an engine. Discovering, also, on the docks, a boiler that had been taken out of the steamer "Missouri," he purchased it and shipped it to. Waterford. Within thirty days his engine was complete, but he put in the balance of that winter in sawing lumber. In the spring, however, he began the making of cheese boxes and so continued for two years, when he sold his factory to H. H. 10 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Whitney. The Maine engine finally arrived, but he sold it to Walter Little, of Erie. After disposing of his cheese box factory, as a member of the firm of Phelps and Adams, Mr. Adams engaged in general merchandising at Waterford, but after an experience of about two years in this line sold his interest in the business. At about this time he was seized with the prevailing "Colorado gold fever," but his attack proved so light that it passed away in the establishment of a general store at Waterford which he called "Pike's Peak Store." This he conducted for about two years, when he sold it to a Mr. Oliver. In 1860 Mr. Adams came to Erie and took a clerical position in the wholesale grocery store of Johnson Bros., receiving a salary of $1,200 a year. He induced the firm to handle flour, put some of his own money into the venture, and received half the profits made on the sale of that commodity. A year later he left the firm and, with Casimer Seigel, engaged for about three months in the flour and feed business, when Mr. Adams bought the bakery of Dodd Goodrich, on the corner of Fifth and Sassafras streets, at the same time opening and operating a "variety" store on State, near Fifth street. Knowing nothing about baking Mr. Adams went to Buffalo in quest of a practical baker, and in that city met William S. Sands, then about eighteen years old, whom he brought back to Erie in that capacity. Their division of labor was as follows : young Sands would go to work at three o'clock in the morning baking rolls which Mr. Adams would load, hot and crispy, into the two-wheeled cart he had bought in Buffalo, and, ringing a large bell, would peddle his goods over the city in time for breakfast. That was the first time the people of Erie were supplied with hot rolls for breakfast from an outside source, and, so far as history goes, the last time. In his variety store, Mr. Adams established the first ice cream parlor in Erie, and also the first depot for the sale of fresh oysters in cans. He also manufactured candy in large quantities and put men and wagons on the road to sell his goods all over northern Pennsylvania. After becoming firmly established in this business his plant was destroyed by fire with considerable loss, but he removed across the street to the southeast corner of Fifth and State streets and con tinued there for about two years, when he sold out to Benar and Burgess. In the course of a year, however, he opened another store on North Park Row, where he remained for about two years, and next removed to State street near Eighth. There he established another bakery in connection with his variety store, also continuing the ice cream parlor. While at that location a man came to Erie with a patent driven well, the rights of which he tried to sell Mr. Adams. Of course it was a new thing and Mr. Adams was skeptical, naturally remaining unconvinced when the experiment made in the rear of the store was a failure. Mr. Adams, therefore, refused to purchase and the man departed to Corry, this county, in his search for a purchaser, leaving the pipe in the ground where it had been sunk. Then Mr. Adams investigated and experi mented himself, and for a change drove the pipe into the gravelly soil ir. front of the store with the result that it brought water. When the man returned to Corry still anxious to sell the rights in Erie county at any cost, Mr. Adams secured them for about one hundred dollars "taken out in trade." After several demonstrations in different parts of the county the purchaser began selling township rights, and in about a month's time cleared about $3,500 on the well. Later, Mr. Adams HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 11 removed his store to the old Noble (now Penn) block, Eighth and State streets, and there continued for two years, when he sold his business to George Barr. In the meantime Mr. Adams had conceived the idea of engaging in the manufacture of patented articles, and finally made arrangements with the late M. N. Lovell and a Mr. Walker as partners to carry out his plans. They erected a brick factory one door south of the corner of Eleventh and State streets, installed the necessary machinery and began the manufacture of washing machines, step and extension ladders, etc. After the plant was in full operation, Mr. Adams entered into' a contract with A. H. Franciscus, a wealthy carpet merchant of Phila delphia, whereby that gentleman was to be furnished with one hundred and fifty thousand washing machines to be delivered at the rate of one hundred per day, Mr. Franciscus to have the sole right of sale for the United States. -At the appointed time shipment of the machines began as agreed upon and continued until Mr. Franciscus, failing to dispose of them by sale as rapidly as anticipated, countermanded the order. Mr. Adams called on him, made a reduction in the price of the machines, and the deal continued, but not for long, as finally the contract was rescinded by the payment of $5,000 to Mr. Adams and his partners. The machines thus being left on his hands, Mr. Adams began a selling campaign throughout the county by disposing of sale rights in different localities ; and so successful was he in this venture that the machines brought greater returns than if the contract with the Philadelphia mer chant had been carried out. Mr. Adams' next move was to build the F. F. Adams factory on Cherry street, near Fourteenth, where the manufacture of the different articles was continued. In the meantime both Mr. Walker and Mr. Lovell had withdrawn from the business; but on the completion of the new factory Mr. Lovell returned and Messrs. T. W. and C. W. Farrar were received as partners. Sometime later Mr. Lovell again withdrew and was succeeded by Mr. Adams' son, Charles F. The business flour ished, became highly successful and remunerative to all interested. In 1880 the factory, after having been enlarged by the addition of another story, was destroyed by fire, at a loss of upwards of $80,000, covered by insurance, however. The company began at once to rebuild and until the completion of the new plant small factories were rented, in different parts of the city, and manufacturing operations were scarcely inter rupted. The enterprise met with strong competition from large concerns all over the country; suit was brought by rivals for infringement and much expensive litigation ensued ; but Mr. Adams and his partners met the opposition at all points and continued a successful business. In 1888 was formed the American Wringer Company to which the F. F. Adams Company sold its business for $330,000, its founder at that time owning a three-fifth's interest. The Erie plant was then closed, and Mr. Adams retired from active business. In 1886, Mr. Adams purchased the Hoskinson farm of one hundred acres, just east of the city on the Lake road, and there he spends his summers. It may be added that he recently sold fifty acres of this tract to the General Electric Company for its projected plant, for which he received one thousand dollars an acre. Mr. Adams always took an active and prominent part in public affairs, and in 1885 was elected mayor of the city, but ill health made it necessary for him to resign after he had served about a year and a 12 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY half of his term. He has also served as president of the board of trade, of which he is yet a member ; is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and for fifteen years was president of the Humane society. He is a Mason of high degree. Reared from boyhood as a Universalist, Mr. Adams has long been very active in the local church at Erie. In 1854 Mr. Adams married Martha A., daughter of William Lowell. His wife was born in Jamestown, New York, in 1836, and died at Erie in 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams the following children were born; Charles F., Jennie F. and Frankie, the two last named being deceased. As already stated, the status which Mr. Adams holds at Erie is that of a representative citizen, but the fact should be emphasized that he stands for its best type not for his strength and ruggedness of char acter alone. He has struggled manfully against great material obstacles and forged on to success, but he has not thereby become proud, hard and autocratic. He is a man of too much breadth and depth for that. On the contrary the struggles along the hard road have mellowed him and made him kind and charitable toward his toiling, stumbling fellows, and this combination it is, more than all else, which has given him the enviable standing he now enjoys. Erastus B. Lipton, retired, is one of the well known citizens of Erie and for years was esteemed one of the most expert accountants of this section of the state. A native of Pennsylvania, born at Milesburg, Center county, on September 29, 1832, he is a son of Samuel Lipton, also a native of that county, born in 1801. The grandfather, Robert Lipton, was a native of Ireland who came to Center county in the seventeenth century. Fie was a farmer and was also interested in iron works, in connection with the Curtins (father of Governor Curtin) owning a num ber of furnaces. As a young man, Samuel learned the trade of shoemak ing which he followed for a number of years, and subsequently engaged both in mercantile and lumbering pursuits. The latter business was mainly conducted on the Susquehanna river, in Center and Clearfield counties in connection with Governor Bigler. Grandfather Lipton mar ried Anna Maria Hoover, a native of Center county born in 1802, daugh ter of Jacob Hoover, also born in that county, of German ancestry. Sam uel Lipton died March 20, 1850, and his widow passed away March 2, 1877, mother of the following: Robert, deceased; James H., who re sides in Kansas; Nancy Jane, who married William McMean and re sides in Center county, Pennsylvania; Theodore, deceased; E. B., of this sketch; John H., Anna Eliza, Samuel and David A. P., all deceased- Edwin, who resides in Oregon, and Mary Clara, also dead. Mr. Lipton, of this biography, was reared in Center county and received his education in its common schools, and at Allegheny College. As a lad, he clerked in his father's store, his collegiate course being pursued after the death of the senior Mr. Lipton. In 1852, when twenty years of age, Erastus went out to California, spending about eighteen months in Sonoma and Napa counties. Returning to Center county he became successively associated with an uncle and two brothers (Robert and James) in the lumber business. In 1856 he located in the northern part of Iowa, where he remained until 1862 returning then to Center county and for two years being a clerk in the office of prothonotary, then held by his uncle, at Bellefonte. In 1864 he came to Erie at the invitation of J. Johnston, taking charge of his books and remaining with the house after it became Johnston and Brevillier. Later he acted as HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 13 bookkeeper for Clemens, Caughey and Burgess, grocers, and subsequent ly for W. L. Scott and Company and the Stearns Manufacturing Com pany. Mr. Lipton was then connected with a bank at St. Petersburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania. Returning from the latter place in May, 1800, he assumed a position as bookkeeper for the Jarecki Manufacturing Company, at the time mentioned Henry and Charles Jarecki being at the head of the works. For twenty-seven years Mr. Lipton remained as head bookkeeper for that company, retiring in 1907 on account of ill health. In 1862 Mr. Lipton. was married to Martha R. Pruden, who was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Isaac Pruden, an early settler of that section. She died in 1904, at the age of sixty-three, mother of the following: — Cora N., who resides with her father; Anna M., wife of James D. Hay; Emma, deceased; John H., bookkeeper with the Jarecki Manufacturing Company; and Ada, who married A. W. Milne, treasurer of the Ball Engine Works. Mr. Lipton is one of the oldest and most honored business men of- Erie, his entire life being a fine and striking illustration of faithfulness and efficiency. A Democrat in politics, he has been too busily engaged performing the legitimate duties assigned him to engaged in politics, and, in retirement, has no in clination to enter the field. William S. Brown. The late William Saltsman Brown, who died in his native city of Erie in his eighty-second year, was both a remark able and a thoroughly good man. There are few who have been con nected with the founding and up-building of the place who have made so fine a record as he, in so many active and practical fields. In the founding of railroads and elevators, in the administration of the public service, in the development of the common school system and in the support of worthy charities, his strong, clear mind and generous, warm heart were ever constant influences always working for the substantial and higher interests of the city to which he was so firmly attached. His noble wife, who survived him less than two months, was even more a pioneer and a leader than he himself, in the establishment and promotion of not a few of Erie's most worthy charities. Mrs. Brown will be long remembered with gratitude and love as one of the founders of the Home for the Friendless, the true mother of the Bethel Mission and to the last, an ardent and unfaltering promoter of not only their ad vancement but of the general progress of practical charity and philan thropy in her community. William S. Brown was born in the old Brown block, on French street, opposite the Reed House, on November 20, 1826, his father, Sam uel Brown, being a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, born in 1796. The Brown family came to America in 1736, settling in Berks county at an early day. Samuel located in Erie in 1822, and there became a man of prominence. There he also married Elizabeth Saltsman, born in 1800, at Wesleyville, just east of Erie, William Saltsman, her father, was a native of Pennsylvania, son of Anthony Saltsman (who was killed by the Indians on the Susquehanna river) and first came to Erie county in 1796, being well known as one of its surveyors. Settling here permanent ly in 1800, he married Jane Stephenson and died in 1865, his wife passing away in the following year. It may be stated as one of the early and noteworthy events in the life of William S. Brown that he was the first child baptized in the First 11 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Presbyterian church of Erie. He was educated at the Erie Academy and at the age of fourteen years was ready to enter Princeton College, but because of business reverses which his father suffered, he enrolled him self as a world's worker at this time instead of a college student. At first he became a clerk for his uncle and three years later entered the Erie postoffice in a like capacity. Later he assumed a position in the office of General Reed and thus became an associate of the late Flon. W. L. Scott and the ties of intimacy and friendship thus formed, death alone terminated. It was at this period of his railroad career that Mr. Brown became a member of the committee which received Zachary Taylor, then lately returned from the Mexican war, who came to Erie county to participate in the celebration of "Perry Day" in 1849. In 1851 Mr. Brown became the local agent of the Erie & North East Railroad (now the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern) and later continued that office with that of treasurer, being thus identified with the railroad for many years. He was prominent during the "railroad war" and in 1865 be came superintendent of the Erie & Pittsburg Railroad, having previous ly been a director of the old Oil Creek Railroad. In 1866, with Orange Noble, Joseph McCarter and Henry Shannon, Mr. Brown built the first elevator in Erie, an enterprise which was the beginning of the Erie and Western Transportation Company, now the Anchor Line The elevator property was afterward sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and Mr. Brown's active interest in railroads closed at that time. As agent at Erie he had charge of the train which carried Abraham Lincoln through Erie on his way to this first presidential inauguration and in 1865 he had charge, in the same capacity, of the train which bore the remains of the martyred president through Erie toward Springfield, Illi nois. He was brought prominently before the public, in 1876, in con nection with the great Ashtabula railroad wreck, being selected to as sist in the settlement of claims against the Lake Shore Railroad. During President Grant's first term, Mr. Brown's name was sent to the United States senate for confirmation as collector of revenue for his district. Senator Cameron was his sponsor; the appointment (quite un solicited) was unanimously confirmed and he resigned the office after holding it about eighteen months, subsequently serving as deputy col lector of customs of the Erie port for four years under the administration of Presidents Taylor and Fillmore. At a later date Mr. Brown had a personal acquaintance with Grant, Conkling and other men of national note. Locally, he served for eleven years on the Erie school board ; but in still later years he lived in retirement, his only active participation be ing in connection with his directorship of the Second National Bank, with which institution he had long been identified. On October 10, 1845, Mr. Brown married Rosena, the daughter of the late Joseph and Sallie (Shattuck) Winchell, of Erie. The Winchells, who were of English origin, first settled in New England, and then in New York state, migrating to Erie at an early date. Her mother was born at Harborcreek, Erie county. Mrs. Brown was educated in Erie and, even as a young girl, was active in church work. As stated she was one of the founders of the Home for the Friendless and an ardent pro moter of its interests, as well as the founder of the Bethel Mission. On October 10, 1903, Mr. and Mrs. Brown celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the old Brown home, No. 831 Peach street, where they had lived during the entire fifty years. At that time they were the onlv couple living who were born in Erie. Mr. Brown died July 24, 1908, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 15 his widow surviving him only until September 19th following. They had become the parents of three children. Andrew Scott, the eldest, was born February 11, 1855 ; educated in the Erie schools and at Lafayette College and began his railroad career as cashier of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad at Erie. He then became identified with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at Denver, Colorado, and subsequently with the general traffic department of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail way at Chicago. Benjamin Bruce, the second child, was born January 22, 1859. He was educated in the public schools and at Erie Academy and was engaged in the wholesale iron business as a member of the firm of Brown and Thomas from 1879 to 1906. Benjamin B. Brown was ap pointed collector of the port in 1895, which position he has since held, as well as that of custodian of federal properties in Erie. He is a mem ber of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Erie Club, of all the Masonic bodies, and the Elks, now serving on the building association of the latter order. His wife (nee Sophia Dinsmore) was born in Erie and is a daugh ter of W. W. and Amy (Bliss) Dinsmore. They have one daughter, Amy Dinsmore Brown. Mary, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Brown, is the wife of Commander George R. Clark, United States Navy. -August -Albert Schutte, of Erie, one of its leading business men of the younger generation, of late has attained special prominence as a grocer — so much so, that he was selected as a delegate from the local association to the last annual convention of his business associates. Mr. Schutte was born at No. 1041 West Fifth street, Erie, December 17, 1868, but has lived at No. 926, on that thoroughfare, for the past thirty- five years. Consequently he may be said to be fairly settled in the city of Erie. August Schutte, the father, was one of the city's early promi nent German citizens, who for many years was closely identified with its business and public life. He was a native of Hanover, Germany, born in 1827, and came to the United States and to Erie about 1847. Four brothers emigrated to this country at the same time, the only one alive being Frederick, a resident of Erie. August was engaged in various lines of business in the city, being a wholesale dealer in fish, a restaurant keeper, and for many years a constable in the Fourth ward. He was also at one time in the clothing business, associated with Captain Frank Wagner. August Schutte served in the Civil war as a member of Com pany I, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He married Caroline Ludwig, at Erie, the wife being born in Helmstadt Baden, Germany, and still living in her seventy-fifth year. The father died in 1875 from long-continued inflammatory rheumatism originally contracted during the war. The deceased was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church. Four of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. August Schutte are still living, as follows : — Charles W., a resident of Erie; Carrie, who married Albert Henderson, a former Erie county man who now lives in Buffalo, being at the time the widow of John E. Graham; August A., of this sketch; and William L., also an Erie citizen. August A., of this sketch, was reared in Erie and attended the public schools of that city until the age of thirteen years, when he and his broth er William entered the Pennsylvania Soldiers' Orphans School, at Mercer. At this writing Mr. Schutte is president of the school organization known as the "Sixteeners" for the year 1909, of eighteenth reunion of ex-stu dents which will be held at Mercer, Wednesday and Thursday of the 16 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY third week in August. These are the permanent dates for the reunion, or conventions, which are attended by former students from all sections of the country, in which list is included a substantial array of leading citizens. The old school itself is now out of existence. Before he was thirteen years of age, August A. Shutte had gone to work in the old rolling mills, and, upon returning from his schooling at Mercer, he secured employment with J. E. Patterson in what was then called the "99-cent Store." He ultimately joined the revenue cutter "Perry" as a wardroom boy, in which capacity he served two years, and was then wardroom steward for two years. All-in-all he devoted five years to the lake service, the last two years with the merchant marine. Mr. Schutte was married in 1889 and then spent several years as a clerk, a portion of the time for John Shields, whose store was at Fourth and Myrtle streets. The following year he was janitor of the No. 10 public school, after which, for three years, he was connected with the grocery store of .Levi Roland, and for five years with the John Scorlett Grocery Company. In 1900 he established his own grocery at No. 928 East Sixth street where he continued for three years, and then removed to Ninth and German streets. After remaining at the latter location for four years he removed to his present place, No. 408 State Street. In all justice to Mr. Schutte's present high standing as a business man, and his steady advancement, it should be added that he has nothing to thank except his own preseverance, ability and honor. He is not only the founder and owner of a fine business, but holds valuable city real estate and enjoys a reputation as substantial as it is honorable. In 1889 Mr. Schutte married Miss Frank B. Jordan, who was born in Harbor Creek township, Erie county, daughter of Warren W. Jor dan, also a native of that township. When a boy of sixteen the latter enlisted in the Eighty-third Pennsylvania Regiment Volunteer Infantry. He married Matilda Roberts and both are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. August A. Schutte three children have been born as follows : Ethel, De cember 22, 1891; Albert A., December 22, 1894; and F Harold, May 9, 1906. He is an active member of the Grocers' Association and the' Busi ness Men's Exchange. He served as a delegate from the former body to the annual grocers' convention held at New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1908 and is first alternate delegate to the 1909 convention of the Mer chants' Association, to be held at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and although a Republican has never been a politician. His grocery is one of the most up-to-date in the city and he carries not only a large and complete stock but his furniture and fixtures are of the best. He employs four clerks and keeps three delivery wagons in constant motion. Mr. Schutte is one of the original stockholders in the Erie Wholesale Grocery Company and has an interest in the Mutual Ice Company. Frank W. Laird, a well-known citizen and member of the general contracting firm of Laird Brothers, son of Wilson and Helen (Sloan) Laird, was born in the Third ward, in Erie,, April 7, 1868. His father was born in Erie, February 29, 1825, and was the son of Thomas Laird, who was an early settler, and conducted one of the early taverns of Erie, one the site of the present office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, on the Northwest corner of Eighth and State streets Wilson Laird was one of Erie's leading attorneys, and his fellow citizens honored him by electing him three times to the office of mayor of the <^KCLri?-o-oLU; and Robert Sterrett. William and Jane (Morrow) Sterrett removed to Cumberland county about 17 50 and settled on the Barrens north of l!ig Springs, where he acquired considerable land. He held the office of sheriff and overseer of the poor for several terms and reared a family of seven children : Robert, who married Margaret Mc- Comb, and came to Erie county in 1804 and settled on four hundred acres of land in the north-west corner of McKean township, two hundred acres of which has ever since remained as the Sterrett homestead ; James, whom we will refer to again ; William ; Thomas ; Jane, who became the wife of William Trimble; Mary, the wife of James McKnight and Eliz abeth who married a Mr. Laird. James Sterrett, born in 1755, married Anna McKnight, who was born in 1760, and, engaged in farming in Cumberland county until 1807, when he sold his fine farm of four hundred acres there, and came to Erie county in June of that year ; they came across the mountains with two four horse wagons and one two horse wagon for grandma and the children to ride in ; they cut their way through the forests and camped out at night. The village of Sterrettania was named after the wife of James "Sterrett Anna" who died March 30, 1815, he died October 15, 1822, and they are buried in the Sterrett cemetery. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war ; their children were : Ann, who married George Clark, who are the parents of Robert, James, Samuel, David, Ann Eliza and Jane Clark ; William, who married Martha Chambers, and has HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 19 Chambers, James C, William, Benjamin, Ruth Ann, Louisa, Mary Jane, Martha R. and Ezekiel; James M., the tanner, who married Jane Spesser and they are the parents of James B., David, Joseph, William, Samuel, John Q. A., George L., of Erie, Caroline, Mary Jane, and Elizabeth; Jane, who became the wife of Sheldon Ball, and is the mother of Gideon, Ann, Maria C, Hermian, James and Eliza; David, whom we will refer to; Robert T., who married Mary Woods Stewart, and they are the parents of Woods, Jane, wife of David Clark, Eiiza, wife of Hon. Samuel E. Woodruff, James S., Martha, Sophia, David, Joseph, Harriet and Robert ; Thomas, who married Sibby Jenkins, and whose children are Mariah, Fanny Lucinda, Harriet Jane, Eliza, Charlie J., Clementine, and Rose; Samuel who married Lydia Kitsmiller.and has James, Joseph, Mary, Anna Levia, and Samuel ; Hon. Joseph M. Sterrett, who married Catharine Riblet, the founder of the Erie Gazette established January 15, 1820, associate judge for several years, postmaster of Erie from March 27, 1861, to April 8, 1869, county commissioner in 1829, was captain of the Erie guards in 1823, was elected to state senate in 1837, the parents of Mary Ann, Jane, Elizabeth, David, Catharine, Joseph, Henryetta and John Sterrett. David Sterrett, born March 30, 1789, returned to his native place and on March 23, 1815, married Mary Sterrett, born March 10, 1794, a daughter of Robert and Martha (Woods) Sterrett, a granddaughter of David and Rachel (Innis) Sterrett and a great-granddaughter of the Robert and Mary (Ramsey) Sterrett above noted. He and his bride returned to the old farm on horse-back by the way of Pittsburg, it taking them three weeks to make the journey; he built a sawmill and grist mill, in 1839, the latter of which is doing useful duty to this day. He cut down the timber in the primeval forest, which he sawed and seasoned, from which he built a large log house, in 1817, which still stands on the old farm. In 1828 he and his brother Thomas built a distillery which they operated for not more than six or seven years ; as according to his own statement "it was a hard proposition to make money trusting out whiskey." He donated the land for the grave-yard, the school house and the church ; the church was built by contract he having subscribed one hundred dollars and advanced most of the other subscrip tions only a small portion of which was ever paid him ; the use of the church land contained a clause designating that the church was to be used by any denomination but that the Presbyterians were to be given the first preference. During the war of 1812 he was an ensign in the state militia, and bore a part in that war. He brought the first cook stove into the county which he carted from Pittsburg by teams. He died on the old farm December 22, 1865, his widow survived him, making her home with her son Thomas until her death January 13, 1873. Their children in order of birth are as follows : Ann M., who became the wife of Rev. Hiram Norton, and had two children, Lysander and Mary Norton ; Brice Innis ; Martha J., who married Peter Wright ; James L. ; Rachel R., the wife of Charles Brockway, parents of Mary, Fred B. and Charles; Mary E. ; Andrew J., who was the county commissioner's clerk for seventeen years, he married Helen Brecht, they were the par ents of Ralph B., Reid G, Scott, Lysander N., Mack M., Andrew J.. Thomas G. and Ruth Ann ; Robert Woods, who married Mary Ann Sturgeon, has one son, David Innis ; Thomas, of whom further mention is made; Isabel, wife of Rev. A. Hall, the only survivor of this family; and David Brice Innis, who was a prominent attorney. 20 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Thomas, father of T. Woods, was born March 20, 1830, in the old log house above referred to and passed his life on the old farm which came into his possession, in 1868 he built a modern house opposite the old one. He was justice of the peace for nearly twenty-four years in succession, and it is said of him that he settled nearly every case brought before him; that he never had a decision reversed in the higher courts. For many years he was a private banker for his neighbors, who went to him with their financial matters. He was one of the best known men in the county, was thoroughly posted regarding the financial standing of nearly every man within a radius of many miles, had no desire to hold office yet held all the important offices in the township, was well posted in law matters and did considerable legal writing ; one could scarcely go by his door without seeing teams hitched there. He was one who dearly loved his home and his family, a feeling which was reciprocal. Our readers need not be reminded of the manner in which he performed his work, there was a method in his business ; a patience and affability in official intercourse ; an unobtrusive civility and endurance of labor, a courtesy of manner, and tenacity of memory, accuracy in figures and neatness of penmanship, and a vigilant interest in the public weal which were strikingly manifest, which especially fitted him for this work. His home like that of his parents and grandparents was one of liberal hos pitality. In all his long and eventful career no breath of suspicion ever sullied his fair name, he died February 20, 1898, respected bv all. His widow, whose maiden name was Nancy C. Sturgeon, was born November 3, 1838, and was the eldest child of Samuel C. and Martha C. (Eaton) Sturgeon, a granddaughter of Jeremiah and Jane (Moorehead) Sturgeon, and Jeremiah was a son of Samuel and Margaret Sturgeon. From early childhood she was instructed in the doctrines and duties of the Christian faith, in early life she became a member of the Fairview Presbyterian church, whose doctrines and usages she has cordially in dorsed. June 7, 1864, she was married and always cheerfully shared with her husband the toils, sacrifices and joys of his eventful life. In all the relations of domestic life in which she has been placed, she has been an honor to her sex, and, as the wife of a business man, was eminently useful. She now makes her home on the old farm with her son Theodore S. D. and reaps much pleasure visiting among her children who are always glad to have her with them. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Sterrett we record that Mollie M., wife of Samuel E. Persons, resides at Ripley, New York; Anna B., wife of Lorin Benjamin Cushman is a resident of North East, Pennsylvania ; Theodore Samuel David married a Miss Minnie M. Garver, and they are the parents of Esther, Thomas, Barbara and Emma and he now owns and occupies the old homestead.' He has filled the office of justice of the peace ever since the death of his father and is following the same work that his father laid down, which he is well prepared to perform; Charles James Johnson, deceased; Thomas Woods, whose name introduces this sketch ; and Fred Earl, who died in early life. T. Woods Sterrett received his education in the district school, and at an early age gave his attention to the study of architecture. For fifteen years he was engaged in general contracting. As already stated at the beginning of this sketch, he is doing a conveyancing and private banking business, and since 1902 he has filled the office of justice of the peace. Thus, in a measure, he has taken up the work laid down HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY *1 by his honored father, and is carrying on that work in a manner that entitles him to the representative place he holds in the community. Mr. Sterrett is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow, being a member of the Masonic Lodge at Girard, the chapter, commandery and Shrine at Erie, and consistory at Pittsburg. November 14, 1899, he married Miss Sarena May Kreider, who presides over his home. She too is a native of Sterrettania, and was born February 26, 1876, on the old Kreider farm which joins the Sterrett farm on the north. She is a daughter of Levi H. and Sarena Francis (Weidler) Kreider, grand daughter of John and Susan (Heidler) Kreider, and a great-grand daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rohrer) Kreider, who came to Erie county in 1829 from Lancaster county. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal church, also of the Eastern Star and Rebekahs. Mr. Sterrett in his researches has collected many relics, one of which he prizes the most is a piece of silk embroidered cloth which was a piece of the coat which his great-great-great-grandfather wore at the time of his migration to America. Charles H. Urick Sr., president of the Urick Foundry Company, of Erie, was born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of December, 1S49, and comes of a sturdy stock which has been established in that sec tion, of Pennsylvania for several generations. The maternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and the ancestry on both sides of the family is such as to account for the industrious, thorough and useful traits of character which have ever marked the personalities of the descendants. Mr. Urick is the son of Elias and Amanda (Atkins) Urick. His father was a hatter by trade and, after working for many years at Lebanon, he accumulated a small capital to establish his own business; but just as he had opened a place of his own, death claimed him. The widow died in Erie, the family moving to that city after Charles H. had become a resident of it. Mr. Urick. of this sketch, spent his 'boyhood days at Lebanon, in whose public schools he was educated, and at the age of sixteen he com menced work in a nut and bolt factory in that place. A year later he began to learn the trade of molding in the same establishment, and after following that occupation at Lebanon and other parts of the country until 1871, he became a resident of Erie and a molder for the Stears Manufacturing Company. In the following year he entered the employ of the Jarecki Manufacturing Company and in 1876 was promoted as foreman of its foundry department, continuing in that position of re sponsibility until 1893. In that year he was associated with the Walker Brothers in the establishment of the Walker foundry, of which he was superintendent until 1905. In February of that year he withdrew from the company and in the following April broke ground for the erection of the Urick foundry on Cherry street and the Lake Shore Railroad. With the incoropration of the Urick Foundry Company, he was elected president and treasurer while his sons became identified with it in the following capacities : W. J. UJrick, secretary ; W. J. U"rick and Charles H. LTrick Jr. (with Charles H. Urick Sr.), directors. The plant, which is strictly modern, covers an area of 165 by 300 feet, all the main build ings being of brick. The foundry proper is 90 by 96 feet, with an addi tion 30 by 69 feet. In another building, 60 by 64 feet, are the cleaning and engine rooms and the carpenter shop. The pattern storage room is 40 by 100 feet, and outside of these main structures are the office building, barns and sheds. The works employ an average of one hundred men, and 22 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the business has so expanded from Erie that it now covers northern Pennsylvania. Personally the senior member of the foundry company is thoroughly esteemed as one of the most skilled iron workers in the state which justly claims the best in the world, and in the broader field of business and manufactures he stands in the van. He is an influential member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and in his religious faith is a stanch Presbyterian. His wife, formerly Margaret Moran, is a native of Erie, a daughter of William and Bridget Moran, and mother of the following: William J. Urick, secretary of the Urick Foundry Company, who married Miss Marie Diefenbaugh, of Erie; Charles H. Jr., a part ner in the foundry company, who married Miss Florence Dunn, of that city ; and Earl, also identified with the foundry, whose wife was former ly Miss Edna Hunt, of Erie. John Ferdinand Decker. The Decker family, which has taken so leading a part in the development of the southwestern portion of Erie, is typical of that useful, practical and progressive German-American element which is so largely at the basis of the prosperity of the urban and agricultural committees of the middle west. Children and parents have all contributed to its progress, and especially John F., of this biography, who has resided in the county for fifty-three years and is recognized as the largest property holder in southwestern Erie and one of its most honored citizens. In fact, the entire city sees in him one of its most sturdy builders and most able and upright men. He is the owner of half a dozen business blocks and a score of residences ; has behind him many years of successes as a merchant, and has been active and promi nent in 'municipal and religious matters. He is, in a word, a rounded, wholesome German-American, proud of the liberal institutions of his adopted country, and contributing in every practical way, consistent with honor, to their advancement. The Decker family came from State Hesse, Germany, its pioneer member to come to the United States being Mary M., the eldest sister of John F., who became a resident of Erie in 1850. In 1862 she was joined by George, the eldest brother, and two years later came Jacob, another brother. In 1856 the parents, John Phillips and Eliza (Hufe) Decker, with their son, John F., and their daughters, Kate and Margaret, joined themselves to the Erie circle, and the household was then com pletely transferred to America, the last contingent landing at New York, and coming to Erie on the Erie and Lake Shore roads. The family first settled on the East Buffalo road, on a piece of land then owned by the late Dr. Brandis, near the shops of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad. About two years later they located on West Mill creek, between Swantown and Manchester, but a few year:, mereafter returned to the city, where the father died in 186y and the mother, in 1889. ' The parents were both members of the German Evangelical church. John F. Decker, of this biography, was born in the State Hesse, Germany, on the 13th of August, 1839, received his preliminary schooling in that part of Germany, and was fifteen years of age when he came with his parents and two sisters to the United States. His first work after coming to Erie county was in a paper mill near Swantown, and he had made some progress as a shoemaker's apprentice when he came to reside in the city in 1858 and entered the employ of Neibauer and Gross. Six months later, his health being threatened, he abandoned the trade HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 23 altogether ; then entered the employ of his brother George in the grocery business, and was thus engaged until he was twenty-one years of age. This proved an epoch in his life in more ways than the attainment of his majority; for he then established a grocery of his own, on Peach street between Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets, asserting his independ ence in business, as well as in all other affairs. At first he occupied rented quarters, but in a few years erected a brick store at No 1521 Peach street, in which he conducted his business during the period of the Civil war. In 1865 he sold his store and purchased the property at No. 427 West Eighteenth street which now covers the site of his present resi dence. The building of the car shops in the year mentioned suggested to Mr. Decker's good business sense the establishment of another grocery business at No. 431 West Eighteenth street, for which purpose he erected a store at that location. For nearly thirty years thereafter he continued in business in that locality, engaging in the grocery line for more than ten years, and in a general trade (embracing groceries, shoes and dry goods) during the latter portion of the period, until 1894. His more general store was conducted at Nos. 450 and 452 West Eighteenth street, although quite early he turned the grocery department over to his daugh ter, Kate M., retaining the dry goods, building a more commodious store and adding notions, wall paper and paint. In 1894 he turned over the latter business to his son, Edward J., who, five years later, erected his own store, the original enterprise being resumed by Mr. Decker and his son, Charles F. In 1905 the latter became its sole proprietor, and the elder man, the founder of so much of the substantial prosperity of south western Erie, retired from the field as an active merchant. As a property holder, however, he still retains his old-time position, being the owner of six stores (all brick except one), and all located on West Eighteenth street except one (on Walnut and Seventeenth streets), as well as fifteen or more residences in southwest Erie, a fine house on West Eleventh street and a piece of property on the corner of French and Twenty-first street. Air. Decker is best known to the people of Erie as an enterprising and successful business man, but there are other decided phases of his character. He is deeply interested in civic progress and, although his actual municipal service is confined to several years in the common council in the seventies, his advice in public matters has always been considered disinterested and valuable. He is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Lincoln, and remembers with gratitude that he was privileged to hear the solemn, quaint words of the great and simple man, while he was passing through Erie on his way to Washington and his inaugural. Mr. Decker is devoted to the faith of his forefathers — the Evangelical Lutheran — and has served as president, secretary and treasur er of St. John's church in Erie. The members of his family are also active in the work of that society. Mr. Decker's wife, to whom he was married August 14, 1860, was Miss Elizabeth Felenbaker, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and when only three years of age was brought by her parents to this county, first living on a farm and then removing to the city. The four children of this union were as follows: Kate M., who married Henry H. Strieker, a citizen of Erie; Emma, Mrs. Charles R Aichner, also of that city; Edward J., who married Emma Aichner, and Charles F., whose wife was Miss Anna Bierbauer, all residents of Erie. 24 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Christopher Bloeser, whose special position in the business com munity is treasurer of the Erie Wholesale Grocery Company, stands on a broad plane of public enterprise and citizenship. He is otherwise finan cially interested in various industries of a private and semi-public nature, and is one of the large property owners of the city. In the special field of his greatest prominence he has been an active figure for the past third of a century, the Erie Wholesale Company being virtually his crea tion. Mr. Bloeser is a native of Erie, the place of his birth being a house on French street, which is second from the corner of Thirteenth street, and his birthday, June 16, 1848. His parents, Christopher and Elizabeth (Boer) Bloeser, were both born in Germany, but commenced their resi dence in Erie when quite young. The father learned the carpenter's trade in that city and there followed it for many years, being one of the builders of the "locks on the old Erie canal. His death in 1869 resulted from an accident by which he fell from a railroad bridge. Mr. Bloeser's wife is a daughter of Laurence Boer, who, with his wife, located in Erie after the birth of the daughter mentioned, and died in the city at the age of ninety-three years. Mrs. Elizabeth Bloeser is not only still living at the age of ninety-one years, but remarkable to relate, is in the enjoyment of all her faculties. The six children born to this remarkable mother were as follows : Mary A., who is married ; Charles F., deceased, formerly of Erie ; Helen, also married, who is the wife of C. Kessler, of Erie ; Christopher, Jr., of this sketch; John S. and William, also both of that city ; and Anna, who resides in Erie and is the widow of Bruno Wieland. At the age of eleven years, Christopher Bloeser, who had been reared at Erie, went to work in Brown's Flotel at five dollars per month. His next employment was with Barney McGrapp, the clothier, and immediately after the Civil war, when he was in his eighteenth year, he became con nected with the grocery business of C. Kessler. He was successively employed in the same line and in the same building with Burton and Griffith, Ilurton and Wilkins and Mattheas Hartlet, and on April 1, 1876, he began his independent career as a grocer by opening his store on the corner of East Eighteenth and Holland streets. Fie has occupied the same location continuously ever since, and on June 1, 1906, chiefly through his exertions, was organized the Erie Wholesale Grocery Company. This was an outgrowth, or an offshoot, of the Erie Grocers' Association, each of which organizations has now- its separate field of business. Mr. Bloeser has been treasurer of the later company from the time of its organization. Fie is also financially interested in the Erie silk mills and the Mutual Telephone Company, and his successful business interests have brought him the abundant means which he has so largely invested in real estate. In his ventures of this character, also, his sound judgment of present conditions and future prospects has brought him into the fore ranks of property owners. Among his valuable pieces of city property are three residences and one business block on Eighteenth street, and one residence on East Nineteenth street. Mr. Bloeser is an active member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and the Erie Business Men's Ex change. His political affiliations are with the Democracy, in national affairs, while in local matters he votes according to his independent judg ment of men and measures. In his religious faith, he is a stanch Lutheran. Mr. Bloeser's wife was formerly Miss Elizabeth Koster, who was born in Erie and is a daughter of Laurence Koster, one of the well known merchants of the city, now deceased. Lillian and Clara, the two children by this marriage, are both at home. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 25 Daniel Mitchell McDannel, one of the best known citizens and business men of Erie, and vice president of the Erie Wholesale Grocery Company, is a native of that city, born in a house which stood on the site of his present home and grocery store at Nos. 906 and 908 East Sixth street, on the 7 th of October, '1861. He is the son of O. FI. P McDannel, who was born in East Mill Creek township, this county, about 1832, and the grandson of Daniel McDannel, one of the pioneers of the township named. The mother of Daniel M. was Alary Ann Nel son, a native of New York City born in 1842, whose father emigrated from Scotland and her mother, from Ireland — the former dying in the summer of 1903 and the latter still surviving. Daniel AI. McDannel was reared in East Mill Creek township (now the city) until he was about five years old, the parents then locating on a farm on the Buffalo road and still later founding the homestead on the East Lake road. The boy received his education in the public schools ; worked on the home farm until he was twenty years old, and then went to work in the shops of the Lovell Alanufacturing Company, Al. N. Lovell, its proprietor, being his uncle by marriage to his mother's sister. After remaining about four years in the shops, the youth rented a farm in Harbor Creek township and operated it for three years, re turning then to his home farm on the Lake road in East Mill Creek township, where he spent six years in agriculture connected both with general farming and gardening. He next farmed in Summit township for a time, and on January 16, 1896, located in Erie, purchased ground on East Sixth street, built a stone warehouse and engaged in the retail grocery business, which he has continued to successfully prosecute ever since. In August, 1906, he erected a large and handsome brick resi dence adjacent to his store, which is considered one of the most con venient and modern homes on East Sixth street. Speaking more in detail regarding his business, it may be stated that Air. McDannel has made a decided success of it, and now has the leading store of its kind in this section of the city, it having outlived several other groceries which were in the field long before his. He now employs three clerks and runs two delivery wagons. Air. AIcDannel and Christopher Bloeser were the prime organizers of the Erie Wholesale Grocery Company. They had firm faith in the enterprise, and worked steadily for it until now it is a complete success in every respect and is still growing in volume of business and importance. Air. AIcDannel was the second secretary of the company, succeeding William Heiss who had served six months. After holding that office for two years he was chosen to his present position, that of vice president of the company. His more extended commercial relations are as a leading member of the Business Men's Exchange and of the Erie Grocerymen's Association, and he has held the treasurership of the latter for the past nine years. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World and his politics may be classed as liberal Republican. On December 3, 1891, Air. AIcDannel married Miss Kate A. Root, who was born in Summit township, Erie county, June 30, 1870, daughter of Sidney and Rebecca (Eckert) Root, both citizens of Summit county. Her father came with his parents from Connecticut, the family making the overland journey in an old ox wagon. Air. and Mrs. Daniel M. McDannel have become the parents of the following children: Ruth, born October 10, 1896, and Ethel, born March 29, 1901. The parents are active members of the Alethodist church. 26 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Henry L. Brevillier, prothonotary of Erie county, well known in the city of Erie as a representative resident, was here born and reared, his father being Gustav F. Brevillier, one of the leading German citizens of this portion of the state. While spending his youthful days in his parents' home Henry L. Brevillier attended the public and high schools of Erie and also pursued a thorough commercial course in Germany while on a visit in that country with his parents, who were spending some time amid the scenes of their youth. Indeed the visit covered a period of several years, so that Air. Brevillier became well acquainted with the land of his forefathers. For twenty-six years his connection with business interests was that of shipping clerk with the old firm of Johnston & Brevillier, of Erie, and in July, 1900, he became deputy prothonotary under the late Theodore F. Noble. The ability which he displayed in discharging his duties led to his election in November, 1905, to the office which he is now filling and to which he was re-elected in November, 1908, as the Republican candidate. His official record has at all times been characterized by the utmost loyalty and devotion to duty and he is well known as a public-spirited and progressive man. Air. Brevillier belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Board of Trade and is interested in all the movements of those organiza tions for general progress and improvement. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Honor, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in his life displays the beneficent spirit which underlies these or ganizations. Air. Brevillier was married in 1S79 to Aliss Elise Eichhorn, of Erie, and unto them have been born three children : Johanna Catherine, who was born July 28, 1880, and died October 23d of the same year; Gustav H., born September 9. 1882 ; and Alexander F., who was born February 24, 1885, and on the 26th of October, 1908, wedded Alary Emeline Foster. The Brevillier family has long been a prominent one in this city and Henry L. Brevillier is widely and prominently known in social as well as business and official circles of the city. Rev. Johx J. F. Donnellan, Rector of St. Peter's Cathedral, Erie, and Chancellor of the Diocese of Erie, is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, born on Alay 18, 1872, and is a son of the late Hon. John F. Donnellan of that city. He received his early education at St. Alary's Academy, Jersey City, after which he entered St. Alary's Catholic In stitute, conducted by the Christian Brothers. He was ' next a student for three years at the De La Salle Institute, New York City, whence he graduated with high honors, and upon the completion of iiis collegiate course at Seton Hall College, South Orange, New Jersey, in 1892, he received the Degrees of A. B. and A. AI. Father Donnellan' s theological studies were continued at Seton Hall Seminary and completed at St. Bonaventure's Seminary, Allegany, New York, 'where he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on June 24, 1897, by the Rt. Rev. James E. Ouigley, D. D., now His Grace, the Archbishop of Chicago. "He cele brated his First Solemn High Alass at St. Alary's Church, Jersey City, on Sunday, June 27, 1S97. On July 9, 1897, Father Donnellan reached Erie to assume the sacred and responsible duties of his present offices as Chancellor of the Diocese and Rector of St. Peter's Cathedral. Under his conscientious, thorough and able administration of material and spiritual affairs, the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 27 membership of his Parish has greatly increased ; its schools have advanced in efficiency and attendance ; financial conditions have been bettered ; poverty and distress of body and mind have been relieved, and the gen eral community centering in the Cathedral and its broad work has been blessed and uplifted. Henry Shenk. A man of versatile talents, possessing great me chanical, artistic and business ability, Henry Shenk, of Erie, is widely known as one of the leading contractors and builders of Erie county, his work being in evidence in the more important cities of Western Pennsylvania. Putting forth his best endeavors in the fulfillment of his many and large contracts, he has invariably met with success. Ever true to his convictions, honor and integrity are synonomous with his name, and he enjoys to a marked degree the respect of his fellow-men. He is a native-born son of Erie county, his birth having occurred, July 31, 1836, in Mill Creek township. He comes of Pioneer stock, his paternal grand parents having migrated to this county from Lancaster county at an early day, making the journey through the almost pathless woods with teams. John Shenk, Air. Shenk's father, was then a lad of nine years. He grew up with the county, and after his marriage with Nancy Miller began the improvement of the homestead on which he and his faithful helpmate spent the remainder of their lives. Acquiring such knowledge of books as could be obtained in the rural schools of his youthful days, Henry Shenk began working at the car penters trade in the spring of 1853, finding plenty of employment in the vicinity of his home. In the fall of that year, desirous of broadening his field of action, he came to the city of Erie, entered the employment of John Hill, and for several months worked on what is known as the Paragon and Austin building, in North Park Row. Going to Girard, Pennsylvania, the following spring, he worked there, and in the near-by country for two years. In the spring of 1857 Air. Shenk returned to his home to build a house for his father on the old homestead, completing it in the very early part of 1859. Coming then to Erie, he was for a short time in the employ of Messrs. Crook & Lytle, after which he worked three years for Alessrs. Jones and White, and two years for Air. Hill. Forming a partnership, in the spring of 1863, with I. P. Kinsey, he carried on business for a number of seasons as junior member of the firm of Kinsey & Shenk, his first work of importance being the erection of a house in Mill street, near State street, for Henry Jarecki. A few years later this firm admitted into patrnership Peter Brubaker, and in connection with other business operated the planing mill located at the corner of Eleventh and French streets. The partnership, however, did not long continue. A'lr. Kinsey selling out his interest to L. F. White, and the urm name being changed to L. F. White & Co. Dissatisfaction among the members of this new firm soon became apparent, finally reach ing such a stage that the troubles were taken to court, and before a settlement was reached the mill was destroyed by fire. Air. Shenk then, by agreement of the partners, took charge of the company's affairs, turned all that was left into money, and with the proceeds paid as far as possible the debts of the firm. Creditors still having claims against the firm gave him ample time, and he finally succeeded in paying every debt in full, an achievement bespeaking in no unmeasured terms of his business sagacity and judgment. 28 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY After the burning of the mill Air. Shenk continued business as a builder and contractor in Erie, doing the best he could without capital, remaining here until the spring of 187 8, when he concluded to take contracts outside of the city. Accordingly, that very spring, he took the contract to build the Oil Exchange in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and the ensuing spring erected the Oil Exchange at Titusville, Pennsylvania. His work proving most satisfactory in each case, he was given the con tract in the summer of 187 9, to build the Court House in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, which was completed the next year, and proved a credit to his good taste and skilful workmanship. The same year Air. Shenk erected a part of the Huntingdon Industrial Reformatory, afterwards taking a contract to complete the same, the contract covering a period of nearly six years, the cost being about $900,000. In 1882 Air. Shenk began business operations in Pittsburg, his first contract being the erection of the Y. AI. C. A. building. His ability and integrity meeting with a ready recognition, he subsequently continued business in that thriving city, opening an office, and has since filled many contracts of importance, having erected some of the finest public struc tures, business blocks, private buildings, and palatial residences of recent years, among others worthy of note being the Christ Alethodist Episcopal church, a magnificent piece of architecture, costing nearly $300,000 ; and the famous Carnegie Library Building, which alone would establish the fame of any builder. This building, which was dedicated November 5, 1895, cost over $700,000. Air. Shenk's operations in Erie have also been large and important, including the erection of the Central High School Building ; the Downing Block ; the Park Opera House ; the Hamot Hos pital ; and other notable buildings. His business establishment in Erie, situated at the corner of Twelfth and Sassafras streets, is one of the largest and best-equipped manufacturing plants in the city, and is operated by the Henry Shenk Company, which consists of himself and his two sons, Air. Shenk being president, his son Charles E., vice-president, and his son Wilbur is secretary and treasurer. About seventeen years ago Air. Shenk was stricken with paralysis, since which time he has taken little active part in the business, it being carried on by the above mentioned firm, and has been constantly in creasing and now it is one of the large contracting firms of the country. While not taking any active part in affairs, Air. Shenk has kept himself thoroughly posted through all his years of sickenss to just what the firm has been doing, and how the work has been conducted, and in giving his valuable advice from time to time, which has been thoroughly apprec iated by the members of the firm. William P. Haves, one of Erie's oldest active business men one of its most highly respected citizens, is a native son of Erie county, and was born at Waterford, December 3, 1829. He is descended on 'both sides of his family, from Pennsylvania pioneers, and is the son of James and Polly (Boyd) Hayes. The Hayes family of which he is a descendant was founded in America by John Flays, a native of Donegal, Ireland who came to America m 1730, settling first in Chester county. Pennsylvania and removing a few years later to Northumberland county, where he made permanent settlement and spent the remainder of his life He was the father of a large family, and five of his sons served in the Revolu tion and were with General Washington at the historic Crossing of the Delaware. One son, Captain John Hays, raised and commanded a com- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 2!) pany, and for this and his service as an officer, he received a grant of a large tract of land. Captain John's son Robert, grandfather of William P. Hayes, was also a soldier in the Revolution, and this branch of the family for some reason inserted the "e" in the name. His son, James Hayes, was born in Northumberland county, Pennyslvania, in 1799, and removed to Waterford, Erie county, about 1821-22, and there died Alarch 1, 1874. He married Polly Boyd, who was born in Northumberland county, in 1800, and died in 1866. She was daughter of John Boyd, whose father served as musician in the Revolutionary war, and was one of the pioneers of Erie county, the family settling in Waterford about 1800. James Hayes was a wheelwright and chair maker, and at one time built and operated a mill on French creek, where he carried on the manu facture of chairs. James and Polly Hayes had fourteen children, of whom the following are living: Charles AL, of Titusville, Pennsylvania; Ellen, who married John Holden, and resides at Chicago ; and William P. William P. Hayes left Waterford in 1845, when sixteen years of age, proceeding to Erie, where he found employment in the store of Charles AI. Tibbals ; in 1851 Air. Tibbals gave him an interest in the business, and the name became Tibbals & Hayes, general merchants. Five or six years later the health of Mr. Tibbals failed and he sold his interest to Air. Hayes, who then formed a partnership with William A. Jordan, taking the name of Hayes & Jordan. About this time the firm began to occupy the fine store fitted out by General Reed, in the Reed House Block, and soon after this Air. Jordan retired from the business. In 1860 General Reed became a partner of Mr. Hayes, and under the name of Hayes & Company they did a growing business. At this time, when Mr. Hayes proceeded to New York for the purchase of goods, he carried with him a letter from Air. Reed to A. T. Stewart, at that time a merchant prince, telling of the partnership, and asking him to let the bearer have all the goods he wanted ; General Reed was well-known in New York and Air. Stewart informed Air. Hayes he could have every thing in his store if he wished. The firm of Hayes & Company did busi ness until the destruction by fire of the Reed block, after which General Reed withdrew, Mr. Hayes at this time removed his stock to a store on ¦ State between Eighth and Ninth streets. At this time the Civil war was being fought, and when peace was near General Reed advised Air. Hayes to get out of business, as a period of commercial depression was at hand, and following this sage advice, he closed out his entire stock at auction and private sale. Air. Hayes purchased a farm in Chautauqua county, New York, although he never lived on same. In later years Air. Hayes handled considerable real estate for General Reed, and was a lifelong friend of that wonderful business man, who did so much for the prog ress of Erie in early times. In 1867 Air. Hayes and S. P. Keplar, under the firm name of Hayes & Keplar, organized the first real estate business of Erie. In 1876 Air. Keplar withdrew from the firm, and Air. Hayes managed the enterprise alone until 1889, in which year his son, Charles B., became a member of the firm, and the name became Hayes & Son, which has done a large amount of business, and is the largest enterprise of the kind in the city. Mr. Hayes has contributed much to the progress and development of Erie, and his business methods have gained for him the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 30 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Air. Hayes married Juliet F., daughter of Captain John Justice, who was born in Erie, in 1829. John Justice, who was a ship carpenter, came to Erie to help build Perry's fleet, and became one of the city's most honored citizens. He married Ann, daughter of Sheriff Gray, of Erie county. To Air. and Airs. Hayes were born children as follows: 1. Frank AL, manager of the American Security Company, with headquar ters at Pittsburg, where he resides. He was at one time employed by the United States Government as expert and as receiver wound up several banks throughout the country, which bad failed, among them the Key stone Bank, of Erie. 2. William J., now employed by the government as expert in bank defalcations, in New York City. He was at one time cashier of various banks, and was in the employ of the government during Cleveland and Harrison's administrations. 3. Joseph H., was cashier of the Keystone Bank of Pittsburg, one of the city's largest banking institu tions, but ou account of poor health was forced to resign his position, and died in October, 1898. 4. Charles B., of the firm of Hayes & Son, is one of the prominent young business men of Erie. 5. A daughter, who died in infancy. Charles S. Clarke. A citizen whose influence has permeated in a most beneficent way the business and civic life of the city of Erie, where he has rendered distinguished service in offices of high public trust and where he has been a strong factor in forwarding the industrial prestige of the community, Air. Clarke, former postmaster and former mayor of Erie, is clearly entitled to a place of honor in every compilation which touches the history of Erie county. In both the paternal and maternal lines he is a scion of old and honored families of America, with whose annals the respective names have been identified since the colonial era in our national history. Charles S. Clarke was born in the city of Washington, D. C, on the 29th of July, 1852, and is a son of Alajor Robert and Alartha (Tal- bott ) Clarke, both of whom were likewise born in the capital city of the nation and both of whom were representatives of old and dis tinguished Alaryland families. Alajor Robert Clarke bore the full pat ronymic of his honored father, Robert Clarke, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, who was a son of a valiant patriot soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who removed from his native state of Alaryland to the city of Washington in an early day. Alajor Robert Clarke was a successful contractor in Washington up to the time of the Civil war, when he promptly manifested his inherent and personal patrotism by tendering his services in defense of the Union. In response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers he organized in Washington a company for the three months' service, and of this compnay he was commissioned captain. After the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted as a veteran, and finally he was promoted to the office of major of the First District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry, with which he saw long and arduous service and made the record of a gallant officer and loyal and valiant soldier of the Republic. In the time honored Alasonic fra ternity he attained to high degrees and distinguished honors, having been one of the most prominent members of the fraternity in theUniom For many years he served as treasurer of the grand lodge of the order in the District of Columbia, and in his official capacity it devolved upon him to deposit the Alasonic jewels in the cornerstone of the Washington Alonument, and in that of one of the wings of the national capitol. &He HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 31 continued to reside in Washington until 1868, when he removed with his family to Erie, Pennsylvania, where his devoted wife died in 1888, and where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in February, 1905, at which time he had attained to the venerable age of eighty-nine years. His funeral obsequies were held in the city of Wash ington, under distinguished Alasonic auspices. Alajor Clarke was a Democrat in his political allegiance, and both he and his wife held mem bership in the Baptist church. Charles S. Clarke secured his earlier educational training in the public schools of the city of Washington and supplemented this by a course in Columbian College, now known as Columbian University. Fie began his business career in the city of Erie, where he assumed the posi tion of bookkeeper in the dry-goods establishment of Edson & Churchill. From 1880 to 1885 he was a member of the firm of Churchill, Clarke & Company, engaged in the same line of enterprise and the business was closed out in the year last mentioned. In the same year Air. Clarke was elected to the office of comptroller of the city of Erie, and at the expiration of his first term he was chosen as his own successor, so that he served two full terms of two years each. In 1889 he was elected mayor of the city, under the old law which limited the mayor's term to two years, and in 1890 he was practically legislated out of the office under the necessary provision of the new law. In the same year, however, he was returned to the mayoralty in the regular popular election, and he remained incumbent of this chief executive office of municipal government for the full term of three years. His administration was one that reflected distinctive credit upon him and he accomplished much for the progress of the city along normal lines of improvement and upbuild ing. His regime was marked by progressive ideas and distinct business policy, so that he gained the uniform commendation of all classes of citizens. In Alay, 1894, Air. Clarke was appointed and commissioned post master of Erie, under the administration of President Cleveland, and of this position he remained incumbent for four years, within which he made improvements in systematizing and facilitating the service of the local office. In 1899 he became one of the interested principles in the extensive contracting firm of Constable Brothers Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer and to whose affairs he has given the major portion of his time and attention since his retirement from public office. In principle and practice he is a fundamental advocate of the cause of the Democratic party, in which he has rendered yeoman ser vice. He is an active and valued member of the Erie Board of Trade, becoming its president in 1909, and is affiliated with the Alasonic fra ternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Country Club, and other civic and social organizations. His popularity in Erie needs no further vouch er than that offered in the positions of trust to which he has been called, and it may consistently be said that no movement for the betterment of Erie along civic, commercial or moral lines, has lacked his sympathy or his active, energetic support. In 1880 Air. Clarke was united in marriage to AHss Alice Churchill, daughter of George T. Churchill, who is one of Erie's oldest business men and most honored citizens. Air. and Airs. Clarke became the par ents of one son, Lawrence N., who was born in issi and who died in 1903, being thus summoned to the life eternal in the very flower of his 32 FIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY young manhood and when his noble and generous qualifies of mind and heart augured for a career of signal usefulness and honor. Rev. Peter Al. Cauley. True religion exists in a sincere love of truth and in a hearty approbration and compliance with doctrines funda mentally good, in aii inward good complexion of mind, and in the active practice of the substantial parts of religion. Such has ever been the purpose and life work of Rev. Father Peter AI. Cauley. pastor of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church of Erie, who is carrying on a note worthy work in this city. A son of Peter Cauley, he was born, December 18, 1855, in Rochester, New York. A native of Ireland, Peter Cauley came to this country in early life, locating first in New York state, where he was engaged in quarrying until 1858. Turning his attention then to agricultural pursuits, he carried on general farming in AlcKean county, Pennsylvania, a number of vears, remaining there until 1894, when he removed with his family to Erie. He married, in Portage county, New York. Catherine AIc- Kensey, a native of Ireland, and they became the parents of ten child ren, namely: Terrance; Peter AL, of this sketch; Winifred and Alary A., twins; Rosa; John; Joseph AL; Stephen H. ; Charles L. ; and Cassie. Rev. Father P. AI. Cauley acquired his elementary knowledge in the public schools of AlcKean county, and obtained his knowledge of philosophy and theology at St. Bonaventure's College, where he spent eight years, entering in 1879, and being graduated in 1887. Ordained in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Erie, July 24. 1887. he afterwards served as assistant for three months each at Titusville, and at Warren. The ensuing year he was located at Oil City, doing excellent work there. Then, after spending a few weeks at Sartwell, Father Cauley was placed in charge of a mission at Conneautville, Pennsylvania, where he lrbored most efficiently for four and one-half years. He was subse quently employed in pastoral work for ten weeks at East Brady, but since that year, 1893, has filled his present pulpit in Erie. A man of strong convictions, and of extreme earnestness of purpose, his influence in visible in the upbuilding of his parish, which is one of importance in the community. In his labors he has as assistants his three younger brothers, Revs. Joseph AI. Cauley, Stephen H. Cauley, and Charles L. Cauley, three men of intellectual force and much ability, who are most efficient aids in advancing the cause of the church. James AI. Dtckey. By no means among the veteran insurance men of the country, James AI. Dickey, of Erie, has nevertheless attained a prominent standing both with his associates and the public. On the sunny side of forty, he has also evinced his powers as an originator in whatever field he has exerted his influence. He was one of the organizers and the second president of the Erie Association of Life Underwriters, and is a charter member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Club of Erie and the Country Club. A mere mention of such identification indicates his deep and steadfast interest in the business field of his present activity; in the commercial, municipal and other broad affairs relating to the city's progress, and in those necessary recreations and sports which keep the typical American on his best physical mettle for accom plishment. Air. Dickey is also a member of the Erie Club and the Conewango Club of Warren, Pennsylvania, as well as identified with the local Young Alen's Christian Association and the Benevolent and ^\£l**~~» t??u AQ^^e^ c/tfeL, i£ sn^*^ y~ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 33 Protective Order of Elks. His religious affiliations are at present, with the Park Presbyterian church, to which he was admitted by letter from the Jefferson United Presbyterian church of Jefferson county, Pennsyl vania, with which he had long been connected. Mr. Dickey is a native of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, born September 25, 1870, on the old family homestead in that part of the state. He is a son of David Blair and Margaret (Kennedy) Dickey and a grandson of Alatthew and Elizabeth (Templeton) Dickey. His grand mother was of an old Pennsylvania family, while his grandfather was of Irish nativity, coming to the United States when sixteen and marrying when nineteen years of age. First he settled at Leatherwood, on the Allegheny river in Clarion county, this state, but later sold his property and bought a fine farm in Jefferson county, which is still considered a model country place in that portion of Pennsylvania. The last years of his active life were spent on the farm and there he died in his eightieth year. He became the father of three sons — James, William and David Blair Dickey. David B. Dickey, father of James M., was born September 5, 1837, and has always been engaged in farming on the old Dickey homestead. His wife, who died in 1880, was born at Brookville, Pennsylvania,, and was a daughter of William Kennedy, a leading hardware merchant of the old times who reached the advanced age of ninety-three years. James M. Dickey, of this sketch, was reared on the old ancestral farm in Jefferson county, and was a pupil in the district school of the neighborhood in which his father, his sister and he himself served as teachers. Later, he attended the academy at Belleview and the State Normal at Clarion, teaching for several years both in Jefferson and Mc- Kean counties. In November, 1896, he became manager of the local branch of the Armour Packing Company, at Punxsutawney, Pennsyl vania, and continued in that position until 1900, which marked the active commencement of his insurance career. It was at that time that he be came connected with the Pittsburg agency of The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and on January 1, 1901, he was appointed in spector of agencies in the Pittsburg district. He was transferred to Erie in January, 1902, and in 1905 was appointed to the responsible position of manager of the Northwestern Pennsylvania agency, with headquarters at Erie. Mr. Dickey's wife (nee Josephine Livingston Lacy) is connected with the faimly so famous in the political, educational and religious history of the country, representatives of which have repeatedly been sent to Congress from New York and held high positions in the national cabinet and diplomatic corps. One of its members, Philip Livingston, was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and not a few were active figures in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Dickey is a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Livingston) Lacy of Warren, Pennsylvania, and her genealogy on both sides of the family has earned her membership in the "Daughters of the American Revolution." She is the mother of Harriet Estella, Lois Livingston and Allen Lacy Dickey, and a woman of do mestic, social and refined tastes. Col. J. Ross Thompson. A man of broad mind and scholarly attainments, thoroughly versed in legal lore, Col. J. Ross Thompson of Erie holds high rank among the leading members of the Erie bar, with which he has been intimately associated for a full half century. Of Vol. II— 3 34 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the many noted lawyers that have practiced in this locality during the past fifty years, he is one of the best known and most eminent, while his forceful arguments, his skill in solving perplexing legal problems, and his many successes, have given him a wide and merited reputation. Fie was born in Franklin, Venango county, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1832, a son of Judge James Thompson, one of Pennsylvania's most dis tinguished jurists and statesmen. A native of the Keystone state, Judge James Thompson was born, in 1805, in Butler county, and began life for himself as a printer. Sub sequently turning his attention to the study of law, he was admitted to the bar, and in 1832 began his long and brilliant public career by being elected to the state legislature. He served as Representative six consecutive years, in 1834 being chosen speaker of the House. He was afterwards elected to Congress from Erie county, and served three full terms in the National House of Representatives, in Washington, D. C. In 1854 he was again elected to the Pennsylvania legislature. Three years later, in 1857. he had the honor of being chosen a judge of the supreme court of Pennsylvania. For fifteen years the judge rendered noteworthy service in that capacity, for five years of that time being chief justice of the court. Previous to his election to the supreme court he had served as circuit judge. After his election to the supreme court, Judge Thompson removed to Philadelphia, and in that beautiful city spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1873. After his graduation from the Erie Academy, J. Ross Thompson entered Princeton University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1854. Immediately after leaving college he began the study of law, and since his admission to the Erie bar, in 1856, has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in this city. His wide legal knowledge, keenness of comprehension, unflagging perseverance, and aptitude for clear incisive statement, have contributed to his professional success, and have won for him a foremost position among the members of the bar. In 1859 Mr. Thompson was admitted to the bar of the supreme court, and in 1860 to that of the United States courts. During the latter-named year he became attorney for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and has held the same ever since, and since 1871 has held a similar position for the Pennsylvania Company. During the administration of- Governor Packer, Mr. Thompson served as his aide-de-camp, with the military rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was subsequently commissioned colonel of the Sixteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia, and in that capacity performed the duties devolv ing upon him with ease and dignity. For many years Col. Thompson has been active and prominent in the Democratic ranks, and in 1876 was a delegate to the National Convention in which Samuel J. Tilden was nominated for the presidency ; and four years later, in 1880, he was a Democratic nominee for presidential elector and in 1887 Democratic can didate for the supreme bench. In 1888 the candidacy was again at his disposal but he declined to enter the race. His brother, Samuel Gustine Thompson was a member of the supreme court of Pennsylvania for two terms by appointment of the governor. Colonel Thompson married in 1858, Josephine Mayer, daughter of the late M. Mayer, of Erie. She died in 1877, leaving seven children. One of these children, W. L. Scott Thompson, has inherited in no small degree the legal talent and ability of his father and grandfather, and is <^7l^-i^ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 35 now actively engaged in the practice of law in Erie, being junior member of the firm of J. Ross Thompson & Son. Uriah D. Sweigard. Generally speaking a leader in the building trades and master of the metal workers, Uriah D. Sweigard is special ly identified with the Erie field as proprietor of one of the largest and most complete roofing and cornice works in the county. In every way he is also one of its best known citizens. Fie is a native of Halifax, Dauphir county, Pennsylvania, born on November 27, 1858, the son of David B. and Emeline Catherine (Rouch) Sweigard, both natives of that locality. The father was born in 1833 and died in September, 1866, and the mother who was born in 1836, passed away in the December following her husband's decease. They were the parents of the following five children: Susan Catherine, who married H. W. Sweitzer and resides in Pitts burg, Pennsylvania ; Uriah D., of this sketch ; Ida Isadora, who married D. A. Lowe, the well known Peach street photographer of Erie ; Ellen Linda, who is now Mrs. I. H. Foster, and resides in Erie; and Sherman L., also of that place. The Sweigard family is an old one in Pennsylvania, the original ancestors having come over from Germany many, many generations ago, settling in Daphin county. The parents of Mr. Sweigard, were members of the United Brethren church. After their death for about seven years, Uriah D., made his home with an uncle who was a farmer in Dauphin county, near Harrisburg. The youth next spent about three years work ing on different farms, obtaining from three to four months attendance at the district school during the winter months. At the age of seventeen years, he began an apprenticeship at the tinsmith's trade in Halifax, serving four years. In the spring of 1880, he went to Pittsburg, where he worked at his trade the first year for T. W. Irwin, and the succeeding six years for Rasner and Dinger. He next became foreman of the tin department of the Union Switch and Signal Works of Pittsburg for one year ; was then foreman two years for S. Keighley and Company, and held the same position a year for John T. Bealor and Company. In 1891, he went into business for himself, establishing a shop in Allegheny City, and in the spring of the following year, located at Erie and be came a partner in the Flickinger Cornice and Roofing Company, also taking charge of the business as superintendent. In January, 1898, Mr. Sweigard was elected secretary and treasurer of the company and in January, 1901, became, by purchase, the sole proprietor of the business The plant is at No. 424 West Nineteenth street, and covers an area of 40 by 120 feet, employing an average of eight men. The establishment turns out a general line of sheet metal and slate roofing, galvanized and copper cornices, skylights and metal ceilings — mostly contract work. Mr. Sweigard has handled, among others, such contracts as those connected with St. Joseph's school, St. Michael's and St. Ann's churches, St. John's church and school, the Public Library, No. 2 public school and numerous business blocks and residences. He is also president of the Automatic Dumb Waiter Refrigerator Company, which was organized and incorpo rated June 13, 1906. He is also a charter member of the Erie Builders' Exchange, having served as its secretary from its organization, and is secretary of the Master Sheet Metal Workers Association. He is further, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Erie Business Men's Association and of the South Erie Improvement Association. Mr. Sweigard has been a fraternal leader in Odd Fellowship for many years, being a mem- 36 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ber of Lake Shore Lodge No. 718, and a past noble grand of Pittsburg Lodge No. 336. He joined the order at Halifax in May, 1879; was transferred to Pittsburg lodge in 1884, and demitted to Lake Shore lodge in 1894. Mr. Sweigard's wife was Sadie Ann Sockett, of Pittsburg, born in England and daughter of John Sockett. She is a member of Chestnut Street Presbyterian church, and a popular and highly respected lady. The pleasant family home is at No. 355 West Twenty-first street, the attractive residence having been erected in 1896. Dr. Francis Anton Goeltz has been practicing medicine in Erie for the past eight years, or since 1901. He is one of the younger repre sentatives of the profession, whose youth has not been detrimental to his progress, for in the comparatively brief period he has been rendering medical services in this city he has gained an enviable reputation as a physician, while his skill as a practitioner summons him to attend an ex tensive patronage. Both as a physician and surgeon he has rapidly risen in the estimation of the community, courts the esteem of his fellow practitioners and deserves honorable mention among the leading members of the medical fraternity of the city. Born in New York City, December 13, 1876, Dr. Goeltz was the son of Francis Anton and Alvina (Steinsieck) Goeltz. The father was of a German family who left the fatherland and located in Vienna, Au stria, where for several generations its members were prominent jewelers. It was there his birth occurred June 19, 1847, and he was but a boy when he accompanied his parents to the United States in 1856. They settled in New York City, where his father, who also bore the given name, Francis Anton, and who had been a jeweler in the old country, remained for a time but spent his later years on his farm in Huntington, Long Island. The son, however, established his home in New York City, where he learned the jewelry business and in 1873 engaged in the enter prise for himself, conducting operations at No. 377 Third avenue. At that location he continued until the fall of 1906, when he retired from commercial activities. His death occurred July 13, 1907, while his wife had departed this life in 1889. She was a native of Long Island, born in 1851 and a daughter of Charles and Marie (Schlingheid) Steinsieck, both of whom were natives of Germany. In New York City Dr. Goeltz was reared, acquiring the rudiments of learning in the public schools. Following the bent of the family and that which had commanded the skill and attention of his ancestors for many generations, he then associated himself with the jewelry business, entering a wholesale establishment as an office boy. Strict application to duty soon won him advancement and he was given a clerkship, con tinuing in the employ of the house for three years. After that period of service he severed his connections with the firm and, in fact, with the commercial world and became a pupil at a preparatory school, in prepara tion for entering the profession he now follows. Then, having com pleted his studies at that institution, he was matriculated in the medical department of the University of New York, from which he was gradu ated with the class of 1898. Immediately after graduation his career as a physician began and from 1898 until July 1, 1900, he served on the resident staff of the J. Hood Wright Memorial Hospital of his native city. His incumbency there was in every sense satisfactory, greatly adding to his experience and enabling him to put into practice his knowl- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 37 edge of materia medica and surgery, thereby enhancing his self-reliance and strengthening his confidence as a practitioner. Upon leaving the hos pital he was appointed instructor in histology in the medical department of New York University and assistant physician of the college dispensary, which appointment evidences a high appreciation of his talents as a student of medicine. Arriving in this city February 1, 1901, well qualified to conduct a private practice, he established an office at No. 210 West Eighth street, where he remained until 1902 when he removed to his present quarters at No 205 on the same thoroughfare. The doctor is a profound student in all branches pertaining to his profession, careful and accurate in the practice of surgery and his kindly and cheerful disposi tion, reinforcing the virtues of his remedies, makes him a welcome visitor to the sick room. In addition to caring for a large private prac tice he also serves as attending surgeon of Hamot Hospital, of this city, to which post he was appointed on July 1, 1901, his long continuous period in this position indicating his high reputation as a physician. On September 17, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Goeltz to Miss Frances Lelia Boydell, of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, and the couple have two children: Francis Boydell and Henrietta May. The doctor keeps in close touch with the progressive thought of his profession and is affiliated with a number of organizations which are specifically designed for the consideration of the various phases of materia medica and surgery. He belongs to the Erie County Medical Society, the Penn sylvania State Medical Society, the Northwestern Medical Society and the American Medical Association; while he finds gratification for his social propensities as a member of the Country Club. John S. Scheer, alderman and well known citizen of Erie, was born" at the old land light house, east of the city, on November 25, 1859. He is a son of the late John A. and Catherine (Kent) Scheer, both natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1844. They were. mar ried in St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, Erie, and in 1901, celebrated the golden anniversary of their union in that church. John A. Scheer, was a contractor, and accomplished much public work in that line. He and his wife died in 1902, within about three months of each other. John S. Scheer was reared in Erie and was educated in various public and parochial schools of the city. In 1876, he worked for a firm in the Centennial Exposition grounds at Philadelphia. Later, he entered the service of the Union News Company, operating on different rail road lines, and finally becoming superintendent of the business at Cleve land. Three years later, he was promoted to the superintendency of the entire southern division of the company, with headquarters at Cin cinnati, Ohio. In 1891 he returned to Erie and engaged in business in State street. Mr. Scheer's term as alderman commenced in 1906, and his service in that capacity has been thoroughly appreciated. He is also widely known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Knights of Maccabees, Woodmen of the World, Eagles, and Order of the Moose, as well as of the Press Club and East Erie Turner Society. His religious connections are with St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. Mr. Scheer's wife was formerly Florence E., daughter of George and Florence (Beutz) Ritchie, of Cleveland, Ohio. Benjamin J. Coates is superintendent of the City Waterworks Pumping Station, whose services in that capacity are all that can be de- 38 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY sired, his ingenuity as a mechanic being on par with any who work along the line of his vocation and, having throughout his entire life been a resident of Erie, he is well known, not only for his mechanical skill and unsurpassed services in the position he now holds, but also for his excellent traits and qualities of character, which give him high stand ing as a worthy citizen of this city. The Coates family were numbered among the pioneers of this part of the state, having located in Erie in the fall of 1832, members of the family at that date having come from the village of Eckols, Yorkshire, England. Upon the arrival of the ancestors in this country the constituent was made up of the maternal grandparents, Joseph and Mary (Holmes) Burnley, Benjamin Coates and his wife, Elizabeth, the parents of the subject of his review, John and Grace Coates, a brother and sister, two cousins, Joseph Hardacker and Joseph Burnley, who were orphans reared by Grandfather Burnley, and the Waddingtons, the wife of one of whom was an aunt of Benjamin J. Coates. In all the party that came from England to this country was composed of twenty-one souls. The paternal grandparents, John and Mary Coates, remained in their native land, where they departed this life. Two of their sons, who have since passed away, also remained in England, while two daughters came to the new world sometime after the above mentioned party. Of these Martha married John Thornton of Fairview, Erie county, while Anna married his brother, Thomas Thornton, of Girard, this county. All of the above mentioned have since entered into rest with the exception of Benjamin J. Coates, of this review, who is the only surviving member of his family. Joseph Burnley, the maternal grandfather, upon his ar rival in the new world, first settled in Mill Creek township, near this city, where his wife responded to the summons of death in 1848. _Two years later, in 1850, he removed to Newcastle, Pennsylvania, where he resided until his demise. Benjamin Coates Sr., was born in 1805 and for eighteen years was foreman for Vincent, Himrod & Company, founders and machinists, being considered _ a skilled and expert mechanic, whose death occurred in 1855, while his wife whose birth occurred one year later than that of her husband, in 1806, passed away in 1889, thus surviving her last companion by upwards of thirty-four years. They were the parents of five children, namely: John, whose birth occurred in the old country in 1829 and his death in this city in 1900, whose first wife was Char- lott Sennett, after whose death he married Lucinda Weigel, by whom he had the following children : Clara, who wedded Charles W. Geibel, who is engaged in the plumbing business ; Gertrude, the wife of Pierce Flinn, of this city; Floward J., who resides here; Florence, the wife of Walter Bull, a resident of this place ; and Adella, who is at home with her mother. The other children of the elder Mr. Coates are : Grace, whose birth oc curred on the other side of the sea in 1832 and whom death called in this city September 10, 1850 ; Samuel, born here in 1835 and who died in 1895 ; Edward, whose birth occurred here in 1837 and his death in 1873 • and Benjamin J. In the Bay city Benjamin J. Coates was born October 6, 1842, and here he acquired his education in the public schools, completing his studies at the age of fifteen years when, desirous of taking part in the activities of life, his natural faculties leaning toward mechanical work he became apprenticed as a machinist with his brother John, with whom he became proficient as a tradesman. About six years after entering upon this ven- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 39 ture, being then a skilled journeyman, he became employed with the Bay State Iron Works, with which he remained for a brief period, when he became engaged by the Erie City Iron Works, in whose employ he worked for two years, at the termination of which period he returned to the Bay State Iron Works, where he plied his craft -as a journeyman for ten years. His ingenuity as a mechanic being noted and his excellent class of workmanship observed, he soon proved himself to be worthy of a higher station in the establishment of his employers and he was promoted to the position of foreman and later to the responsible position of super intendent, serving in the latter capacity until 1897, during which year he resigned his position and accepted a place at the City Pumping Station as a machinist. There he served with eminent proficiency and, being ad judged as the best man for the general duties of that department of the city, in October, 1904, he was made superintendent, the duties of which responsible post he is now performing. The marriage of Mr. Coates to Rosanna Weigel, born in this county, January 20, 1847, was celebrated on December 8, 1868. She is a daugh ter of Joel Weigel and to this union the following children have been born : Charles B., who was married to Eva Gould of this city, the couple residing at Wilmette, Illinois, fourteen miles from Chicago, where he is an electrical engineer for the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company; Alice R., who taught in the Erie high school for four years and then wedded Frederick A. Mott, of Syracuse, New York, the couple now residing in Rochester, that state, and Mr. Alott is an electrical engineer in the employ of Wheeler Green Electric Company, of that city; Bertha E., a teacher of English in the Erie high school; and Eva C, the wife of Rev. Roy George Catlin, a Lutheran minister stationed at Decatur, Illinois. Rev. and Mrs. Catlin were both residents of this city until their marriage August 26, 1907. The Republican party has always commanded the support of Mr. Coates, by reason of the fact that, having given due consideration to its principles in comparison with those of other political cults, he deems the product of the wisest statesmenship, in every particular best suited to subserve the utmost interests of the commonwealth and consequently his fealty has always been strong in the advocacy of the principles of his favo rite party and its candidates. He belongs to Lakeshore Lodge, No. 718, I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member of thirty years, having ef ficiently served in the entire round of chairs, and the Henniossis Adelphon Encampment, No. 42, I. O. O. F.,. having also performed the duties of its offices. Moreover he is a member of Erie Lodge No. 327, Knights of Pythias and, an honorary member of Local No. 7, N. A. S. E., while at the same time being dutiful to his religious obligations, both he and the members of his family attend divine services at the Central Presby terian church. Mr. Coates is one of the best known citizens of Erie, whose present position is indicative of his success in life and he justly deserves a place in a volume of this kind and mention as a deserving and highly respected citizen. John W. Schmelter, M. D. Among the medical practitioners of Erie who are sharing the honors of the profession, by reason of their excellent services and success in restoring health, is Dr. John W. Schmel ter. He is one of the most popular physicians of the city and, although he has spent his entire life in this country, his medical career is embraced 40 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY within the past nine years and he now attends to a large private prac tice, his office being at No. 813 Sassafras street. However, within that period his skill and ability as a practitioner has brought him prominently before the public and for four years he served as coroner of Erie county. Being thoroughly familiar with every phase of his profession, profound in his knowledge of materia medica, accurate in surgical operations and careful in his diagnosis, he has met with a full measure of success in the treatment of cases and stands high in the ranks of the medical fra ternity of the city. Fairview township, this county, was the birthplace of Dr. Schmelter and there he entered this life on October 30, 1867, as a child of John and Mary (Knodel) Schmelter, the father having been born in West phalia, Germany, in 1820 and the mother in Summit township, this county, in 1834. It was in 1851 that the elder Mr. Schmelter left his home and kinfolk and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, being the only one of his family to sever relations with the fatherland. Immediate ly upon his arrival in the United States he came to Erie where, for a period, he worked on the old Sunbury Railroad, now known as the Lake- shore Railroad. Finally he gave up railroad work and became employed as a farm hand in McKean township. In the meantime by modest living and practical economy, a life characteristic of the sons of the fatherland, he accumulated considerable means and bought a farm in Fairview township, where he pursued agriculture until September 26, 1895, when he met death by being run down by a railroad train at Avonia. His wife entered into rest in 1899. In their family were six children : Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of John Grappy; George, a resident of Mill Creek township; Henry F., who lives in Erie; Albert M., a resident of Mill Creek township ; Dr. John W. ; and Charles E., a member of the Erie police force. On the home farm Dr. John W. Schmelter was reared, part of the year finding him busily engaged in the fields, plowing, planting or har vesting, while in the short winter months, during his boyhood days, he availed himself of the educational advantages of the country schools. He was also afforded the privilege of a business-college course. Until he was twenty-three years of age he followed agricultural pursuits but, at that period of his life, he left the farm, being ambitious for larger opportuni ties and accepted a clerkship in a retail grocery store in this city. The duties of this position he faithfully performed for four years and, since it has been his ardent ambition to become a member of the medical pro fession, in 1896 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. J. E. Silliman. His natural bent being in that direction, he advanced rap idly, at the same time acquiring both theoretical and practical knowledge and prepared himself for matriculation in the Ohio Medical University, at Columbus. In that institution he successfully completed the course of study and was graduated with the class of 1900. He then opened an of fice at No. 18 East Eighth street, in this city, where he practiced until 1892, when he changed his office to his present location at No. 813 Sassa fras street. Shortly after beginning the practice of medicine, or in 1902, the doctor was elected to the office of county coroner, in which he officiated during the specified term of three years and also an additional year, owing to the demise of his successor. On January 5, 1909, the doctor was appointed poor physician over the West side, the duties of which office he is now performing. He is of a highly intellectual turn of mind, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 41 directing his study chiefly in those branches of study pertaining to his profession and his profound investigations have yielded him such knowl edge as enables him to meet all emergencies and successfully cope with constantly recurring perplexities. Dr. Schmelter was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Davison, a daughter of the late William Davison, of Harbor Creek, this county, and the couple are enjoying the happiness of a refined home. Politically he is a Republican, being a stanch and able supporter of the principles of the party. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Golden Eagles, in both of which organizations he has many friends, while he is widely known both for his social qualities and professional worth. Isaac Wolf, a retired agriculturist of Erie county, who is now living in the enjoyment of well earned rest in his own residence at No. 242 West Twenty-first street, is a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in the village of New Holland, on March 17, 1828. However, from early boyhood he has been a resident of Erie county, where as soon as he was vigorous enough to engage in agricultural duties worked upon his father's farm and carried on the pursuit of hus bandry until the year 1900, when he withdrew from the activities of life to enjoy somewhat of the fruits of his energies extended through many years. During his career in this county he has witnessed many changes, has seen the approach of civilization, marked the. transformation of wood lands into fertile fields, of fertile fields into villages and, with respect to the city of Erie, he has witnessed its growth from a mere hamlet to its present large and prosperous proportions. There are few men of his day now living, who can converse with him upon the scenes and experi ences of those early days and it is with delight that he reverts to the past, remembering the times when the surrounding region, which now bears every mark of civilization, was then in a primitive condition without any apparent promise or prospect. Mr. Wolf is widely known as a ven erable gentleman, his life always having been such as to command the respect of all with whom he came in contact and today, in his declin ing years, as a resident of the thriving Bay city, perhaps there is no man who is better known or more highly esteemed. Mr. Wolf's parents were Jacob and Catherine (Platt) Wolf, while his grandfather was Henry Wolf, a native of Lancaster county, Penn sylvania, who came to Erie county, in 1820, where he purchased four hundred acres of land in Mill Creek township, his property being located about three miles south of the city of Erie. There he settled and, need less to say, at that time the region was a thick forest unlike its ap pearance today when it is a succession of fertile fields as far as the eye can see. However, being of the sturdy pioneer type, he was undaunted in the presence of difficulties and obstacles, being only too willing to have a promising prospect toward which to bend his energies and soon the forest was hewn out and in course of time the once undeveloped land yielded for him bountiful harvests. On that farm he spent his entire life, passing away about the year 1842. His wife entered into rest in Lancaster county prior to his location in this county. The maternal grandparents were natives of Ireland, who came to America at an early day. The parents of Mr. Wolf, both of whom were born about the year 1802, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, were there united in marriage, removing to Erie county about the year 1838, locating on the tract of 42 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY land settled by his grandfather. The estate was large and the elder Mr. Wolf took up one hundred acres and this he cultivated until he departed this life in 1872, his wife entering into rest in 1884. In his family were the following children: Elem and Isaac. Elem, whose birth occurred in 1830 and who died in 1870 wedded Leah Heidler, the daughter of Curtis Heidler, a pioneer of Fairview township, this county. They left the following children : Cassie, the wife of Christopher Rilling, residing in Girard; Tillie, the wife of George Wagner, residents of Summit township, this county ; Jacob, who married Mary Heintz and resides^ in Sterrettania ; Ida, who became the wife of Lee Milliner, the couple living at Twenty-second and Reed streets, this city; Annie, the wife of George Stark, also residing here; Levi, who married Mary Meyers; Etta, who was twice married, first to Lester Saunders, after whose death she wedded George Jackson ; Frank, married and lives at Union City ; and Elem, who departed this life in his nineteenth year. The other member of the family, Isaac Wolf, reared to farm life, passed through the usual experiences common to the country lad during his boyhood days and at that time the city of Erie and environs were far different than they are today, the entire region being constituted of vast stretches of woodlands while the present site of the Bay city itself was little more than a village with but few houses. The farm upon which he was reared was in Mill Creek township and there during the summer months he toiled in the pursuit of agriculture, plowing, planting and reaping in due season, while during the winter months he took advantage of the educational privileges afforded by the district school. The school- house in his day was a log-cabin, which stood where his present farm house now stands and, while seated on a peg-leg bench, he acquired the rudiments of learning which, although not comprehensive, served him well throughout his later business experiences. After he finished his school ing he remained upon the home farm and upon the death of his father he inherited one hundred acres of the original four hundred acre tract and to this, through the fruits of his industry and energy, he added one hun dred and eighty acres so that his farm was very extensive and one of the finest in the township. In the pursuit of agriculture he continued, at the same time paying some attention to stock raising until 1900, when he re tired from active life and took up his abode in the city of Erie, although at the same time he still owns his farm and supervises its management. Mr. Wolf was united in marriage to Fannie L. Heidler, the daughter of Curtis Heidler Sr., a pioneer of Erie county. Her birth occurred March 28, 1832, and she is the mother of the following children : Curtis N., born August 5, 1850, married Ella Carr and they now reside in Springfield, South Dakota, their family consisting of one son, Robert, and two daughters, May and Esther. The father went west in 1877, so journing in Kansas and Nebraska, previous to his location in South Da kota. Saphronia M., born Alarch 28, 1853, married John B. Burton, and departed this life May 1, 1892, her husband surviving until November 24, 1895, leaving two children: Hattie J., born in 1874 and died February 13, 1890 ; and Edith L., born in 1880 and passing away May 9, 1898. John C. born March 10, 1855, was twice united in marriage, his first union be ing with Lillian Church, who died November 13, 1883, leaving one child, Lillian, born November 2, 1883. His second wife was Jeanette Arbuckle, the wedding being celebrated October 25, 1888, to whom were born two children : Richard, born in 1890 ; and John S., who passed away August 5, 1899. Charles A., born January 19, 1857, was educated in the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 43 common schools, supplementing his preliminary training by a commercial course, at Clarks College and, being prominent in the locality in which he resides, has held the offices of register and treasurer of Mill Creek town ship. Hattie J., born March 12, 1859, married Frank B. Foot, the couple residing in this city, and to them were born two children, Maude M. and Marshall. Seth H. who was born December 10, 1864, wedded Anna Mil ler and to this union were born two children, Harold Isaac and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have led a wonderfully active life, having been reared amid the primitive conditions and surroundings of this county, which required stern and insistent application in order to make an inroad into the forests and thereby make the region habitable and to him, as to other pioneers, is due the credit for laying the foundation for the present development of the city of Erie and environs. He has always been deeply interested in the welfare of the community in which he lived and while actively engaged on his farm in Mill Creek township was honored with every political office within the gift of his fellow townsmen. The family are members of the Lutheran church, in which during his early days he was an active worker and, having always endeavored to live in obedience to the teachings of his faith, he may now, as he has progressed on the journey of life beyond the eightieth milestone, look forward to a still happier one when, in answer to the promise of the faith he has long followed, he shall have been graced with the earnest of his hope of a blissful immor tality. Charles A. Curtze. The business career of the late Charles August Curtze was significantly characterized by courage, confidence, progressive- ness and impregnable integrity of purpose. He long held precedence as one of the representative citizens and influential business men of his native city of Erie, and he contributed much to the civic and commercial ad vancement of the city. He was signally loyal and public-spirited as a citizen, was a member of one of the old and honored families of Erie county, and his life counted for good in all its relations. Charles August Curtze, who was a scion of that stanch German stock which has played so important a part in the upbuilding of the old Key stone state, was born in the city of Erie, on the 6th of April, 1849, and was a son of Frederick and Mary A. (Beekman) Curtze, both natives of Germany, where they passed their entire lives and where the father was long identified with the business interests of Erie county. Charles A. Curtze attended the public schools of Erie until he had at tained to the age of fifteen years, when he identified him self with farming interests in this vicinity. Three years later, however, he returned to Erie and assumed a position in the employ of the firm of Johnston & Brevillier, wholesale dealers in grocer ies. Within a period of six months he was advanced to the position of traveling salesman for the concern, and he was thus engaged in suc cessful work throughout his assigned trade territory for a period of more than ten years. In 1875, however, he had formed a partnership alliance with John W. Swalley and engaged in the manufacturing of soap, under the firm name of Swalley & Curtze. With this enterprise he was identified for one year, while still acting as traveling representa tive for the firm previously mentioned. In 1878 he associated himself with Mr. Rice in the wholesale grocery business in Erie, under the firm title of Curtze & Rice. The enterprise was thus continued until 1883, when he purchased the interest of his partner, after which he remained 44 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY sole proprietor of the business until his death. He was a man of much initiative power and distinctive administrative ability, and he so directed the affairs of his business as to make its success constantly cumulative. The enterprise expanded in' scope and importance from year to year and under his able management assumed precedence as one of the leading wholesale concerns of this section of the state. The trade territory was expanded through the excellent service and fair dealing accorded and the house has long controlled a large and substantial business through out the region tributary to the city of Erie as a commercial supply center. In the same year that the business was founded a spice mill was added to the plant, and from that time forward a specialty was made of handling spices and coffees. The general grocery department has 'been kept up to the highest standard, and its facilities remain to-day unexcelled by those of any other house of the kind in Erie. In the fire which de stroyed the Mayer block, September 28, 1908, the entire stock of the Curtze wholesale grocery was likewise wiped out by the flames, but with in the same week temporary quarters were secured at the corner of Twelfth and French streets, where the business was resumed with but slight interruption. The fine quarters of the concern are now located at Twelfth and Sassafrass streets. Since the death of Mr. Curtze the business has been continued by the estate and his policies are being car ried out under effective management, so that the reputation of the house still continues as a tribute to his business sagacity and integrity. In all that tended to conserve the progress and material and civic prosperity of his native city Mr. Curtze maintained a deep and loyal interest, and this interest was one of definite helpfulness and co-opera tion. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, but he was essentially a business man and had no desire for office or for the turmoil of the political arena. He was an appreciative and valued mem ber of the Erie Board of Trade, of which he served one term as presi dent. His administration was signally progressive and did much to further the commercial interests of the city. He was affiliated with the time-honored Masonic fraternity and was an active and zealous member of St. Paul's Lutheran church, to the various departments of whose work he was a liberal contributor. Mr. Curtze was summoned to the life eternal on the 1st of October, 1901, and in his death Erie suffered the loss of one of its most honored citizens and most valued business men. He commanded at all times the unqualified confidence and esteem of the community in which his entire life was passed, and thus set at' naught any application of the scriptural aphorism that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." In personality he was not demonstra tive but he was ever courteous and kindly, tolerant in his judgment and altruistic in his viewpoint. He won and retained inviolable friendships and his life record is one that offers both lesson and incentive. On the 3d of July, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Curtze to Miss Amanda Emma Jarecki, daughter of the late August Jarecki, who was one of the important jewelers of Erie and representing the most important industrial enterprise in Erie of its kind and who was one of the honored and influential citizens of this city. Mrs. Curtze died on the 22d of January, 1890, and of the four children three are living : Julia is the wife of Dr. R. A. Kern, of Erie ; Arthur and Edwin are associated in the management of the wholesale business so long conducted by their honored father; and Adelheidt Caroline died at the age of eleven months. On the 25th of May, 1893, Mr. Curtze contracted HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 45 a second marriage, being then united to Miss Antonie Jarecki, a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Curtze survives her husband and resides in the at tractive family homestead, where she dispenses a gracious hospitality to a wide circle of friends. She is a devoted member of Christ church and has long been prominent in the representative social affairs of Erie. John Daniel William Swendsen. Among the prominent com mercial factors of Erie engaged in the hat manufacturing business is John Daniel William Swendsen, who owns the distinction of being the only Danish tradesman in this city. As a practical hatter he thoroughly understands every detail and particular of the industry and, as to the class of goods he turns out, he stands on a par with any in the same under taking in this part of the state. His business standing, from every point of view, is unassailable and it has been on the strength of his own merits that, from year to year, he has so augmented his trade that he today conducts one of the leading enterprises in the Bay city. A native of Copenhagen, Denmark, he was born January 8, 1877, a son of Carl William and Josephine (Carlson) Swendsen. The father, also a native of that city, was born in 1837 and he applied himself to general con tracting and building lines until he departed this life in 1889, while the mother, who was a native of Smoland, Sweden, now resides with her son of this review. It was in 1889, when in his twelfth year, that John Daniel William Swendsen came to the United States and went to work for his brother, Rudolph, who was engaged in the manufacture of hats in this city. It was not without being hampered that he engaged in the business circles of this country, by reason of the fact that he was unfamiliar with the En glish language, which obviously constituted a considerable impediment to his progress. However, he continued in the employ of his brother, with whom he completed his trade as a hatter, in the meantime acquiring conversant intelligence of the English tongue. In 1893 he went to Chi cago, Illinois, where he opened up an establishment for himself on Lincoln avenue and for a period of two years manufactured hats of all kinds. He met with wonderful success, inasmuch as he produces a high class quality of goods which won him a wide reputation, his product finding ready sale in the market. At the expiration of that period returning to this city, he opened a hat manufactory at No. 1313 State street, of which he was proprietor for a brief period when he disposed of the business and repaired to Cleveland, Ohio. In that place he established a hat manufactory and on a very large scale continued to turn out all kinds of that commodity, remaining proprietor of the establishment for about four years, when he sold out his interests and again took up his abode in Erie. Here he founded his present business at No. 1215 State street, where he engages in the manufacture of his own brands of goods, including silk, soft and stiff hats and of all descriptions. Through con stant application to his trade he has gradually built up an extensive and prosperous enterprise and, as proprietor of the establishment, he now conducts, he is one of the most successful and reliable business men of the city, whose extensive business interests have enabled him to ac cumulate considerable valuable property. Aside from owning the site upon which he conducts his enterprise he also owns his elegant residence on West Ninth street, the edifice costing in the neighborhood of five thousand dollars. It has been through the straightforward business methods which he has observed, reinforced by hard work and incessant 46 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY application, which have enabled Air. Swendsen to attain to his present position of prominence in the commercial life of the city and here he is not only numbered among the successful business men but is also highly esteemed and respected for his social qualities and as a representative citizen. On the 24th of -April, 1901, Air. Swendsen wedded Aliss Nina E. Ward, who was born on Kelley's Island, Ohio, and was a daughter of Bert Ward. To this union have been born two children : Ward William and Laura Belle Ruth. Alaster Ward from childhood has been noted for his brilliancy and when but three years of age was awarded three amateur money prizes at various theatres in the city while at _ the age of four years he sang at the Princes Theater for a salary of thirty dollars per week. In 1908 he won the third prize, amounting to eighty-five dol lars, in the Erie Times baby contest. Air. Swendsen is well known throughout fraternal organizations, his relations being with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is also a member of the encampment, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. His business conduct has always been such as to give him high standing in the commercial circles of the city, while socially he is highly respected and as a man of means is a prominent factor in Erie's industrial life. Hon. William Ayers Galbraith. The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments but rather to leave the perpetual record establish ing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellow- men. Throughout Pennsylvania Judge Galbraith was spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been so varied in its activity, so honorable in its purposes and so far reaching and beneficial in its effects that it has become an integral part of the history of Erie and also left an impress upon the annals of the state. A native of Franklin, Venango county, Pennsylvania, William Ayers Galbraith was born Alay 29, 1823, and came of a family honored and conspicuous in the early history of the nation and particularly in the state of Pennsyl vania. Of this family no less than four members served on the bench. The father of Judge Galbraith was the late Judge John Galbraith who, in 1837, came with his family to Erie county. The son, Judge William Ayers Galbraith acquired his literary educa tion in Allegheny College and at the old Erie Academy. AA nether in herited tendency, natural predilection or environment had most to do with his choice of a profession it is impossible to determine, but at all events the choice was a wise one for in the practice of law he gained distinc tion and honor, his record reflecting credit upon the judicial history of the state. He read law under the direction of his father and was admitted to the bar in 1844 on the twenty-first anniversary of his birth. In September of that year he became a student in the Dane Law School, a department of Harvard University, and was graduated from that institu tion as a member of the class of 1845. Returning to Erie Air. Galbraith entered upon the active practice of his profession in partnership with his brother-in-law, William S. Lane, and in 1846 he was appointed deputy attorney-general, which posi tion he filled through appointment of the attorney-general of Pennsyl vania until 1850. Re-entering the general practice of law his clientage became so extensive that it overtaxed his strength and on the advice of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 47 his physician he temporarily abandoned his law work. About that time he became interested with General Herman Haupt in the building of the Hoosac tunnel and gave to that historic and gigantic enterprise the major part of his attention for a period of two years. Returning to Erie he was appointed attorney for the Sunbury & Erie Railroad, a division of what is now the Pennsylvania & Erie system. In business as well as in professional relations he displayed marked ability and that enterprise which is always a factor in the success of any undertaking. His analytical mind enabled him to clearly judge of the possibilities of every business situation while his energy constituted a factor in co ordinating forces and bringing them into a harmonious and unified whole. Thus the various business undertakings with which he became connected were carried forward to successful completion and his co-operation was therefore eagerly sought. He not only became one of the directors of the Sunbury & Erie Railroad but was also a director of the Cleveland & Erie, now the Lake Shore Railroad. He contributed freely from his ample means to the development of Erie's industrial resources, becoming one of the heavy investors in the Erie Car Works, the Erie Car Wheel Works and the Burdett Organ Company. He was also one of the in corporators of the Erie Dime Savings & Loan Company and was its president at the time of his death. He likewise made large investments in real estate, particularly in Chicago where, among other properties held by him at the time of his death was the so called "Galbraith Building" at the corner of Madison and Franklin streets. His judgment was seldom if ever at fault and while his interests were extensive he displayed none of the erratic movements of the speculator, for his judgment was at all times tempered by a safe conservatism that made his efforts at all times productive of substantial results. While his business affairs made heavy demands upon his, time, Judge Galbraith, by reason of the resourcefulness of his nature and his unlimited energy, became an active and effective force in matters of citizenship. He was recognized as one of the prominent leaders of the Democratic party in this section of the state and was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1860 and at Chicago in 1864. In the spring of 1861 he was nominated as a union candidate for the state senate and such was his personal popularity that he received strong support and failed but little of election. In 1876 he was nominated by the independent voters of Erie county for president judge and was chosen for a full term of ten years. His course upon the bench was such as reflected the highest credit and honor upon the peo ple of the county. He was clear in his exposition of the law and few of his rulings were reversed by the higher courts. He possessed a well balanced intellect, was thoroughly familiar with the science of juris prudence, and possessed moreover an analytical mind and a self con trol that enabled him to lose his individuality, personal feelings and pre judice in the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and liberty must look for protection. While Judge Gal braith was long an ardent and zealous advocate of the Democracy, he left the party in 1896 upon the adoption of the money plank in its platform of that year, being opposed to the unlimited coinage of silver and the ratio of sixteen to one. He took an active part in the campaign in favor of the gold standard of the Democratic party, delivering many strong campaign addresses and rendering valuable aid to the cause which he espoused. After leaving the bench he resumed the practice of law in 48 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Erie in partnership with his two sons, Davenport and John W. continu ing an active member of the bar until his death which occurred January 3, 1898. Judge Galbraith left a widow and his two sons who had been his law partners. On the 25th of May, 1846, he had wedded Miss Fanny Davenport, a daughter of the late Captain William Davenport and a sister of the Hon. S. A. Davenport of Erie. Her birth occurred De cember 11, 1826. Of the two sons, both became active members of the bar and the younger, Davenport, is now vice president of the Erie Trust Company. The home life of Judge Galbraith was largely ideal for his devotion to the welfare of wife and children led him to put forth a most earnest effort to promote their interests and happiness. He possessed moreover a spirit of broad humanitarianism that was manifest in many tangible ways. At a time when colored children were not admitted to the public schools he rented a room, employed a teacher and paid all the expenses for a school that the negro children of the city might be edu cated. He also established the first night school in Erie for white pupils and provided the money for its support until the board of education took it over with his consent. He contributed liberally to other charities in this city and was ever active in support of the Central Presbyterian church. He lives in the memory of his friends enshrined in a halo of a gracious presence and a name which in all of his varied relations, was never sullied by any dishonorable act. At all times he held to high ideals of manhood and of citizenship and was honored and respected wherever known. Charles Fredrick Loesel is president of the Bay City Forge Company, and engaged in sheet and metal work at No. 211 East Eigh teenth street, this city. He is a representative type of the energetic and enterprising business man of Erie who, through years of stern and un wearied application to the various phases of commercial life, has estab lished an industrial concern which has not only enabled him to attain an honorable station in the business world but also thereby to contribute considerably to the financial worth of the city. His rise to his present post of honor and responsibility as a leader of finances is due solely to his own innate resources and perseverance, for he began his industrial career simply as an iron worker and has since brought to bear such faculties for managing affairs and ingenuity relative to his craft as made it possible for him, step by step, to enlarge the borders of his enterprise and develop the business, of which he is the executive head, to its present gratifying proportions. Born in this city June 17, 1868, Mr. Loesel is a son of Michael and Emma (Stickel) Loesel, highly respected German residents of Erie, whose nativity occurred in the fatherland in the years 1836 and 1848, respectively. Here, where was celebrated their marriage, they have spent their entire lives since arriving in America and for thirty-five years continuously the father, a carpenter by trade, was prominent in the indus trial circles of the city as a contractor and builder. He took an active part m the upbuilding of the residence portions of the municipality and by his efforts and industry, as well as by those of others the city has been developed to its present prosperous condition. His long season of unremitting application, aided by excellent business judgment and careful management, had placed him in circumstances enabling him to withdraw from active life in 1891. Of a family of nine children born to him and his HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 49 wife the following survive: Lisetta, the wifeof Henry Housmann, resident of Erie ; Ida, who married W. R. Baker ; the couple living in Lewistown, Pennsylvania; Mabel, who resides in Erie with her husband, Dan'l G. Baldwin; and Charles Fredrick. Five sons passed away in childhood within ten days of each other during an epidemic. Reared in the city of his birth Charles Fredrick Loesel was at the usual age enrolled as a pupil at the public schools, pursuing his studies there until the age of fifteen years. Inheriting the industry of his father and also a desire to become associated with the building trades, at that early age, he became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade under his parent and plied his craft until he was nineteen years old. At this period of his life, however, with every opportunity before him in the pursuit of the occupation, his desire turned toward railroading and for two and a half years he was employed as a fireman on the Erie & Pittsburg Railroad, which vocation not only added to his physical vigor but also in some respects supplemented his experience in a department of work akin to that in which he is now engaged. Upon leaving the railroad Mr. Loesel opened up a shop on his own account and engaged in the sheet metal and tinning business, in which he has since continued successfully. Being naturally apt at mechanical work and entering upon the undertaking with determination to succeed, at the same time bringing to bear upon his daily tasks a conscientious desire to produce the highest class workmanship and thereby establish a worthy reputation in his department of industry, his business gradually grew until now he conducts one of the most extensive metal industries in the city. In 1907 he established the Bay City Forge Company, of which he is the president and which is at present located at the corner of Eighteenth and Cranberry streets. Mr. Loesel has exercised executive control over the company since its organization and his practical experience in the various phases of the industry, together with his keen business discernment ably qualify him for his responsible office, while his just and fair business methods assure the industry steady growth. Mr. Loesel wedded Miss Lou Baker, a native of Erie city and a daughter of John O. and Mary Baker. To this union have been born : Fred M., George O., Charles G. and Agnes E. Aside from the duties incumbent upon him as a business man Mr. Loesel finds time to enter into municipal affairs and from 1904 until 1908 was a member of the city council, his services for the public as a constituent of that honorable body having shared the interest and administrative ability he brings to bear in his own private business concerns. In 1908 he was elected a member of the board of poor directors of Erie county, taking his seat on January 1, 1909, .for a term of three years. Mr. Loesel is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias while further his social nature finds gratification as a member of the Shrine Club. He belongs to the Chamber of Com merce and Builder's Exchange, both of which he assisted in organizing and his individuality is a strong feature both in the city's industrial and municipal life. John Stevens Richards. He coveted success but scorned to attain it except through industry and honest means. He acquired wealth without fraud or deceit, and the results of his life are full of inspiration to the rising generation. These are significant words, and well do they indicate Captain John Stevens Richards as he stood as a man among men. He was a dominating factor in connection with the material and Vol. II— 4 50 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY civic progress of the city of Erie, and no shadow rests on any portion of his career now that he has been called from the scenes and labors of this mortal life. His success, and it was pronounced, was largely attained through his connection with lake-marine and coal interests, and he gave of his splendid ability to the promotion of enterprises which conserved the general welfare of the community. Now that a perspective view of his career in its entirety may be gained, it is most consistent that at least a brief review of his life history be entered in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand. John Stevens Richards was a native of the city of Erie, which represented his home during practically the entire course of his long and useful life. He was born in the old family homestead on Second street, between French and Holland streets, on the 5th of June, 1821, and his death occurred in Chicago on the 23d of April, 1897. He was a son of John and Ann (Henton) Richards, both natives of Card iganshire, North Wales. John Richards left his home in Wales when a youth and thereafter followed a seafaring life for some time. He eventually took up his abode in the city of New York, where he served an apprenticeship in the yards of a large shipbuilding firm. At the time of the war of 1812 this firm sent out a large number of its operatives to construct the war vessels which eventually constituted Commodore Perry's historic fleet on Lake Erie, and among the men assigned to this work was John Richards, who rendered effective service in this connec tion. After the close of the war he established his permanent home in Erie, where his name is honored as that of a sterling pioneer and loyal and influential citizen. For a time after taking up his residence in Erie he sailed on the Great Lakes, after which he engaged in shipbuilding, in which connection he had charge for many years of the construction of all of the Reed Line steamers. Both he and his wife continued to reside in Erie until their death. Captain John S. Richards gained his early education in the school conducted in what was long known as a landmark of Erie, — the old "Yellow Meeting House," on Sassafras street, and this he supplemented by attending the Erie Academy. For a number of years after leaving school he was associated with his father in the operations of the local shipyard, and he then initiated his career as a sailor on the Great Lakes. He was thus identified with lake-marine service for more than twenty years, and he won rapid promotion through more subordinate offices to that of captain, in which position he had command of such vessels as the "Ohio," "Queen City," "Keystone State," and "Western World," the last mentioned of which held the route between Buffalo and Detroit. His last command was that of the steamship "Milwaukee," which oper ated between Grand Haven, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a connecting adjunct of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad, which is now a part of the Grand Trunk system. In 1863 Captain Richards retired from the lakes and became a mem ber of the firm of Henry Rawle & Company, of Erie, lake shippers of bituminous coal. This firm was succeeded by that of Richards, Pelton, Reed & Company, and the latter had its dissolution upon the abandon ment of the Erie extension canal. In 1871 he became an interested principal in the firm of John Hern & Company, wholesale coal dealers and with this concern and its successors, W. L. Scott & Company and the W. L. Scott Company, he continued to be identified until his death and was its president after the death of Mr. Scott. He also became HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 51 interested in other enterprises of important order, not the least of which was the Second National Bank of Erie, in which he was a large stock holder and a director. His charities and benevolences were large and varied, but invariably unostentatious, and as a citizen he was moved by deep public spirit. He was one of those prominently concerned in the founding of the Hamot Hospital, one of the noble institutions of Erie, and as president of the Hamot Hospital Association he gave freely of his time and means to the promotion of the interests and to the main tenance of the hospital. His political allegiance was given to the Re publican party, in whose cause he maintained a deep interest, though he never consented to become a candidate for public office. He was affiliated with the Protestant Episcopal church, and was a liberal contrib utor to the various departments of the work of St. Paul's parish, in whose membership Mrs. Richards has long been identified as a zealous church woman. In the city and county of his birth Captain Richards will long be remembered for strength of character which would have made him a man of mark anywhere and for personal qualities which attracted and held all with whom he came in contact. On the 19th of September, 1853, was solemnized the marriage of Captain Richards to Miss Adelaide McAllister, who was reared in the city of Erie and who is a daughter of the late David and Caroline (Gil- son) McAllister, the former of whom was born at Springfield, Vermont, November 18, 1800, and the latter of whom was born at Chesterfield, New Hampshire, January 24, 1813. Both families were founded in New England in the early colonial epoch of our national history. David McAllister came to Erie from Jefferson county, New York, in 1840, and for the ensuing seven years he was here engaged in the dry-goods business. In 1848 he was appointed clerk to the county commissioners, and in 1851 he was elected register and recorder of the county, of which dual office he remained incumbent for two full terms of three years each. Later he was elected treasurer of the Erie Canal Company, and the last official position held by him was that of deputy collector of internal revenue, of which he was incumbent at the time of his death, which occurred March 26, 1880. He was a man of sterling character, was one of the honored pioneers of the city of Erie, and ever commanded the confidence and esteem of the people of the community in which he so long maintained his home. His cherished and devoted wife was summoned to eternal rest October 13, 1892. Captain and Mrs. Richards became the parents of three children, who, with their mother, survive the honored subject of this memoir. Harry is now a resident of Perley, Minnesota, where he has extensive farming interests and is a representative citizen ; Mary is the wife of George R. Metcalf, of Erie ; and Adelaide is the widow of William W. Michener, of Chicago, who died in the autum of 1908. Philander Harlan, who is active in the conduct of an extensive fur niture establishment in Erie, has attained prominence in commercial circles solely on the strength of his own exertions and innate business acumen. For twenty-six years he has been identified with the city's commercial life, his initial venture being upon a very small scale and apparently without prospect to one possessed of a lesser degree of fore sight and resolution than he. HoWever, as the years came, every mo ment was utilized toward a definite end and every opportunity seized for the advancement of his business interests, so that today he controls 52 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY a large furniture house and owns considerable valuable real estate; wherein, when he started in business, he was practically destitute of finances and had but a small stock of second-hand goods. Such a career strongly indicates a full measure of business ability, economical management and the faculty of making circumstances, as they occur, serve the end in view. Mr. Harlan was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1852, a son of Samuel Harlan, also a native of that county. Orig inally the family came from England and is numbered among the early ones of the above named county. When Philander Harlan was a mere boy his father died, and he was put on a farm in Delaware _ county, Pennsylvania, where he was to remian until he had reached his sixteenth year. During that period he gave his services for his "keep" but, upon attaining the stipulated age, he was paid ten dollars a month for the next half year. At the termination of that period he had his wages, amounting to sixty dollars. Five dollars of that sum he paid for a valise and then came to Erie, where for a year he worked in a restau rant for a man by name of Nunn. In that position he remained for a time, but, before reaching his twenty-first year, enlisted in the United States navy, being assigned aboard the old "Michigan." For eleven years, or until 1883, he was in the government service on the Great Lakes and on the open sea. In that year he located in Erie and engaged in the furniture business, his stand being in the old Elsworth block. Second hand goods, which he had accumulated during three previous years, constituted his stock. From the outset he determined to succeed, bring ing to his aid that strong force of character developed by stern naval discipline and the business grew in response to his incessant application and wise methods, so that he soon began to deal in new furniture. His venture had proved so successful that by the year 1891, eight years after he had taken the step, he had amassed sufficient means to justify his purchase of the old Wright block, on the northeast corner of State and Fifth streets. It is a three-story brick building with a frontage of eighty-two and one-half feet. From time to time he made improvements on the edifice, in all spending about ten thousand dollars in reconstruc tion, so that today the building presents the appearance of four capacious rooms, connected by archways and stocked with all descriptions of high class furniture. He conducts a large and growing trade since he has become very popular throughout the city owing to his reliability as a merchant and the high standard of commercial ethics he observes in his business transactions. In 1898 Mr. Harlan bought the old Marshall homestead, on Fifth street near Peach, this being a well-known residence of Erie and, since purchasing the property he .has completely remodeled the house, equip ping it with all modern conveniences. Here he enjoys the comforts of an elegant home with his wife, who was Susanna Shimer, a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Shimer, Mrs. Harlan having been reared in Delaware county of her native state! Interested in the welfare of the city Air. Harlan exerts his influence for its betterment as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Men's Exchange. Fraternally he is associated with the Inde pendent Order of Odd Fellows, while both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 53 Hudson W. Mosier. If any man ever fairly earned a leading posi tion with a representative business house it is Hudson W. Mosier, a foreman of the Watson Paper Mill Company, at Erie, who has applied his abilities to the best interests of that corporation for nearly thirty years. In other words, he has devoted nearly three-fifths of his entire life to the industry as represented by that company. His career fur nishes a fine example of faithfulness as an employe, with a hearty recog nition both of constancy and efficiency by the employer. Mr. Mosier is a native of the village of Fairview, born September 22, 1859, and is a son of Samuel and Sophia (Osborn) Mosier. His father was a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, born April 4, 1825, and the mother, of Erie county, born on the 29th of January, 1830. The grandfathers, on both sides of the family, were Daniel Mosier and James Osborn, pioneers respectively of Montgomery and Erie counties. Samuel Mosier lost his parents when quite young and was only nine years of age when he accompanied his two brothers and one sister to Erie county. Journey ing hither in a wagon, they first located at Le Boeuf, but afterward settled in Mill Creek township. There the father learned both shoemaking and wagon-making, following the latter during the last active years of his life in Fairview township. He died in 1893, his wife having passed away June 1, 1886. Two children were born of this union — Marion, who died in infancy, and Hudson W., of this sketch. Mr. Mosier was reared in Fairview township as a farmer's boy and there obtained a district school education. He worked both on neighborhood farms and in a brick yard before he became connected with the business which has absorbed most of his life since early man hood. In 1879, when twenty years of age, he went to work for the Watson Paper Company in the Fairview mill, and in 1882 accepted a position in the Erie plant. For a number of years past he has been a foreman of the flourishing paper mill. Albeit the thirty years of his service with the Watson Paper Company have engrossed his working hours, his residence ward (the Sixth) has honored him with membership on the school board for four years, and his brother Masons have ad vanced him to one of the highest offices in the order. At the expiration of his recent term as potentate of Zem Zem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Mr. Mosier received as an evidence of its members' esteem a handsome diamond jewel, beautifully and elaborately set. He is also past master of Keystone Lodge, No. 455; a member of Temple Chapter and Mount Olivet Commandery, and secretary of the Mutual Building and Loan Association for over thirteen years. Mr. Mosier's wife, who was formerly Miss Laura J. McCully, was born at Fairview and is a daughter of John and Maria (Mayer) McCully. Their daughter, Hazel K., was born October 5, 1885, and their son Paul H., February 22, 1888. The latter has been on the Pacific coast for about two years, being an assistant engineer on the Standard Oil steamer "Atlas." Eligius Kohlmiller. The dye and cleaning works of Eligius Kohlmiller, of Erie, represent not only the first of their kind in the city, but are pioneers in the use of dry cleaning and other present-day processes, as well as among the most extensive establish ments in their line in the United States. Mr. Kohlmiller is a native of Erie, born on Ninth street, between German and Parade streets, on the 29th of March, 1857. His parents, Joseph and Walburga (Christal) 54 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Kohlmiller, were born in Germany, married in that country and came to Erie in 1854. Having thoroughly learned the trade of a dyer, the father soon opened a small shop — the first in Erie — its location being on East Ninth street, near the present site of Webber's photographic studio. In 1860 he removed his business to the location of the extensive establishment developed and conducted for twenty-six years by the son, Eligius Kohlmiller. Its founder retired from active work in April, 1883, when the latter assumed its management, and died in the following month, at the age of fifty-eight years. His widow survived him until June 11, 1890, when she had reached her sixty-third year. Both were faithful members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. They were the parents of the following children : Walburga, who became Mrs. Frank Boelte, of Erie; Eligius; Julia, who is deceased; Theresa, who mar ried Henry Runser ; Henry J., deceased; and Louisa, who died as the wife of Henry Arens. Mr. Kohlmiller was educated in the public and parochial schools of his native city of Erie, and when a. small boy commenced to receive his training as a dyer in his father's establishment. At the age of fourteen, however, he entered the employ of Barr and Johnson, stove manufacturers, with whom he remained for several years, before becom ing a machinist at Stearns Manufacturing Company. In 1879 he went to Detroit and received a thorough training in the cleaning and dyeing establishment of a French expert, being called home in April, 1883, to assume the charge of his father's business. It was small and rather crude when he became its manager and, soon after its proprietor, its development to its present large proportions, along modern lines, being solely due to his energy and practical ability. Mr. Kohlmiller was one of the first in Erie to adopt and push the dry-cleaning process, and has gradually developed his plant so that it embodies all the newest and most modern sanitary machinery. He now employs eleven women and six men in his works, and the business has grown to 14,000 pieces annu ally, the quality of his work having obtained sb high a reputation that his patrons are found in New York, Boston, Cincinnati, and other large cities east and west, and as far south as Austin, Texas. Mr. Kohlmiller is a member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and the Business Men's Exchange, and also of the Erie Maennerchor, East Side Turners, Knights of Pythias and Elks. Both himself and all the members of his family are Roman Catholics, members of St. Mary's church. Air. Kohlmiller was first married in Detroit to Miss Minnie St. Amour. She was a native of that city and died in 1882, leaving one child, Frank J., who is now associated with his father in business. The second marriage was on August 24, 1886, to Miss Margaret K. Eisert, who was born in Erie October 29, 1866, daughter of Martin and Frances (Kegel) Eisert. Her parents were both natives of Germany, her father dying in October, 1900. The children of this marriage were as follows: Elenor, born June 29, 1887; Albert, born October 24, 1888, who met his death on the railroad June 23, 1907; Elmer, born Julv 2l' 1891, and Lavina, born April 28, 1896. Christian Kessler. There are few if any of the German citizens of Erie, who have taken a more active and prominent part in the affairs of the city than Christian Kessler who has resided here for quite half a century, during which long period he has been closely identified with the city and its government, holding many positions of honorable trust HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 55 and responsibility and discharging his official duties with an eye solely to the best interests of the community. Mr. Kessler is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born November 21, 1842, the youngest son of the late Henry and Elizabeth (Backfish) Kessler. The mother died in Bavaria in 1852, and in 1857, the father brought his family to America. He was a quarryman by vocation. He first located in Greene township, Erie county, but later removed to Iowa, where he died in 1869. Christian Kessler attended school in the old country until he reached the age of fourteen years ; but the only instruction in the English branches which he secured was limited to what he obtained in a three or four months attendance at the public schools of Greene township. When he thus became a pupil he could not speak a word of English, yet so apt a student was he, that in a few months he could "spell down" the entire school. In 1859, he came to Erie without capital, and first worked as a grocer's clerk for six years, in February, 1865, becoming a retail grocer, on a small scale at number 408 State street. There he continued until 1870, and then removed to No. 403 State street, where he has since continued. Later he added wholesale whiskey to his grocery business, that department of his establishment being located at No. 401 State street, corner of Fourth. In 1904, he closed out his grocery depart ment, since when he has given his entire business attention to the whole sale liquor store. Mr. Kessler began his public career in April, 1873, when he was elected to the common council of Erie, serving until 1875. In April of 1875, he was appointed a member of the license board, serving one year, and enjoys the distinction of having been the only man appointed to such a position in the state, who is engaged in the liquor business. In 1876, he was elected to represent his ward to the city select council, serving as such until 1878 ; in 1880, he was unanimously elected to rep resent his ward in the city select council, serving until 1882, and from 1886 to 1892 he was a member of the board of water commissioners. Mr. Kessler was one of the incorporators of the Hamot Hospital, and took an active part in establishing the People's market house, securing the major part of the subscriptions and personally overseeing the erection of the buildings. In 1863, Mr. Kessler married Helen Bloeser, of Erie, who died May 4, 1883, aged thirty-eight years and five days, leaving the following children : Elizabeth, who married John Kolb, of Erie ; Helen D., living at home with her father; Annie K, who is bookkeeper for her father; Minnie J., a teacher in the Erie public schools ; Clara L., who married W. S. Nason of Erie; C. Harry, vice president of the Wayne Brewing Company, that city; Louis J., who died as an infant of two months; and Florence A., who married Frank L. Feisler, a druggist of Erie. Mr. Kessler is a Mason in high standing, a successful and honorable business man, and a citizen of public enterprise, ability and unimpeach able integrity. Robert J. Rosswog. The art of dyeing is largely hereditary in the Rosswog family of Erie — that is, three generations have numbered ex perts in that line, and as Robert J. Rosswog, one of the leaders in his field in Erie, is himself the father of two living sons, the genealogical history in this particular may be continued into a fourth generation. Mr. Rosswog mentioned, who is proprietor of one of the two largest dyeing and cleaning establishments in the city, is a native of Baden, 56 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Germany, where he was born on the 7th of May, 1879. His parents, Julius and Amelia (Brucker) Rosswog, were also both natives of the duchy, where the paternal grandfather followed his trade and business as a dyer for many years. He was succeeded by his son Julius, who emigrated to the United States with his family in 1888, continuing the business in Erie at No. 1320 Turnpike Road. In 1892 he erected the large two story brick building at the corner of Fourteenth and Peach streets, and there developed his cleaning and dyeing establishment until 1902, when he sold it to his son, Robert J., and retired from active business. Julius Rosswog died in 1905, at the age of seventy-four years, his wife having passed away in 1895, aged fifty. He was twice married, both times in Germany, and by his first wife had six children, of whom the five survivors still reside in the fatherland. The children by the second marriage were as follows : Julius, Jr., who is a business man of Cleveland, Ohio; Amelia, now Sister Eugenia, O. S. B., of Erie; Lena, who married Henry B. Rastatter, a tinner and hardware merchant of that city, located on Parade street; Josephine, who married Louis Bierig, the painter and frescoer of Erie ; and Robert J., of this sketch. The child last named was nine years of age when the family located in Erie, receiving his literary education at St. Mary's Catholic school and his technical and business training under his father. Mr. Rosswog commenced as a delivery boy and not only mastered every detail of the business, but of the mechanisms and processes connected with dyeing and cleaning, so that he was fully competent to assume active charge of the establishment in 1902, when his father relinquished the control. In the fall of 1908 he purchased the business property which he now occupies from the family estate, and to this has added the Johnson property to the- south, giving him a plant site of 40 by 90 feet. In the former Johnson building he installed his modern dry cleaning works. In 1903 he introduced the automobile as a delivery agency in Erie, and in 1907 he installed the Hoffman Sanitary steam presses, so that his establishment is one of the most complete in Pennsylvania. His average number of employes is twelve and his work covers the city and neigh boring towns, the name Rosswog, having been considered, for many years, a certain guarantee of skill and honesty applied to dyeing and cleaning. Mr. Rosswog is an active member of the National Dyers' and Cleaners' Association and, locally, is identified with the Erie Chamber of Commerce, Business Men's Association, Erie Maennerchor, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of St. John. Mr. Rosswog married Miss Otillia Haibach, a native of Erie and daughter of Lorenz and Mary Haibach, the father being engaged in the meat business on East Tenth street and a well-known citizen. The three sons of this union were as follows : Robert E., born October 2, 1903 • Anthonie ]., born May 11, 1906, and Bernard, who was born March 30[ 1908, and lived only until the following 15th of July. The mother of the family, who was born August 25, 1877, died April 9, 1908. Francis Carrick, vice president and manager of the Globe Iron Works, of Erie, which he assisted in founding, is also part owner of the Hinsley Manufacturing Company, a stockholder in the Stearns Manufacturing Company, and since boyhood has been almost continuously identified with the development of the city's industrial life Fie is a native of St. Catherine's, Canada, born on the 10th of July 1853 and is a son of John and Margaret (Ryan) Carrick, the former a HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 57 Scotchman of Montrose and the latter, a daughter of Ireland of county Clare. Both parents emigrated to the Dominion in their youth and were married in Canada. In his early life the father was an ocean pilot and at a later period, for many years, captain of the passenger steamer "City of Bradford," plying between St. Catherine's and Montreal. In 1859 he located at Erie, where he was long in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, passing away in that city at the age of seventy-four years, in January, 1878. The widow survived until 1898, dying as the mother of thirteen children, of whom eight are still living. Mr. Carrick, of this sketch, obtained a common school education and learned the molder's trade at St. Catherines, and when he came to Erie with the family in 1859 entered the employ of the Erie City Iron Works, being then in his seventeenth year. A year later he engaged with the Bay State Iron Works, subsequently with the Stearns Brothers Man ufacturing Company, and then became identified with various establish ments in other sections of the country, his main design at this period of his career being to familiarize himself with all branches of iron man ufacture. At his return to Erie in 1888 he became an employe of the Erie Car Works, with which he spent five years, and then followed a service of seven years with the Nagle Company. Wisely deciding that he was now fully qualified to conduct a business of his own, he associated himself with Fred Hope in the establishment of the Globe Iron Works, a year later his partner selling his interests to F. F. Curtze. At that time the firm became Curtze and Carrick, and in 1902 the business was incor porated as the Globe Iron Works Company, with Mr. Curtze as president and Mr. Carrick as vice president and manager. The partners in this large enterprise also are members of the Heisley Manufacturing Com pany, and, as stated, Mr. Carrick himself is a stockholder in the Stearns Manufacturing Company. He is also a member of the Erie Board of Trade; is identified, in his church connections, with St. Peter's Roman Catholic cathedral; belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and is a director of St. Vincent's Hospital. Mr. Carrick's wife (nee Mary Kerwin) is a daughter of Daniel Kerwin, of Warren, Pennsylvania, and mother of the following: Frank and Leonard, employes of the Globe Iron Works; Paul, deceased, and Cecilia. Philip August Becker. The distinctive and specific office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments but rather to lea.ve the record establishing his position by the concensus of public opinion. In all things Philip A. Becker measured up to the full standard of honorable manhood in his business, social and official relations. For over a third of a century he was closely identified with the commercial interests of Erie and during a portion of that time was probably the most conspicuous figure in municipal affairs, especially at the time when Erie was passing through its transformation period from a borough into a city. Indeed so active and helpful a part did he take in that work that his record has become inseparably interwoven with the history of the municipality and what he accomplished along the lines of progress and improvement in municipal affairs will ever be a most interesting and valuable contribution to the city's annals. Mr. Becker was born at Essingen, Rhein-Pfalz, Bavaria, on the 10th of April, 1835, and his parents, Jacob and Mary (Berle) Becker, were also natives of that kingdom. Both the father and grandfather 58 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY were school teachers and it was therefore but natural that Philip A. Becker should receive a collegiate education, owing to the interest of the family in intellectual progress. Following the German revolution of 1848, when so many of his countrymen found it expedient to seek homes in a new country, Mr. Becker also came to the United States and in 1851 established his home in Erie. Here he entered upon a business career in which he was destined, by reason of his laudable ambition, unfaltering energy and capable management, to win notable success. He first began as a clerk in the store of Jacob Berger but, with a college training and natural business ability, he was too ambitious to remain long in the position of salesman and the fall of 1852 found him at the head of his own establishment as proprietor of a wholesale grocery and liquor store at the corner of Fourth and French streets. The same year Mr. Becker's parents and sisters joined him in Erie and here the father died in 1853 but the mother long survived, passing away in January, 1890, at the very advanced age of eighty-four years. In 1856 Mr. Becker, now well established in commercial lines, re moved his business to the corner of Sixth and French streets, where in 1872 he erected a fine business house which is now known as the Becker block. It is a three-story brick structure and it remained the scene of his commercial operations until his death, since which time the busi ness has been carried on at the same location by his sons and is still operated under the father's name. It is one of the oldest and best known business houses of the city, the sons maintaining its management along the same honorable, straightforward and progressive lines laid down by the father. In his commercial career Philip A. Becker was very progres sive, seeking out new lines of activity whereby he might extend his com mercial interests, and the success which he achieved was due to his honest, careful and persevering labors and his reliable principles. He ever maintained an unsullied name, his integrity standing as an un questioned factor in his commercial life. In political circles and municipal affairs Mr. Becker made a repu tation which was equally commendable and reliable. He was conscien tious in the discharge of every public duty, faithful in meeting every public trust and in all his municipal service looked ever to the advance ment and growth of the city. Probably no public official of Erie has left his influence and impress on the city to better purpose than he. In every position which he filled he was a leader and sought continuously to advance reform, efficiency and improvement. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth, ability and unfaltering devotion to the general good, called him again and again to office and over the record of his official career there fell no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil From 1867 until 1873 he was a useful member of the board of school directors putting forth effective and beneficial effort in behalf of the system of public education. He served for nine full terms as a member of the city council and in both branches thereof was honored with election to the presidency. In 1883 his useful public career culminated in his election as mayor of Erie, to which he was chosen by a large majority as the Democratic candidate. His friends, constituents and the people in een- eral expected much of him as the city's chief executive nor were thev disappointed, for his term was characterized by various needed reforms and the inauguration of a number of movements resulting in trreat benefit He strongly advocated the building of a new city hall in keiping with the needs and dignity of the growing town and it was during his HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 59 administration that the project was successfully developed, that ground was broken and the work of construction begun. He also reorganized and uniformed the city police force and established much needed disci pline in that department. He likewise reorganized the fire department, which he greatly improved, bringing it up to a high point of efficiency never before known in its history. To him, more than to any other individual or number of men, is due the credit for installing the system of electric lighting in Erie. Alany other tangible evidences of his pro gressive spirit could be cited and in fact his administration accomplished more in the line of municipal reforms and improvements than that of any mayor the city has ever had. In social, church and fraternal circles Philip A. Becker was also prominent, influential and helpful. He was one of the organizers of the Erie Liedertafel and was a leading member of the Lutheran church. His life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the Alasonic fraternity and also of the Odd Fellows society and indeed his interest and influence were always on the side of right, justice, truth and advancement. When death claimed him on the 12th of January, 1888, his passing was mourned by a wide circle of personal friends and by the entire community at large, for his life was so wrought in the public fabric that his death brought a sense of personal bereavement to all. Commenting on the death of Mayor Becker, one of the local newspapers, in a tribute to his citizenship and character, voiced the following sentiment, which was echoed by all who knew him : "Liberal and progressive as a citizen, capable and honest as an official, loyal and generous as a friend and tenderness itself beside his own hearthstone, Philip Becker died as be comes a man of such character — brave and patient to the time when that blessed provision of nature for the great change robbed him of conscious being, only a few minutes before life left his body." The home life of Philip A. Becker was also most attractive in his devotion to his wife and children. In 1858 he was united in marriage to -Miss Eugenia L. Jung, who died in February, 1896, at the age of fifty-seven years. There were four children born unto them, of whom Eugenia A., the eldest, died at the age of eighteen. Emil A. Becker, who was born in Erie, January 28, 1861, was educated in the public schools, after which he was under a private tutor in Philadelphia for a time. In 1878 he entered his father's store and continued with him until the father's death, when he and his brother Otto succeeded to the business, which, however, has since been conducted under the old style of P. A. Becker. He is a member of the various Masonic bodies and of the Erie, Country and Shrine Clubs. He is also connected with the Chamber of Commerce and, like his father, is proving his progressive citizenship in many tangible ways. He married Miss Ruth Spafford, and to them one son has been born, Spafford J. Becker. Mrs. Becker is a daughter of John D. Spafford and a granddaughter of Oliver Spaf ford, the pioneer book man of Erie, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The mother of Mrs. Ruth Becker bore the maiden name of Emily Lejeal and belonged to a prominent family of this city. Armin Becker, the third member of the family, died at the age of a year and a half. Otto E., the youngest and the second surviving son, was born in Erie, January 5, 1865, and is indebted to the public-school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. In 1882 he entered his father's store and continues the business successfully in connection with his brother. He, too, is loyal to the teachings of Masonry, having taken the degrees 60 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of the York and Scottish rites, while his membership relations also include the Erie, Country and Shrine Clubs and the Chamber of Com merce. He married Salona, a daughter of Dr. B. A. Smith, a well-known physician of Erie, and to them, in 1903, was born a son, Philip S. Becker. For almost six decades the family has figured in connection with the history of Erie and the name has always been a synonym here for progressive and valued citizenship. William Conradt Kraemer. Secretary and treasurer of the Dis patch Printing and Engraving Company, of Erie, and a public citizen of influence and official standing, William C. Kraemer is a worthy type of the German-American who is behind much of the substantial life of Erie and Northwestern Pennsylvania. He is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, born March 18, 1868, and is a son of William and Eva (Bender) Kraemer. Although the father was born in Baden- Baden and the mother in Bavaria, both emigrated from Germany to the United States in their early years. William Kraemer, who was a wagon maker, was living in Missouri at the outbreak of the Civil war, and served in a Union regiment from that state under General Fremont. Afterward he went to Dunkirk, New York, where one of his sisters was living, and followed his trade there and at Fredonia, also in that state. In 1868 he located at Forestville, New York, where, as a member of the firm of Jones and Kraemer, he established a wagon manufactory and blacksmith shop. His death occurred at the latter place in 1873, at the age of thirty-three years, the widowed mother being now a resident of Erie. Until he was thirteen years of age, W. C. Kraemer lived at Forest ville, New York, attending its public schools and Free Academy. In November, 1881, he located at Girard, where he learned the printer's trade on the Cosmopolite, a newspaper established by Dan Rice, the well-known showman. Mr. Kraemer remained thus engaged until July, 1891, when, at the age of twenty-three, he became a resident of Erie. After continuing as an employe of the Dispatch for some time he bought an interest in the paper and the printing plant, and acted as foreman for about six years. When the newspaper and job departments were divided, Mr. Kraemer became identified with the latter. This was organized and incorporated as the Dispatch Printing and Engraving Company, and of this he is third owner, holding the office of secretary and treasurer. To the development of this enterprise Mr. Kraemer has given his chief attention, although his activity and influence in public matters have been noteworthy. In 1902 he was elected, by independent voters, to the office of county register and recorder, and in 1905 returned to the same position without opposition. He is also in line with other enterprising citizens as a member and active supporter of the Erie Board of Trade, and is earnest and liberal in his association with the frater mties. He has attained especially high rank in the Masonic order beine a member of Perry Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Presque Isle Lodge of Per fection ; Pittsburg Consistory and Zem Zem Temple of the Mystic Shrine • *%!. "atu^l .consequence of his standing in the order, he is identified with the Shrmer Club of Erie. As an Odd Fellow he belongs to Lake Shore Lodge No. 718, and Heneosis Adelphon Encampment No. 42 his Knights of Pythias connections are with Erie Lodge and the Dramatic Order of Khorassan, and he is a member of Alpha Tent No 1 K O HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 61 T. M. Mr. Kraemer's wife was formerly Miss Alice L. Hays and both are members of the Central Presbyterian church. Thomas Oldman. A well-known and popular business man of the city of Erie is Thomas Oldman, who is proprietor of the Tenth Avenue Cafe & Restaurant, and who previously was prominently identified with manufacturing industries of an important order. He is a member of the city council, in which he is a representative of the Second ward, and during his services as a city official he has made a record for care and fidelity in the conservation of good municipal government. Thomas Oldman is a native of the city of Buffalo, New York, where he was born on the 22d of January, 1862, and he is a son of William and Jane (Crighton) Oldman, the former of whom was born in Man chester, England, in 1833, and the latter of whom was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1840. William Oldman was about five years of age when, in 1839, his parents came to America, and from New York City, to which point they had made the voyage on one of the old-time sailing vessels, they made their way to Buffalo on a canal packet-boat on the Erie canal. At that time no railroad had penetrated so far west as Buffalo. In the city mentioned William Oldman was reared to manhood, and he is now one of the oldest citizens of Buffalo, where he has maintained his home continuously since his childhood days and where he was long identified with successful business undertakings. For many years he was engaged in the manufacturing of boilers, having been an expert boiler-maker and having long conducted a shop of his own. For the past several years he has lived retired from all active business associations, and he rests secure in the confidence and esteem of all who know him in the city which has long been the scene of his earnest and fruitful endeavors. Thomas Oldman was reared to maturity in his native city, to whose excellent public schools he is indebted for his early educational discipline. As a youth he entered upon an apprenticeship to the boiler-maker's trade, under the effective direction of his honored father, and he continued to follow the work of his "trade in Buffalo, until 1889, when, at the age of twenty-seven years, he came to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he became superintendent of the boiler department of the plant of the Stearns Manufacturing Company. Later he engaged in business for himself, by establishing the American Boiler Works, and he built up a prosperous enterprise, in which he continued until July, 1908, when he disposed of the plant and business and purchased the Tenth Avenue Cafe & Res taurant, which he has since conducted with much success. The estab lishment is modern and attractive in appointments and the service is such as to constitute the best possible advertising for the popular institution. In his political adherency Mr. Oldman is found arrayed as a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, and he has been the popular and able representative of the Second ward in the city council continuously since 1904. He was first elected in that year, was chosen as his own successor in 1906, and in the election of 1908 renewed mark of popular appreciation of his services was given when he was again elected to succeed himself as one of the members of the administrative body of the municipal govern ment. He is affiliated with Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Protected Home Circle, besides which he is identified with the Erie Chamber of Commerce, an organi- 62 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY zation which has done much to further the industrial and commercial advancement of Erie. Samuel B. Bayle. As a representative member of the bar of his native county, as one who has also attained to much prestige as an educator, as one who has rendered effective service in the state legislature, and as a scion of families founded in the old Keystone commonwealth in the colonial epoch of our national history, there is ample reason for according consideration in this publication of Samuel B. Bayle, who bears a name that has long been identified with the annals of Erie county and one that has ever stood exponent of the best order of citizenship. Samuel B. Bayle was born on the old homestead farm of his father, in McKean township, this county, and the date of his nativity is to be recorded as August 20, 1860. He is a son of Elias and Mara Ann Louisa (Brecht) Bayle, the former of whom was likewise a native of McKean township, where he was born in the year 1822, and the latter of whom was born in Fairview township, this county, in 1830. James Bayle, grandfather of him whose name initiates this review, was a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, when he removed to Erie county and became one of the pioneer settlers of McKean township in the open ing years of the nineteenth century. He rendered valiant service in guarding the port of Erie during the war of 1812, and during the prog ress of this conflict also assisted in the construction of the historic old Edinboro plank road. He became one of the influential citizens of the county, and here continued his residence until his death. A great grandfather of Samuel B. Bayle in the maternal line was Stephen Oliver, who had served as a loyal soldier in the Continental line in the war of the Revolution and who was present at the historic Wyoming massacre. He became one of the pioneers of McKean township, this county, and contributed his quota to the material and civic progress of this now favored section of the old Keystone state. Elias Bayle was reared to manhood in this county, and made good use of the advantages of the common schools of his day, as is evident when it is stated that he became a successful and popular teacher when a young man. He was reared on the home farm, and in later years he found it expedient and grateful to continue his allegiance to the great basic art of agriculture, in connection with which he has been duly successful in his operations. He continued to be engaged in farming in McKean township until 1864, when he removed to the state of Mich igan, where he continued to reside until 1872, when he returned to his native county, where he has since maintained his home. He now resides with his son in Fairview borough, and he has long been recognized as one of the sterling and influential citizens of Erie county, where he has been called upon to serve in various township offices and where he has so ordered his course as to retain at all times the confidence and inviolable esteem of his fellow men. His cherished and devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal on the 6th of January, 1890. She was a woman of most gracious and gentle personality, and ever showed a deep sympathy for "those in any ways afflicted, in mind, body or estate " so that her memory will long be revered by all who came within the sphere of her immediate influence. She was a daughter of Samuel Brecht, who was one of the pioneers of Fairview township, this county whither he came from Lancaster county. His old homestead farm is HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 63 now owned by his grandson and namesake, the subject of this sketch. Samuel Brecht married Miss Isabella Nicholson, daughter of John Nich olson, who came from Londonderry, Ireland, to America in 1783, in which year he became a settler in Mill Creek township, Erie county, where he reclaimed a farm from the virgin forest. Samuel B. Bayle was reared on the home farm and after duly availing" himself of the advantages of the district schools, he entered the Pennsylvania* State Normal School at Edinboro, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1889. In 1892 he received from Allegheny College the degree of Master of Arts, and later he took a post-graduate course in the University of West Virginia. In the mean while he had taken up the study of law under the most effective precep- torship of Hinckley and Rice, Warren, Pennsylvania, and in 1891 he was admitted to the bar of both Warren and Erie counties. In 1892 he took up his residence in the city of Chicago, and he followed the work of his profession in the great western metropolis until 1898, in which later year he returned to Erie county. Here, in 1899, he be came principal of the Waterford high school, which was changed from the academic system of operation in that year. He proved most suc cessful in his pedagogic work, and in 1901-2 he was engaged in the work of this profession at Waterford, this county. In the latter year he was elected county superintendent of schools, and of this important and exacting office he continued to be the able and popular incumbent until 1908, when he retired from the position to assume the discharge of his duties as a representative of his native county in the state legis lature, to which he had been elected in that year. As superintendent of schools of Erie county, Mr. Bayle accomplished a splendid work, unify ing the system of management and operation and doing much to promote efficiency in all departments of the school work throughout the county. His administration gained to him the hearty co-operations of the teach ers in his jurisdiction and the unqualified commendation of the people of the county in general. In politics Mr. Bayle is signally well fortified in his convictions, and he accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, of whose principles and policies he is an effective exponent. As a member of the legislature he has proved himself active, watchful and duly conservative. He has been assigned to membership on important committees of the house, among which may be mentioned those on education, agriculture, high ways, public health sanitation, and electric railways. Since his retire ment from the field of educational work he has resumed the practice of law, and is successfully following the work of this profession in Erie, where his clientage is of representative order. He also maintains a general supervision of his fine farm property, in Fairview township. He is affiliated with the local lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, as well as with its social adjunct, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Pro tective Order of Elks. He attends the Episcopal church. In 1882 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bayle to Miss Edith May Fargo, who was born in Fairview township, this county, and who is a daughter of William and Esther (Spence) Fargo, honored pioneers of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Bayle have only one child, William Fargo Bayle, who was born in 1889. He was graduated in Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, as a member of the class of 1905, receiving the 64 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY degree of Bachelor of Arts. He is now preparing himself for the priesthood of the Protestant Episcopal church, at Arden, North Caro lina, where he was head master of Christ Episcopal School in 1908. Peter Henrichs. Many men excel in achievements and command success in some particular direction, but very few attain eminence in several lines of endeavor. In Peter Henrichs, one of the leading Ger man citizens of Erie, we have a notable exception. As a dry goods mer chant he won pronounced success; as an inventor he has met with public recognition and endorsement; as a manufacturer his results have been positive and satisfactory ; and as a writer for the press his literary ability has been established. He is now especially engaged in manu facturing, being at the head of the Exhibition Show Case Manufactur ing Company, whose plant is located at No. 1816 German street. A native of Prussia, Germany, he was born February 16, 1839, a son of Joseph and Alargaret (Armbruster) Henrichs. Emigrating with his family to the United States in 1845, Joseph Henrichs lived first in Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterwards resided for a time in Covington, Kentucky, following in both places his trade of a cabinet maker. Coming to Erie, in 1852, he opened a cabinet maker's shop on Peach street, near Eighteenth street, and continued in his chosen occupation, obtaining an excellent start. In 1855, however, he was so seriously injured by the collapsing of the gallery in St. Patrick's Catho lic church edifice that he died in March, 1856, while yet in the prime of life, being but forty-five years old, his birth having occurred in 1811. His widow subsequently removed to Mishawaka, Indiana, where she made a home with a daughter until her death, in 1888, at the age of seventy-nine years, her birth having occurred in 1809. Both parents were faithful members of the Roman Catholic church. Receiving his educational training in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Coving ton, Kentucky, Peter Henrichs came with his family to Erie, in 1852, and at once took a position as salesman in the old Sennett, Barr Com pany's foundry, with which he continued until its failure in 1857. The following three years he was clerk in the dry goods store of William Bell. In 1860 Mr. Henrichs formed a partnership with Jacob Gobel, and embarked in the dry goods business, in the American block, be coming junior member of the firm of Gobel & Henrichs. Buying out his partner in 1866, he managed the business by himself until 1872. In that year, he became manager of the cloak and suit manufacturing de partment of Edson, Churchill & Co., and during the very same year in vented a combination infant's chair, and formed a company for its manufacture. Subsequently Air. Henrichs sold out his interest to the other members of the company, who continued the manufacture of his patent, paying him a royalty on all manufactures. Still keeping his inventive faculties in use, Air. Henrichs patented, in 1877, a sectional exhibition show case, and, in company with J. W. Churchill', engaged in the manufacture of the same under the firm name of "The Exhibition Show Case Company," of which he has ever since been the active head and manager. Under his wise superintendence, the business has been materially increased, the company now manufacturing not only show cases, but a full line of store fixtures, its business being one of the largest and most renumerative of the kind in the city A writer of talent and ability, Mr. Henrichs has 'for a number of years contributed articles of interest to the press, principally along the V CiUj fl /-La FIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 65 lines of local history, with which he is familiar, and he is now engaged in the preparation of a voluminous work on the history of the German population in Erie county, which he designs to publish in book form at some future time. On January 12, 1860, Mr. Henrichs married Catherine Preuss, a native of Prussia, and to them eleven children have been born, namely: Edward N.; Amelia; Leo, deceased; Rosa; Cornelia; Virginia; William; Eugenia and Nova, twins; Katie; and Edith. Politically Air. Henrichs supports the principles of the Republican party, and religiously both Air. and Mrs. Henrichs are members of the Roman Catholic church. Louis Rosenzweig. Of the many eminent lawyers that have hon ored the Erie bar within the last quarter of a century Louis Rosenzweig is one of the more prominent, his legal knowledge, skill and ability hav ing gained him success and distinction in his profession. He is a man of intellectual power and force, wise in all departments of law, and as a safe, prudent and sound counsellor has a large and lucrative patronage. A native of Georgia, he was born in the city of Macon, April 25, 1844. His parents, Isaac and Bena (Baker) Rosenzweig, were born in Germany, married in Philadelphia, and subsequently located in Georgia, where the father was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1846 the family came north to Erie, where the father continued in business as a merchant until his death, October 8, 1884. Having completed his early studies in the public schools of Erie, Louis Rosenzweig was for a number of years employed as a clerk in his father's store. Ambitious, however, to enter upon a professional career, he read law with Edward Camphausen, Esq., devoting himself to his legal studies with the industry and persistency that has ever been characteristic of his life, and in due time was admitted to the bar. After practising his profession alone for a time, Mr. Rosenzweig formed a partnership with George A. Allen, and under the firm name of Allen & Rosenzweig continued in practice until the death of the senior member of the firm. Exceedingly successful from the start, this firm built up one of the most extensive and remunerative lines of practice in North western Pennsylvania. As the firm's successor, Mr. Rosenzweig has con tinued the business, which has in nowise deteriorated, but on the contrary has visibly increased in magnitude and importance, being one of the most noteworthy in the city. Mr. Rosenzweig married, October 19, 1864, Minnie, daughter of the late Jacob Newberger, a merchant of Cumberland, Indiana, and of their union four children have been born, namely: Grant I., a graduate of Yale University, is now an attorney in Kansas City, Missouri ; Bert R., living in Cleveland, Ohio ; Eta, wife of Isadore Levi ; and Harriet, wife of Fred Davidson of Schenectady, New York. Religiously Mr. Rosenzweig and his family are members of the Jewish Temple. Political ly he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and though not an aspirant for official honors has served two terms as school director. Fra ternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Order of Masons ; he was one of the organizers and one of the original members of the board of trustees of the public library. Rev. Benjamin J. Raycroft. The honored pastor of St. Anne's church in the city of Erie is one of the distinguished members of the priesthood of the Catholic church in his native state, and in his high Vol. II— 5 6ii HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY calling he has accomplished a most successful work for the aiding and uplifting of his fellow men. He is a man of fine intellectual attain ments and his record has been the positive expression of a strong and deeply sympathetic nature. , Benjamin Joseph Raycroft, A. M., was born in the city of Pitts burg, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Benjamin and Alargaret (Flynn) Raycroft, both of whom were born in the fair Emerald Isle. Rev. Father Raycroft gained his early educational discipline in a _ school con ducted by the Franciscan Brothers in his native city, and in the early '70s the family came to Erie county and located on a farm west of Edinboro, in which village Father Raycroft became a student in the Pennsylvania State Normal School, in which he was graduated as a mem ber of the class of 1880. In the same year he entered St Vincent's College, in Westmoreland county, this state, where he remained a stu dent for two years. He was then matriculated in Niagara University, near Niagara Falls, New York, and after remaining there one year he entered St. Bonaventure's College, at Allegany, New York, where he was graduated in 1884, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He passed the ensuing three years as a student in the theological seminary connected with the college, and on the 24th of July, 1887, he was ordained to the priesthood. Father Raycroft's first pastoral incumbency was as first assistant to Father Patterson, of St. Alary's church at Sartwell, Pennsylvania, and later he was pastor of the parish of the Sacred Heart, Sharon, Pennsyl vania, for a period of three and one-half months. Thereafter he held charges at Warren and Oil City, this state, in which latter place he was assistant in St. Joseph's church until February 2, 1890, when he became identified with the parish of old St. Patrick's church in Erie. On the 11th of the following August Bishop Mullen assigned to him the charge of St. Boniface's parish, at Kersey, Elk county, Pennsylvania, where he continued his labors until the 3d of January, 1901, when he returned to the city of Erie and assumed his present pastoral charge. Here his labors have been most potent in advancing both the spiritual and temporal welfare of his parish. Through his earnest efforts, with the zealous co-operation of his parishioners, the fine new church edifice of St. Anne's was com pleted in 1905, and while at Kersey he also erected a new church build ing, which was completed and dedicated in 1894. In Erie Father Ray croft has the high regard of all classes of citizens, and in his parish his indefatigable labors, his zeal, his devotion and his selif -abnegating spirit have won and retained to him the affection and regard of those to' whom he ministers. Father Raycroft has special talent in the field of literature, and is essentially a deep and appreciative student. He received from his alma mater, St. Bonaventure's College, the degree of Alaster of Arts, in 1889. He is the author of two books of sermons, and one entitled "Devotions to the Blessed Virgin," besides which he has written six very effective dramatic compositions, which have been presented on the local stage. His deep humanitarian spirit and his gracious personality gain to him friends among "all sorts and conditions of men," and his popularity in the city of Erie is of the most unequivocal order. Rufus L. Perkins. The names and deeds of those who have wrought nobly in the past should not be allowed to perish, and it is in the making of perpetual record concerning such persons that a publi- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 67 cation of this order exercises its supreme function. The family of which Rufus L. Perkins was a scion bears a name which is ineffaceably traced on the pages of our national history from the early colonial epoch to the present time. Strong men and true; gentle and gracious women, have represented the name as one generation has followed another onto the stage of life, while the family escutcheon has ever been a symbol of integrity, honor and usefulness. In New England, in Pennsylvania, in Ohio, and in divers other sections of the Union there have been many distinguished citizens to upbear the prestige of the name, and not the least of these was Rufus Lord Perkins, to whom this brief tribute is dedicated and who was known and honored as one of the represen tative business men and sterling citizens of Erie county. Rufus Lord Perkins, who died at his home in the city of Erie, on Wednesday, March 17, 1909, was born in the village of Athens, Ohio, on the 17th of December, 1819, and was a son of Dr. Chauncey F. and Lydia (Lord) Perkins. The original American ancestor in the agnatic line was John Perkins, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1590, and who landed at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1631. For two years he was a resident of Boston and at the expiration of this period, in 1633, he established his permanent home at Ipswich, Massachusetts. From this worthy ancestor the subject of this memoir was of the seventh generation in line of direct descent. Eliphas Perkins, grandfather of Rufus L., figures as the founder of the family in the west. He was a native of Norwich, Connecticut. He graduated from Yale College, and after securing his medical education practised his profession in his native state for some years. In 1799 he removed to the wilds of Ohio and settled in the little pioneer village of Marietta whence he subsequently removed to Athens, where he passed the remainder of his life. Dr. Chauncey Fitch Perkins was born at Canterbury, Connecticut, and his wife, Lydia (Lord) Perkins was a native of Norwich, that state. She was a direct descendant from Thomas Lord, who was born in England, in 1585, and who emigrated to Hartford, Connecticut, in 1635. Dr. Chauncey F. Perkins received excellent educational advantages and gained distinction as an able physician and surgeon. He was engaged in the practice of his profession at Athens, Ohio, until 1828, when he removed with his family to Pennsylvania and took up his abode in Erie. He was one of the pioneer physicians of this county, where he ministered to suffering humanity with abilty and self-abnegaton for many years and where he is held in reverent memory as one of the earnest and noble representatives of his profession in this section of the state during its formative period. Rufus Lord Perkins was a lad of nine years at the time of the family removal from Ohio to Erie, and in the schools of the locality and period he secured his early educational discipline, which was later to be broadened to knowledge and appreciation of all that is best in literature. As a youth he secured a clerical position in the office of the Erie Railroad at Dunkirk, New York, during the period of the construction of that road, and after being thus engaged about two years he returned to Erie, where, in 1843, he engaged in the drug business in partnership with John H. Burton. This alliance con tinued until Alay, 1849, when Mr. Perkins disposed of his interest in the enterprise and engaged in the manufacture of paper. He erected his mill at Mayside, this county, near the mouth of Walnut creek, and in 1850 he established his home at Mayside, where for more than a score of 68 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY years he was identified with the manufacturing of paper. For a portion of this period he had as his associate in the business his brother-in-law, Samuel Selden, and later Colonel John H. Bliss became an interested principal in the enterprise. In 1873, after his retirement from the business just mentioned, Air. Perkins returned to Erie, where he passed the remainder of his life and where for a number of years he continued to be actively associated with business interests, — for a time as agent for the Un ion Alutual Life Insurance Company and later as the local represen tative of the Bradstreet Alercantile Agency. During the later years of his life he lived retired and was permitted to enjoy to the full the attractions of his beautiful home and his large and select library. His circle of friends was circumscribed only by that of his acquain tances, and no citizen had a more secure place in the confidence and esteem of the community than did he. From an appreciative arti cle published in a local newspaper at the time of his demise the fol lowing statements are taken : "Air. Perkins was a man of very marked Christian character, and had all his life taken a very active interest in his church and every thing the church stands for. He united with the First Presbyterian church of this city in 1834. Upon his removal to Alayside he trans ferred his membership to the Presbyterian church of Fairview, Penn sylvania, where he became an elder. When he returned to Erie, in 1873, he united with the Park Presbyterian church, with which he continued to be identified until his death. The distribution of the Holy Scriptures as a means of extending the kingdom of Christ in the world, appealed to him very strongly, and, for many years, his support and co-operation had been given to the Pennsylvania Bible Society, of which he was a vice-president; for nearly twenty-five years he was secretary of the Erie County Bible Society, and at the time of his death was secretary and treasurer. _ "From his boyhood his tastes were decidely literary, and even during the very active years of his business life he found time to write much for the papers and periodicals, and this habit he kept up almost to the last. He was an idefatigable student, and his mind was a veri table storehouse of information, not only on matters of history and the world of letters, but also in regard to the news and vital inter ests of the day. His disposition was bright and cheerful, and by his kindly manner and his abiding sympathy he attracted to him all who had the privilege of his acquaintance. His death came suddenly but we can believe, as he did, that it was only the opening of the door into his heavenly home." Even in so intimate an article as this review of the career of the honored subject of this sketch there can be no desire to intrude upon the sacred precincts of his home, in which his interests ever centered m which the domestic relations were ever of idyllic character and in which the noble and generous attributes of his character stood forth m stronger relief than m any other of the varied relations of life In the city of Erie, on the 9th of September, 1845, was solemnized the marriage of Mr Perkins to Miss Mary Ann Lattimore, who was born in Painesvil e Ohio, on the 24th of February, 1820, and who was a daughter of William and Rhoda Williams Lattimore. The first J?Jn the fT ^ £rd,% a^ ,°,ne Whkh broueht the maximum loss and bereavement in the life of Mr. Perkins, was that which occurred FIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 69 when the devoted wife and mother was summoned into eternal rest, in January, 1883. They became the parents of six children, concern ing whom the following brief data are consistently entered in con clusion of this tribute: William Rufus, who was for a number of years a member of the faculty of Cornell University and later pro fessor of history in the University of Iowa, died on the 27th of Jan uary, 1895 ; George Williams was a member of the bar of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the time of his death, on the 7th of May, 1900 ; Hen ry Lattimore, who was engaged in business in Erie, died on the 9th of January, 1903 ; Chauncey Fitch, who was general ore and coal agent for the Pennsylvania Company, with headquarters in the city of Pittsburg, died January 3, 1909 ; and Charles Lord and Julia Eliza beth, the only surviving members of the immediate family, reside at the home on West Sixth street, in the city of Erie. Rev. Andrew Ignasiak. A man of earnest thought and sincere purpose, Rev. Andrew Ignasiak, pastor of St. Stanislaus Roman Cath olic Church, in Erie, is a teacher and leader among his people, and through ties of sweet ministry and love has greatly endeared him self to his parishioners. A son of John and Katarina Ignasiak, he was born, November 6, 1862, in Slawienko, near Obornik, Prussian Poland, and there received the rudimentary education that developed in him a taste for higher knowledge. He afterwards attended the Gymnasium at Posen, and then entered the American College at Lou vain, Belgium, where he made a special study of theology. Being graduated from that institution in 1886, Father Ignasiak was there ordained to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic church, and given the mission to the diocese in Erie. Arriving in this city, Aug ust 21, 1886, he immediately assumed charge of St. Stanislaus' church, with which he has since been actively identified. In his ministerial labors, Father Ignasiak has been eminently successful, his kindly spirit, beneficence, and sympathetic nature enabling him to touch the hearts and influence the lives of the unlearned as well as the cultured, bring ing him into close personal relations with the members of his parish. Albert N. Daniels. Among the strong and honored figures in the business circles of the city of Erie is Albert Nathaniel Daniels, who is known as a worthy type of the steadfast, honorable and up right business man and loyal and public-spirited citizen. Ex-secretary and superintendent of the Carter Smart Weed Company, an important industrial concern of Erie, he is a representative in the third genera tion of one of the sterling pioneer families of this county. Mr. Daniels was born in Cussewago township, Crawford county, this state, on the 14th of May, 1860, and is a son of David A. and Philura (Hills) Daniels, the former of whom was born at Gospel Hill, Harbor Creek township, this county, in 1822, and the latter of whom was born at Fabius, Onondaga county, New York, January 29, 1826. David Albert Daniels was a son of William Daniels, a native of the state of New Jersey, who came to Erie county in an early day and became one of the pioneers of Harbor Creek township, where he se cured a tract of heavily timbered land and essayed the reclamation of a farm. He had learned the trades of shoemaker and tanner and in earlier years devoted his attention to the same, after which his vo cation was that of farmer. When his son David A. was a boy Wil- 70 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY liam Daniels removed to Crawford county, this state, where he fol lowed agricultural pursuits during the rest of his active life and where his death occurred. For more than thirty years he served as captain of a militia company in Crawford county, and he was thus familiarly known by the title of captain. Upon his death his son David A. was appointed his successor in the captaincy, by Governor Mifflin, but the company, with others in the state service, was disbanded soon after ward. The parents of William Daniels were born in Ireland and Holland respectively, and their marriage was solemnized in America, where the respective families were founded in the colonial days. David A. Daniels became one of the prosperous farmers of Craw ford county, where he was reared to manhood and where he ever commanded the unqualified esteem of all who knew him. Flis death occurred on his old homestead in that county, in 1902. His devoted wife, who died in 1885, was a daughter of Obed and Alsemina (Ba con) Hills, both of whom were of English lineage. Obed Hills was a blacksmith and millwright by trade and in addition to having been engaged in the milling business he also operated largely in the hand ling of lumber and became a successful farmer. He took up his resi dence in Crawford county, this state, in 1837, but in 1866 he removed to Genesee county, Michigan, where both he and his wife continued to reside until their death. Albert Nathaniel Daniels, passed his boyhood and youth on the old homestead farm in Cussewago township, Crawford county, and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. That he made good use of his opportunities is evident when it is stated that at the age of nineteen years he proved himself eligible and secured a teacher's certificate, after which he was a successful teacher in the district schools of his native county for several terms. Thereafter he was for a time em ployed as a salesman of nursery stock. After his marriage, in 1893, he was identified with agricultural pursuits in Crawford county un til 1889, when, he assumed the position of a driver on a star-route mail and stage line, with which he continued to be identified for a period of four years. In 1894 Air. Daniels came to Erie, where he forthwith was engaged as a salesman for the Carter Smart Weed Company. In this capacity he was employed for the first eighteen months, at the expiration of which he became a foreman in the plant of the com pany in Erie. In 1898 he was promoted to the office of superintend ent and also became secretary of the company, in which he served until May 7, 1909, when he retired from the business. In politics, though never a seeker of official preferment Air Dan iels is a supporter of the Republican party. He has attained to no little distinction in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in whose affairs he maintains a deep interest. He has been affiliated with the order since 1891 and was one of the organizers of Fraternal Lodge No. 188, of Erie, of which he was the first noble grand In 1905 he represented this lodge in the grand lodge of the order in Pennsyl vania, at the meeting held in the city of Scranton. He is now sec retary of Fraternal Lodge, and is a valued member of Lake Erie En campment and Canton Nicholson, Patriarchs Militant,— representee advanced degrees m the Independent Order of Odd Fellows In 1883 Mr._ Daniels was united in marriage to Aliss Ida E. Vaurfin who was born in Cussewago township, Crawford county this state HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 71 and who is a daughter of Nathan and Ruth (Alellott) Vaughn, well known citizens of that county. Air. and Airs. Daniels have four chil- dien, namely: Benjamin F., Bernal I., Ruth K, and Edna P., all of whom remain at the parental home with the exception of Benjamin F., who is now a resident of Levi, New Alexico, where he is the own er of a valuable tract of land. William J. Schaaf, one of the well known citizens and business men of Erie is engaged in the commission business at No. 1009 Ash street. He is a native of the city, having been born on July 1, 1858, in the old Schaaf homestead at No. 603 East Tenth street which he now owns and in which he resides. Mr. Schaaf is the son of Peter and Franciska (Sanner) Schaaf, both of whom were born in the fatherland, the father in Schwarzwald, Rhenish Germany, and the mother in Alsace, same province. Peter Schaaf was born in 1818 and came to the United States in 1806, and as he first settled in Erie county was considered one of its pioneers. After his marriage, he located at what was called New Ger many, near McKean, but about two years afterward returned to Erie, and fixed his residence on State street near Twenty-fifth. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the manufacture of old fashioned oil cloth, for this purpose leaving his family in Erie and residing about one year in that city. Returning to Erie, he built a factory on the site of the buildings now owned by his son, AA'illiam J., and then engaged in the manufacture of oil cloth for several years. In the distribution of his product, he sent men by wagon and on foot to different parts of the country, as far south as Pittsburg, west to Chicago and east to Buffalo, even embracing various Canadian points in his selling operations. After the manufacture of oil cloth by machinery began he abandoned the in dustry and then engaged in the brewing business with John Kalvalage in the old "Eagle Brewery" now incorporated as the Erie Brewing Com pany. He continued in that line for a number of years and then went into the grocery business on the corner of Sixth and French streets. Later he removed to the corner of Seventh and State streets (the Hughes Block) ; where he broadened out both as a wholesale and retail grocer under the firm name of P. Schaaf and Son, the son being George, who died at the age of twenty-seven years shortly after the firm was formed. This was during the Civil war period. In 1868 the senior Mr. Schaaf erected the building now occupied by William J., removed the business thither and continued at that location until his death in the spring of 1877. His sons, William J. and Peter, then conducted the business for about three years under the title of P. Schaaf's Estate, then purchasing it and conducting it until 1890. In the meantime they had added produce and commission to the scope of their operations, and when they dissolved part nership, about 1895, Peter assumed the grocery business and William J. continued the commission trade. The mother of the family died in 1894 at the age of seventy-eight years, and of her eleven children, three sons and two daughters are now living. The entire family was as follows : George, deceased ; Philip, who resides in Erie ; Maria, who married U. Schlandecker, also of that city ; Susan, who died as the wife of Captain Peter Schlandecker; Josephine,, deceased, who married John Alehl of Erie; Michael and John, also de ceased; Helen, who married Joseph Burger, and is deceased; Peter, re siding in Erie; Francis, who married Charles Gunther, of that city, and 72 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY AVilliam J., of this sketch, the youngest child. All the living members of the family are identified with St. Mary's Catholic church. William J. Schaaf was first educated in the St. Mary's parochial -school ¦ then spent one year at the Sisters Academy, which was followed by courses in the public schools and at the old Hubbard and Woods Commercial School, the latter being the pioneer institution of its kind in the city. He left school when he was fourteen years of age; then be came his father's assistant in the store and his continuous business prog ress since, both in partnership and independently, has been already de scribed. As a material addition to Air. Schaaf's fine record, it should be stated that he served as a member of the city council many years ago, and that, although he performs his full duties as a good citizen, he gives his business the preference and mixes as little as possible with politics^ Air. Schaaf's wife was Ida Vernon Kelsey, born at Conneaut, Ohio, daughter of Sidney and Alary (Gunnison) Kelsey. Her father was an old and well known journalist who died about 1901. The following children have been born to Air. and Airs. AVilliam J. Schaaf : Bessie and Florence, both deceased; William J., Jr., Clarence K. and Vernon K. Schaaf. John J. Gredler. Long identified with hotel interests in the city of Erie, Air. Gredler is now owner of the Fuhrman House, at the corner of Twenty-sixth and Cherry streets, where he caters to a large and appreciative patronage and has a specially well ordered hostelry. He is a valued member of the select council of the city of Erie, in which he is a representative of the Sixth ward, and his personal popu larity is well indicated by his incumbency of this important official po sition, in which he has made an excellent record as a loyal and public- spirited citizen John J. Gredler was born on the old homestead farm of his fath er, in Greene township, this county, and the date of his nativity was December 25, 1874. Lie is a son of John and Catherine (Depinet) Gredler, the former of whom was born in Baden, Germany, in 1830, and the latter in the kingdom of Bavaria, that empire, in 1835. The paternal grandfather came with his family from Germany in 1837 and numbered himself as one of the sterling farmers of Erie county. Fie purchased land in Greene township, and there developed a valua ble property. Both he and his wife continued to reside on this home stead until their death, and the old farm is now owned by their son John, father of him whose name initiates this article. John Gredler was seven years of age at the time of the family's immigration to America, and he was reared to manhood in Erie county, where he is now known as one of the substantial citizens and representative agri culturists of Greene township. Both he and his wife are devout com municants of the Catholic church. John J. Gredler passed his childhood days on the ancestral home stead in Greene township, and early began to assist in the work of the farm. His preliminary educational training was secured in the parochial schools of the locality, and when he was about twelve years of age he came to the city of Erie, where he secured employment in a grocery store. In the meanwhile he also showed his ambition by at tending night school in the old Seventh street school building, where he gained knowledge which placed him in line for success in 'connec tion with practical business affairs. He continued to be identified with HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 73 the retail grocery business for a period of about fourteen years, and he then entered the employ of William F. Schulce, who was proprie tor of the old South Erie Hotel. Later he was similarly engaged with John Heuer and August Schulce, and finally he became associated in the service of the Erie City Hotel, at the corner of Eighteenth and Peach streets. In July, 1906, Air. Gredler, now fortified by long and varied experience, engaged in the hotel business upon his own respon sibility, by purchasing the Fuhrman House, a commodious and well appointed hotel, at the corner of Twenty-sixth and Cherry streets. He has since conducted this popular house with marked success and has gained a secure hold upon the appreciative support of his patrons. He has made numerous improvements on the hotel property and keeps all departments up to the highest possible standard. In politics Mr. Gredler is arrayed as a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Democrat party and he has done effective service in the party cause. In February, 1907, he was elected a mem ber of the select council of the city of Erie from the Sixth ward, to fill the unexpired term of Peter Wingerter. He has proved a valuable working member of the city's administrative body, and in the makeup of the council for 1908-09, he was assigned to the important committee of laws and franchises and was chairman of the committee on health, water and markets, and of the city hall committee. In the makeup of the council for 1909-10, he is chairman of the committee on streets and bridges, as well as that on health, water and markets, and is a member of the committee on laws and franchises and the city-hall committee. Through' his official services he has amply justified the confidence of his constituents, and he maintains a deep interest in all that concerns the welfare and progress of the city in which he has so long made his home. Air. Gredler is identified with the local Aloose lodge, and is affiliated with the Catholic Alutual Benefit Association, and the Knights of St. John. He holds membership in St. Alphonse's, Bavarian, and Alaener- chor societies, the Eighteenth Street German Singing Society, the Cas cade Park Club, the Keystone Club, the South Erie Turnverein, the Catholic Casino and the Erie Yacht Club; also the Chamber of Com merce and the South Erie Improvement Association. He and his family are communicants of the Catholic church and are members of the Sacred Heart parish. In 1896 Mr. Gredler was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Liebel, daughter of Joseph Liebel, of Erie, and they have seven children, namely: Frank, Othmar, Joseph J., Alarian, Louise, Cecelia, and Caroline. William J. Willert. Among the representative business men of the city of Erie stands Mr. Willert, who here has charge of the interests of the AVashburn-Crosby Flour Company, of Alinneapolis, Minnesota. He is manager for this celebrated company's business in Erie and Craw ford counties^and his selection for this office stands as voucher for the high reputation which he has attained for progressive ideas and administrative ability. As one of the able and popular business men of the younger generation in Erie county, he is well entitled to considera tion in this publication ; further than which such representation is due b\ reason of the fact that he is a native son of the county and a member of one of its honored families. He has gained success and prestige through his own well directed efforts, and his advancement has been 74 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the result of ambition, close application and impregnable integrity of purpose. William J. Willert was born on a farm in North East township, this county, October 21, 1879, and is a son of Herman F. and Frederica (Ohm) Willert, both natives of Germany, whence they were brought to America when children. The parents of the latter died in Germany, and she came to the United States with her paternal uncle, who settled in North East township, this county, where he became a successful farmer and where he passed the remainder of his life, as did also the paternal grandfather of AA'illiam J. Willert. Herman F. Willert was reared to manhood in Erie county, and from his youth to the present time he has been identified with agricultural pursuits, in which con nection he has been duly successful, pie and his wife are now residents of Harbor Creek township, where he is the owner of a well improved farm. William J. Willert was reared to the invigorating discipline of the farm, and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the public schools of the village of North East. To attend the village schools he walked each day to and from the village, which is four miles distant from the home farm on which his boyhood days were passed. When about fourteen years of age Air. Willert came to the city of Erie and secured a position in a grocery store located at the corner of Twelfth and Chestnut streets, and he received in compensation for his services the first year the sum of fifty dollars and his board. Thereafter he continued to be identified with the grocer)- business as a clerk for a term of years, and in 1903 he engaged in this line of enterprise for himself, at the corner of Seventh and Poplar streets, where he built up a substantial trade and gained prestige as a reliable and progressive business man. In 1906, he became manager of the business of the Erie Wholesale Grocery Company, and here he made a splendid record for careful and progressive administration. He retained the incumbency until the 1st of Alay, 1909, when he assumed his present important office of manager of the business of the Washburn-Crosby Flour Company, of Alinneapolis, in the counties of Erie and Crawford. He maintains his official headquarters in Erie, and the interests of the great concern which he thus represents are sure to be continuously ex panded in scope and importance under his control of his assigned terri tory. Air. Willert is a valued member of the Erie Business Alen's Exchange, is identified with various social organizations, and in politics he gives a loyal support to the cause of the Republican party. In 1901 Air. Willert was united in marriage to Aliss" Alarie Gross- holz. who was born in Germany, and who is a daughter of Adolph Grossholz, who is now one of the representative farmers of Fairview township, this county. Air. and Airs. Willert have one child, Gertrude. Jay C. Grove, the general agent for the Bessemer & Lake Erie Kailroad Company and during the past sixteen years one of Erie's most prominent citizens, is a representative of one of the commonwealth's oldest families, he being of the sixth generation of the name in the state. Its founder in this country was David Grove, the great-creat- great-grandfather of Jay C. This David Grove was born In Germany but migrated to Holland at the time of the crusade, an about S he ZZ o°, T^r'r "^ l0Caild J" PhiladelP^. The paternal grand father of Jay C. Grove was Abraham, who moved from Center to Mercer HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 75 county in 1828, and there purchased a tract of land of the Dicks of Aleadville and for many years was a teacher in private German schools. Abraham Grove married Elizabeth Mook, whose people migrated to Alercer county contemporaneous with the Grove family. Jacob Grove, one of the children of Abraham and Elizabeth, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1811, and he married Katharine Vorhees, who was born in Mercer county August 13, 1813, and was a daughter of Rheineer Vorhees who had moved there from Washington county when the former yet formed a part of Crawford county. Fie was descended from one of three brothers of the family of Van Vorhees who had emigrated from Holland in 1600 and located in New Amsterdam, while later their descendants came west into Penn sylvania and other states. Jacob Grove was by trade a carpenter and he also did contracting, but in the main followed farming. Mrs. Grove, his wife, was killed in an accident on the Lake Shore Railroad Alarch 10, 1873, and he died in Mercer county in the year of 1888. Jay C. Grove, born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1853, attended the public schools and AlcElwain Institute, and for a time after the completion of this training he taught school. From the spring of 1871 until the fall of 1875 he was assistant postmaster at St. Petersburg in Clarion county, and in the last week of September, 1875, he accepted a clerical position in the service of the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Company, which was then known as the Shenango & Allegheny Railroad, at Harrisville, this state. From this clerical position he was advanced in a short time to agencies at various points on the line, later became clerk in the auditing department, still later became chief clerk in the general freight department, and climbing still higher was made traveling auditor and held that position for three years prior to his coming to Erie in 1893 to take charge of the Erie terminal of the B. & L. E. R. R. Company as freight and passenger agent. On the 1st of July, 1901, he was made general agent of the road in addition to his duties as local freight and passenger agent. Mr. Grove married Satira J. Fry, who was born in Sharon, Penn sylvania, to Louis and Hannah Frey, and their children are Dr. Chauncey W. Grove, a practicing physician in Geneva, New York, and Elizabeth Katharine. Mr. Grove is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, and fraternally he is past master of Keystone Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M., past eminent commander of Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 30, K. T., past potentate of Zem Zem Temple and a member of the Shrine Club. He and his family are members of the Central Presbyterian church. Robert Edward Weschler. The city of Erie numbers among her progressive business men and worthy citizens Robert E. Weschler, a shoe merchant and a member of the city's board of education. He entered upon his business career after a good educational training and graduation from Clark's Business College of Erie as a salesman selling the old Graphic newspaper, of which John Miller, the author of the work, was then the editor. From that line of work, he entered the em ploy of M. A. Krug in the shoe business, and he was associated with that business house for thirteen years, and at the close of the period in 1901 he opened a shoe store for himself on State street. With the passing years his business has enlarged, and he is now proprietor of one of the largest shoe houses in the city of Erie, and is meeting with ;,; HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY desired success He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Alen's Exchange, and in 1907 he was elected a member of the city's board of education on the Democratic ticket to represent the second ward. . Air AVeschler was born in the Third ward of Erie on the 2d ot February 1877 a son of Leo B. and Pauline (Kimmeth) Weschler, and on the paternal side he is a grandson of Jacob Weschler, one of the oldest citizens of Erie and one of its old time malt dealers. His son Leo was born in this city, but Mrs. Weschler was a native daughter of Germany, and came to the United States and to the city of Erie when a young woman, and still living, she has reached the age of fifty-four years. Leo B. Weschler, her husband, died in the year of 1891. The six children born of their union are: Robert E., Charles L., Joseph S., Frank J., Harry J. and Frances. Robert E. Weschler attended the St. Joseph's school in Chicago, the Erie public schools, and as above stated is also a graduate of Clark's Business College. He married Mae C. Scharrer, of this city, and a daughter of one of its oldest residents, Jacob Scharrer. Mr. and Mrs. AA^eschler have four children, Joseph, Mildred, Robert E., Jr., and Anna Mae. Air. Weschler has membership relations with the Knights of St. John, the Knights of Columbus and was one of the organizers of St. Mary's Ushers Society, in which he has filled all of the offices. AIajor John W. Walker, one of Erie's oldest native-born citizens, and a retired' member of the bar, was born April 19, 1832, and is a son of the late John H. Walker. He graduated from Princeton College in the class of 1854, read law in his father's office, and was admitted to the bar in the same year. After practicing two years in Erie, he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he practiced until 1860, and then returned to Erie, which has since been his home. In 1862 Air. Walker raised Company K, of the One Hundred Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, of which he was commissioned Captain, and he commanded the company until after the Battle of Fredericksburg, at which time he was appointed paymaster in the United States army, with rank of major, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was mustered out with rank of lieutenant-colonel. He returned to Erie, but on account of ill health gave up the practice of his profession. Air. AA'alker became a Director of the Second National Bank of Erie, in 1869, which office he has filled continuously since that time, being the oldest member of the board, both in years and length of service. He has always been actively interested in public affairs, and was the nominee of the Democratic party for state senator in 1876, and again in 1880. In 1882 he was elected a member of the legislature, and was chairman of the committee on municipal corporations at that session. During the first administration of Presi dent Cleveland, he was appointed treasury agent, and during Cleve land's second administration he received the appointment for United States marshal for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Alajor Walker was a member and Past Commander of W. L. Scott Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and took an active part in the establishing at Erie of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, contributing time and money in the cause. He was the first Grand Regent of Pennsylvania for the Royal Arcanum order, and a member of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Honor. He is a charter member of the Erie Club. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 77 Major Walker married, June 18, 1861, Anna H., daughter of Hon orable Samuel S. Harrison, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, member of Congress from that district. Major Walker and his wife are mem bers of St. Paul's Episcopal church. Prescott Metcalf. It would be difficult to name a single move ment or institution which promised to advance the business, industrial or civic affairs of Erie, which was uninfluenced by the practical inspir ation, abounding energy and wise councils of the late Prescott Metcalf. Transportation lines, by land and water ; manufactories of various kinds ; banks, business properties, schools, public works and churches — all owe a large share of their development and working usefulness to his large brain and warm heart. He was, in a word, a city-builder, if any resident Of Erie may be justly classed under that title of nobility. Mr. Metcalf was of old New England stock, born at Putney, Wentworth county, Vermont, and a son of Joseph Metcalf, who spent the later years of his life in Erie. Prescott came to the city in his early manhood, and first entered the employ of his brother-in-law, Ira W. Hart. A few years thereafter he became associated with Rufus S. Reed, the great shipper and vessel owner and eventually had the active management of all his interests. This connection continued from 1840 to 1862, and during this period, as well as at a later date, he was prominent in the operation of a line of stage-coaches between Erie and Pittsburg, the construction of the Canada Southern Railway and the extension of the Erie canal and the Erie and the North-East Railroad. He was also one of the originators and incorporators of the Erie Cemetery, the Erie Gas Works, and the Dime Savings Bank, and was a trustee of the Erie Academy and the Park Presbyterian church. A mere mention of this fact is a faint indication of the breadth of his activities and influence. From 1860 to 1872 he was perhaps at the height of his standing as a public man and a promoter of real estate and property interests. In 1860, with Colonel Benjamin Grant, he erected the Wayne block on French street, and re built the same, after its destruction by fire, in 1868. In 1866 he erected his fine residence on the corner of Ninth and Sassafras streets, and in 1872 put up the block on the west side of State street, between Seventh and Eighth. Mr. Metcalf was a member of the first common council of Erie in 1851; again served in that body in 1860; was on the board of education for many years, and was honored with the mayoralty in 1862-64. At a later period of his busy life he devoted much of his attention to the expansion of the city's industries. In 1872, with others, he established the Burdett organ factory, and in 1880 the Erie Malleable Iron Works. In the latter enterprise his associates were Capt. Douglass Ottinger, John Clemens and his eldest son, Joseph P. On June 9, 1846, Prescott Metcalf was married to Miss Abigail R. Wilder, who was born in his native town of Putney, Vermont, — a strik ing and honored figure among the pioneers of Erie. Five children were born of this union, of whom Joseph P.. the eldest, and George R., the youngest, were long associated with their father in the Erie Malleable Iron Works and other enterprises. Joseph P. Metcalf, who was born in Erie, April 15, 1847, was educated in the city schools, at Erie Acad emy, Cleveland (Ohio) Institute and Eastman Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, New York. Until 1870 he was engaged in various rail road projects in the vicinity of Erie after which he removed to Ne braska City, there organizing the National Bank, of which he was 78 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY cashier until 1873. In that year he returned to Erie and became interest ed in the organization of the Malleable Iron Works, holding the posi tion of chairman of the controlling company until the time of his death. He also served for several terms in the common council. He was popu lar and highly respected in his business, social and fraternal relations, being a member of the Erie, Kahkwa and Cascade clubs and the Masonic order. In his religious faith, he was an Episcopalian, identified with St. Paul's church. Flis wife, to whom he was married October 11, 1877, was Miss Celia W. Fletcher, of Lockport, New York. William Wilder, the second child born to Mr. and Mrs. Prescott Aletcalf, died in infancy ; Frederick W., the third, died September 2, 1890, at the age of thirty-nine years, and Nellie, the fourth, also passed away as an infant. George Ralph Metcalf is a native of Erie, where he was born September 26, 1858, and received his education, in the more advanced courses, at the Erie High School, Erie Academy and a boarding school at Clinton, New York. For about a year after leaving school he was a coal operator at Columbus, Ohio, and then returned to Erie to associate himself with his father and brother, as a partner and secretary in the business of the Malleable Iron Works. In 1893 he was elected treas urer of the company and president in 1901. He succeeded his father as a director in the Erie Gas Company, becoming treasurer of the same in 1892. He is also vice president of the American Sterilizer Company of Erie, a director in the Second National Bank, and has other business and financial interests. Air. Aletcalf is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade; socially, is identified with the Erie, Kahkwa, Country, Yacht and Golf clubs, and his church relations are with the St. Paul's Episcopal society. Alarried September 3, 1885, to Miss Alary Richards, daughter of the late Captain John S. Richards, he is the father of two children — John Richards and George Ralph Metcalf, Jr. Thomas J. Golden, President of the Washburn Manufacturing Company, a well-known citizen of Erie, was born at Lockport, New York, December 27, 1855, and is the son of Thomas and Alarcella (Sum mers) Golden. The father, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when a young man, and located in Erie in 1865 ; he died in 1891 and his widow in 1903. Thomas J. Golden received his education in the public school at Erie, attending the old East Ward School, now Number Two. When seventeen years of age he learned the trade of millwright, and entered the employ of Carroll Brothers, where for thirty years he had charge ot a moulding machine. In 1905 Air. Golden became a partner in Wash- bum Manufacturing Company, which enterprise was established in 1900 Y i u°n ?' Washburn- at 1114 West Eighteenth Street, as a saw mill and box factory. Air. Washburn died in 1908, and his interests were principally taken over by Air. Golden and his family, he being president, and his son Herbert vice president. They have a flourishing business, "l,empl °yu the services of twenty men at their plant, manufacturing wood specialties and boxes, also a mop, which they manufacture com plete and which has a market all over the United States Ontnrin r T Tr ,ed Elizabeth Bradley, born at St. Catherines, born 1°: Si ' * W? V 6r °f, JameS Bradley- and t0 them have been born the following children: Marcella married Charles Hart of Erie- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 79 Annette, married C. F. Beyerle, of Erie; Edward, died at the age of twenty-five years ; Herbert, who is associated in business with his fath er; Joseph, married Lillian Albrecht; Isabelle and Marion Helen. Mr. Golden is interested in the progress and welfare of the community, and is a public-spirited and useful citizen. He is a member of St. Peters Roman Catholic church, also of the Knights of Columbus and of the Protected Home Circle. He also belongs to the Marquette and Erie Yacht Clubs. John Calvin Sturgeon. One of the leaders of the western Penn sylvania bar and a prominent Republican of the state, with a national reputation in patent law practice, John C. Sturgeon, of Erie, is a native of Fairview township, this county, where he was born on the 5th of Oct ober, 1841. His parents were Andrew and Eliza Jane (Caughey) Stur geon. The father, a farmer, was born September 3, 1817, and died February 25, 1879, while the mother, whose birthday was April 14, 1816, passed away on the 1st of April, 1885. In their family of six child ren John C, of this sketch, was the eldest. Until he was about seven teen years of age the youth worked upon the home farm in Fairview township and attended district school, as well as Girard Academy. He then taught school and was a student at Allegheny College until the end of his junior year, when he entered the United States navy and served until the close of the Civil war. Soon afterward he commenced the study of the law, and in 1867 was admitted to the bar of Erie county; but after becoming qualified to practice entered the Harvard University law school for a more thorough and a broader review of his chosen field. On January 1, 1868, after his graduation therefrom, he commenced practice at Erie. Mr. Sturgeon's pronounced natural ability and his thorough train ing were promptly recognized by the profession and the public of his home community, and in 1869 he was elected district attorney of Erie county on the Republican ticket. Three years of noteworthy public service followed in that office, when he resumed the general practice of his profession. His labors and progress continued along these lines for the first twenty years of his career, but for the past two decades he has devoted himself to the practice of patent law, in which he has reached a foremost rank. During this period he has become a familiar figure in the circuit courts, United States courts of appeals and the su preme court of the United States. For some years he has been pro fessionally associated with H. M. Sturgeon, the firm being widely known and now having a number of important suits pending in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. For many years Air. Sturgeon has been active and influential in the furtherance of Republicanism, having frequently served as a delegate to the conventions of his party. In 1899 his high standing both as a Republican and a lawyer was emphasized by a strong petition presented to the president — signed by the senators and congress men from Pennsylvania and several other states — asking his appointment to the commissionership of patents. In 1904 he was chosen a presidential elector for the state of Pennsylvania and in that capacity cast his vote for Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. Sturgeon has been an earnest fraternalist for half a lifetime, his connection with the Grand Army of the Republic even commencing forty years ago. He has been a Knight Templar in Masonry for upward of thirty years and a member of the Mystic Shrine since 1890. He is also a charter member of the Erie Board of Trade. 80 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Air. Sturgeon has been twice married, and by his second wife is the father of two sons. Ralph Andrew Sturgeon who served in the Spanish- American war and is now a construction engineer on a prominent western railroad, while Berry Albert Sturgeon, a member of the Erie county and California state bars, is engaged in law practice at Los Angeles, that state. Tradition indicates that the Sturgeon family originated in the Nether lands under the name "Steerjon," and that various members emigrated to England about the twelfth century and settled in Northumberland, the northernmost county, where they became known as Sturgeons. The head of the family was ennobled for distinguished services to the Crown and, especially during the past century, several of the name have become eminent as scientists, Henry Sturgeon being known throughout the world as the discoverer of the electro magnet. The Sturgeon family was always a stanch supporter of Protestantism, and during the religious persecutions of the sixteenth century the American ancestors migrated from England to Derry, in the north of Ireland, where at the famous siege of that place by the royal forces, in 1689, one of the Sturgeon brothers was killed. The other survived and came to Philadelphia with William Penn in 1693. Nothing further is definitely known of the fam ily until 1720, when Jeremiah Sturgeon, who is believed to be a de scendant of the gallant defender of Derry, came to Hanover township, Lancaster county, where he settled with his wife (nee Ellen Douglas). They became the parents of three sons, one of whom, Thomas, remained in Hanover township and married Alargaret Corbet, daughter of Peter Corbet, a well known land owner of Lancaster county. They, also, had several children, and their son Samuel was the founder of the fam ily in Erie county— the branch represented by John Calvin, of this biography. He was a Revolutionary soldier from Lancaster county and, as the records show, served in the fourth battalion of Associators,' going into active service in December, 1775, and participating in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In December, 1785, the state of Pennsyl vania granted him a land warrant for fifty acres in recognition of his services. Samuel Sturgeon died in Hanover township (then Dauphin county) on the 2d of October, 1801. The deceased was twice married, having five sons by his first wife Alargaret. Two of these, AVilliam and Jeremiah, emigrated to Erie county, in 1796, and founded the town of Fairview. William, the eldest son, was born in West Hanover, Dauphin county on July 10 1768, and died in Fairview April 12, 1838. His wife was Miss Jane AIcEwen, who was born in West Hanover August 1 1767 and died in Fairview in 1818, mother of eleven children, one of' whom was Thomas J., the grandfather of H. AI. Sturgeon, the partner of the Sturgeon representative with whom this sketch especially deals Jere miah was born m AVest Hanover, Dauphin county, on the 10th of Au gust, 1770; as stated, he migrated to Erie county in 1796, and died at Fairview, July 17, 1818. His wife was Aliss Jane Moorhead who was born October 30, 1776, and died at Fairview, June 30, 1864 She was the mother of six children, of whom Samuel C, the eldest, married Miss Martha Eaton and also became the father of six children. Both virtually passed their lives at Fairview, Samuel C. Sturgeon being born in 1801 rulary^ssf 8' *** ^ ^ ^ ^ U~ 18U> P*»4 ™£ Feb- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 81 Andrew Sturgeon, fifth child of Samuel and Margaret Sturgeon and of the second generation of the family native to America, was the grandfather of John Calvin, of this sketch. He was born at AA'est Han over, Dauphin county, and married Jane Finney (daughter of James Finney), who was also a native of that county, born February 5, 1775. They migrated to Tonawanda, New York, about 1805, from which the husband enlisted in the state militia for the war of 1812. In 1820 they located in Girard township, Erie county, where Mrs. Andrew Sturgeon died in 1849 and her husband in 1851. They were the parents of seven children, Andrew Sturgeon, their fifth child and third son, being the father of John C. By his marriage to Eliza Jane Caughey, December 15, 1840, Andrew Sturgeon became the father of John Calvin, Sheldon Franklin, Carson Jay, Mary Jane, Anna Vance and George Andrew Sturgeon. The main facts in the life of the first-born have already been given. Sheldon F., the second child, served in the United States navy during the Civil war, married Rosanna Lowry, and lives at Woodhull, Illinois, the father of eight children. Carson Jay, an electrical engineer and a manufacturer of electrical machinery, married Aliss Lyda Camp bell at Girard, Pennsylvania, and has had six children. Mary Jane died March 5, 1909, as the widow of George Platt, of Erie, and Anna Vance Sturgeon died March 11, 1857, when only seven years of age. George Andrew Sturgeon, the youngest, who is a Pittsburg lawyer, mar ried Miss Mary L. Davis, by whom he has become the father of four daughters, two of whom are deceased. The Caughey family, of whom John C. Sturgeon's mother is a member, is of old Scotch origin and Presbyterian faith. During the religious persecutions of the seventeenth century many of its representa tives migrated from Scotland to the country around Donegal, Ireland, and about 1750 Francis Caughey, with a brother, came from that lo cality and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. There he died at the age of ninety-three years, the ancestor of the family in Erie county. The father of five children, his oldest son and child, Andrew, was born in Lancaster county, in 1756, and served in the Revolutionary war as a private in the third battalion of the county militia, Colonel Thomas Porter commanding. He commenced service in August, 1778, and is un derstood to have participated in the battle of Brandywine. He married his cousin, Elizabeth Caughey, and migrated to West Millcreek town ship, Erie county, settling about five miles west of the city of Erie, where he lived until his death, March 19, 1828. His wife had passed away March 25, 1826, and they were the parents of four sons and three daugh ters, the eldest of whom, John Caughey, was the father of fourteen children by his marriage to Aliss Ann Vance Wilson. Eliza Jane, the fourth in order of birth, was the mother of John C. Sturgeon, of this sketch. Thus have been traced the main connections in the genealogies of the paternal and maternal side of Mr. Sturgeon's family. Ernest Keppel. Inheriting those traits of industry, thrift and en terprise so characteristic of the German people, Ernest Keppel has steadily worked his way toward the upper rung of the ladder of success, and now, as superintendent of the lumber interests of Aloore, Keppel & Company, is actively identified with one of the leading industries of Corry. A native of Germany, he was born, February 27, 1851, in Hirsch- berg, Thuringia, a son of Karl and Henrietta (Vogel) Keppel. Fur- Vol. II— 6 82 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ther parental and ancestral history may be found elsewhere in this vol ume in connection with the sketch of his brother, Henry M. Keppel. But two years old when he came with his parents to this country, Ernest Keppel was brought up on a farm in Cattaraugus county, New York When eight years old he began working for a neighboring farmer during seed time and harvest, receiving fifty cents a week, and his board, in the meantime staying at home during the winter seasons, and attending school When eleven years of age, his services became so valuable that his wages were raised to five dollars a month. At the age of fourteen years he began teaming oil from Pit Hole to Titusville, Pennsylvania, continuing thus employed two years. Locating in Corry in 1867, he worked in a saw mill two years, and then entered the employ of Howard Brothers, who were then just embarking in business, and remained in their tannery until 1872. Beginning then his career as a lumberman, Air. Keppel purchased a tract of timbered land in Dayton township, Cattarau gus county, New York, cut the timber, sold the bark and logs, and was there successfully employed until the timber was exhausted. He subse quently did the same thing in Allegany, New York, making money by the operation. Buying then a farm in Dayton township, he lived there a year, when, renting his land, he located in Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he remained two years, being employed not only as a hotel keeper, but in drilling for oil. Returning to Dayton township, he subsequently sold his farm, and bought two hundred acres of standing timber in Perrys- burg, New York, where he was engaged in lumbering for two years. Locating next in Torpedo, Warren county, Air. Keppel bought seven hundred acres of land, erected a saw mill, and for seven years was there employed in the manufacture of lumber. Trading off the cleared land to L. B. AVood for property in Warren county, he lived there a short time, and then disposed of the land. The ensuing three years, he lived ii: Perrysburg, New York, and the following two years was superintend ent of a large lumber business in Forest county, Pennsylvania. Going then to Forest county, he in company with his brothers, Henry Al. and Charles, bought seven hundred and sixty acres of timber, erected a mill, and worked for four years in clearing the land, carrying on a substantial business as lumber manufacturers and dealers. Since that time Mr. Keppel has been a resident of Corry, and superintendent of the Moore, Keppel & Company's lumber business, a position for which he is eminent ly fitted. On April 7, 1872, Air. Keppel married Alaggie Schneider, who was born in Germany, a daughter of John Snyder. In 1855, accompanied by his wife, and their only child, then an infant, John Schneider emi grated to America, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, and being ninety days on the water. From New York City, he proceeded first to Buffalo, then to Dayton township, Cattaraugus county, where he bought a tract of wild land. Having cleared and improved a part of it, he sold at an advance, and moved to Allegany, where from a tract of timber he cleared and improved a good farm, erected a good set of buildings, and there resided until his death, at the age of sixty-seven years. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Alary Fisher, four children were born, as follows: Alargaret, wife of Air. Keppel ;, Caroline ; Benjamin; and Charles. The three younger children were born in this country. Mr. and Airs. Keppel are the parents of nine children, namely: Lena, Mary, Henry, John, Lizzie, Charlie, Florence, Walter, and Clara. Lena, who married Will Dannahey, has passed to the life beyond. Mary, wife of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 83 Edward Rhinehart, has one child, Clarence. Henry married Ethel Bad- jero, and they have two children, Lena and Rupert. John married Alda Snow, and they have three children, Karl, Mildred, and Myrtle. Lizzie, wife of Harvey Bowles, has one child, Margaret. Charles married Lottie Dewoody. Florence is the wife of Henry Bales. Politically Mr. Keppel is a Republican. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Keppel is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Corry. Mr. Keppel's father was Postmaster in old Germany. LeGrand Skinner. The strong influence of ancestral traits on individual character and the determination of definite and noteworthy careers is quite remarkably illustrated in the genealogy and life of Le Grand Skinner — inventor, manufacturer and financier, and founder and president of the Skinner Engine Company, of Erie. He is a native of Pooleville, Aladison county, New York, born May 23, 1845, and from both sides of the family is descended from inventors and pioneer manu facturers. It would appear that for generations his life lines have been clearly converging to the career which he has followed since early youth. The American branch of the Skinner family originated in eleven broth ers, who, during colonial times, emigrated from England and settled in Massachusetts and Connecticut. His maternal ancestors, the Eatons, were of Lancashire, England, and came to Plymouth in the "Mayflower," but soon returned to England. His paternal ancestry is directly from the Connecticut Skinners, his grandfather, Isaac Skinner, migrating from his 'home in that state and making his way through the dense woods of southern New England into the wilderness now included in the thickly settled section of New York known as Madison county. The Eatons had, in the meantime, re-established themselves in New England, and the maternal grandfather of LeGrand Skinner also became a pioneer of Madison county. He built a log cabin near the present town of Eaton, erected a dam to supply water power, and began the manufacture of woolen goods, his mill being among the first to manufacture such goods west of Connecticut. Frank Skinner, who became the father of LeGrand, when a small boy accompanied his parents to Madison county, and showed decided talents at an early age, both as an inventor and a skilled mechanic. Among his practical inventions may be mentioned a continuous candle- molding machine, which is still in use, and a riving machine for the manufacture of shingles. The father moved from New York state to New Jersey, dying in the later state in 1907, aged eighty-four years. The mother was Charlotte Eaton, a native of Pooleville, New York, whose father was a pioneer woolen manufacturer of Springfield, Massa chusetts, who spent his later years in Madison county. Mrs. Frank Skinner died in 1901. The boyhood days of LeGrand Skinner were spent in the little town of Eaton, to which he went to reside with an uncle when he was sixteen years of age. This uncle (Wood) was the second manufacturer of portable engines in the United States, and was an earnest and valued instructor to his ambitious nephew, who remained with him until 1868. During this period LeGrand was not only perfecting himself in the manu facturing business, but spent- considerable time in the tool room of the Remington Arms Manufacturing Company at Illion, New York. In 1868 he constructed his first engine after his own designs, his work being conducted in a little shop built on the site where stood the little log cabin previously mentioned and which had been built by his maternal 84 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY grandfather near the town of Eaton in the real pioneer days of Aladison county. After remaining in service for about sixteen years, this first product of Air. Skinner's inventive and mechanical talents came again into his possession and is now one of his most precious belongings. _ In 1871 Air. Skinner began the manufacture of engines at Chitte- nango, New York, subsequently conducted a like business in Chicago for a time, and on July 3, 1873. established a small manufacturing plant in the Lilley shop", Erie. Not long after the expansion of his business forced him to rent larger quarters in John Coats shop, and in 1S75 he formed a partnership with Thomas Wood, who was still connected with the United States navy. The firm of Skinner and Wood occupied a new shop for their business, erected by the late John Selden in 1877, and in 1881 the proprietors built a plant themselves at the corner of Twelfth and Chestnut streets. In 1902 the large addition to the main shops was completed, and the entire manufactory is now one of the largest and most complete in the city. The firm of Skinner and Wood was dissolved in 1883, and for the succeeding two years Air. Skinner conducted the business alone, but in 1SS5 the Skinner Engine Company was incorporated, with himself as president. He is also one of the organizers and incorporators of the Union Iron AVorks, of which he is a director. Before her marriage. Air. Skinner's wife was Aliss Hannah Harrington, a native of Chittenango, New York, daughter of P. D. Harrington. Two children have been born of this union : Allan David Skinner who is now in charge of the sales department of the Skinner Engine Company, while Helen died at the age of six years. Judge Frank Gunnison. In a history of the legal profession in Erie it is imperative that mention be made of Judge Frank Gunnison, whose record has at all times been a credit and honor to the city of his nativity. With thorough understanding of the principles of law and actuated by high professional ideals, he made a splendid record during his ten years' service on the bench, and in private practice has been most successful, enjoying now a large and distinctively representa tive clientage. He was born February 2, 184S, in the city which is now his home, his parents being the late Jonas and Charlotte (Spafford) Gunnison, the former a native of Erie county and the latter of the state of New York. The father was a prominent Erie attorney and as a leading citizen wielded a wide influence in molding public thought and shaping public action. He was called to represent his district in the state legislature, where he gave careful consideration to each question that came up for settlement. In his death in 1871 the county lost one of its valued citizens. His widow still survives. Judge Gunnison pursued his elementary education in the public schools and afterward attended the Erie Academy and the University of Michigan in the acquirement of his more specifically literary course. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he began reading under the direction of his father and subsequently entered the Harvard Law School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1870 winning the degree of Bachelor of Law. On the 5th of February of that year he was admitted to the bar at Erie and" at once entered upon active practice in connection with General D. B. AlcCreary, with whom he was associated until 1875. He was afterward alone in practice until 1886 when his professional ability led to his selection for the office of presi dent judge of the sixth judicial district. He served on the bench for the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 85 full term of ten years and was uniformly urged to stand for a re election but personal reasons caused him to decline and re-enter upon private practice. His decisions indicated strong mentality, careful an alysis, a thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judgment. Because of a well rounded character, finely balanced mind, splendid intellectual attainments and high professional ideals he was most success ful in the discharge of the multitudinous delicate duties which devolve upon him who occupies the bench. He is now enjoying an extensive private practice of an important character and moreover is interested in a number of business enterprises, including the Second National Bank, of which he is a director. In 1872 Judge Gunnison was united in marriage to Miss Lila L. Lowry, a daughter of the Hon. Alorrow B. Lowry, of Erie, and unto them has been born one son, Morrow B. Well known in the social circles of the city, Judge Gunnison enjoys the respect, confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen and at all times he can be counted upon to further any movement or measure for the general good. He is a public-spirited citizen and one whose efforts for municipal advance ment have ever been of a most practical character. His ability as a law yer has carried him into important professional relations and he is widely recognized as a safe counselor and able advocate. John S. Rilling. A lawyer of Erie, Pennsylvania, and ex-president of its Board of Trade and deeply interested in commercial and educa tional matters, John S. Rilling was born in Mill Creek township, Erie county, July 22, 1860, being the son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Acker- man) Rilling. The parents were both natives of Tuebingen, Germany, which is the seat of the famous Tuebingen University. There the father was born on the 7th of February, 1820. In 1834, when his son was fourteen years of age, Stephen Rilling, (the grandfather of John S.,) emigrated with his family to the United States, coming direct to Erie county and locating on a farm just south of Erie City. Stephen Rilling was a millwright by trade and erected many of the old mills of Erie county. He died in 1866, his wife having preceded him in the early fifties. The mother of John S. Rilling was born August 21, 1827, and both parents are living. John S. Rilling, obtained his early education in the public schools of Mill Creek township; completed a course at the Edinboro State Nor mal; taught school for two terms and then read law in the office of Davenport and Griffith of Erie. On February 19, 1885, he was ad mitted to practice. On February, 2, 1897, he formed a partnership with Henry E. Fish under the firm name of Rilling and Fish. On April 15, 1907, the firm became Gunnison, Rilling and Fish, ex-Judge Frank Gunnison being the senior member of the firm which is one of the strongest and most progressive in Erie county. Mr. Rilling has at tained a substantial position at the local bar and is also a leader in all the commercial and public movements designed for the advancement of the best interests of Erie. He served as president of the Erie Board of Trade for the year ending 1907. He has also been prominently interested in the transportation affairs of Erie City being one of the organizers and operators of the Conneaut & Erie Traction Company. In works of charity and educational movements Mr. Rilling has attained equal prominence. He was one of the organizers and incorporators, as well as secretary, treasurer and president of St. Vincent's Hospital. 86 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Since 1887 he has served as solicitor for the School district of the city of Erie and his standing was such, both as an educator and at torney, that the Governor of Pennsylvania appointed him a member of an Educational Commission to prepare a School Code of the State of Pennsylvania which was passed by the Legislature, but was vetoed by the Governor on account of its having been mutilated after its pas sage. As he was the only lawyer on the Commission a most important part of the work fell to him. Mr. Rilling was married October 20, 1887, to Miss Stella Arm strong, of Erie, a daughter of Andrew Armstrong, a gallant soldier of the Civil war who was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House. Their children are : Marion E. and Ruth A. Rilling. Dr. George Bigham Kalb, of Erie, is a leader in the general prac tice of medicine and surgery and has a more extended reputation as a specialist in diseases of children and the scientific treatment of tuber culosis. The American founder of the Kalb family, Martin, was a native of the Rhine Palatinate, Germany, and in 1729 emigrated to Philadelphia county, that locality being the home of several generations. The doctor was born in Circleville, Ohio, on the 22nd of September, 1862, and is a son of George Lewis and Alary Elizabeth (Bigham) Kalb, his mother's ancestors being Scotch-Irish. After pursuing courses at Oberlin (Ohio) College and Indiana University, in 1883, George B. was matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he graduated as president of the class of 1886. His first location for practice was at Audenried, Pennsylvania, as assistant to Dr. W. R. Longshore, with whom he remained' for about five years, then removing to Jeddo, Luzerne county, where, for eight years, he was in charge of the colliery practice of G. B. Alarkle and Company. In 1898 he located at Erie, engaging in the general practice of medicine and especially in the treatment of children's diseases. Since his graduation from Jefferson Aledical College, Dr. Kalb has been actively and almost continuously engaged in practice, virtually the only interruption to his practical labors being the two semesters of 1895 and 1896 which he spent at Aiunich, and Vienna taking post graduate work. Besides being active in the conduct of his extensive practice as a pediatrist, the doctor is surgeon on the Hamot Hospital ol Erie, examining physician to the Free Hospital for Poor Consump tives of Philadelphia and visiting physician to the Grand View Sani tarium for Tuberculosis at Oil City, Pennsylvania. He has been honored with the presidency of the Aledical Society of the Aliddle Anthracite Loal fields and also served as secretary and president of the Erie bounty Medical Society, and his reputation has been even more broadly extended by his numerous and valuable contributions to the leading medical journals of the country. And his activities and his prominence ?,re £°. %en c°nfined to the field of his profession, as he is a director in me une 1 rust Company and the Petroleum Telephone Company of Oil Uty, and is a director in the Mutual Telephone Company of Erie, and S5ted. '" othv" financial and semi-public concerns. He is a member o the ^t16 C™er of Commerce, a director of the Associated Charities in wL /' I /?] Ard, MaSOn and an elder in the Presbyterian church, ears On t" k ^ Orell&lous work he has been active for man; orS/rT/7 ' 18 , ' ?r' Kalb married Miss Margaret I. Leffler, of Stockton, California, who died August 30, 1893, leavin| one daughter HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 87 Lucile. On November 17, 1895, he wedded Aliss Letta B. Merriman, of Kenton, Ohio, and the child of this union is Aliriam Elizabeth Kalb. Grant J. Smith, a leading commission merchant of Erie, president of the board of county commissioners and a leading Republican of the locality, is a native of the county named, and was born in Phillipsville, Venango township, January 16, 1868. His parents, Robert T. and Emily (Fritz) Smith, are also both natives of that place, the father born in 1821 and the mother in 1831. The family is of Irish origin, the grand father, John Smith, a native of that country, coming to Erie county at an early date and being one of the early pioneers of Venango township when that part of the state was a virtual wilderness. His wife was a Aliss Taylor. The grandfather mentioned passed the last years of his life in Venango township, dying there at the age of ninety-one years. The father of Grant J. died in 1887 from injuries received by the acci dental discharge of his gun. The deceased was a very successful farmer, widely beloved and a prominent man in many respects. He had held all of the township offices and at the time of his death was a member of the board of directors of the Harbor Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Company. His taking away was much regretted and his funeral was attended by one of the largest concourses which ever honored a like occasion. The widow survived her husband until 1903. Both were long active and devoted members of the Presbyterian church. Grant J., of this review, was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools of the neighborhood and, as his father died when the son was nineteen years of age, the latter remained on the old farm assisting in its management and in the care of the dependent members of the family. He was thus occupied until 1892 when he removed to Erie and entered his present field, that of the commission business. For a number of years past Air. Smith has been a progressive figure in Re publican politics and local public affairs. He served as tax collector of Venango township for about two years and in 1905 was elected a member of the board of commissioners of Erie county, assuming that office January 1, 1906, and his record was so entirely satisfactory that he was re-elected by a flattering majority in 1908. Following the death of Commissioner AlcClellan, in Alay, 1906, he was honored with the presidency of the board and fulfills its duties with ability and dignity. In his financial relations he is an active member of the Erie board of trade and Chamber of Commerce and in Alasonry has reached the thirty-second degree and naturally identified with the local Shriners Club. Mr. Smith's wife was formerly Aliss Jennie AlcCrea, who was born in Mill Creek township, Erie county, and is a daughter of John and Jane (Kimball) AlcCrea, both deceased. The children of their union are Florence, born June 1, 1898, and Robert G, who died in 1899, aged three weeks. Emanuel Waidler Roland, a leading grocer of Erie, this county with a fine establishment at No. 601 West Seventeenth street, is a native of the county, born on a farm in West Mill Creek township, on the 19th of December, 1858. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Garloch) Ro land, the father being born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1829, and the mother, in Summit township, Erie county, on the 15th of August, 1836. William Roland, the grandfather, was also a native of Lancaster county, who married Mary Garber, born in the same county. S§ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Both the Rolands and the Garbers are of English stock, the first Ameri can forefathers emigrating to this country about two centuries ago. Jacob, the father of Emanuel W., left the ancestral home in Lancaster county when a young man, and located in Mill Creek township, this county, where he married, and engaged successively in farming and mercantile pursuits. Four years before the Civil war he removed to Michigan, from which state he entered the Union ranks and served until the close of hostilities. His death occurred on the 15th of August, 1905. His widow is a daughter of Andrew Garlock, a native of Wittemburg, Ger many, who married a cousin by that name and came to Erie county about 1835. Airs. Jacob Roland is a devoted member of the German Evan gelical church, and is a highly honored pioneer of the county. E. W. Roland, of this sketch, was reared on the family homestead in West Mill Creek township, received a district school education, and followed farming in different parts of Erie county until his marriage in 1888. He then established a homestead on the Lake road in Fair- view township and for three years engaged in agricultural pursuits. On Alarch 15, 1891, he became a resident of Erie and engaged in the retail grocery business on the corner of Eighteenth and Cherry streets, as sociating himself with his brother, Levi, under the firm name of Roland Brothers. In 1896 they erected the store at No. 601 West Seventeenth street, and remained in partnership until 1897, when E. W. purchased his brother's interest and has since been sole proprietor of the busi ness. Air. Roland was also one of the promoters of the Erie Wholesale Grocery Company, of which he was one of the original stockholders and of which (since January 15, 1909) he has been a director. He is an active member of the Business Alen's Exchange; is a Republican in pol itics, and in his religious faith is identified with the Chestnut Street Pres byterian church. On February 21, 1888, Mr. Roland married Miss Alinnie H. Bochner, born in West Mill Creek township, on the 27th of September, 1864, daughter of Henry and Hannah (Sherman) Bochner. The father was born in Fairview, Erie county, his people coming here from Lancaster county at an early date. He died in the winter of 1900, but Airs. Bochner is still alive — a goodly specimen of the intelligent, sturdy, honorable women produced by her German fatherland. Two children have been born to Air. and Airs. E. W. Roland : — Harrison L., who was born De cember 28, 1889, and died December 25, 1900, and Elsie Elizabeth Ro land, whose birth occurred June 1, 1893. Robert J. Moorhead. Possessing in a marked degree the pro nounced ability, forceful individuality, and perseverance of purpose that win success in business circles, and command universal respect, Robert J. Aloorhead is actively associated with the financial growth and pros perity of the city of Erie, and as president of the Security Savings and Trust Company of Erie is prominently identified with one of the lead ing institutions of this part of Erie county. A man of great enterprise and energy, he has done much towards promoting the mercantile and manufacturing interests of Western Pennsylvania, and as a banker has carried on business with credit and success, being now one of the lead ing financiers of Erie, of which he is to all intents and purposes a citizen, although he still maintains his family residence in his old home town, North East. He was born, April 2, 1852, in Moorheads, Harbor Creek township, Erie county, which was the birthplace, likewise, of his par- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 89 ents, Joseph Byers and Eliza (Hampson) Aloorhead. His grandfather, John Moorhead, with his brothers, Robert and George, located in Erie county in the early part of the last century, in Harbor Creek township, in the town of Moorheads, which was named in their honor. Brought up on the farm, hewed from the forest by his father, Joseph Byers Moorhead, was there engaged in tilling the soil until 1865, when he removed with his family to North East, where for a period of eight years he was employed in the forwarding and commission business. Lo cating in Cadiz, Ohio, in 1873, he remained there until his death, March 10, 1880. His widow subsequently returned to her old home in North East, where her death occurred, September 6, 1891. In 1869, having completed his studies at the North East Academy, Robert J. Moorhead worked as a book-keeper in one of the business houses for a year, and was afterwards book-keeper for a similar length of time in the First National Bank of North East. Coming from there to Erie in April, 1871, Mr. Moorhead took charge of the books of the Second National Bank, and in October, 1872, went to Foxburg, Clarion county, to assume charge of the local Savings Bank which was owned, principally by Erie people. Embarking in the oil brokerage business in 1874, Air. Aloorhead was first located at Parker's Landing, then at Oil City, from there going to Pittsburg, where he remained until 1885, when he returned to North East. In 1888 Mr. Moorhead purchased the con trolling interest in the Short Alanufacturing Company, of North East, being made president of the company. He was subsequently made presi dent of the Security and Savings Trust Company of Erie and has since performed the duties devolving upon him in this capacity with recognized ability and fidelity, rendering it one of the strongest financial institutions in the county. George E. High m yer, the owner and proprietor of one of the valu able estates of Harbor Creek township, known as the Pleasant View Fruit Farm, is a member of one of the stanch old pioneer families of Erie county. Simon Highmyer, his father, was a German by birth, and com ing from his native land to the United States, he located in Erie county in 1830, and was here married to Maria Pherrin, from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was a cooper by trade, and his death occurred while serving his adopted country in the Civil war in 1862. His widow then moved to Mill Creek township in Erie county, and died there in the year of 1889. George E. Highmyer, the elder of their (3) sons, was born in Fair- view township, Erie county, May 19, 1853, and remaining at home with his mother until his marriage, he then lived for four years in Mill Creek township. At the close of that period he purchased his present homestead of forty acres in Harbor Creek township, and has built thereon a valu able brick residence and has devoted his land to the raising of grapes and peaches and small fruit. The farm is well improved and splendidly adapted to the raising of fruit. ...^ Air. Highmyer married April 16, 1885, Emma Ripley, born in Greene township, Erie county, a daughter of David and Mary Ann (Kuhl) Ripley. Their only child, a son Ray, died when but two years of age, but in their home are two adopted children, a niece and a nephew, Elma and Ira. Elma has finished high school and Ira is in the seventh grade. One brother of Mr. Highmyer, Frank Highmyer, died in 1899, and the other A. C. resides in Erie, a carpenter of P. and E. shops ; he is married 90 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY and has three children. George E. Highmyer is a Republican in his political affiliations and he and family are members of the Presbyterian church in Harborcreek township. Clarence C. French, one of Erie county's leading and enterprising business men, is the proprietor of an extensive optical and jewelry estab lishment at No. 923 State street. The coordinating forces usually found in those who have traveled the pathway of success, have combined in him in large measure, spurring him onward in the pursuit of a noble purpose, until now he has a business established upon a solid financial basis and honorably takes his place among those who are maintaining the industrial worth of the city as a center of trade and field of business opportunities. His career, however, has not been without its obstacles and discouragements but the firm resolution he early formed to enter business on his own account and succeed has enabled him to surmount all difficulties confronting him and, by persistent effort reinforced by patience and perseverance, he has mastered ever)- situation so that now he owns and controls an enterprise which is not only a gratifying source of revenue to himself but also a credit to the city. A native of Corning, New York, born Alarch 4, 1866, Air. French is a son of George Edward and Cynthia Ann (Davis) French. His father was also a native of the Empire state, while his mother's nativity oc curred in Connecticut. In the Keystone state and in Center county George E. French engaged in the lumber business until death terminated his activities. His widow now resides in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Air. French was well known throughout the lumber regions of the state and the honorable relations he sustained in all his business transactions won him the respect and confidence of all with whom he had dealings as honest and reliable. In Center county Clarence C. French was reared and spent his boy hood days. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and after mastering the branches of study taught there, he became as sociated with his father in the lumber business. In this connection he remained until 1S84 when, desirous of adopting another calling and, preferring that of a jeweler, he went to Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania! where he served his apprenticeship in the watchmaking establishment of E A. Davis & Son. Seeking further opportunity whereby to acquire a better knowledge and greater skill at the trade,' he went" to Oil city Pennsylvania, m 1889 where he spent two years with Shapperle Broth ers, jewelers and expert watchmakers, who for years were at the head ot a department at Tiffany's. New York City. Still anxious to further add to his capacity for usefulness and, in order to broaden his field of endeavor, he completed a course of instruction at the Julius King School of Optics, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated r!f FH LJ% ff ^^ C0ITg ^° Ene' Mr" French entered the employ of Edward Hoffman, jeweler. Two years later, or in 1893. considering h s ability and experience adequate to meet the public demand, he began business on his own account as a jeweler and optican at No 925 State street. His venture was on a small scale and he rented a window in an insurance office. For eight years he labored diligently with a view to producing the highest class work and to pleasing hit patron bv the sub stan ml nature of his services, so that his busines graduX Sew undl m 19ni his volume of trade necessitating larger quarters? 1 e £v to HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 91 his present location at No. 923 State street. Here he occupies a capa cious store and conducts one of the leading establishments of the kind in the city, carrying a complete line of solid gold jewelry and optical goods. Watch repairing is his specialty and his business is of such pro portions to require the assistance of four regular employes. Mr. French's commercial career has been one of even growth, due to his progressive spirit, his professional skill and, above all, to the straightforward methods which characterize his transactions. Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Laura Hudson, a native of Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Robert Hudson. To this union have been born two children : Hudson and Helen May. Public- spirited and alive to the highest interests of the city he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Business Alen's Exchange. His fraternal relations are with Perry Lodge, A. F. & A. Al. Mr. French is highly respected, both socially and as a busi ness man and is a substantial factor in the city's commercial life. Edward D. Carter. The only lake port in the state, the city of Erie is advantageously located, and has been identified with the develop ment of some of the more important commercial industries of Pennsyl vania. In the promotion and advancement of several of these industrial lines, Edward D. Carter has been a native and conspicuous factor, being especially prominent in business circles. Distinguished as a native of Erie county, he was born, January 31, 1853, in Mill Creek township, a son of John H. Carter, a farmer of prominence. His paternal grand parents, John and Mary (High) Carter, emigrated from England to this country in 1835, bringing with them their five children, and settling on a farm in Erie county. John H. Carter was born in county Norfolk, England, February 24, 1821. Coming with his parents to Pennsylvania at the age of four teen years, he assisted his father in clearing and improving a home stead, early becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits. With the exception of a few years spent in Erie, he was engaged in tilling the soil during his years of activity, his farming estate in Mill Creek town ship being one of the best improved and most valuable in that vicinity. In 1838 he married Anna Heidelbaugh, who was born and reared in Lancaster county, and they became the parents of six children, namely : Mary, wife of William Hardwick, of Erie; George W., of Erie, senior member of the retail shoe firm of G. W. Carter & Co. ; Edward D., of this sketch; Alfred; John L. ; and Mrs. Luella Bacon. Brought up on the home farm, Edward D. Carter received his preliminary education in the district schools. He subsequently attended the Edinboro normal school, after which he took a course of study at the Iron City Commercial College, in Pittsburg. Securing then a position in that city, he remained there two years, in the meantime obtaining a practical insight regarding business pursuits. Coming then to Erie, Mr. Carter, in company with his brother, G. W. Carter, was for five years engaged in the grocery business. In 1876 he embarked in the fish business, which was the beginning of his connection with an industry which he has since continued with great profit to himself, and to the ad vancement of a good paying business, for, in 1893, the Erie Fish Associa tion, in which he was financially interested for many years, was or ganized, and he was made its president. During that period, Mr. Carter 99 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY was made president of the Alerchants' and Manufacturers' Electric Light Company, of which he was a promoter, and one of the organizers. He is still actively interested in many of the leading corporations of the city, among others being the Erie and Carter Steamship Companies, of which he is president and general manager ; the Erie Company, electric light, construction, and steam heat, of which he is likewise president; and the Security Savings and Trust Company, of which he is the vice presi dent, and a director. Air. Carter's commercial standing is irreproachable, and his indomitable energy and perseverance enable him to carry for ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. On October 10, 1873, Air. Carter married Clara, daughter of John Robinson, of Erie, and into their household two children have been born, Alaud and Carl. Politically a sound Republican, Air. Carter has served as a member of the Select Council of Erie. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Alasons, and to the Royal Arcanum. Capt. Edward L. Whittelsey, of Erie, and one of the leading members of the Erie legal profession, is a native of Connecticut, born in Litchfield county, October 5, 1841, son of Henry R. and Alary A. (Parmlee) Whittelsey, both natives of Connecticut and of English de scent. The captain lived on a farm until he was eight years old, and from that time on until he was nineteen he attended school. He began reading law in Erie, before he reached his majority, but abandoned his legal studies, July 29, 1861, in order to enlist in the Eighty-third Regiment of Pennsylvania \-rolunteer Infantry. He served throughout the war; was regularly promoted to a captaincy, was wounded at the battle of Bull Run, and was discharged from the service on June 28, 1865. In 1869, Captain Whittelsey was elected to the office of prothonotary of Erie county, and upon the expiration of his first term he was re-elected, and served until January, 1876. Retiring from public office, he again took up the stud\- of law, this time in the office of Benson & Brainard, of Erie, and in 1877 he was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of law, at which he has since continued with success and dis tinction. Captain Whittelsey married Charlotte, daughter of Henry Hunt, now deceased; and the fruits of their union were six children, four of whom are living, as follows: Alaude, Ruth, Alary and Kate. He mar ried for his second wife Aliss Isabelle Farley, of Erie. The captain is a member of the Alasonic fraternity, and he and his wife are identified with the Presbyterian church. Lyman L. Lamb. Within the pages of this work will be found mention of those representative citizens who have contributed to the civic and material development and progress of Erie county, and among those meriting a place of distinction is the subject of this memoir, who was long a prominent and influential factor in the business affairs of the city of Erie and who was a citizen of sterling character holding a commanding place in the esteem and confidence of the community" in which were centered for so long a term of years his various interests He was a man of forceful individuality and was associated with many enter prises of importance, which tended to conserve the general welfare of his home city and county. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 93 Air. Lamb was born at Homer, Cortland county, New York, April 30, 1817, and was a member of a family early founded in the old Empire state and one whose name has been identified with American history since the colonial era. He was reared and educated in his native state, where he maintained his home until 1837, when he took up his residence at Townville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the produce business. With the successful production of coal oil in the fields of Titusville, that county, in the summer of 1859, there was opened to him a broader field of enterprise. He identified himself with the oil industry and for a number of years was one of the successful operators in that section of the state, where he laid the foundatoin for the compe tence which it was his to gain through well directed efforts. In the win ter of 1864 Air. Lamb became a resident of the city of Erie, where he established himself in the coal business, in which line of enterprise he continued for many years and in which his operations attained to ex tensive proportions. He also identified himself with other business enter prises. In 1865 he became one of the organizers and incorporators of the Keystone National Bank, of Erie, and he was a director of this old and substantial institution at the time of his death. In 1868 he was one of the interested principals in the organizing of the Dime Savings & Loan Company, now known as the Erie Trust Company, and he served as president of the institution for some years. Subsequently to that time he lived virtually retired from active business. Air. Lamb was a citizen who manifested a loyal interest in all that tended to conserve the general welfare of the community, and his public spirit was ever to be depended upon. Though never active in the domain of politics he gave a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church. In his death, on the 29th of October, 1890, Erie lost one of her most useful and honored citizens. In November, 1840, Mr. Lamb was united in marriage to Miss Miranda Town, daughter of Noah Town, the founder of Townville, Crawford county, this state, whither he came from Granville, Washing ton county, New York, in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb became the parents of eight children. Mrs. Lamb still maintains her home in Erie, where she is held in affectionate regard by all who know her. Henry Himberger. Contracting lines in Erie have afforded num erous openings through which many have traveled to prosperity and among those who in this direction have perseveringly applied their energies so that they are numbered among those who are leaders in industrial lines here is Henry Himberger, who is one of the best known building contractors in this part of the state. He is a man whose busi ness relations have been conducted upon the basis of a high standard of commercial ethics and this with his aggressive spirit has enabled him, from year to year, to so enhance his trade interests and increase his popularity that today he holds an enviable position among those en gaged in similar lines of occupation. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, near Monroeville, November 19, 1862, a son of William and Minnie (Horn) Himberger, natives of the fatherland, born in 1813 and 1821, respectively. They were united in marriage in the old country in 1842, coming to the new world in 1851 and locating in Huron county, Ohio. There the elder Mr. Himberger engaged in agricultural pursuits, 94 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY in .. which he was quite successful, being known as one of the most pro gressive farmers throughout the community and at the same time being highly respected for the part he took in the development _ of the natural resources of the place and his interest in community affairs. In their family were the following children : William, whose birth occurred in the fatherland and who now resides in Norwalk, Ohio; Kate, also born in the fatherland and who wedded George Lowe, they now re siding in Alichigan; Jennette. also a native of Germany, the deceased wife of Jacob Spring'er; Louis, deceased, his birth having occurred in Germany; Alinnie, a native of Germany and the wife of John Leng, this couple residing in this city; Alary, a native of Ohio and the wife of Frederick Linder, residents" of Alichigan ; Charles, also a native of Ohio, who resides in the west; and Henry. Their father met death from injuries received incident to a run-away in the year 1876. On the home farm Henry Himberger spent his boyhood days, re maining in the pursuit of agriculture until he was eighteen years of age, in the meantime being given the advantage of an education in the public schools. .At that period of his life he entered business for himself and became an employe in a planing-mill at Norwalk, Ohio, where he remained for one year. In September, of the year 1S82 he repaired to this city, where he secured work with a carpenter and. being an expert workman, soon gained wide popularity for the character of his artisan- ship and in 1884, feeling confident of his own ability to enter the indus trial world on his own account, he undertook contracting independently. As may be supposed his beginning was on a small scale but, being in dustrious and enterprising and at the same time giving careful attention to the character of his work, always endeavoring to give value received, he soon gained prestige and from year to year enhanced his trade so that at the present time he is numbered among the leading and most re liable building contractors of the city. His knowledge of the building trades is based upon careful and scrutinizing study, being exhaustive in every department and he served as building inspector of Erie from Alay, 1903, to the same month, 1905, in this position deporting himself with exceptional ability and satisfaction to all concerned. Air. Himberger is a strong character whose perseverance in striving to perfect himself in the round of trade he is following has made him master of its every department and as a contractor and builder he has done excellent work throughout the city and is accounted one of the most worthy citizens and dependable, industrial factors. On the 3d of June, 1884, Air. Himberger wedded Carolina Steidle, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and to this union have been born the following children : Edwin, who died in infancy ; Elfreda AA". L. ; and Oscar Carl, who is a student at Pennsylvania State College. Air. Him berger is deeply concerned in all projects and measures designed for the general welfare of the business interests of the city and consequently is a leading member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, and was elected school director of the Sixth ward in February, 1909. Fraternally his relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ben evolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of the Erie Alaennerchor. His record is in every sense creditable and he has maintained his career on the basis of sound commercial ethics so that now he is entitled to honorable mention among Erie's leading business men. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 95 William Hardwick, president of the Erie Engine and Union Iron Works, ex-mayor of the city and ex-president of its board of trade, is a man who seems to assume leadership in whatever field he enters, in fact, there are few citizens of Erie who may be considered its truly representative man in more senses than Mr. Hardwick, since he has been an active force in the industrial, financial, civic and social progress of the city. He is a native of England, born December 1, 1847, son of John and Ann Hardwick, the family coming to Erie in 1852, when Wil liam was but five years of age. Since that time he has made Erie his home. He was educated in its public schools until he reached the age of eleven years, when he left the school room for the work shop, becom ing an apprentice at the machinist's trade, with Liddell Marsh & Mc- Carter now the Erie City Iron Works. Having mastered his trade he followed it for some time but rose so rapidly that before long he had reached the position of foreman of the Bay State Iron Works and after r. period of nine years was promoted to the general superintendency of that great plant. In 1879 Mr. Hardwick commenced his career as a manufacturer, associating himself with Frank F. Cleveland in the organization of the Hardwick and Cleveland Company, and engaging in the manufacture of engines and boilers. In 1893 the firm was incorporated as the Erie Engine Works, with Mr. Hardwick as president and general manager and since that time he has been continuously and ably fulfilling the dual position. The Union Iron Works were established by the Erie Engine Works and the Skinner Engine Company in 1890, its object being to provide the boiler department for the two others mentioned. In 1893 Mr. Hardwick became president of the corporation, which position he still holds. February 1, 1904, the Erie Manufacturing and Supply Com pany was also organized, with Mr. Hardwick as president and general manager so that he is at the head of two of the largest iron manufactories in Erie county. In this capacity he has abundantly demonstrated his remarkable executive and promotional ability. Notwithstanding all these large and absorbing interests he has rendered the city valuable service in the shaping of municipal legislation, especially in the development of its public works. In 1878 he was elected to the common council as a representative from the Fourth ward; re elected in the following year and in 1880 and 1881 served as a member of the select council. He was also chosen to membership on the school board of the Third ward in 1890 and while thus serving, in 1891 was appointed by Judge Gunnison, a member of the board of water works. Resigning from the school board he commenced long and invaluable service as a commissioner of the board of public works and during four of the seven years of his term he was president of the board. During this period the intake of the water works was constructed across the bay to Big Bend and the water pipes afterward extended across the peninsula out into the Jake, this insuring the city an abundant supply of pure drinking water. This important work was completed in the fall of 1898. In 1902 Mr. Hardwick was elected mayor of the city, serving a full term of three years. During his administration remarkable prog ress was made in paving the city streets, in fact, more work was accom plished in this line than in any other mayoralty term. The Municipal Hospital was also built; Glenwood Park was accepted by the city and paid for; and the viaduct at East Buffalo road was completed (the be ginning of the abolishment of grade crossings in the city) ; West Tenth 96 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY street was made into a Boulevard and paved and the first crusade against gambling and immoral resorts was inaugurated. It was during his administration also that the Chamber of Commerce was organized with which, as well as the board of trade, Air. Hardwick has worked harmoniously and effectively for the advancement of many of the city's most important enterprises. For one year he served as president of the board of trade and during his term and under his active encourage ment the Alutual Telephone system was established. That his influence and prominence extended far beyond the limits of Erie is evident from his selection by the Republicans of Pennsylvania as a AIcKinley and Roosevelt presidential elector in 1901. For many years he has also been active and prominent in religious affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church of Erie. He has been a member of that organization for the past fifty years and when the old Wayne street Alethodist church was erected he was elected president of the Erie Alethodist Episcopal Alliance. This church was under the management of that body and as its president he was the main factor in locating the church in the southeastern part of the city. There he remained in active and influential connection with it until the edifice was burned and the present church was built. He also assisted in the selection of the sites for the Kingsley and Cascade street churches and during all the years of his presidency of the Erie Alethodist Episcopal Alliance he was very active in the management and advancement of denominational affairs throughout the city and county. In his business and social connections Air. Hardwick is an active member of the Cham ber of Commerce, the Board of Trade, the Erie Country Club and the American Society of Alechanical Engineers. He is also a thirty-second degree Alason. On October 13, 1866, Air. Hardwick was married to Alary, daugh ter of the late John H. and Anna (Heidlebach) Carter, both old citizens of Erie county. Two children have been born to Air. and Airs. Hard wick, one son and one daughter. John AA'esley Hardwick, the son, was a native of Erie; was educated in its public and high schools and chose his father's iron works to learn the business in preference to pursuing a college course. His advancement was both thorough and rapid and he became one of the organizers of the Erie Alanufacturing and Supply Company and was afterward made secretary and general manager of the Union Iron Works, which position he was holding at the time of his death. He was a most promising young man and death no doubt cut short what would have been a career of great prominence and wide usefulness. The deceased was married, his first wife being Aliss Anna Parson, who died as the mother of one daughter, Gladys. His second wife, nee Aliss Lena Wells, of Springboro, Pennsylvania, still survives with their daughter Virginia Hardwick. The daughter of Air. and Mrs. Wilham Hardwick, Luanna, married Albert AlacDonald, one of Erie's most prominent manufacturers, now superintendent of the Aletric Metal Works, one of the city's largest and most important industries. Thomas AIackrell, who has been successfully engaged in farming in Harbor Creek township for the past quarter of a century, was born in county Down, Ireland, September 22, 1852, being a son of Richard and Alargaret (AIcGinnis) AIackrell. both natives of that section of Ire land. He was the sixth m a family of six daughters and three sons. At the age of twenty, after receiving a common school education in Ireland, Mr. PHILLIP B. RAEDER MR. AND MRS. PHILLIP B. RAEDER HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 97 Mackrell emigrated to America at first locating at North East, Pennsyl vania, and after working there a month, coming to Erie where he was employed in railroad work. He was then engaged as a farm hand for about a year and for a similar period was employed at the Erie Car Works. His next experience as an agriculturist covered a period of fifteen years on a frontier farm just west of Erie and a considerable portion of this period was spent as foreman for Mr. Sampson. In 1884, Mr. Mackrell purchased twenty acres in Harbor Creek township which he has since cultivated and improved in the raising of fruit and general farming. On Alay 11, 1880, Mr. AIackrell married Aliss Teressa A. Leiss, a native of Waggletown, Alill Creek township, and daughter of Sebastian and Catherine (Burlinger) Leiss, both natives of Bavaria, Germany. The children of this union were: Richard and Peter, both residents of Erie; Thomas, of Mill Creek township; Frances, now Airs. Joseph Hel- man, of South Erie, Pennsylvania ; and John L., George, James, Anna L., Joseph and Leo, all residing at home. Mr. Mackrell has so closely de voted himself to his farming operations that he has had little time for social or fraternal functions, his only connection in this regard being as a member of the Grand Fraternity of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the St. Anna Catholic church in Erie. Phillip B. Raeder, a farmer of Harbor Creek township for many years, was a fine type of the German-American element in agriculture and since his death his faithful and efficient widow, with the assistance of her sons, has carried on and even enlarged his original interests. Mr. Raeder was a native of Bavaria, Germany, born October 26, 1839, son of Jacob and Charlotte C. (Bolander) Raeder. As his mother died when he was but three years of age when he came to Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1852, he was only accompanied by his father and children. The elder Mr. Raeder was a baker by trade but was a man of independence and industry who did not hesitate in the new country to accept any honorable employment. Phillip B., of this sketch, was the sixth to be born in a family of three sons and four daughters and commenced life for himself at the age of twelve when he secured employment as a farm hand. This was the year prior to his coming to this country so that when he arrived in Erie county he had enjoyed some considerable experience in agricultural matters. On April 19, 1865, Mr. Raeder married Christina Schwingel, a native of Buffalo, New York, born July 25, 1835, and daughter of Christian and Christina (Keppel) -Schwingel. The former was born in the kingdom of Prussia, Germany, and the latter in Alsace-Lorraine, now also a part of Germany but then a part of France. Air. Schwingel located at Buffalo, New York, in 1831, later removing to Rochester and in 1839 to Erie where for some years he engaged in mercantile pursuits. Still later he bought a farm in Mill Creek township where he lived until his death September 25, 1864. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillip B. Raeder were as fol lows : Louisa, now Mrs. W. H. Frazier, a resident of Harbor Creek town ship; Carl, who resides with his mother on the farm in Harbor Creek township which Mr. Raeder purchased in 1867 and now consists of two hundred acres ; and George C. and William F., who also live with their mother. On January 23, 1906, the family residence was burned with all its contents but Mr. Raeder at once rebuilt and the present family home Vol. II— 7 98 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of nine rooms is convenient and modern in every respect. August 10, 1907, Air. Raeder died on his homestead and his remains are interred in Lake Side Cemetery. Willard J- Young. Erie county has ever had reason to take pride in the personnel of its bench and bar, and to-day the legal profession in the county is represented by men of sterling character and full appre ciation of the responsibilities and dignity of their exacting vocation. One who has attained to marked precedence in the practice of law in the city of Erie is Willard J. Young. He was born near the village of Water ford, Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of October, 1861, and is a son of James B. and Phoebe J. (Aliddleton) Young. James B. Young was a native of Ireland, whence he came with his parents to the United _ States in 1842. The family became settlers of Erie county soon after their arrival in America, having located on a heavily timbered tract of land near the present thriving village of Waterford. James B. Young was identified with agricultural pursuits during his entire career, and he died in 1878, in the very prime of his manhood. His wife was born in the United States, of Scotch parentage, and she is still living in Erie county. When Willard J. was two years of age his parents removed to Alill Creek township and settled on a farm just outside the corporate limits of the city of Erie. He was reared to the life of the farm, and he con tinued to attend the public schools of his native county until 1876, when, at the age of fifteen years he entered Westminster College, where he completed the prescribed course in the literary department and was grad uated as a member of the class of 1883. From this excellent institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For two years after leaving college Air. Young was principal of the public schools of Sheffield, this state, and he made an excellent record in the pedagogic profession. Finally he began reading law under effective preceptorship, and since 1888, when he was admitted to the bar, he has been engaged in the prac tice of his profession in the city of Erie, where his success has been of unequivocal order and his clientage is of representative character. Since 1889 he has been local attorney for R. G. Dun & Company, the great commercial agency, and also for the Alutual Building & Loan Association of Erie. As a citizen he has ever maintained a loyal and public-spirited attitude, and has shown deep interest in all that has tended to conserve the progress and material and civic upbuilding of his home city. He is a member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, and is affiliated with the Alasonic fraternity. Air. Young is a bachelor. U. P. Rossiter. A leading member of the Erie bar, U. P. Rossiter is also a Republican leader in state politics and closely identified with the industrial development of the city. He has attained prominence in the lat ter particular in connection with the development of the Cascade Foundry of which he was one of the founders and has been secretary since its or ganization. Air. Rossiter is a native of Norristown, born October 6, 1862, and is a son of S. Y. and Marv B. (Johnson) Rossiter, both natives of that place. The father was born in 1835, son of Lindley and Mar garet (Pennypacker) Rossiter, both natives of Chester county, Penn sylvania. The former was a tanner and currier and was engaged in these lines at Norristown for over forty years, at his death being succeed- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 99 ed by his son S. Y. From Norristown the latter removed to St. Mary's, Elk county, Pennsylvania, where he remained in business for two years and in 1871 became a resident of Girard, Erie county, there succeeding to the business of C. I. England. In 1857 he married Mary B. Johnson. Mr. Rossiter died at Girard, October 8, 1899, his widow still surviving him. U. P. Rossiter, of this review, received his preliminary education in the common schools of Norristown, St. Mary's and Girard and his higher literary studies were pursued at Swarthmore College, Swarth- more, Pennsylvania. He then read law with J. Ross Thompson, of Erie, was admitted to the bar in June, 1887, and remained in private practice until his election to the office of district attorney in 1893. His official duties and the fine record and wide acquaintanceship which he made in this capacity induced him to become a permanent resident of Erie. In addition to his large legal practice he has become interested in various business and industrial enterprises and was one of the founders of the Cascade Foundry and is, as already has been stated, its secretary, having held this position since its organization. His prominence as a Republican is indicated by his services as chairman of the county committee of that party. As a fratemalist he is an active Mason, Odd Fellow and Elk, being one of the incorporators of the building association connected with the last named order and which had the active superintendence of the fine Elks' Club recently completed ; he is also exalted ruler of the order. Mr. Rossiter is an influential member of the Chamber of Commerce and is identified with the Country Club of Erie. Mr. Rossiter's wife was formerly Miss Ella A. Nichols, a native of Girard, Pennsylvania, and on her mother's side is a representative of the old Hay family of this county of which the late John Hay, the distin guished writer and diplomat, was a member. Mrs. Rossiter's grandfather had the honor of being Erie's first postmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Rossiter have become the parents of one child, Samuel Y. Rossiter. G. La Verne Pratt. The successive steps in the career of a success ful business man are readily ascertained if one simply marks his onward movements, step by step, and in every instance he will discover that his progress has been attained not at all by the aid of outside influence but altogether by the expression of his inborn merit. Such is true in the case of G. La Verne Pratt, who from a small beginning, on the strength of his own resources, has developed one of the largest commercial en terprises now in operation in this city, and who is known throughout the entire state as a furniture dealer whose business methods are above question and whose judgment and keen discernment in business affairs are of a nature naturally disposed to bring success to their possessor. When Mr. Pratt started out on his commercial career there was nothing more ahead of him than that which may appear ahead of other young men but he was gifted with a foresight to see opportunity and he lead himself along pathways in which there was apparently nothing and •which were passed by by others and through patience and perseverance pursued his way, working hard all along the line until now he is ac counted among the worthy and most prominent business men of the city of Erie. Mr. Pratt is a native of Chenango county, New York, born Decem ber 10, 1866, and a son of Ogden Alanson and Welthy (Hough) Pratt, the father being a native of Connecticut, while the mother was born in 100 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Chenango county, New York. Both families were originally from the state of Connecticut and were numbered among the old-fashioned Puritan stock Grandfather Pratt having been a wealthy manufacturer of Connec ticut ' while Grandfather Hough served as a member of the Connecticut state' legislature. Both families came westward and located in Chenango county "the Empire state, this being before the days of railroads, and there they pursued agriculture for a livelihood, death having summoned both grandfathers to the life beyond in that county. Ogden Alanson Pratt father of G. L. Verne, engaged in agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his life and is now living retired in Chenango county, while his wife passed away thirty years ago. On the home farm G. La Verne Pratt was reared, passing through the experiences common to the country lad during his boyhood days, assisting his father in agricultural duties during the summer months while in the winter season he took advantage of the district schools to obtain his preliminary education. Later he was given the advantage of a course of study in the high school and after he was graduated from that institution being then in his nineteenth year, he was ambitious to become engaged in the commercial world, and, leaving the farm, he took up his abode in the village where he accepted a position as clerk in a general store on a salary of five dollars a month with board. He performed his duties in this position for about two years and a half, during which time he displayed uncommon ability and was promoted as far as the enter prise would permit. Desirous of larger opportunities and a wider range of business experience he resigned his position and became a traveling salesman, handling a general line of household goods, his territory lying throughout the Empire state. As a drummer he attained eminent success and continued to follow this line of work for eight years, at the expiration of which period he had reached the limit of possibilities offered by that vocation by way of experience and salary and his last year as a traveling salesman he spent in the city of Erie, this being in 1894. In the following year he engaged in business on his own account, securing quarters in a small room above fllig's clothing store on Peach street, and, while starting the enterprise, he did his own canvassing and having had a wide and varied experience in that line, success attended him from day to day, his business witnessing rapid growth until in 1901 his trade had reached such volume as to necessitate roomier quarters, so he removed to No. 1610 State street. All this while he handled a full line of household goods, particularly furniture and the borders of his business so widened and his trade assumed such proportions as to surround him with un common financial prosperity. He negotiated for the erection of a large building in which to carry on his enterprise and in 1907 he completed one of the finest brick structures in the city, located at the corner of State and Seventeenth street. The building is one of the most modern here, being three stories high with basement, the entire structure being built out of brick decorated with stone trimmings with floor space em bracing one hundred and twenty-five by forty feet, the entire space in the building, which may be devoted to business purposes, including fourteen thousand feet without counting the cellar. This elegant structure stands as ample evidence of his prosperity and is a living monument to the keen business judgment, patience and perseverance and straightforward hon orable methods of its owner. Air. Pratt, who as proprietor of the estab lishment is one of the foremost financial factors in the city. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 101 Air. Pratt wedded Miss Anna Gillow, a native of Tompkins county, New York, and the couple have since been enjoying the surroundings of a cultured home, graced with every convenience designed for domestic happiness. Air. Pratt is largely interested in all movements having for their object the upbuilding of the city and belongs to the Business Men's Exchange, of which he is president, while at the same time he is also an influential member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church. His career thus far has been wonderfully successful and he deserves great credit, in as much as his present prosperity and prominence in the commercial and industrial circles of the city are due solely to his own exertions, reinforced by honesty and straightforwardness in his dealings and as a business man he is one of the most valued assets to the commercial life of the city. Daniel Stephen Hanley, an undertaker at Erie, Pennsylvania, and coroner of Erie county, was born at the old Hanley homestead, corner of Seventh and Myrtle streets, this city, on September 12, 1871, son of John and Mary (Lane) Hanley. Mr. Hanky's parents are natives of county Cork, Ireland. They emigrated to this country in 1850, and settled first at Philadelphia, where they lived five years, after which they came to Erie, where for more than half a century the family home has been maintained. On their settlement here, John Hanley took charge of the Erie Gas Works, with which he was connected, as superintendent, for many years, up to 1884, when he retired. He is still living, and has long been regarded as one of Erie's valued citizens. He and his wife had fourteen children, twelve of whom are living: James P., who was three times elected and served as treasurer of Erie, is now a resident of Wheeling, West Virginia; John R., a practicing dentist of Bay City, Alichigan; Edward C, for the past three years acting engineer of the U. S. S. Wolverine, on the Great Lakes ; Joseph A., money order clerk in the post office, and secretary of the civil service board; Julia, who . died December 8, 1893, at the age of thirty-seven years ; Minnie A., who married John J. Burgoyne, of Erie; Katherine, wife of John T. Dillon, of Erie, now president of the Titusville (Pa.) Forge Co.; Rose M., wife of Daniel P. McMahon, of Buffalo, New York; Jennie M., wife of P. J. O'Connor, of Erie; Agnes V., wife of C. Harrison Elliott, of Erie; Clara M., wife of Francis A. Carrick, of Erie; William, who was acci dentally killed at the age of four years ; Daniel S., whose name introduces this sketch ; and Edward C. and Miss Nellie, at home. Daniel S. Hanley was reared in Erie, and was educated in the parochial schools of this city. He learned the trade of machinist at the Erie Forge, serving an apprenticeship of three years, which work he left to take a position as clothing salesman for P. A. Meyer, of Erie, and later was with Straus Bros., still later traveling in New York state as the representative of the Cleveland Dental Supply Manufacturing Co. In May, 1895, he took a position as assistant in the undertaking establishment of Hogan & Co., of Cleveland, with whom he remained until June, 1898, during that time giving close attention to and thoroughly learning every detail of the business. Returning to Erie in 1898, he de cided to establish himself in the undertaking business. Before doing so, however, he was required by law to have his petition signed by three undertakers. These signatures, for reasons, were withheld by those ap proached and Mr. Hanley was balked in his plans in Erie, temporarily. 102 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY He then tried at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but again was prevented, for the same reason. He next tried Philadelphia, but with like results. Com ing back to Erie, he determined to test the constitutionality of the law, and as a means of doing so, engaged in business without a license. At the funeral of the late Bishop Mullen, Mr. Hanley was arrested at the cathedral and was placed under bond. He continued his business, and was rearrested a number of times. In October, 1899, he was brought irto court, and his case was decided against him. Defeated but not dis couraged, he went to the Superior Court at Pittsburg, which rendered a verdict in his favor, and he was ordered to report to the State Board at Philadelphia, where he passed the examination and was granted a license, on March 4, 1900. From that time he was successfully engaged in business. His parlors were at No. 1213 Sassafras street, and April 1, 1909, he moved to new parlors at 1230 Peach street, his present place of business. On January 9, 1906, Mr. Hanley was appointed acting cor oner of Erie county, and in November, 1908, was elected to the office. Fraternally he is identified with numerous organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, Eagles, Elks, Moose, Modern Woodmen, Mar quette Club and Progressive League Club. Mr. Hanley is married and has one child, J. Daniel. Mrs. Hanley, formerly Miss Catherine A. Wagner, is a native of Greene township, Erie county, and a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Wagner, old residents of the county; she was married at Kersey, Elk county, Pennsylvaina, the Rev. Father J. Wagner, her brother, performing the ceremony. Conrad Klein, as proprietor of the Reed House, the leading hotel of the city of Erie, is specially well-known both in local business circles and to the traveling public. He has had diversified and ample experience in the hotel business, in which his reputation has been further fortified by his able direction of the affairs of the house of which he is now the popular head. Mr. Klein was born in New York City, on the 6th of December, 1869, and is a son of Conrad Klein, who was a native of Germany, where he took part in the historic revolution of 1848. When the patriot cause failed he escaped to America and became one of the argonauts to Cal ifornia in the ever memorable year 1849. He passed the closing years of his life in New York City. The Klein family is of French Huguenot lineage, and the founders of the family in southern Germany were ref ugees who fled from France in the opening years of the seventeenth century to escape the persecutions incidental to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Conrad Klein, Jr., was reared and educated in his native city, the national metropolis, and in 1886 he initiated his career in connection with the hotel business, in which his training has been most scrupulous in all departments, so that he is specially well fortified for the manage ment of such a fine hotel as that of which he is now the head. He began his association with the hotel business in New Haven, Connecticut, and thereafter was identified with hotels in other cities. From 1898 until 1901 he was in Europe, and in the latter year he assumed the mangement of the Continental Hotel, in the city of Newark, New Jersey. In the following year he became associated in the ownership of the Morgan House, at Poughkeepsie, New York, the management of which he was thus identified with until 1905, when he sold his interest in the business and assumed" control of the Reed House, in Erie, where he has since HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 103 remained and where he gained to his hotel a signally high reputation. He is loyal and progressive as a citizen, holds membership in both the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, as well as the Business Men's Association. William E. Hayes, president of the Playes House Furnishing Com pany of Erie, but for the past few months virtually retired from active business, is also widely interested in various important industries and commercial enterprises of the city, and has earned his honorable leader ship in the community by three decades of well directed activities. He is a native of Erie county, descended from two of its noteworthy families of pioneers — the Hayeses and Grahams. The father of William E., and the founder of their fortunes in the county, was Lester Hayes, of Scotch extraction, born at Granby, Connecticut, in 1800. In 1818, when a boy of eighteen years and weighing but seventy-five pounds, Lester came to Erie county, remained a few months and then returned to Granby. In 1820, however, he located permanently in Harbor Creek township, having made the last journey afoot, as well as the two preced ing trips. In the locality which he finally selected, he built and operated the pioneer woolen mill of the county, but ill health compelled him to abandon that enterprise and settle on a farm in Greene township. A few years later his father Martin and family joined him there, and it was in this township that he married Mary Graham, the daughter of pioneer parents. Lester Hayes died June 19, 1869, and his widow on November 4, 1884. William E. Hayes of this biography was born on the old Hayes farm in Greene township, April 22, 1846. He continued at the family home stead until 1879, when he came to Erie and became member of the firm of Patterson and Hayes, house furnishers and galvanized cornice man ufacturers. In 1886 the business was divided, Mr. Hayes becoming owner of the house furnishing department. Subsequently he received as partner, D. W. Nason, but that gentleman retired a few years later and Mr. Hayes continued the business alone until 1907, having in the meantime added wall-paper to his stock. In the latter year he turned this depart ment over to his son Arba W., who formed a partnership with Walter Willert. In September, 1908, the other branch of the business was in corporated under the name of the Hayes House Furnishing Company, Mr. Hayes becoming its president, but retiring from its active manage ment. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Mutual Telephone Company and a director in the Petroleum Telephone Company of Oil City. At the inception of the Lake Erie Traction Company, when the line to northeast Erie was projected, Mr. Hayes was president of the corporation. He was also an incorporator of the Edison Electric Light Company of Erie, and was one of the founders and promoters of the Erie Gas Mantle Manufacturing Company, in which he is still interested. While a citizen of Greene township, Mr. Hayes held various town ship offices, having served as county auditor for three terms. He is a charter member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce ; was one of the organizers of the Business Men's Exchange and its first president, and has been a delegate to all its conventions. He is a member of the Erie County Historical Society. For years Mr. Hayes has been an earnest Presbyterian, before coming to Erie being an elder in the Bell Valley church and since locating in the city has been likewise elder of the- Central church. On September 15, 1870, he married Miss Mary Adela„ 104 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY daughter of the late Captain Thomas and Emily (Smith) Perrin, the father having been a captain on the Great Lakes for many years. He "was a native of England and settled in Erie City many years ago. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. William E. Hayes : Clemina B., after her graduation from the University of Michigan in 1893, married Benjamin F. Chase, who was appointed United States consul to Italy, but after a year's service was obliged to resign on account of ill health; Arba W. Hayes married Miss Addie Wilkins, daughter of the late Captain Wilkins ; Gertrude A. married Charles P. Reiley, with the First National Bank of Erie. George P. Colt. Macaulay, great as a statesman, historian and biographer, finally concluded that a nation or epoch was best pictured in the lives of its men and women. The truth of his dictum is well illustrated in the record of the late George P. Colt, of Erie, which is so closely woven into the history of the city as well as by the public and business careers of his father and his grandfather. At his death Mr. Colt was a representative of the well-known firm of private bankers, Ball and Colt, and since the decease of the senior member had been the sole manager of its affairs. Outside of his substantial business abilities, Mr. Colt was a man of strong personality, and while his life work was that of an able financier, at no time did he neglect his public duties and was an active force in the advancement of measures of real benefit to the city and state. The deceased was born in Erie, March 7, 1834, and was a son of Thomas G. and Catherine A. (Kellogg) Colt. His parents were both natives of Massachusetts, his father being reared in the home of Judah Colt, one of the earliest and most prominent pioneers of Erie county. In 1795 his cousin named migrated from the Old Bay state and settled with his family in this county. Judah Colt came into this locality as agent of the Pennsylvania Population Company which had purchased large tracts of land in what is still known as the "Triangle," in which he himself became largely interested as a proprietor. In the following year he located in what is now Greenfield township, opening a land office at what has ever since been known as Colt's Station. In 1797 he opened a road from Lake Erie to that place, its western terminus being at the mouth of Sixteen-mile creek, now Freeport. This work was of great benefit to the early settlers, as it enabled them to more readily transport their supplies into the interior of the county. Moving to Erie in 1802, Judah Colt was for many years a leader in the development of the stable interests of the town. His cousin, Thomas G. Colt, became very prominent in both business and public affairs, serving first as the head of the borough government and subsequently as first mayor of the city. He was also for many terms a most valued member of the municipal council, and his death in 1861 was a loss of deep concern to many interests and numerous citizens. Educated in private schools and at the old Erie Academy, George P. Colt began life for himself as a clerk in the private banking house of Wilham C. Curry, of Erie, entering his institution in 1850. In 1854 he went to Chicago to assume a bank clerkship in that city, and four years thereafter became a grain broker continuing thus for six succeed ing years. Air. Colt returned to Erie in 1867, and in company with P. H. Ball founded the banking firm of Ball and Colt, which became one of the leading institutions of the kind in the city and which, as stated, he RESIDENCE OF W. S. WHEELER HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 105 was conducting alone at the time of his death, November 5, 1908. In his civic relations, the deceased was a valued adviser, and rendered especially active service as a member of the school board, Hamot Hospital and Erie cemetery. In his religious faith, he was an Episcopalian connected with St. Paul's church, and for many years an earnest and efficient superin tendent of its Sunday-school at one of its missions. He also served as vestryman, junior warden and treasurer at St. Paul's. His wife, whom he married in 1861, was Nancy I. Glover, daughter of Rev. Bennett Glover, long rector of that church. Mrs. Colt is a native of Erie, but received the most of her education at St. Xavier's Convent, Pittsburg. Her life has been an elevating influence, both intellectually and morally. Walter S. Wheeler. The Wheeler family has long been a potent factor in the development of the horticultural and live stock interests of Erie county, Walter S. himself being one of the largest raisers and handlers of fine beef cattle in this locality. Pie is a native of Le Boeuf, this county, born March 13, 1858, son of Charles and Sarah Jane (Clark) AVheeler. The father was born near New Ipswich, New Hampshire, in 1826 and died April 26, 1904, while the mother, a Alassachusetts lady, was born at Townsend Center, July 9, 1835, and is living in LeBoeuf township. Charles M. Wheeler removed to Erie county about 1853, in that year buying land in the township named and devoting it to farming and live stock' purposes for the balance of his life. At the time of his death he was a large land owner, being proprietor of an extensive tract of wheat land in Marshall county, Minnesota, as well as the owner of his large and productive farm in Erie county. He had prospered in worldly possessions and had also earned an honorable reputation as a public man, having been a member of the Pennsylvania legislature for two terms. In Alasonry, he had attained to the thirty-second degree, being at the time of his death a member of Perfection Lodge of Erie, Erie Chapter and Commandery and Pittsburg Consistory. Walter S. Wheeler, of this biography, was the second of six sons and was educated at the Edinboro Normal School and Waterford acad emy, graduating from the latter institution in 1878. He lived with his parents and assisted his father until he was twenty-one years of age when he was placed in control of the home farm and continued to conduct it from 1878 until 1893. He then purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land two miles east, of North East borough, twelve acres of this tract being at the time cultivated to grapes. Since;*that time he has success fully developed eighty acres of different varieties of grapes, also fine orchards of apples and peaches. The balance of his estate is devoted to the raising of live stock, and he has christened his place the "Walter S. Wheeler Stock and Fruit Farm." As he grows the finest of fruits, he naturally commands the highest of prices, and the same may be said in regard to his raising of beef cattle. As this has all been accomplished through his own persistency and agricultural skill, he naturally takes great pride in the appearance and the productiveness of his farm. In politics, he has always been a firm Republican. On Alarch 25, 1896, Air. Wheeler married Miss Cora Annette Bur ton, a native of Portland, New York, born August 21, 1865, but who spent most of her life from the age of three until her marriage at Rip ley, that state. Her father died at that place, March 4, 1904, and her mother is yet one of its honored residents — a venerable lady of eighty- nine years, with a strong memory and a bright mind, and finely preserved 106 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY generally, in view of her remarkable age. She is a Unitarian, as was her husband. Air. and Mrs. Walter S. Wheeler are the parents of Ruth Annette Wheeler, born January 10, 1897, and now a bright pupil in the seventh public school grade. The biographer wishes to make a few remarks about the modern residence of Mr. and Airs. Wheeler. They have remodeled the old homestead which is situated two miles east of the beautiful little city of North East, on the Erie and Buffalo highway. Their country seat is one of the most complete and modern homes in Erie county, as a country residence. It is heated by the latest improved steam method, and lighted by natural gas and wired for electricity; has polished floors and elegant suites of rooms; and the decorator has displayed great artistic skill in the adornment. The residence being situated on an eminence, commands a charming view of the surrounding country. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are to be commended in the erection of such a beautiful home in their home township. Frank R. Simmons, a prominent business man of Erie, Pennsyl vania, is a native of the county in which he lives, having been born in East Springfield, March 3, 1845, son of Elliott and Mary (Hart) Sim mons. The genealogy of the Simmons family is traced back directly to Jonas Simmons, who was born in Berlin, Rensselaer county, New York, March 11, 1758, a descendant of German pioneer settlers of that locality. Several members of the family took part in the French and Indian war and also in the war of the Revolution, and Jonas Simmons, though not a regularly enlisted soldier, experienced many of the hardships incident to border warfare during the Revolutionary period. About 1809 or 1810 the family moved to Chautauqua county, New York, and in 1825, Peter Simmons, son of Jonas, came to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Springfield township. His family consisted of four sons, one of whom was Elliott, the father of Frank R. Elliott Simmons was born in James town, New York, May 20, 1820, and from his fifth year has lived in Erie county. Here he was engaged in the tanning business for many years, up to the time he retired from active life in 1873. Mary (Hart) Simmons, the mother of Frank R., was born in Weston, Windsor county, Vermont, August 27, 1825. Her paternal ancestors were English, while her mother's people, who bore the name of Lawrence, were of Scotch origin. Mr. Simmons' great-grandfather Lawrence enlisted in the Revolutionary army at the age of sixteen, and served until the close of the war; he was one of the latest survivors of that great struggle, and died at his home in Vermont, at the age of ninety-six years. Grandfather Lawrence had three sons in the war of 1812. Frank R. Simmons was the first born in his father's family. A brother, Herman, born January 24, 1848, died January 15, 1862. After attending the public schools of Springfield, Frank R. entered Oberlin College, where he took a classical course, and graduated with the class of 1870. Then he accepted the principalship of the graded schools at Utica, Ohio, which position he held for three years. In 1873 he as sociated himself with Joseph Osborn, a practical tanner, and engaged in the tannery business in Girard, Pennsylvania, Mr. Simmons having charge of the buying and selling end of the business in Erie. The death of Air. Osborn in 1875 terminated this association, and Mr. Simmons removed to 136 East Ninth street, where he has since continued to deal in hides, wool, pelts, tallow, leather and findings. In 1889 he built a HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 107 large cold storage plant at 132 East Ninth street, and, in addition to his other business, has since that date carried on a large wholesale business in butter, cheese and eggs. September 11, 1872, Mr. Simmons married Susanna, daughter of William and Sarah (Reed) Alsdorf. Like her husband, Mrs. Simmons traces her ancestry back to a Revolutionary patriot. Her great-grand father on the paternal side was a soldier in the Revolution. His people were among the early Dutch settlers near Schenectady, New York. Her mother was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry, all of whom were Covenanters in faith. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have one child, a daughter, Edith May, who is the wife of J. B. Campbell, a well-known manufacturer of Erie. Politically, Mr. Simmons is a Republican, and while he is not a politician, he has always taken a deep interest in local affairs, and has served as a member of both the select and common councils of Erie. John S. Yakes. A well-known business man of Erie and an active and prominent member of its select council, John S. Yakes, is a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, born on the 1st of March, 1862. He is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Smith) Yakes, both of whom were also born in that county and are now deceased. The grandfather, George Yakes, was a native of Germany and founded the family in America. John S. was reared in Lancaster county and in 1881, when nineteen years of age, obtained his first experience of western life by spending two years in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Texas. Deciding, however, that he preferred the east as a home section, he returned to Lancaster and there engaged in the retail tobacco trade, later becoming identified with the Fatman Tobacco Company of New York, packers of leaf tobacco. Mr. Yakes became a resident of Erie in 1887, first engaging in the retail tobacco business in the old Ellsworth House block on North Park row. Two years later he moved his business to the Erie Trust building and, after conducting it for another two years, sold out to Frank Fairbairn. He then became a traveling salesman for the Drum- mond Tobacco Company of St. Louis, and a year and a half thereafter re-established himself in business as a retail tobacco dealer and a cigar manufacturer. He is still successfully engaged in these lines, his factory being at No. 361 West Ninth street. In February, 1909, he also engaged in the sale of automobiles on North Park row, his wide acquaintance with the best people in the city having materially assisted him in estab lishing this enterprise on a good paying basis. Just a year prior to that time his popularity and prominence in the community were brought into evidence by his election to represent the Third ward of Erie in the Select Council, and in that body he is serving as chairman of the com mittee on police, docks and railroads and of law and franchises. Mr. Yakes is also a member of the orders of Elks and Knights of Pythias. His wife, before marriage, was Miss Emma Keech, of Altoona, Penn sylvania, and their daughter, Elaine, was born in 1891. Clark W. Zuck. One of the old and honored families of the Key stone state is that of which John Zuck, Sr., founder of the branch in Erie county, was a worthy member. He was numbered among the sterling pioneers of this county and contributed in liberal measure to its civic and industrial development, as have also his descendants in succeed- 108 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ing generations. No family in the county is more clearly worthy of consideration in a compilation of the province assigned to the one at hand than is that of Zuck, which to-day has numerous representatives in Erie county, — prominent in connection with business and civic affairs. John Zuck, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania and was of stanch German lineage. The family was founded in this commonwealth in the colonial days and, so far as available data indicates, he himself was a native of Bedford county and was born on the 12th of January, 1767. He married Polly Riblet, who was born February 13, 1767, and they took up their residence in Erie county in 1802. They settled in Mill Creek township, where the family name has since been one of prominence and one uniformly honored. Concerning the children of John and Polly (Riblet) Zuck the following data are properly entered: John, Jr., was born in Hopedale township, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1790; Christian, in Bedford county, November 2, 1792; Jacob, in the same county, in 1795, and Henry in 1797; Solomon was born in West Mill Creek township, Erie county, January 13, 1805; Catherine in the same township, February 15, 1807; and Abraham was a native of the same township, where he was born in 1812. John Zuck, Sr., reclaimed a large tract of land in Mill Creek township and was one of the sturdy pioneers and successful agriculturists of that section' of the county; where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 11th of August, 1842 ; his wife survived him by more than a score of years, as her death occurred July 24, 1863. John Zuck, Jr., was a valiant soldier in the war of 1812, and was actively identified with the various operations of the military forces in this section of the state during that conflict. For his services he received a tardy recognition, as he was granted a pension about two years prior to his death. His entire active career was devoted to agricultural pursuits and he was one of the progressive and successful farmers of Mill Creek township until he was summoned from the scene of life's activities. He was a man of strong individuality and sterling character and ever held a secure place in the confidence and esteem of the community in which practically hi's entire life was passed. On the 29th of June, 1813, he was united in marriage to Sally Ebersole, and they became the parents of six children: Samuel B. P., who was born July 10, 1815, is deceased; Mary A., likewise deceased was born July 9, 1817 ; Catherine, who be came the wife of Levi Gordon, was born March 9, 1821, and both she and her husband died in this county ; Fanny, born November 19, 1824, is the widow of Levi Wolfe and resides in La Grange county, Indiana; John S., deceased, was born September 21, 1827; and John Christian, of whom more specific mention is made in following paragraphs, was born August 26, 1832. John Zuck, Jr., was summoned to the life eternal September 27, 1872, and his wife passed away February 6, 1862 ; both were zealous members of the Dunkard church. John Christian Zuck has passed his entire life in AA^est Alill Creek, where he has lived and labored to goodly ends and where he is to-day one of the oldest and most honored citizens. He has been influential in public affairs in his township, where he has been called upon to serve in various offices of trust and responsibility, including those of school director, road commissioner and a member of the county board of direc tors of the poor. He has long been a zealous member of the Asbury Alethodist Episcopal church, with which the other members of his family are identified, and he has been liberal and zealous in support of all depart- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 109 ments of church work. In politics he is aligned as a stanch advocate of the cause of the Republican party. During the long years of a signally active and useful life he has given a continuous allegiance to the great basic art of agriculture, in connection with which he has reaped the generous rewards which should ever attend well directed endeavor and steadfast integrity of purpose. On the 22d of September, 1853, was solemnized the marriage of John C. Zuck to Martha Fry, who was born in McKean township, this county, August 8, 1833, and who is a daughter of Martin Fry, who came to Erie county from Lancaster county in the pioneer days. In 1903 Air. and Airs. Zuck celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, which was made an occasion of historic and social note in their home town ship, where they received the earnest congratulations of the host of friends who assembled to do them honor. Of their four children all are living except one: Wayne E., who was born November 6, 1854, is a rep resentative farmer of West Mill Creek; William, who was born Novem ber 29, 1855, died at the age of seven weeks ; Clark W. is more definitely mentioned farther on in this context; and Lester J., who was born Sep tember 1, 1869, is engaged in hardware business in Erie. Clark Wellington Zuck, the third in order of birth of the children of John C. and Martha (Fry) Zuck, was born on the old homestead farm in Mill Creek township, on the 1st of August, 1857, and he is to-day known as one of the most extensive horticulturists and market gardeners of his native township and as one of its most popular and loyal citizens. He was reared to the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the home farm and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the district schools. He remained with his parents and was associated in the work and management of the home farm until after his marriage, and in the spring of 1882 he purchased fifty-five acres of land on the Ridge road, West Mill Creek. The property was at the time practically unimproved but the soil, of peculiar integrity, he discovered to be spec ially well adapted for gardening purposes and he selected the same on this account. He has developed the fine little farm into one of the best gardening tracts in this section of the state, and the improvements in every department, including buildings, are of the best modern type. He has conducted his industrial operations here according to scientific prin ciples, has shown careful discrimination in the selection of stock and seeds, and his success had been further assured through the practical experience gained in the training of earlier years. He has made a spec ialty of the propagating of lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes, and has an entire acre under glass for the forcing of products for the early markets. His horticultural greenhouses, equipped throughout with the best of facilities, are the largest and most modern in this section of the state, and in his prosperous enterprise he finds a ready demand for his products at the highest market prices. Clark W. Zuck has well upheld the honors of the name which he bears and is one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of his native township and county, where he commands unequivocal confidence and esteem. In politics he gives his support to the principles for which the Republican party stands sponsor, and he and his wife hold member ship in the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church. He served two terms as school director and for five years was superintendent of the county alms house, — 1901-03 and 1904-06. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 110 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY On the 21st of September, 1880, Air. Zuck was united in marriage to Nancy Ocene AIcKee, who was born in Alill Creek township, about one mile distant from her present home, on the 28th of August, 1859, and who is a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Pherrin) McKee. Her father was born in Mill Creek township, in 1807, and died in 1868. He was a son of John McKee, who was born in Ireland, and who was one of the sterling pioneers of Erie county, Pennsylvania, whither he came from Fayette county, this state, in 1797, in company with his brothers, Patrick and Alexander. He married Mary Alaxwell, who was seven years of age at the time she accompanied her parents on their emigration from Ireland to America and who was reared and educated in Penn sylvania. She died in 1870, at the venerable age of ninety-three years, and it was her portion to survive all of her children, each of whom attained to ripe age. John and Mary (Maxwell) McKee became the parents of three sons and one daughter, and the family still has numerous representatives, in the third and fourth generations, in Erie county. John AIcKee (2d), father of Mrs. Zuck, was one of the successful farm ers of Mill Creek township and was a citizen who ever held the un qualified esteem of the community. He was a member of the Episcopal church and his death occurred in 1868, as already noted. His wife, Mary Ann (Pherrin) AIcKee, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and she survived him by nearly forty years, as her death occurred in 1906. She was a daughter of Samuel Pherrin, an honored pioneer and successful farmer of Alill Creek township. John and Alary Ann (Pherrin) McKee became the parents of seven children: Winfield Scott, the eldest, is a representative farmer in West Alill Creek; Thomas Benton likewise is one of the sterling farmers of the same township ; Anna J. is the wife of Thomas D. Willis of Alill Creek town ship, this county ; Adelaide died at the age of seven years ; Nancy Ocene is the wife of Mr. Zuck, as noted in preceding statements ; Ida Rebecca is the wife of Daniel E. Butt, a farmer of Mill Creek township; and John Clayton is a prosperous farmer of the same township. Clark W. and Nancy O. (McKee) Zuck have three sons, all of whom are associated with their father in business, under the title of C. W. Zuck & Sons. John Floyd, the eldest of the sons, was born January 4, 1882, and he married Miss Orra Garloch ; Bert Curry was born January 28, 1885 ; and Arthur P. was born May 7, 1889. All three of the sons are energetic young business men and enjoy unalloyed pop ularity in their native township, in whose social life they take an active part. Jacob Kaltenbach. As a citizen Jacob Kaltenbach is held in un qualified esteem in Erie, the city of his birth, where he has served in various offices of public trust, and the high regard in which he is held in the community indicates his sterling integrity of character and his loyalty and public spirit as a citizen. He has been successful in his business operations and he is today one of the substantial and popular citizens of his native county. Mr. Kaltenbach was born in the family home on East Ninth street, in the Second ward of the city of Erie, on the 23d of March, 1849, and is a son of Ignatius and Catherine (Weitzen) Kalten bach, the former of whom was born in Baden, Germany, and the latter in Rheinpfalz, Prussia. Ignatius Kaltenbach was reared and educated in his native land, whence he came to America when a young man and numbered himself among the early settlers of Erie county. He landed HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 111 in New York City, whence he made his way to Buffalo by canal and from the latter point to Erie by lake boat, as this was before the era of railroad facilities. His future wife came to Erie county about two years later, in company with her brother, and the brother died a few years later, a victim to the cholera, which was then epidemic. In the city of Erie, which was then a village, the parents of Jacob Kaltenbach were married and here they continued to reside during the remainder of their long and useful lives, ever holding a secure place in the confi dence and regard of the community. Ignatius Kaltenbach was among the early devotees of the fishing in dustry in Erie. He began operations in this line long before steam tugs or even steam-propelled fishing boats were in vogue. He was a man of sterling character and in connection with the years of consecutive industry he gained a competency, the while he remained deeply appreciative of the advantages and attractions of his adopted country. He died in the city of Erie on the 28th of August, 1884, at the venerable age of eighty- four years and eleven months, and his wife was summoned to the life eternal on the 26th of February, 1892, at the age of seventy-four years. They were devout communicants of the Catholic church and in Erie originally 'held membership in the parish of St. Mary's church, in which their marriage was solemnized, but they later transferred their member ship to St. Joseph's parish, with which they continued to be prominently connected during the rest of their lives. They became the parents of six children, of whom three attained to years of maturity and of whom one son and one daughter are living. The other of the three, likewise a son, died in 1871. Jacob Kaltenbach, of this sketch, was reared to manhood in his native city and to its parochial schools he is indebted for his early edu cational discipline. At the age of fourteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of harnessmaking, and in 1866 he com pleted his apprenticeship, which was most thorough and through which he became a skilled workman. In the year mentioned he went to the city of Cleveland, where he was engaged in the work of his trade for a period of three years, at the expiration of which he returned to Erie, where he entered the employ of Valentine Ulrich, in whose establishment he continued in the work of his trade during the ensuing thirteen years. In 1881 he engaged in the liquor business on East Eighteenth street, and in the following year removed to his present location, at the corner of Twenty-sixth and Peach streets. Two years later, however, he again established headquarters on East Eighteenth street, near the depot of the Nickle Plate Railroad, where he erected a building for the purposes. Three years later he purchased the property which he had formerly util ized at Twenty-sixth and Peach streets, where he erected his present substantia] and attractive building, in which he has since continued to conduct a successful business. Mr. Kaltenbach has for many years wielded no little influence in local politics and is a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party. In 1883 he was elected to represent the Fifth ward in the common council, and in 1885-86 he represented the Second ward in this body. In 1888 he was elected, from the Fifth ward, to the select council, to which he was again elected in 1890. He thereafter served continuously as a member of the select council until 1896, and the entire period of his service in the city council covered eleven years, within which he was president of the select council for one year. He 112 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY gave his best energies and loyal co-operation to the insuring of good municipal government, and his long tenure of office is the best voucher for the high estimate placed upon his services by the people of the com munity. Upon his retirement from the select council, in 1896, Mayor Scott appointed him a member of the city board of fire commissioners, and he thereafter continued incumbent of this position through reappoint ment by Mayors Saltsman and Deponet, after which he was continued in the office by election in the joint session of the common and select councils. He held the office for ten consecutive years and retired from the same by resignation, after having made a record for efficient and faithful service in this important department of the municipal gov ernment. Mr. Kaltenbach and his wife are zealous and valued members of St. Joseph's Catholic church, and he is prominently identified with the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, in the subordinate branch of which he has held all of the official positions, besides which he has served as vice-president of the grand council of the order in the state of Penn sylvania. He is identified with the St. Alphonse Society of St. Joseph's parish. He holds membership in the Erie Chamber of Comrrierce; the Erie Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Erie Maennerchor, of which he was president for a period of three years; the South Erie Improvement Association ; and the Erie Realty Company. Mr. Kaltenbach served two years as president of Liquor Dealers' Association of Pennsylvania, and under the reorganization, as the State Liquor Dealers' Association, he holds at the present time the office of vice-president and is a member of the state executive board of the association. He has always been known as a progressive and public- spirited citizen and has done his full share in connection with the up building of his native city, to which his loyalty is of the most insistent order. His record in public office has been unspotted and his influence has always been given in support of measures and enterprises tending to promote the progress and general welfare of his home city. He is a man of independent views and in public service has followed the course of duty as defined by his judgment, showing neither fear nor favor. In 1876 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kaltenbach to Barbara Schloss, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, a daughter of Jacob Schloss. She was reared and education in her native land, whence she came to America in company with her brother, Philip Schloss, who is a success ful business man in Erie. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kaltenbach the following brief record is entered : Rosa and Anna remain at the parental home ; Frank J., who is a member of the firm of Kalten bach & Hershey, wholesale liquor dealers, of Erie, married Lena Setterle, daughter of Martin Setterle, of Erie, and they have one son, Frank J., Jr. ; George J., who is engaged in business in Erie, married Margaret Roeder, of Pittsburg; Charles J. is engaged in the plumbing business in Erie ; and Edward C. is superintendent of the Kohler ice plant in Erie. Air. Kaltenbach also served as fire commissioner for ten years. James E. Silliman, M. D., one of the leading members of the medical profession of Erie, was born in North East, Erie county, Penn sylvania, June 10, 1844, son of John and Minerva (Chapman) Silliman, both natives of Pennsylvania. Dr. Silliman's grandfather was a native of Ireland, from whence, in 1800, he came to this country 'and settled in Erie county, where he carried on farming for many years. S.zr (TllajJuJ J) jA^JaJMj HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 113 Deciding to prepare himself for a professional life, James E. entered Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he graduated with the class of 1871. At that time he received the degree of A. B., and three years later the A. M. degree was conferrd upon him by his alma mater. He took a regular course of study in Jefferson Medical College, completing the same in 1874, and immediately thereafter he settled in Erie and began the practice of his profession, which he has continued up to the present time. And during his long identity with the medical ranks of Erie, which covers a period of more than thirty-four years, Dr. Silliman has enjoyed a leading position in the profession, gaining both success and honor. In 1878, he married Hattie I., daughter of the late Hugh P. Mehaffey, a native of Erie county, of German and Scotch-Irish descent. Previous to his college life, Dr. Silliman had a war experience. In 1865 he enlisted in the 102nd P. V. L, Company E, and was with his command until the close of the war. For a number of years he served as Brigade Surgeon of the Second Brigade, N. G. P. Pie was elected coro ner of Erie county in 1875, and continued in that office until 1881. In the meantime, he also served as secretary of the Board of Examining Surgeons of Pensions, to which position he was appointed in 1877. For years he has been identified with numerous fraternal organizations. He maintains membership in the local medical societies, in the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and in the American Medical Association, and he is prominent in the Masonic fraternity. Both he and his wife are active members of the First Methodist church of Erie. John F. Applebee. The name of John F. Applebee, deceased, is enrolled among the honored pioneers of Erie county, and among the native sons of its township of Harbor Creek, where he was born on the 29th of December, 1829, a son, of one of the earliest families to seek a' home in this community, Thomas and Sarah (Fuller) Applebee, from Connecticut. They established their home in Harbor Creek township during a very early epoch in its history, and they were owners of a large farm here and were prominent and well known farming people. After the death of the husband the wife went to Erie, and there she subsequently died. John F. Applebee, the fourth born of their eleven children, remained with his parents until his marriage, and he spent the following year on a rented farm. During the two years following this period he was the proprietor of a general store in Erie, and then purchasing a farm in Harbor Creek, he was engaged in its cultivation until moving to the borough of Harbor Creek in 1879. From that time until his death, which occurred on the 20th of December, 1906, he was a veterinary surgeon in the village, and was said to be the oldest veterinary surgeon in this sec tion. During his long and useful life he won many friends, and his name is an honored one wherever known. Mr. Applebee married on September 19, 1854, Maria Stelle, who was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1834, a daugh ter of James and Naomi (Davis) Stelle, the former from New York and the latter from Crawford county, Pennsylvania. She is a grand daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Stelle, of French descent, and of Isaac and Nancy Davis, from Wales. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Applebee: Cora Lillian, who died in infancy; Tommie J., who died at the age of three years ; and Delia Pearl, who died at the Vol. II— 8 114 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY age of five years. Mr. Applebee voted with the Republican party, and he was honored with many local offices. He and his wife were mem bers of the Baptist church, at Harbor Creek and then at Wesleyville. When they first came to Wesleyville they were members of the First Baptist Church at Erie, and the Mission at Wesleyville, and Mr. Apple bee was a prime factor in erecting the church building in the village and he gave the ground on which the church was erected. Since her husband's death Mrs. Applebee has resided with Miss Lulu Glas. Joseph Daniel Babo, a well-known cement and concrete contractor and an active member of the Erie Common Council, was born in the ward which he represents in that body, February 7, 1878. He is a son of John S. and Rose (Fisher) Babo, natives respectively of the United States and Germany. The mother died in 1901. Mr. Babo was reared in Erie, and after obtaining his education at St. John's parochial school entered the employ of the Lovell Manufacturing Company. After spending three years with that concern, he began work in the concrete and cement line, and in 1901 began contracting personally. Since that year he has accomplished a large amount of durable and honest work on the structures and thoroughfares of the city, and has especially added to his substantial reputation in the ward of his residence and birth. In February, 1909, Mr. Babo was elected to represent the Fifth ward in the common council of Erie, and is a member of the committees on conduits and electric supplies and streets and sidewalks, as well as chairman of the committee on health and water. He is also identified with the Armory and Three C's clubs and is a leading member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Babo's wife (nee Margaret Bickford) was also born in Erie, so that their children, Beatrice and Margaret, are especially daughters of the city. The family is identified with the St. John's Roman Catholic church and the residence is at No. 507 East Twenty-fifth street. Edward H. AIehl. It can not be other than a matter of satisfaction to find in the pages of this historical compilation specific records concern ing many of the native sons of Erie county who are today numbered among its representative citizens in the multifarious lines of business and professional activity. One of this number is Air. Mehl, who is one of the most progressive business men of his native city of Erie and whose life and labors have added to the prestige of a name honored in Erie county. He is a member of the firm of Mehl & Sapper, one of the oldest and most extensive hardware concerns in this section of the state and one whose reputation rests on the secure foundation of correct business methods and the personal integrity of the interested principals. Edward PI. Mehl was born in the Second ward of the city of Erie on the 12th of Alay, 1857, and is a son of Alichael and Catherine (Wit ters) Alehl, both natives of France and representatives of stanch old families of that great empire. Alichael Alehl was reared and educated in his fatherland, where he learned the barber's trade. In 1848 he severed the ties which bound him to home and native land and set forth to seek his fortunes in America, to whose composite social fabric France has contributed a most valuable element. Soon after his arrival in New York City he came to Erie, and within a short time thereafter he here opened a barber shop of his own, — one of the pioneer establish ments of the kind in the place. But it is in connection with musical art HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 115 that this honored citizen is best remembered in the city which was so long his home and in which he ever held a secure place in popular con fidence and esteem. He came of a musical family, was himself a musician of marked interpretative and appreciative talent and at least four of his sons inherited his taste for the "divine art," becoming prominent in the musical circles of Erie. Michael Mehl organized the first brass band in Erie and was the director and head of the organization for many years, within which he gained, through this association, a wide acquaintanceship throughout this and other sections of the state. His sons Michael, Jr., Charles, and William O., were members of this band, and Edward H., of this review, for many years played the double-bass viol in the Erie Opera House orchestra. Michael Mehl, Sr., died in 1882, at the vener able age of seventy-three years, and his widow was of the same age at the time of her demise, in 1887. Both were members of the Lutheran church, and in politics he gave his allegiance to the Republican party. Of the fourteen children one of the sons and four of the daughters are now living, the surviving son, Edward H., having been the fourteenth in order of birth. Louise is the widow of Joseph Fuess, who was a prominent hardware merchant of the firm of Boyer & Fuess of Erie; Lena is the wife of ex-Sheriff Ernst E. Steurznickel, of this city; Miss Harriet still maintains her home in Erie; and Fredericka is the wife of H. J. Sevin, of Erie. Edward H. Mehl was reared to manhood in Erie, where in his boyhood and youth he duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools, though he initiated his connection with practical busi ness affairs when but a boy. In 1869, when twelve years of age, he engaged in the business of bottling mineral waters, and in the following year he became a clerk in the hardware establishment of Boyer & Fuess, with which firm he continued about ten years, at the expiration of which, in February, 1880, he accepted a clerkship in the establishment of the Erie Hardware Company, with which he remained employed until 1884, when he engaged in the same line of enterprise on his own responsibility, by effecting the organization of the firm of Mehl & Liebel. He brought to bear a most thorough knowledge of all details of the business as well as marked executive and initiative ability and thus, with the further influence of the personal popularity of his partner and himself, the business flourished from the start. In 1887 John N. Sapper purchased the Liebel interest in the business, which has since been continued under the title of Mehl & Sapper and which represents one of the most important enterprises of its kind in the city. The large and modern establishment of the firm affords ample accommodations for the extensive stock carried in the various departments and is eligibly located on State street, where it holds a representative patronage. Enterprising and progressive as a business man and loyal and public- spirited as a citizen, Mr. Mehl holds as his own the unqualified esteem of the community in which he has maintained his home from the time of his birth and in which he has gained advancement and high business standing through his own well directed endeavors. He is a member of the board of managers of Hamot Hospital, is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Republican party, though he has never manifested aught of ambition for political preferment, and he and his wife are zeal ous members of St. John's Lutheran church. He is affiliated with Ger man Lodge, No. 871, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been treasurer for the past six years, and he is also identified 116 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY with the encampment and canton of this fraternal organization, in whose affairs he takes a lively interest. In 1883 Mr. Alehl was united in marriage to Anna J. Muller, daugh ter of Frederick W. Muller, who was a well known builder and con tractor of Erie, and they have four children, — H. Edward, Carl L., Mil lard AL, and Alene A. All of the children remain at the parental home. Ii. Edward married Belle Blackman, a resident of the state of Florida. Frederick J. AIiller is proprietor of the leading plumbing establish ment in Erie and has carried his sound and honorable business principles into the public service to such good purpose as to be of acknowledged benefit to the municipality. He is a native of the city in which he has prospered, and his lifelong residence in it has been mutually beneficial. Born in the Third ward of Erie, on the 8th of April, 1857, he is a son of Henry and Mary Miller, both natives of Germany, where they were reared, educated and married. In the fatherland were born their first two children, and in the forties they emigrated with their family to the United States, soon after their arrival establishing their home in Erie. There, the father entered the employ of the old-time firm of Vincent, Himrod and Pressley, founders of the business upon which was established the Germer Stove Works. Later, he engaged in the draying business, retiring from a successful career in that line a few years before his death in 1887. His wife had passed away in 1866, and both were highly es teemed pioneers of the community, faithful members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. The following eight children (of whom the youngest two are living) were born to Henry and Mary Miller ; Henry, Catherine, Louisa, Henry P., John, William, Frederick J. and Charles C. The last named has been, for many years, in the service of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, with headquarters at Buffalo, New York. Frederick J. Miller, the seventh child of the family, attended the public schools of Erie until 1872, when, at the age of fifteen, he became an apprentice in the plumbing establishment of Jarecki, Hays and Com pany, with whom he remained until 1879. Then, a master of the trade, he purchased a half interest in the business of his brother, Henry P., and, under the firm name of Miller Brothers, a growing plumbing establish ment was maintained until 1880 in the basement of a building that stood on State street, where the present business of the William E. Hays Com pany is conducted. In the year named Miller Brothers moved to 1109 State street, where they continued until 1892. In the previous year Frederick J. had purchased ground at the corner of Twelfth and State streets, and upon the rear half of this property he erected a substantial two-story brick building in which the plumbing business was established in 1892. Henry P. Miller died in April, 1893, and the establishment has since been owned and rapidly promoted by the surviving partner. In the spring of 1909 Mr. Miller erected at the corner of Twelfth and State street, on the front half of the lot mentioned, a three story block of brick and stone, the first floor of which is devoted to business purposes and the upper floors to modern flats. The building is one of the most con venient and up-to-date of any in the city, and speaks well for the taste and judgment of one of its leading business men. While never a politician, Mr. Miller has devoted considerable of his time to municipal affairs, having served as a member of the common council in 1901-2 and of the board of revision of taxes and appeals, in 1904-6. Such honors came to him quite unsolicited, and as a conscien- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 117 tious citizen he therefore felt called upon to exert himself to the utmost to promote the city's interests through the prompt and businesslike per formance of his official duties. In this aim he met the expectations of his best constituents and friends. Mr. Miller is a member of the Erie Sanitary Association, Erie Business Men's Exchange, Erie Chamber of Commerce, Erie Maennerchor and the South Erie Turnverein, besides which he is affiliated with Tyrian Lodge No. 362 F. & A. M., the Presque Isle Lodge of Perfection (Masonic) and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his family are members of the St. John's Evan gelical Lutheran church and are active in its work and support. In 1878 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Miller to Ida R. Loesch, who was bqrn and reared in Erie and is a daughter of William Loesch, an old and honored business man of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick J. Miller have become the parents of six children, as follows : Alary, who died at the age of six years; William, John E., Frederick H., Loretta E. and Margaret E. The three sons are associated with their father and are among the popular and progressive young business men of their native city. Frank Schlaudecker, one of the oldest and best known German citizens of Erie, is a native of Ruletzheim, Rheinish Bavaria, where he was born May 30, 1831. His parents, John Ulrich and Franceska (Druck) Schlaudecker, were both natives of the above-named province. The father was born in 1801 and died in 1865, and the mother died about 1855. To them were born the following children : Matthew, Frank, Jacob, deceased, John Peter, Catherine, Justina and Eva. The three daughters all became nuns in a Catholic order ten years after their arrival in America. Mat thew came to the United States in 1849, and engaged in the grocery busi ness with his brother Frank. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, Matthew raised three companies for three months service, known as the "Erie Regiment," and served as their major. In August of that year, he received authority from the United States War Department to re cruit a regiment, which became the One Hundred Eleventh Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which he was commissioned colonel, and which he commanded until November 6, 1862, when on account of ill- health he found it necessary to resign his commission and retire from service. Returning to Erie, he resumed business with his brother. Mat thew Schlaudecker was a man of considerable prominence in Erie, hav ing helped organize the German Bank, of which he became president, also the German Insurance Company, of which he also became president ; both these companies failed in the panic of 1874, the insurance company having been crippled by the great Chicago Fire a few years before. He was also interested in the manufacture of pipe organs in Erie, later re moving his interests to Chicago, and still later to San Francisco, in which city he died in September, 1907. John Peter was captain of Company H, One Hundred Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment of Volunteers, from its organization in 1861 until December 29, 1863, being discharged from ser vice with a surgeon's certificate. Frank Schlaudecker was engaged in the grocery business in his na tive country, and upon coming to America in September, 1849, and set tling in Erie, found employment in the store of Cassimer Seigel, where he worked until 1852, and then with his brother Matthew embarked in business under the firm name of F. & M. Schlaudecker; this firm did a flourishing business until 1870, when Matthew Schlaudecker withdrew 118 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY from the firm and the enterprise was carried on four years longer by the remaining brother, after which he also retired from business. In 1875 Mr. Schlaudecker was elected justice of the peace, to which office he was twice re-elected, and in 1884 was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue of Erie District, in which capacity he served two years. When the Erie and Pittsburg districts were consolidated, Mr. Schlaudecker continued three years in charge of the Erie Office as deputy collector. In 1867 Mr. Schlaudecker was elected a member of the common council of Erie although he did not know until his election that he was to be a candidate; he was re-elected in 1869 and served as president until his retirement from the same. For many years he has been interested in insurance, having first taken up the business while he was serving as justice of the peace, continuing same while he was in the customs office, and at present is at the head of the firm of F. Schlaudecker & Son. This firm, organized in 1903, does a flourishing business, its interests being actively cared for by the junior member, Leo. P. Schlaudecker. Frank Schlaudecker is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church of Erie, being one of its earliest adherents, and was a member of the building committee at the time the present magnificent edifice was erected. He was at different times president of the St. George Society, and for many years a leading member of the choir. He was a charter member of the Erie Liedertafel Society and one of the oldest members of the Maennerchor. Mr. Schlaudecker married Catherine Schlaudecker, who was born May 30, 1830, in Bavaria, and came to United States and to Erie with her parents, in 1837, and to them have been born the fol lowing children: Edward, (deceased) married Carrie Aumer, and they had one daughter, Leona, who is now deceased; Cornelius (deceased) ; married to Isabella Cummings, now also deceased, and they had one daughter, Bertha, who is living; Julius, also deceased, who married Estella Kleinfelter and they had a daughter, Estella; Leo. P., engaged with his father in the insurance business, and married to Winnifred Main. Clark Olds, one of the most prominent citizens of Erie, a leading attorney, ex-president of the Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Board of Water Commissioners, is a native son of Erie, and a descend ant of one of the county's most respected pioneer families. His grand father, Asa Gilbert Olds, founder of this branch of the family, was a native of the State of New Hampshire, where he was born in Alstead, November 15, 1793; when a child he removed, with his parents, to Williamstown, Vermont, where he grew to manhood. In 1813, Asa G. Olds travelled westward, looking for a location in which to settle, and went afoot all the way from his Vermont home to Cynthiana, Kentucky, passing through northern Pennsylvania and Ohio. The next winter, 1814, he loaded his possessions into a wagon, and with an ox team started West, his objective point being the Western Reserve, of Ohio; he reached Erie in the dead of winter and stopped over nigth, intending to proceed with his journey the next morning, but during the night there was a thaw, and the snow had disappeared, leaving the roads heavy with mud and impassable. This small incident decided the temporary location of the family in Erie county, and their surroundings became so agreeable that they settled permanently in the vicinity. Mr. Olds purchased a farm in East Mill Creek, built a house, and lived there the remainder of his life; he died December 8, 1871. He was a public-spirited man and an HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 119 ardent Whig, and at the time of the abolition movement was very much in sympathy with the famous "underground railway" movement. He was a quiet, thoughtful, religious man, and would prefer to suffer pecuniary loss rather than become involved in a lawsuit. He was a charter member and an earnest worker in the interests of the First Bap tist church of Erie. Mr. Olds married, April 17, 1821, Lucy Church, who was born at Winstead, Connecticut; she was the daughter of John Church, who at the age of eighteen years enlisted in the Continental Army at Saybrook, Connecticut, was with General Arnold at the siege of Quebec, in 1776, and at the battle of Saratoga, where General Arnold was wounded, Mr. Olds helped him from his house. Asa Gilbert Olds and his wife were blessed with the following children: Lewis W., Nelson, Erskine, Clarissa, and Emily J. Lewis W., father of Clark Olds, was born in East Mill Creek town ship, Erie county, July 21, 1822 ; he received his education in the dis trict schools and at the Erie Academy, after which he taught school for several years. In 1844 he began the manufacture of pumps at East Mill Creek, removed his factory to Erie in 1853, and continued the enterprise there until about fifteen years ago, when on account of the fact that the so-called "cucumber timber" of this section was exhausted, he found it necessary to abandon the business. He was very successful, and was the first man in the central states, if not in the world, to make the old log pump an article of commerce ; previous to the Civil war he shipped a large number of pumps to the south, the first consignment being hauled to Waterford, from which point he sent them by water to shipping points along the Ohio River, as far as Louisville, Kentucky. The Civil war, however, destroyed this trade, leaving him with many bad debts. Later he shipped his pumps in boat loads by water to Chicago and Milwaukee, supplying the states of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin with pumps. Lewis W. Olds was one of the most enterprising and progressive citizens in Erie, and appreciated that city's resources and future; he be lieved in its future, and helped in its development along many lines. He erected many residence and business buildings, among the latter be ing the Old Block on State street, which he built in 1869. This block, although one of the first large ones built in Erie, is still one of the city's most up-to-date buildings, owing to the fact that when Mr. Olds erected it he spared no pains to have it meet not only present requirements, but also future needs. In this block is the "Boston Store," the largest de partment store of Erie, which has a flourishing trade. The building was the first in the city to be built with iron beams over the entrances, iron cornices and fire-proof floors, also the first to be fitted with plate glass windows, which were made in England, to order. At the time of his death Mr. Olds owned a large amount of city real estate, also large portions of land in Iowa and Missouri. He was much interested in public affairs, though he was not desirous of holding public office. He served a period of twelve years or more as a member of the school board, also was for a number of years on the board of directors of the county poor; the present almshouse was erected under his personal supervision. Though liberal and tolerant in his religious beliefs, he was a supporter of the church. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Masons in Erie, having become a member of the order at Westfield, New York, where he and several other residents of Erie attended meetings many years before a lodge was instituted in Erie; they were known as "Westfield Masons." His death occurred June 25, 1908, and his loss was 120 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY mourned by the entire community. Mr. Olds was married, at Erie, Penn sylvania, May 9, 1848, to Louisa E. Ackerley, born in Middletown, New York, March 11, 1826, and who died in 1901; they had the following children: Inez L., Clark, Nettie M., Phila, William C, Florence, and Charlotta M. Clark Olds was born in East Mill Creek Township, July 14, 1850, received his early education in the common schools, prepared for college at Erie Academy, and in 1866 entered Michigan University, where he graduated in the class of 1870, with degree B. S. Two years later he received degree M. S. While attending the University he became con nected with the United States Lake Survey, and after his graduation was appointed an Assistant Engineer; he remained in the service until 1875, although he spent the years of 1872-3 on vacation at Leipsic University, in Germany, where he studied law. He continued his legal studies in Erie, and April 26, 1876, was admitted to the bar, and a short time later, to practice in the Federal Courts. Since that time Mr. Olds has been engaged in active practice of his profession, making a specialty of ad miralty practice, in which line he has met with flattering success. Mr. Olds has long taken an active interest in public affairs, more especially in municipal matters, giving freely his time and attention to wards improving the city's public institutions, and he has been of great service to the city as member of the City Water Board, to his efforts being due the fact that the city has a generous supply of pure water. He became a member of the Water Board January 1, 1896, and since that time has served with great credit; during this time the system has been practically rebuilt, a large new pump has been installed as well as a new boiler house being erected, and the city belted by water mains. His fight for pure water, which he never abated until it was accomplished, has resulted in the building of an intake three and one half miles long, extending one mile beyond Presque Isle, into Lake Erie, thus insuring a pure supply of water. After serving a year on the water board, Mr. Olds was made president of same, although the junior member, but January 1, 1908, he surrendered this position and was succeeded by Willis B. Durling, the present head of the department. Mr. Olds was originator of the idea of a new dock for the city, and as president of the Chamber of Commerce, had practical charge of the matter, and superintended the completion of the project. He is a member of the Erie Club, and of the Republican party. Mr. Olds married, December 13, 1876, Livia E., daughter of Chaun cey Keator, of Cortland, New York, and they had the following child ren : Romeyn K, deceased, Irving Sands, graduate of Yale University, now a junior in Harvard University Law School, Marguerite E., deceased. Louie Charles Scitauble is not only the leading photographer in the city of Erie, but he is the only one of his guild there who has the facilities to take likenesses according to the most modern requirements of art and science and, if desired, to enlarge the photograph or to frame it with up-to-date taste. The accessories to his regular photographic studio make his establishment somewhat unique and certainly one of the most complete in the state. This feature of his business shows both originality and sound judgment, and Mr. Schauble's numerous patrons have stamped their approval of his forethought in a substantial way in the gratifying form of substantial dollars and cents. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 121 Mr. Schauble is a native of the Second ward of Erie, born March 2, 1875, the son of the late William G. Schauble. The father was a native of Germany, born in the year 1834; came to the United States when a young man, locating successively at New York City and at Erie, and dying in the latter city in 1893. Louie C. was reared in Erie and edu cated in the city schools. In 1890, when in his sixteenth year, he com menced to learn photography in Fred Pfaff's State street gallery, and in 1892 entered the employ of F. W. Weber, on Ninth street. After re maining with Air. Weber for fourteen years he bought the business, and as he had purchased Mr. Pfaff's place in September, 1905, while still conducting the Weber studio, he entered the field as an independent factor under very favorable auspices. Until 1906 he operated the two studios jointly, but in that year he found the State street business grow ing so rapidly that he decided to dispose of the Ninth street estab lishment. Since he has carried out that decision he has made his studio at 1011 State street one of the finest in Pennsylvania, if not in the States. He has accomplished this by not only meeting the requirements of a cultured and discerning public, but by the quiet force of his courtesy and through his wide acquaintance in the city of his birth and con tinuous residence. Mr. Schauble is a member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Business Men's Exchange, and is widely known in the fraternal orders, being especially prominent as an Odd Fellow. In the last named order he has served as district deputy grand master, chief patriot, com mandant and noble grand. He is also an active Knight of Pythias and a Mason. Mr. Schauble's wife was formerly Aliss Pearl Irish, daughter of Frank Irish, of this county, and she is the mother of Frank T. and Kenneth F. Schauble. Charles Hagenlocher was born in the Fifth ward of the City of Erie on the fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord, 1878. He was the third child born of Jacob and Hannah (Rose) Hagenlocher, who, in early life, moved to this country from Germany. Tracing Mr. Hagen- locher's genealogy, we discover that a few generations ago, one of his ancestors was of Scotch origin; thus in his lineage is intermingled Scotch and German. During his early youth, Mr. Hagenlocher attended the public schools of this city, mastering with great aptitude the different branches of learning taught therein. Upon leaving school, he entered the coal office of R. J. Saltsman as an assistant. There he received his early business education, which later proved to be such a valuable asset. On December 5th, 1902, Air. Hagenlocher purchased the real estate and insurance business belonging to Frank Sawdey at 922 State street, where he has ever since remained. This business, when first purchased was in an embryo state, yet through the untiring efforts, the judicious management, the shrewd business ability and the keen insight of Mr. Hagenlocher it has assumed gigantic proportions. Year by year it has grown, year by year it has sent out its tiny tentacles, until, at the pres ent time it is confined to a territory no less than that covered by the City of -New York. In 1905, Mr. Hagenlocher was elected a member of the school board of the City of Erie. Retaining that position for three years, and serving during that time on numerous committees, he was enabled to accomplish much in behalf of public education. He is actively connected with the Young- Alen's Christian Association and the Royal Arcanum. The 122 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Board of Trade, the Business Men's Exchange and the Chamber of Commerce number him among their most active and energetic members. Mr. Hagenlocher is conceded one of the best judges of real estate possibilities and insurance hazards in Northwestern Pennsylvania. He has negotiated many of the largest realty transactions in the history of Erie county. Dr. John William Wright is a leading physician of Erie, who has enjoyed an especially prominent connection with the National Guard of Pennsylvania. He is a native of Richmond township, Crawford coun ty, that state, born September 24, 1868, and is a son of Delos A. and Vir ginia (White) Wright. His father was born in Busti, Chautauqua county, New York, on the 13th of May, 1840, being a son of William and Elizabeth (Kelso) Wright, natives of Massachusetts and Connecti cut respectively. The father engaged in farming until 1873 and then embarked in the manufacture of butter and cheese, at one time operating three factories in Crawford county. In 1876 he disposed of these inter ests and engaged in the same industrial line at Saegerstown, Pennsyl vania, moving to Union City, Erie county, in 1882, where he established himself as a produce dealer and also became identified with other large business interests at different points in Pennsylvania. In April, 1865, Delos Wright married Miss Virginia White, daughter of David and Pol ly (Lyon) White, natives of Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Wright died November 11, 1871, and in 1873 Mr. Wright married Mary daughter of George and Sarah (AlcCullough) Charmer, her parents both being natives of England. John William Wright, of this biography, was left a half-orphan by the death of his mother when he was three years of age, and for some years thereafter resided with his paternal aunt. He received a public school education during this period and in 1883 when fifteen years of age, moved to Union City, where he continued his studies in the local high school. In the autumn of 1887 he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduated therefrom in 1890, and after pursuing a course in the Philadelphia Polyclinic, in the winter of 1890-1, began practice at Wattsburg, Erie county. Three years of professional work followed at that place, and before the doctor resumed practice he took a thorough course at the New York Post Graduate School. In June, 1895, he located at Erie and in May of the following year assumed the duties of city health officer, a position which he still holds. During the year 1896 Dr. Wright was also appointed deputy county inspector for the State Board of Health, being an efficient incumbent of that posi tion until 1903, when he was chosen county inspector and county quaran tine officer of that body. In 1905 the State Department of Health super ceded the State Board, and Dr. Wright was reappointed to the office mentioned, as well as chosen local registrar of vital statistics. Upon the establishment of a tuberculosis dispensary at Erie he was named as the physician in charge. Dr. Wright has become an authority on the treatment of all forms of pulmonary diseases, or he would not be at the head of the Erie dis pensary. He is an active member of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis and of the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, and in his relations to profes sional organizations of a more general nature is identified with the Erie County Medical Society, State Aledical Society of Pennsylvania and the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 123 American Medical Association. He also belongs to the American Public Health Association, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and the American Association of Medical Examiners. In 1897 Dr. Wright received an appointment as first lieutenant and assistant surgeon in the Fifteenth Regiment, N. G. P., his commission being dated May 1st of that year. On April 27, 1898, he responded to the presidential call for troops, and was enrolled in the service of the United States for the Spanish-American war, arriving on the following day at Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, which was later christened Camp Hastings. There, on May 5th, he was formally mustered into service in the position to which he had been commissioned, and on the 11th of June the command was ordered to Sheridan Point Post, Virginia, where it arrived on the next day. On September 9th the regiment was trans ferred to Camp Meade, Pennsylvania, performing general provost duty from the 10th of that month to October 2nd; was attached to the first brigade, second division, second army corps, from that date until October 29th, and was then transferred to the first brigade, third division, second army corps, remaining thus assigned until its final muster-out. On November 11th the regiment left Camp Meade for Camp Haskell, Georgia, where it arrived on the 14th and remained until it was mustered out of the service January 31, 1899. On December 9, 1898, Dr. Wright had been promoted and re-commissioned as major and surgeon, and three days afterward was re-mustered into the service in his new position and re-assigned to the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Regiment. Upon the muster- out of the command he returned to Erie and resumed private practice, but on July 11, 1900, was again commissioned first lieutenant and assist ant surgeon of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, being assigned to the Sixteenth Regiment and serving with it until his resignation from the state military service July 29, 1901. He is an active member of the Spanish War Veterans and the Military Order of the Serpent. As a fraternalist connected with the secret and benevolent orders he is widely known, especially in the work of Masonry. In this order he is a member of the Tyrian Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Jerusalem Council, R. & S. M. ; Mount Olivet Commandery, K. T. ; Presque Isle Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R., and Zem Zem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to the Elks and Knights of Pythias. What is more to the point, he also carried the spirit of fraternalism and good will which is inculcated by such orders into the individual and private relations of his life. On October 15, 1900, Dr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Clara Katharine Keller, daughter of Edward Keller, and of their union are two children — Edward K, who was born October 8, 1902, and died a week later, and Elizabeth K, born October 31, 1904. Henry C. Missimer. In the various professions and pursuits to which men devote their time and energies, not one is of more import ance and value to the general public than that of the educator, whose task it is to develop the latent faculties and talents of the child, bring ing into prominence those most beneficial to the individual and to the world, and to so train our boys and girls that they may become race benefactors in the broadest sense implied by the term. The life of_ Henry C. Missimer, for the past eighteen years superintendent of the Erie schools, has been cast along these lines, and the fruit of his pro fessional labors may be seen by the high standing of the schools under his charge as compared with those in cities of like size. A native of 124 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Pennsylvania, he was born in Montgomery county, near Pottstown, a section of the state in which his immediate ancestors were pioneer set tlers. The emigrant ancestor of the Missimer family came from the border country between France and Germany to the United States nearly two centuries ago, locating first in Maryland, and subsequently removing to the Keystone state, where he purchased a thousand acres of land along Spragel's Run a tributary of the Schuylkill River below Pottstown. Receiving his rudimentary education in the common schools, Mr. Missimer subsequently attended the High School, in Pottstown, and at the age of fourteen years had read the usual requirements for college preparation. Entering then Yale University, he was there graduated with the class of 1869, being one of the honor men, and. receiving the degree of A. B. Three years later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of A. M., an honor of which he was eminently worthy. For a short time in his earlier life, he was engaged in general business, but in 1872 embarked upon his professional career, becoming a teacher at New Brighton, near Pittsburg. Putting forth his best energies, he or ganized the schools of that vicinity, placed them upon a permanent working basis, while there establishing for himself an excellent reputa tion as an instructor, and as a disciplinarian. Coming from there to Erie, Air. Alissimer was for nearly eighteen years principal of the Erie High School, filling the position with great acceptance, winning the approval of its friends and patrons, and the high regard and esteem of its pupils. Under his regime, the schools flourished from year to year, the enrollment, which was but one hundred pupils when he assumed its charge, being greatly increased, while each year a much larger number received diplomas. In 1890 Air. Alissimer was chosen superintendent of the city schools, and has served most ably and satisfactorily since, his long record of service in this capacity bearing speaking evidence of his marked success. Talented, scholarly, thoroughly conversant with the more modern methods of teaching, and possessing great executive ability, he has raised the standard of the schools under his management to a high plane of efficiency, bringing them up-to-date in every respect, mak ing them equal to those of any similar city, and the superior of very many. Air. Alissimer is known to some extent in the lecture field, and through his various written works, the productions of his pen being received as authority in educational circles, many of his articles having been incorporated in the reports of the National Commission of Edu cation. Air. Alissimer married, in 1875, Emma, daughter of Hugh P. Me- haffey, of Erie, and to them six children have been born. Charles AIonroe Wheeler. The name Wheeler is so well known in the industrial circles of old Erie county as to need no introduction to the readers of The Twentieth Century History of Erie County. C. M. Wheeler comes from good old Hampshire stock being born in New Ips wich, New Hampshire, January 29, 1826. He was a son of Stephen and Hannah (Stratton) Wheeler, both natives of New Hampshire, but of Scotch descent. Stephen Wheeler was a character of progress and marked ability. He served his people as an official in his county and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and was a member a number of terms of the state legislature. He died in 1860. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 125 Charles M. Wheeler received a good practical education both in the public schools and the Academy of his native town. He spent his life till 1852 in his native county as an agriculturist and in that year located in Erie county in the Township of Le Boeuf and this township was his home till his death. Besides being a successful farmer, he was proprietor of a cheese factory and a saw mill in Le Boeuf township and had large lumber interests in Forest county, Pennsylvania, besides large land holdings in Alinnesota. He represented his people in the state legislature in 1891 and 1893. He wedded Miss Sarah J. Clark, daughter of Eben Clark, Decem ber 6, 1854, and five children blessed this marriage: Edward E., fully represented elsewhere in this work ; Orton H., a manufacturer in' Erie ; Fred C. ; Walker S., one of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of North East township, also mentioned in another part of this work and Dr. Arthur C. Wheeler. Charles M. Wheeler indelibly stamped his great business personality upon the pages of Erie county's history. He was a man of strict integrity of character and he was possessed of those sterling attributes which give prestige to the thorough busi ness man. He set an example in the business affairs of life which has been followed by his worthy sons. Isaac Baker is one of the leading wholesale and retail clothing merchants of Erie, being senior member of the well known firm of Isaac Baker and Son. His many years' residence in this city has been spent not only in establishing this extensive business but in promot ing the public interests of Erie in many directions. For twenty-one years he has been a member of the local board of education; has long been deeply interested in the welfare and progress of the city library and also identified with hopsital and charitable work. He is a native of Germany, born in the province of Rhine, August 22, 1847, being a son of Bernard and Barbara Baker, both natives of the fatherland. When the family came to the United States in 1849, they located at once in Erie but after remaining there for about two months removed to Girard, same county, which remained the family home for some eight or nine years, during which time the father was engaged in general merchandising. Mr. Baker then returned to Erie with his family where he established a clothing and dry goods business and was thus engaged until the time of his death, his wife having passed away several years previous. Isaac Baker, of this sketch, was reared in Girard and Erie, received a good common school education in these two places and at the age of fourteen became his father's regular assistant in the conduct of his business, subsequently becoming a member of the firm. Upon the retire ment of the senior member of the firm from active business, Isaac Baker and his brother-in-law succeeded to the business, their store then being located in the Brown Block, No. 10 State street, in about 1869 they purchased what was then known as the Caldwell Block (subsequently the Empire Block) on the southeast corner of Fourth and State streets, which they remodeled into what became the leading wholesale and retail clothing store, as well as merchant tailoring house in Erie or this portion of the state. The original style of the firm was B. Baker but upon his son's association with his brother-in-law, Jacob Ostheimer, it became Baker and Ostheimer. Upon the retirement of the latter, 126 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Alfred Baker, son of Isaac, was admitted into the firm which then became Isaac Baker and Son, as at present. Mr. Baker is acknowledged not only to be one of the leading merchants of Erie but among its most public spirited and progressive citizens, his interest in all forms of public education and charitable work being especially deep. He was one of the original promoters of the Erie public library, having been one of the board which permitted the city to own its own library and largely through his energy and wis dom this institution has become one of the leaders of its kind in the state. As stated, he has also been identified with the local board of education for twenty-one years, having served as president of that body for several terms. He has also been a trustee of St. Vincent's Hospital since its organization and president of the same one term. He is also at the head of various social and religious organizations of the city; is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and is also a director in the Security and Savings Bank of which he was one of the organizers. Mr. Baker is of the Hebrew faith and has long been presi dent of the Jewish church in Erie. Mr. Baker was married to Miss Bertha Einhorn, a native of New York City, and daughter of Rev. Dr. David Einhorn, one of the most noted reform rabbis of his time. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker are as follows : — Clara, the widow of J. Mayer, of Cleve land ; Alfred, a member of the firm of Isaac Baker and Son : Edward M., now residing in Cleveland ; and Belle and Florence, both living with their parents. Henry E. Fish, member of the firm of Gunnison, Rilling and Fish, a leading law firm of Erie is not the only representative of his profes sion whose thoroughness and prominence may be traced to his long train ing as an official court reporter. Such an experience insures an unusu ally precise and practical knowledge of legal forms and court pro cedures, and when grafted upon systematic study of the principles of the law makes a professional equipment of remarkable solidity. Mr. Fish is a native of Otego, Otsego county, New York, born on the 9th of April, 1863, and is a son of Liberal C. and Alary (Briggs) Fish, both also natives of the Empire state. Fie completed his literary educa tion at the Gilbertsville (New York) Academy, and located at Erie in 1881. For the succeeding years he held the position of official sten ographer in the courts of Erie, Lawrence and AlcKean counties, Penn sylvania. During that period he also prosecuted his law studies under the preceptorship of the late John P. Vincent and Judge Emory A. Walling. Air. Fish was admitted to the Erie bar in 1889, to the superior and supreme courts of Pennsylvania in 1896, and also to the federal courts in the latter year. In 1891, two years after becoming a legal ized attorney, he resigned his position as official stenographer, and has since practiced law only, his leadership at the bar having been espe cially pronounced as a civil and corporation attorney. In 1895 he became associated with William G. Crosby, as senior member of the firm Fish and Crosby, and three years later became junior of Rilling and Fish. In 1907, by the admission of Judge Frank Gunnison, the firm assumed its present style, Gunnison, Rilling and Fish. Mr. Fish is an active and valued member of the co-partnership and, individually, is both the attorney and a director of the Security and Savings Bank of Erie. In HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 127 Masonry, he is a Knight Templar, has attained the Scottish rite and is a Shriner; and is also identified with the Erie Chamber of Com merce and the Erie and Kahkwa clubs. On June 25, 1889, Mr. Fish married Miss Nellie Slocum, daughter of the late R. Al. Slocum, an old resident of Erie, and to them have been born the following: Roger E., in 1892, who is now a student at Princeton University, and Howard Mc, born in 1895. Davenport Galbraith. To the enlisting of men of notable en terprise, ability and integrity in the furtherance of her commercial and industrial activities is to be ascribed the great material and civic pros perity of the city of Erie, and among those prominent and honored in such connection stands Davenport Galbraith of this brief review, who is a native of this city and a scion of one of its best known families. He is a member of the bar of his native county and vice president of the Erie Trust Company; one of the leading financial institutions of this section of the old Keystone state. Davenport Galbraith was born in the city which is now his home, April 8th,.1862._ He is a son of the late Judge William A. Galbraith, long a distinguished member of the bar of Pennsylvania and also a jurist of high reputation. Davenport Galbraith was graduated at Yale University, in 1884, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and then matriculated in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1887 and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. After his admis sion to the bar of his native state he became associated with his father in the practice of his profession. After a few years, however, he vir tually withdrew from this connection as another field of activity offered special attractions to him. He thus became one of the organizers and incorporators of the Erie Dime Savings & Trust Company, of which he was vice-president from the inception until the institution was reor ganized under his direction, as the Erie Trust Company, of which he has since served as vice-president. He has given the major portion of his time and attention to the building up of this stanch and popular institution, and its success from the start has been in large degree due to his able executive policy and unflagging attention to its affairs. He enjoys unequivocal popularity in the business and social circles of his native city, is independent in politics and is identified with the Erie, the Kahkwa, the Yacht and the Golf Clubs. On the 18th of June, 1885, Air. Galbraith was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Downing, daughter of Jerome F. Downing, of Erie. Alured P. Burton. Ranking high among the substantial business men of Erie is Alured P. Burton, who has been an important factor in advancing its growth and prosperity. He is one of the best known citizens of this place, and its leading undertaker, being at the head of the firm of A. P. Burton & Sons, of No. 1219 Peach street. His in fluence as a man of honor and integrity is felt throughout the com munity, his sterling qualities of heart and mind being everywhere recognized and respected. A native of this city, he was born, Septem ber 4, 1836, a son of David and Elizabeth (Irvine) Burton. His grand parents, John and Phoebe (Wooster) Burton, came from Connecticut to Erie county in 1811, locating in Mill Creek township, where they 128 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY took up a large tract of land, on which they spent the remaining years of their lives. David Burton was born in Connecticut, February 16, 1793, and when about eighteen years of age came with the family to Mill Creek township. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and aided in the building of Perry's fleet. He assisted his father in clearing a home stead from its original wildness, and was subsequently engaged in vari ous kinds of business, spending a large part of his active life in the city of Erie, dying January 30, 1869. His wife, Elizabeth Irvine, was born, January 1, 1797, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and _ came _ to Erie county on a visit, when she met David Burton. She survived him a few years, passing away Alay 9, 1875. They were two of the orig inal members of the class which, organized in 1826, was the nucleus of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Erie, now the Seventh Street Church. Ten children were born of their union, namely: Peter E., born Alarch 16, 1816, served as sheriff of Erie county, and died October 19, 1863 ; John, born October 19, 1818, died April 23, 1863 ; Andrew, born May 26, 1823, served as treasurer of Erie City, and died June 19, 1894; Wooster, born April 16, 1828, died October 28, 1856; Alured _ P., of this brief biography; Hannah, born September 16, 1825, married M. A. Dunning, of Erie; Sarah, born September 16, 1825, married A. P. Durlin, of Erie; Mary, born Alay 10, 1827, died June 19, 1829; Elsie, born September 19, 1831, died January 15, 1884; and Charlotte E., born April 4, 1839, married D. J. Pfouts, of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. After leaving the public schools, Alured P. Burton attended the Erie Academy for awhile, and at the age of fourteen years began to learn the trade of a printer, which he subsequently followed a number of years. He was assistant post master in 1861-2 and afterwards with his father and brother Andrew, he was here employed in the coal busi ness for awhile. Establishing himself in the undertaking business in Erie in 1876, Air. Burton has since continued it successfully, being well liked, and very popular throughout the community. He has a thorough knowledge of the art and science connected with his profession, and for many years has been very prominent as an undertaker, and very widely known in connection with the Tri-County and State Funeral Directors' Association, of which he was president for a time. He is still a member of that organization, and also belongs to the National Funeral Directors' Association. In 1895, without solicitation on his part, Mr. Burton was appointed by Governor Hastings a member of the first State Board of Undertakers, and at the first meeting of that body, held in Philadelphia, November 1, 1895, he was chosen treasurer of the board. In these organizations, the object of which is to promote the knowledge of the business, and provide for co-operation among its members, Mr. Burton has been quite active and prominent. Mr. Burton married, October 1, 1857, Susan, daughter of George W. Brecht, of East Mill Creek township, Erie county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burton, namely: Charles H., George D., Lewis E., one daughter who died in infancy; Harry, of the firm of A. P. Burton & Sons, and Ramsay, also associated in business with his father. These sons, Harry and Ramsay, are well acquainted with the details of undertaking, and share with their father the responsi bilities of the extensive business which the firm is managing. Religi ously Mr. Burton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Burton, also, belongs. Politically he is a steadfast Repub- f/j &H ^Ko-cM.Licr^ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 129 lican, and has served as a member of the common council. Fraternally he is active and influential in Masonic circles, being a Knight Temp lar, and a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. Victory M. Thompson, deceased, was for many years closely identified with the development of the transportation, coal, oil and real estate interests of northwestern Pennsylvania, and was recognized as one of the most progressive business men and citizens of Erie for a period of over thirty years. Mr. Thompson was a native of Madison county, New York, where he was born on August 7, 1829, the son of Joseph S. and Rachel (Case) Thompson. The father was born in the Green Mountain state, son of Joseph Thompson, a native of France, who originally settled in Massachusetts and thence moved to Vermont. The maternal family was of Scotch origin. The parents of Victory M. located at Erie in 1832, and in 1848, when nineteen years of age, the youth engaged in the canal boat busi ness — not as a laborer, but as proprietor of a number of boats which he operated and later owned, organizing what was long known as the "Thompson Line." During this period he also became interested in the oil business, owning and operating the Erie City Oil Works, one of the early refineries in the United States. Besides controlling this transporta tion line and conducting his oil refining business, Mr. Thompson as a young man carried on a successful coal business, at Erie, Pennsylvania, and also operated at Meadville, Pennsylvania. Furthermore, he had other large commercial interests, and was an extensive holder of real estate in many of the points around which his business interests centered. At his prime, in fact, he was considered one of the most eminent business men of northern Pennsylvania. Victory M. Thompson married Rebecca, daughter of John and Esther (Gillespie) Glenn, who was a native of Erie. Her father was born in the north of Ireland, and was a pioneer and honored citizen of Erie county. Mr. Thompson died in October, 1887, his wife having passed away the year before. Their eldest son, Clarence L., still occupies the old Thompson residence at Eighth and Cherry streets, where he has resided for forty-five years. Orlando E. Crouch, president and treasurer of Crouch Brothers Company, representing the largest milling industry of Erie, is also one of the pioneer millers of the county. The standing of the family as a leading factor in founding the infant communities of the county is fur ther strengthened by the fact that the paternal grandfather, Phineas Crouch, migrated with his family from his native county of Rutland, Vermont, to Erie county, as early as 1817. He first located in Fairview township, at a later date settling permanently in AlcKean township. The maternal grandparents John and Harriet May, were natives of Ply mouth, Massachusetts, and settled in the locality about the same time as the Crouches. The parents of Orlando E., Ansel and Nancy (May) Crouch, were natives respectively of Rutland county, Vermont, and Can aan, New Hampshire, the father being born in 1794, and the mother in 1804. The former was an industrious and prosperous farmer, and Orlando E. was born on the family homestead in McKean township, on the 18th of September, 1835. He is the fifth in order of birth, the other members of the family being Melissa, Sophronia, Phineas and Harvey L., deceased ; Joseph B., a resident of Erie ; and John M., who is also dead. Vol. II— 9 130 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Orlando E. Crouch, of this sketch, was reared on the farm in Mc Kean township until he was sixteen years of age and soon afterward (in 1852) he became an apprentice at the milling trade and business at Wesleyville, a suburb of Erie. In 1857 he located at Erie and in the following year, with his brother Phineas, he purchased the old Fair- mount mill on East Eighth street. Fourteen years of successful busi ness enabled them to build the Merchant Mills and when this plant was burned in 1892 they proceeded to erect larger and more modern mills. They were completed in the year following the fire, and the business was subsequently incorporated with Phineas Crouch as president and Orlan do E. Crouch as treasurer and he subsequently became president. He is therefore at the head of the largest and oldest industry of the kind in Erie ; is an active member of the board of trade, a director of the Peoples' Bank, and a citizen who, in every respect, is a credit to his fine, sturdy family and his American citizenship. Since his youth he has been an earnest Alethodist and for years has been a substantial and an active supporter of the First church of Erie. Mr. Crouch's wife was known before her marriage as Miss Carrie L. Dickinson. She is a native of Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of Dr. S. and Harriet (Maxwell) Dickinson. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Crouch are as fol lows : Martha, Charles R. ; Ruth E., who is now Mrs. E. H. Suerkin, of Erie ; and Edith A., who married R. C. Arbuckle, also of that city. Charles Henry Taft, a native son, conducts one of the most extensive tailoring establishments in Erie. From a small beginning through his patience and perseverance and the manifestation of a high grade of business sagacity he has founded an enterprise which from year to year gradually enhanced in value until at present he is numbered among the leading tailors of the Bay city. Not only in business lines is he well known and highly respected but also socially inasmuch as he occupies a high place as a citizen who largely devotes himself to the uppermost interests of the city and as well to the cultivation of a wide circle of intimate friends. Air. Taft, as above stated, is a native son and represents one of the oldest families of this emporium. His grandparents were Thruman and Sarah E. (Ross) Taft, originally from Vermont and Connecticut, respectively. They were both of distinguished New England families, the former being of Scotch-Irish while the latter was of Scotch descent. It is worthy of remark here that the. Taft family, which is now under consideration, is identical with that from which descended the present president of the United States, William H. Taft. At an early date Thru- man J. Taft located in this city and was the promoter and proprietor of one of the pioneer lime kilns established here. In the conduct of his business he supplied lime for the building of the first "Reed House" and for a number of other well known edifices. Later in life he removed to the state of Iowa where he entered into rest, while his widow, who survived him for a number of years, passed into the beyond in this city. Joseph R. Taft, the father of Charles Henry, was born on the corner of Sixth and Walnut streets in Erie in 1844. He courted the distinction of being the first baggagemaster to go out from Erie on the first passen ger train which was put into operation on the Pittsburg & Erie Railroad running between this city and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Later he be came a conductor on the same road, continuing to perform the duties of that station for many years. Later in his life he and his family HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 131 repaired to Iowa where they purchased a farm and for about ten years they engaged in agricultural pursuits. However, husbandry not being that occupation for which he was best fitted, he gave it up and, return ing to Erie, again he engaged in railroading, in which he continued until he passed out of this life on October 10, 1905, when he was in his sixty- first year. His wife was Sarah E. Lindsley, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who still survives. In their family were the following children: Charles H. ; Arthur N., of this city; May, who was united in marriage with Charles M. Pierce, and resides in New York City; Mrs. Jennie Standbauch, a resident of Buffalo, New York; Ross L., a resi dent of Erie; Sarah E., the wife of Irvin Foster, residents of Roches ter, New York; and Raymond R., also of this city. East Eleventh street between Holland and German streets in the sixth ward, was the birthplace of Charles H. Taft and there he entered into this life January 29, 1867. His education was acquired in the city schools and upon completing his studies he engaged in employment in various capacities in different business houses here for a considerable length of time when eventually he launched out in the merchant tailor ing business at No. 1504 Peach street, making this independent venture about the year 1891. Meeting with success in his enterprise the volume of his trade soon required that he seek larger quarters in a more favora ble district and he removed to No. 6 West Eleventh street, where he remained for a time and in 1908 assumed charge at his present location on Peach street in the Kimberly Hotel block. Here he conducts a high class tailoring establishment and is one of the most popular men in this line of trade in the city, his popularity being so great that he courts the reputation of being the leading tailor in the Bay city. His trade is exclusively of the very best, his motto being, "there is nothing too good to go into clothes" and as a consequence his extensive and prosperous business is an evident demonstration that he daily lives in obedience to the rule which he has set for the government of his business. He turns out the highest class workmanship, being very careful at all times to give value received and his output brings him, in every instance, the highest approval and as a consequence, as the years have passed by, he has increased his patronage to such an extent that he is now one of the most reliable and highly respected business men of the city. Mr. Taft wedded Miss Dora Woodworth, a native of Girard, Penn sylvania, and a daughter of Parker Woodworth, the couple having one son, Harold, who is now in his fourteenth year. Fraternally Air. Taft is well known, being a member of the Alasonic fraternity and he also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, while socially he finds pleasure as a member of the Country Club. Religiously both he and his wife uphold the Presbyterian faith and are stanch supporters of a local church of that denomination. _ In this he has deviated some what from the faith marked out by his ancestors inasmuch as his grand parents were pioneers of the First Baptist church of this city. Mr. Taft is a man of excellent qualities of character whose straightforward deal ing has commended him to the highest respect of every one throughout the community and he is justly entitled to honorable mention as one of Erie's foremost business men. Frank J. Detzel. One of the successful and enterprising citizens of Erie, Frank J. Detzel is a fine representative of the German element that has added so materially to the thrift and prosperity of the city. 132 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Public-spirited and liberal, he willingly devotes much of his time and money to advancing the interests of city and county, and is now, in the spring of 1909, representing his district in the Pennsylvania Legislature. A son of the late Matthias and Apoline Detzel, he was born, January 24, 1859, in Erie county, on the home farm in Mill Creek township. Matthias Detzel was born, July 25, 1834, in Bavaria, which was likewise the birthplace of his wife. Emigrating to the United States in 1857, he came direct to Erie county, locating as a farmer in Mill Creek township. Retiring from agricultural pursuits, he located in Erie, and in 1865 opened a grocery on State street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets. Successful as a mercha'nt, he gradually enlarged his operations, and in 1876, built, on Parade street, the first grocery in the east part of the city, and continued as a retail grocer until becoming interested in the restaurant business. Previous to that time, however, he engaged in con tracting, in 1873 and 1874 receiving the contract for paving Sixth street from French to Parade street, and that part of Parade street lying between Sixth and Eighteenth streets. He also laid, in 1869, the Parade street sewer. In 1867 he was chosen supervisor of streets, and had the distinction of being appointed the first city superintendent of streets. A valued member of the Democratic party, he served one term as alder man. Religiously he belonged to the Roman Catholic church. Brought up in Erie, Frank J. Detzel was educated in the parochial and public schools, and as a boy was well trained to habits of industry and thrift. Succeeding his father in the grocery business in 1881, he has been exceedingly prosperous, enlarging and increasing his operations from year to year. Outgrowing the building which he at first occupied, he erected, in 1902, at the corner of Parade and Thirteenth streets, one of the finest brick business houses in the city, and is here carrying on a substantial retail grocery business, the equal of any house in the place, not even excepting those on State street. For many years Mr. Detzel has been very active and prominent in public affairs, and is to-day one of the leaders of the Democratic party, both in Erie city and Erie county. For one term he was school director ; he has been a delegate to the Democratic conventions held in Harrison; has served on the city and county committees; in 1906 was elected to the State Legislature; and in 1908 attended the Democratic National Convention which met in Denver. He is a member of the board of trus tees of the Public Library. Mr. Detzel married, June 30, 1881, Ida R., daughter of Jacob and Caroline Heidt, natives of Bavaria, Germany. Seven children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Detzel, namely: Bertie L., Edward M., Olivia, Florence, Louise, Marie and Ida. Religiously Mr. Detzel and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church. John Bryce, V. S., proprietor of a large livery establishment at the corner of Fifth and French streets, Erie, Pennsylvania, is a native of Canada, born at Mount Pleasant, Brant county, Ontario. His parents, George and Alargaret C. Bryce, emigrated to Canada, in 1843, from their native town of Doune, Scotland, and became well-known and highly respected pioneers, while their sons attained prominence in their various walks of life. The eldest son, Rev. George Bryce, LL. D., was a pioneer in the then newly created province of Manitoba. In 1871, he was com missioned by the Presbyterian church of Canada to establish a college near Fort Garry, on the Red River of the North, as a center of learning HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 133 for the Presbyterian youth of the colony, and in time he saw his work grow into the Manitoba College, which to-day is the most prominent of the several colleges comprising the University of Manitoba. Also, for years, he was in the employ of the government in the work of organizing the public school system of that province. Robert H. Bryce, third son of George Bryce, is a prominent and influential merchant of Manitoba. The fourth son, Peter H. Bryce, M. A., M. D., a graduate of Toronto University and other colleges, held several positions of honor in Canada, among which was that of chief executive health officer of Toronto, under the provincial government, which position he filled for a long term of years. Alexander Bryce, of Toronto, the youngest son in this family, also made a name for himself in his calling, he having been one of the first to enter into the supplying of dairy products to the city of Toronto, in a thoroughly scientific manner, in which business he was very success ful. The only surviving daughter of the family is the wife of Dr. Mar quis, of Brantford, Ontario. John Bryce was the second son. After completing his studies in the academy of his native village, he went to work in his father's shops, where he laid the foundation of that accurate knowledge of horses, which was extended by a full course of study at the famous Ontario Veterin ary College of Toronto, founded by the Edinburg professor, Dr. Andrew Smith. After practicing his profession for a year or two in the city of Brantford, near his native place, he came to Erie. That was in 1872. Here he entered upon the practice of his profession, meeting with suc cess from the first, and for years has maintained an acknowledged posi tion at the head of veterinary ranks in Erie county. In connection with his practice, he has for years conducted a livery business. He started with a livery barn on French street, between Fourth and Fifth, and in 1887 purchased the site of his present establishment at Fifth and French streets, upon which he erected a commodious brick structure. In 1892 he bought of Elliott Bros, their stock and business at 130 West Twelfth street, and established the People's Hack and Livery Co. He made still another addition to his business, in 1894, when he purchased the livery stock at the old Knoll stables, at 20 West 18th street. The two latter stables, however, he afterward disposed of. For a number of years Dr. Bryce was a member of the Executive Committee of the Erie County Agricultural Society, and as such was a potent factor in advancing the work of that society. Also the Doctor has been influen tial in Erie and Erie county in developing a taste for high class carriage horses, having brought here and sold many fine animals. Dr. Bryce married in June, 1877, Aliss Belle Forbes, elder daughter of the late Robert and Agnes (Gourley) Liddell, and granddaughter of James Liddell. The Gourley and the Liddell families came to Erie county about 1830. They became pioneers in the iron business at Erie, and the originators of what is now the Erie City Iron Works, the largest and most important industrial plant in Erie today. Dr. and Mrs. Bryce are the parents of three children: George Liddell, Roland Forbes and Marion. Dr. Bryce is a member of all the Erie Masonic bodies and also of the board of trade and the chamber of commerce. He is secretary of the Veterinary Medical Association of Erie county, a branch of the state organization. His city home is at 821 Chestnut street but _ in the summer he finds pleasure, if not profit in looking after his farm situated 134 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY in a picturesque location on the Kuhl road, in Greene township at the Harbor creek line. William B. Flickinger. A well known national figure in the field of insurance, William B. Flickinger, of Erie, is one of the strongest and most popular men in his line in the east, being an active member of the firm of Downing and Flickinger and manager of the department of accounts in the general agency of the Insurance Company of North America, at Erie, of which Mr. Downing is head. With all his suc cesses in his chosen business, Mr. Flickinger has attained wide and ben eficial influence in the public affairs of his city, county and state; has been a leader in numerous movements of a humane and charitable nature; is a Mason of high rank and a man of broad sympathies and liberal mind. Mr. Flickinger has given the best of his energies, his exec utive abilities and his strength of thought and feelings to the develop ment and higher progress of Erie. He is a native of the city, born on the 20th of April, 1859, son of the late George and Anna (Major) Flick inger, both natives of Hert, Rheinpfalz, Germany. The family located at Erie in 1852, and the father was there engaged in the manufacture of brick for many years. He died on the 16th of April, 1887, his wife having preceded him August 25, 1885. Mr. Flickinger, of this sketch, began his insurance career on the 1st of April, 1882, when he accepted a position with the local firm of W. B. Warner and Company, and on January 1, 1884, entered the employ of the agency conducted as Downing and Crowell. The junior member withdrawing in the following year, a new firm was organized under the style of Downing and Flickinger, and from that time to the present the latter has been one of the most progressive insurance men in Pennsylva nia. On December 1, 1906, he accepted service with the governing com mittee of the "Union" at Chicago, as manager of the department of pub licity. He resigned that position July 1, 1907, to return to Erie and be come manager of the department of accounts in the office of J. F. Down ing, general agent of the western departments of the Insurance Company of North America and Philadelphia Underwriters. Besides an active leader in the local insurance field, Air. Flickinger has served as president of the State Association of Local Fire Insurance Agents for three terms and an active member of the executive, legislative and grievance com mittees of the National Association, having been honored with the chairmanship of the last named committee for two years. Mr. Flickinger has served with ability and honor in the city, county and state governments, having represented the Fifth ward of Erie in the common branch of the council, been auditor of the county and spent the legislative sessions of 1889 and 1891 as a member of the Pennsylvania house of representatives. His record as a fraternalist shows that he is a past master of Perry Lodge, No. 392 (A. F. & A. M.), past thrice illustrious master of Jerusalem Council, No. 33, and past grand master of the Grand Council, Royal and Select Master Masons of Pennsylvania; also past exalted ruler of Erie lodge of Elks and past district deputy of the order. He is identified with the Erie Cham ber of Commerce and Board of Trade, and with the Erie, Country and Shrine clubs, and since the organization of the Northwestern Penn sylvania Humane Society has been perhaps its most vital and persis tent working force. Shortly after it was founded he became its sec retary and so continued until 1906, since that year having served as its president. In his religious belief he is a liberal Unitarian. Mr. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 135 Flickinger's wife was Miss Katherine M. Kraft, daughter of J. P. Kraft, of Erie, and six children have been born of his marriage — Florence L., Walter E., Harrison W., Dale W., Carlton P. and Lucile G. Flick inger. Rev. Bernard Kloecker. As pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church of Erie, Rev. Bernard Kloecker is the spiritual adviser of a large congregation, who have implicit confidence in his knowledge, honesty and integrity, and often seek his wisdom in counsel, and hesi tate not to follow his advice. A native of Germany, he was born Feb ruary 17, 1852, in Weseke, Westphalia, where he obtained his first knowledge of books. In 1873 he was graduated from the Gymnasium in Munster, Westphalia, after which he entered the American College of St. Mauritz, at Munster, and subsequently, in the same city, took a course in philosophy and theology at the Royal Prussian Academy, pre paring himself for the ministry. On May 26, 1877, Father Kloecker was ordained a priest at Osna- bruck, Hanover. A few months later, he came to the United States, arriving in New York City November 2, 1877. His first appointment was that of assistant to Rev. M. A. De La Roque, of Warren, Penn sylvania. The following year he was made rector of the Catholic church at Kane, Pennsylvania, where he also had charge of the Catholics in neighboring places in McKean, Elk and Forest counties. While in Kane, he labored assiduously, in 1879 establishing a parochial school, in 1880 building a parsonage, and in various other ways advancing the material and spiritual welfare of his parish. On August 4, 1887, Father Kloecker oame to Erie to assist Rev. J. A. Oberhofer, Rector of St. Joseph's Church, whose health was then in a precarious condition. The Reverend Father died January 16, 1889, and two days later Rev. Father Kloecker was appointed his suc cessor. During the score of years that have since elapsed, his labors have been successful and fruitful of good, and in witnessing the hap piness and prosperity of his people he is each day reaping his reward as a just and conscientious keeper of his little flock. Rev. Seweryn Erazm Lutomsko-Niedbaski. Among those who are rendering devoted service in the priesthood of the Catholic church in Erie county is Father Niedbaski, whose important charge is that of Holy Trinity parish. With all zeal and consecration has he labored for the temporal and spiritual welfare of his flock, and his popularity in the community is not one of merely ecclesiastical order but is based upon his generous attributes of character, so that he has the high esteem of all who know him. Father Seweryn Erazm Lutomsko-Niedbaski is a native of Prus sian Poland, where he was born in December, 1868, a scion of one of the old and honored families of his native land. He was afforded the advantages of the historic University of Breslau and in 1893 he_ came to the United States, where he completed his ecclesiastical education in the Polish Seminary in the city of Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained to the priesthood of the noble old mother church, at Victoria, Texas, in 1898, and his was the distinction of having been pastor of the Polish parish at Panna Maria, Karnes county, that state, the oldest Polish parish in the United States. This important incumbency he retained for a period of five years, at the expiration of which he came to Erie, where, on the 14th of October, 1904, he assumed the pastoral 136 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY charge of Holy Trinity parish. His labors here have been prolific in the upbuilding of the parish, and his influence has permeated all depart ments of the church work, where he has exercised the beneficent functions of his calling with all of consecration and devotion. He shows a loyal interest in all that makes for the well being of the community, and his earnest labors have gained for him the affectionate regard of those to whom he ministers. William Braham Washabaugh, M. D. The medical fraternity of Erie has enrolled among its coterie of physicians and surgeons many able and efficient practitioners whose attainments and skill in the vari ous departments of that profession give the brotherhood as high a rank here • as in any city in the country. The demands made upon the medical practitioners in this day are strenuous, considering that this is an age for advancement, particularly along all lines of materia medica and surgery and that one is required to apply himself diligently and study in order to keep abreast of the times in the ever accumulating knowledge of the art and the ever recurring discoveries pertaining there to. Worthy of mention among the younger men, who are devoting their lives to this most of all humanitarian vocations and who possess the qualifications necessary to a successful career, is Dr. William Bra- ham Washabaugh. During the comparatively brief period he has been active in the profession his application to his duties and the interest he has manifested in rendering medical services, have won him respect and established his reputation for integrity and efficiency. The doctor inherits his professional instincts and qualifications, his father being a prominent physician. He is a son of Dr. D. J. and Sarah J. (Braham) Washabaugh. The father, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, graduated from the Miami Aledical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Grove City, this state. The Keystone state is also the birthplace of his son, Dr. William B. Washabaugh, his nativity occurring at Anandale, Butler county, Novem ber 18, 1878. The Grove City high school afforded Dr. Washabaugh his elemen tary education privileges and after he had successfully mastered the branches of study taught there, at the age of seventeen years he was matriculated in Grove City College, where he pursued a classical course and was graduated in 1900. Being then prepared to enter upon the studies immediately pertaining to his chosen profession, in that year he became a student at Jefferson Aledical College, at Philadelphia, Penn sylvania. By taking special work the doctor was able to complete the course of study in less time than usually required and he was graduated with his degree in medicine in June, 1903. The same year he passed the state board examination at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and, at once returning to this city, was appointed assistant surgeon of' the Pennsyl vania Soldiers & Sailors Home. Faithfully performing the duties that devolved upon him in this position until July 1, 1905, he resigned, and the following October opened an office at "No. 920 East Twenty-first street. There he pursued exclusively a general private practice until Dr. Chapin, chief surgeon of the Pennsylvania Soldiers & Sailors Home, resigned October 1, 1906, when lie assumed the work in his stead, and accepted the appointment as surgeon of the Home in December of the same year, serving until Alarch 1, 1909, when he resigned How ever, Dr. Washabaugh, still carries on a general practice. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 137 The doctor's home life is happy in his marriage to Miss Elizabeth C. Mahon, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George C. Mahon. The couple have three children: William, Elizabeth, and David. Dr. Washabaugh's political views find expression in the princi ples of the Republican party, while religiously he is an adherent of the Wayne Street Methodist church. Profoundly interested in his pro fession he seeks affiliation with related movements and organizations, among which is the Erie County Medical Society, of which he is treas urer. The doctor has shown himself to be a sincere and earnest worker in his strivings to benefit humanity within the scope of medical knowledge and surgical skill and is justly entitled to the reputation he sustains as a practitioner. George Truscott Bliss. Our restless, vigorous, forceful nation is the native home of men of brawn and brain whose influence has impressed itself along the winding channels of thought, progress and accomplishment. Conspicuous among this number is George Truscott Bliss, a prominent citizen and manufacturer of Erie, now serving as secretary of the Erie City Iron Works. He is essentially and broadly American, and his lineage is one that is traced back to early colonial times, the founder of the Bliss family having settled in New England about 1630. Among his Bliss ancestors, and likewise among the Ellicott family, from which he is descended, were heroes of the Revolution and men of prominence in the management of public affairs ; thus it may be seen that he comes of an ancestry in which the qualities of patriotism and loyalty to coun try were predominating characteristics, attributes which are his birth right, and have doubtless influenced him in his personal career. A son of the late John H. and Ellen (Christie) Bliss, he was born, May 21, 1864, in the city of Erie, of English stock. John Bliss, grandfather of George T., was a son of Joseph Bliss, who served as captain of a company of artillery in the regular Contin ental Army of the United Colonies during their struggle for independ ence. He, himself, entered the regular army of the United States in the War of 1812, being first commissioned lieutenant, and afterwards being promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was a brave soldier, ever in the thickest of the fight, and at the Battle of Lundy's Lane was severely wounded. He died, December 22, 1854, in St. Augustine, Florida. John Bliss married Letitia Ellicott, whose emigrant ancestor emigrated from England to the United States about 1730, settling in Maryland. Her father, Major Andrew Ellicott, great-grandfather of George T. Bliss, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1754. Patriotic and public-spirited, he devoted the greater part of _ his life to the service of his country, and, although a member of the Society of Friends, commanded a battalion of Alaryland militia in the Revolu tionary war. In 1784 he was employed by the state of Virginia in fixing the boundary line between that state and Pennsylvania. Two years later he was commissioned by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsyl vania to run the northern boundary of this state. In 1788 he was directed to make a survey of the islands in the Allegheny and Ohio rivers within the state of Pennsylvania, a work that took him a year. He was then commissioned by the United States government to locate the western boundary of the state of New York, and ascertain the validity of that state to the territory which is now the northern portion of Erie county, and after much labor and many hardships succeeded 138 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY in locating the present boundary line. The next important service ren dered to the country by Major Ellicott was that of surveying the District of Columbia and the City of Washington, 'a work that he began in 1790. In 1796, the government was again in need of one in whom it could place implicit confidence, and General Washington, seemingly ever con scious of the Major's sterling qualities, appointed him commissioner to fix the boundary between the United States and the Spanish-American possessions. Several years later during the very first months of Jef ferson's administration, that president tendered to Major Ellicott the surveyor generalship of the United States, a position that he accepted subject to conditions of his own dictation. On September 1, 1813, the major was appointed professor of mathematics in the West Point Mili tary Academy. Moving there with his family, he subsequently resided in that place until his death, August 20, 1820. He left a widow and nine children, one of them being Letitia, wife of John Bliss. John H. Bliss was born in Fort Howard, Wisconsin, October 4, 1823, and was the first white male child born in the Northwest Terri tory, and was the only child of the parental household to reach years of maturity. He fitted himself for the profession of a civil engineer in the Cincinnati College, and for two years thereafter was employed in the survey of the Erie extension of the Pennsylvania Canal. He subsequently studied law at Little Falls, New York, and in Buffalo, attended lectures at Harvard College, and on January 15, at Troy, New York, was ad mitted to the bar. Afterwards returning to Buffalo, he gave up the practice of his profession, and remained a resident of that city for a time. Locating in Erie in 1855, he soon formed a partnership with Mr. George Selden, and established a felloe factory, which they operated for three years, when they also began the manufacture of oil barrels, then in great demand, continuing until 1864. In that year, in company with Mr. W. J. F. Liddell, under the firm name of Liddell, Seldon & Bliss, another change of importance was made. This firm purchased the Erie City Iron Works, of which Mr. John H. Bliss was the president for a number of years. A detailed account of his connection with this important industry may be found elsewhere in this volume, in the history given of these Iron Works. John H. Bliss was twice married. He married first, in 1848, Mary Lovering. He married second, October 1, 1850, Ellen, daughter 'of Dr. Peter Christie, surgeon in the United States Navy. She died in 1893, in Philadelphia. After his active retirement from business, Mr. Bliss, removed, in 1901, to the Hawaiian Islands, and resided in Honolulu until his death, October 16, 1907. Of his union with his second wife, four children were born, namely: Anna, who married Rev S. D Mc- Connell, of the Episcopal church of Philadelphia ; Horace John died at the age of eighteen years; Louise B., widow of the late Wallace Dewitt, of Harrisburg; and George T., of this biographical sketch. Obtaining the rudiments of his education in the private schools of Erie, George T. Bliss went with his parents to Charlotte, North Caro lina, just as he was entering his teens, and there for a year and a half attended the Carolina Alilitary Institute. Returning to Erie he con tinued his studies in the Erie Academy, afterwards attending 'a private school three years. In 1879 he entered De Vaux College, and at the end of a year went to Gambier, Ohio, where he was for two years a student in Harcourt Academy, a boys' boarding school. Going then to Troy, New York, he completed his studies at the Polytechnic Institute of that HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 139 city. In 1883, desirous of learning the trade of a machinist, Mr. Bliss entered the machine shop of the Erie City Iron Works. Although he had the exceptional advantage of being an employe in the establishment of which his father was at the head, he performed with alacrity and fidelity all of the duties of his place, working for four consecutive years ten hours a day, and in almost every position in the shop, becoming familiar with the work in each department, and at all times studying closely steam -engine construction. His value and worth being recog nized by the firm, Mr. Bliss was made assistant superintendent of the plant in 1893, and upon its incorporation as the Erie City Iron Works, in 1894, he was elected secretary, a position which he has since most ably and satisfactorily filled. A lover of aquatic sports, Mr. Bliss is specially interested in boating, being a skilful yachtsman, and during his vacations finds his greatest enjoyment and recreation in cruising on the lakes. He was the moving spirit in the organizing of the Erie Yacht Club, in 1894, and was made its first commodore. On January 16, 1894, Mr. Bliss married Grace, daughter of I. A. Forman, of Erie. Two children have been born to them : Meriam and John H. Mr. Bliss is a man of broad and practical sympathies, ever active in advancing the welfare of his native city, and is held in high esteem throughout the community. Both he and his wife are members of St. Paul's Episcopal church. Dr. John J. Bell is a physician and surgeon of the Bay city. His education fitting him for the profession, is as wide as could be desired and in every particular he is eminently qualified to sustain the splendid reputation, which is already his, and to further extend his use fulness in the alleviation of human suffering and attain to still greater eminence as a' benefactor of mankind. His birth occurred in Harbor Creek township, Erie county, on August 19, 1868, and he descends from an ancestry, the members of which took part in many of the wars in which this country has been involved, his family being numbered among the pioneers of the Keystone state, who settled there prior to the war for American independence. His great-grandfather, Captain Arthur Bell, was born in Paxton, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1752, and was a distinguished soldier in the Revolutionary war, wherein he was raised to the military rank prefacing his name. With his family he removed to western New York in 1802, locating upon the land upon which the town of Westfield now stands. His wife was Elenor Mont gomery and death terminated his activities on August 6, 1834. Wil liam Bell Sr., the grandfather of Dr. Bell, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Northumberland county, March 14, 1791, and he, too, removed with the family to Westfield, New York, in 1802, in which locality he followed general farming pursuits in connection with running a grist mill and also a general merchandise establishment. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, having during that conflict, for his bravery and courage, been raised to the rank of colonel. His death occurred August 23 1872 while his wife, who was Nancy Shipboy, entered into rest January 13, 1842. Among his children was Alexander M. Bell, who wedded Rachel Wallace, these being the parents of Dr. John J. Bell Mrs Bell was a native of Scotland, born in 1845, who, when a girl of fifteen years of age, came to America to join her brothers, Mathew and Benjamin Wallace, at Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York. 140 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY It was in that county that the elder Mr. Bell was born in 1835 and early in life he became apprenticed to a millwright, with whom he learned his trade and for a number of years plied his craft as a journeyman. Although he was a very successful mechanic he gradually withdrew his liking for the occupation and for the past forty years has been engaged in farming in Harbor Creek township, where he now resides on a farm containing one hundred and ninety acres, upon which he carries on a lucrative vineyard business. To Alexander Bell and- his wife were born the following children : Clayton A., an agriculturist of Harbor Creek township, who is united in marriage with Ruby Hinton, a grand daughter of Captain Hinton, a pioneer of Erie county; William A., who resides in Erie but who operates the old Bell farm in Harbor Creek township, his wife being Belle Stirks, daughter of Mrs. Catherine Stirks ; Dr. John J. Bell; and George B., who resides on the Pennsylvania state line and is engaged in railroading. On his father's farm Dr. Bell was reared, nothing unusual having occurred during his boyhood days to break the general run of experi ences common to the country lad, his time during the summer months hav ing been taken up by general agricultural duties while during the winter periods he availed himself of the educational advantages of the district schools: Later, however, he pursued a course of study at Erie Academy, and then became a student in the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Edinboro, this county, from which he was graduated in 1893. While yet a junior in this school he taught for one year in the Harbor Creek schools. Following his course of training in this institution, he taught for two years in the schools of Wattsburg, this county, and for one year at Waterford, this county. All the while Mr. Bell had a definite object in view and that was to pursue a professional career and, upon relinquishing his duties as a preceptor, in 1897 he entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons, at Baltimore, Maryland, from which institu tion he was graduated in the spring of 1901. Following his graduation he at once entered upon the practice of medicine at Wattsburg, later returning to Baltimore, Alaryland, where he spent one year, part of which he devoted to study at Johns Hopkins University and the re mainder of the year he was chief resident surgeon of the Baltimore City Hospital. The latter experience considerably augmented his knowl edge, both along the lines of materia medica and particularly that ap pertaining to the several departments of surgery, and when in 1905, he located in this city as a resident physician, he was in every particular highly qualified to successfully pursue his profession. Since taking up his residence here he has become widely known, both as a scholar and in the application of his knowledge and experience and has won that measure of success which has gained him an excellent patronage. In addition to carrying on his private practice, his professional services also reach other fields for he is a physician and surgeon of the Lake Shore Rail road, and the Erie Edinboro & Cambridge Springs Interurban Railroad. His services are also elicited as a member of the staff of surgeons of St. Vincents Hospital and he is moreover the physician for the poor directors at East Erie. F ai D^ c!-1 haS b^n t,vke United in marriage. His first wife was Mary G Stinson a daughter of Joseph Stinson, a prominent citizen of Harborcreek and she entered into rest in September, 1904, leaving her husband and two daughters, namely : Elenor and Alay S the latter having passed away in February, 1907. The doctor's second marriage HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 141 was with Miss Alice V. Austin, of Wattsburg, this county, a daughter of Alford H. Austin, and the couple have since been residing in an elegant residence equipped with every convenience with which to make domestic life happy. That the doctor keeps abreast of the times in all depart ments of knowledge and science pertaining to his profession is evident from the fact that he holds membership in the Erie County Medical Society, the Northwestern Aledical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and also the American Medical Association. His fra ternal relations are with the Masons, in which order he belongs to the blue lodge and also to the chapter. The Odd Fellows, too, claim his membership and he belongs to the subordinate lodge and also to the encampment and Maccabees. Henry Neubauer. Retired from the wearing activities of life these twenty years, Henry Neubauer, of Erie, one of its most venerable citizens cannot but enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that he is recog nized by several generations of its men and women as one of the founders of its business interests and a strong promoter of its standing as a city. The reputation of a city is gauged by a variety of standards and certainly one of these tests is the ability which it possesses as a contributor to the comforts of the public and an entertainer of strangers and guests. In fact, the typical commercial traveler would go to the length of asserting that a city is "known by the hotels it keeps." Now, both Henry Neubauer and his son, Frank (who is now the active mem ber of the old firm of Neubauer and Son) have very largely contributed to Erie's standing both as a commercial city and a municipal host and, undoubtedly, are public benefactors. The elder man is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born on the 22nd of April, 1825, son of John and Catherine (Weaver) Neu bauer, also a native of that duchy. The family emigrated to the United States in the early part of the fifties, but after spending a few months in the city of Erie its home was transferred to Greene township, where in the father engaged in farming until his death November 11, 1892. His wife had passed away on the preceding 17th of June. The son Henry had been reared to manhood in the fatherland as a farmer and a shoemaker, and upon locating in Erie opened a shoe shop on the public docks, where he both manufactured boots and shoes and conducted a retail trade, employing quite a number of workmen. In 1857 he located near the corner of French and Sixth streets, where he continued in the shoe business for a number of years, then establishing a grocery at the same stand.. This he so successfully conducted for eighteen years thai in 1870 he erected the elegant Arcade block, on State near Eighth street, adjoining the Savings and Trust Bank, where he continued the grocery business until 1878. In that year he remodeled the block, adding largely to its conveniences and attractiveness, making it one of the finest business structures in the city and opening, as its main feature, the Arcade Hotel. In 1883 his son Frank, who had been his main assistant in his later business successes, became his formal partner under the firm name of Neubauer. and Son, and in 1889, upon the re tirement of the senior from active work, assumed the immediate man agement of all the Neubauer interests. On April 22, 1851, Henry Neubauer wedded Elizabeth K., daughter of Michael Lederer, of Erie, and of the eight children born to their marriage four are living. 142 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Frank Neubauer, previously mentioned, is a native of Erie, born on the 26th of August, 1857. He obtained his education in its city schools, and in his early youth became a clerk in his father's business, assisting ably in the development of his various enterprises until he became a partner of the firm Neubauer and Company, formed in 1883. As stated, he became sole proprietor of the large business upon the retirement of the senior partner in 1889. From year to year its scope has been ex tended and its facilities improved until the "Arcade" is now the lead ing house of its line in Erie, and in every respect compares favorably with establishments of the same kind found in the larger cities. And, while developing this business to its present modern standing, Mr. Neubauer has also established a high reputation as a citizen of breadth, enterprise and popularity. He is an active member of the Erie Cham ber of Commerce and Board of Trade; is identified, fraternally, with the Elks and the Masons, having reached the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite in the latter fraternity, and being a member of Keystone Lodge No. 455. Mr. Neubauer's wife, to whom he was married June 1, 1880, was Alary Moran, daughter of John Moran, of Erie. A. P. Durlin. The annals of Erie would be radically incomplete without mention of A. P. Durlin, deceased, whose life has been closely interwoven with the early history of the city upon which his individu ality has been indelibly stamped. A newspaper man of exceptional ability, he exerted a wide influence as a publisher and for many years engaged in the job printing business, being a printer of the old school whose generation is now an item of recollection. Not only in the art of printing and as a newspaper man and publisher did he attain a high place in the life of the city but also for the part he took in municipal affairs. He was the first water commissioner of Erie, was chief of the fire department in the days of hand-pumps and also served as a member of the city council, in which honorable capacity he displayed uncommon administrative ability and was instrumental in devising means and promoting measures to which the present prosperous munic ipality is largely indebted. Born in Fredonia, Chautauqua county, New York, August 30, 1819, Mr. Durlin was a son of David and Ann Durlin. In boyhood •he left his native state and came to Erie where he learned the print ing trade. Having served his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman for a time when he returned to New York and secured employment in newspaper offices. In 1840, coming back to this city, he accepted a position as printer, on Oliver Spafford's Spelling Book, his next engage ment being with the newspaper, Observer. Thus far his career had been one of exceptional merit and steady progress so that in May, 1843, three years after his return to Erie, in association with B. F. Sloan, he purchased and published the Observer, of which he continued pro prietor until January 20, 1856. In the spring of that year he took up his abode in Lyons, Iowa, where he published the Lyons Advocate, continuing it successfully until 1861, when he gave it up and went to Fredonia, New York. While in Lyons his popularity became wide spread and he officiated for a term as postmaster. Upon arriving in the Empire state Air. Durlin, in association with his brother-in-law, W. AIcKinstry, engaged in the manufacture of paper at Laona, two miles from Fredonia. His connection with this enterprise terminated after four years and, going westward, he again located in Lyons, Iowa, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 143 where he revived the Advocate which he published until 1873. In that year he sold the paper and came to this city. Here in 1876 he established a job printing business and continued it until his death. Mr. Durlin was familiar with the newspaper business in every detail and in the conduct of his job office became popular for his ex cellent workmanship, while as a business man of keen discernment, employing in the conduct of his affairs only such methods as were in accord with a high standard of commercial ethics, he contributed much to the industrial worth of the city and was a leading factor in the promotion of measures to enhance the city's interests and make it attractive as a trade center. Highly public-spirited he was enthusi astic, especially during his early life, in his participation in municipal affairs. He was a member of the city council at the period of the memorable "railroad war" in 1853 and played a leading part in the contest. In the days of the bucket brigade and hand-pumps he was a member of the fire department and served as the first water commissioner of the city. The full round of the city's life benefited by his activities and in the days when the Wayne Grays were the pride of Erie he was a member of that organization. Being a musician of considerable talent he belonged to the Erie band and was a member of that musical circle when every constituent, except himself, met death at the burning of the steamer, Erie, off Barcelona, he escaping the fate of the others by mere accident. Mr. Durlin was to have ac companied his comrades on the excursion and was at the wharf while the excursionists were going abroad. He left the wharf to escort a young lady home, expecting to get back in time to join the party, but upon reaching the wharf the boat had sailed and thus he was saved from the calamity which befell the boat a few hours later. As to his personal characteristics Mr. Durlin possessed all the qualities of a progressive and loyal citizen and, throughout his entire career, enjoyed the profound respect of all who knew him. He was decided in his convictions on all questions including politics and religion and had the courage to maintain and defend the principles for which he stood. Although he was outspoken yet he never engendered dislike for all knew that what he said came from the heart, being the expres sion of what he believed to be right and, consequently, those who disagreed with him were never his enemies. As a man of strict in tegrity, whose conduct was in obedience to a high standard of morals, he was known throughout the city while his honesty was proverbial. No citizen commanded higher esteem or more implicit confidence. His noble traits of character exalted him in favor of his fellowmen and enhanced his power in public matters. He exerted a telling influence in public affairs and, having the reputation of being invariably in the right, his counsel and advice were constantly sought in the consideration of momentous questions. Amid the cares of a busy life he never lost sight of the needs of his higher nature and was faithful in the per formance of his religious duties and molded his actions in harmony with his faith. For many years he was a communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal church but later in life he became a member of St. Albans parish. In his death, which occurred April 30, 1897, Erie lost one of her most progressive citizens, whose noble and useful life bequeathed to her a valuable legacy in deeds which will long preserve his memory. On the 22d of November, 1843, Mr. Durlin was united in marriage in this city to Miss Sarah Burton, the daughter of David *nd Eliza- 144 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY beth Burton, old residents of Erie. Mrs. Durlin entered into rest in 1902 when in her seventieth year. She was the mother of five chil dren, but one of whom survives, namely: Willis B. Willis B. Durlin was born in the Fourth ward, of this city, April 13, 1855, and when a babe of one year was taken by his parents to Lyons, Iowa. There he received his educational privileges in the pub lic schools and then learned the printing trade under the supervision of his father. In 1873 he returned with his parents to this city where he engaged in the coal business with his uncle, A. P. Burton, until 1876, when he joined his father in founding a job printing establish ment. For four years, or until 1880, he remained in that connection and then accepted a position with the Stearns Manufacturing Com pany, with which he continued for thirteen years. In 1893 he became associated with the Union Iron Works and in 1898 assumed his pres ent position with A. Booth & Company, fish dealers, one of the largest and most important commercial enterprises in the city. Mr. Durlin is an aggressive business man and, inheriting the characteristics of his father, is a leading factor in the industrial and municipal life of Erie, being quite influential in the politics of the city, and was appointed a member of the board of water commissioners in 1901, the duties of which important office he has since continued to fill. In every partic ular Mr. Durlin displays that wisdom and control which enable him to transact whatever business is placed within his hands with the ut most precision and in every respect he is a representative type of the business man of the city. He was united in marriage in 1881 to Miss Harriet Gibson, a native of Buffalo, New York, and to this union have been born the following children: Maude M., Willis F. and Gretchen. Air. Durlin is interested in everything which is designed for the advancement of the city and to this end is a member of the Board of Trade. In every undertaking to which he has applied himself he has met with success and his excellent business judgment together with his executive capac ities entitles him to honorable mention as one of Erie's representative citizens. Henry J. Conrath, the well known superintendent of the Henry Shenk Company, building contractors and manufacturers, is a native son of the city of Erie, born in its Second ward on the 5th of February, 1865. His father, the late Herman J. Conrath, came to Erie from Germany in 1836, and he had lived in this city during the remainder of his life, dying in May of 1905, when seventy-two years of age. He had married Catherine Schnurr, who also claims Erie as the place of her nativity, and she is a daughter of one of the city's earliest pioneer residents. Their marriage was the first to be solemnized in the pres ent St. Mary's Catholic church, the ceremony being performed before the interior of the building had been completed, and the wife is still living, being now in her seventy-fifth year. Henry J. Conrath received his educational training in St. Mary's parochial school, and as a boy his first employment was as a clerk in the •'Ninety-nine" cent store owned by the late William Bell and the youth spent three years in. that establishment. After a year spent in the railroad shops he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade under Daniel McDonald, his apprenticeship covering five years ! f HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 145 and following that period he spent one year with the Bouscher Com pany. Then in 1885 he entered the employ of the Henry Shenk Com pany, beginning as a journeyman carpenter, and his first promotion was to the foremanship of the mill, and after five years in that position he in 1901 was made the general superintendent of what is known as the Erie district and has charge of all the outside work of the company in this city and nearby territory. His connection with this company repre sents the long period of twenty-four years, years of efficient and faith ful service. Mr. Conrath married Miss Alagdalena Hart, who was born in Erie, a daughter of George and Catherine (Zimmer) Hart, and their chil dren are : Clarence F. and Joseph G. The family are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. Henry C. Dunn was born on a farm in Alill Creek township on the Edinborough plank road just south of the city limits, April 2, 1834, and was the son of John and Eliza (Reed) Dunn. The father was the son of Simeon Dunn, a pioneer resident of Erie and a native of New Jersey. Simeon Dunn was born at New Brunswick, April 13, 1782, son of Justice Dunn, Sr. The Dunn family removed to Pennsylvania in 1797, and located in Crawford county, where Simeon Dunn was married in 1802 to Martha Lewis. In 1807 he removed to Erie. He was a private in the Erie Light Infantry, the first military organization in Erie county ; this company was for five months stationed in Buffalo during the War of 1812, and he frequently served as express rider to carry messages to Commodore Perry. He was a successful business man, accum ulated considerable property, and built some of the first brick houses in Erie. John Dunn, father of Henry C, was born July 25, 1807, in Erie county, near the Crawford county line, and died August 13, 1891. As a boy, he saw the British fleet when in the lake near Erie. He married Eliza, daughter of George Reed. The Reed family came to Erie at an early date from Oswego, New York. In 1861 Mr. Dunn removed to North Girard, where he spent the remainder of his life. Henry C. Dunn spent his boyhood and received his education in the common schools of Alill Creek township. He then entered the employ of the American Express Company as clerk in the local office, and held this position a number of years, resigning to take the position of ticket agent for the Lake Shore Railroad at Erie. Later Air. Dunn engaged in the manufacture of brick, his first plant being located on Walnut Creek, but later he located the plant near the old light-house east of the city, where he continued to carry on a successful business for a number of years. He established a new plant just east of the city limits, on Twelfth street, where he made brick from shale. As his success enabled him to do so, he became interested in other lines of enterprise, and became one of the leading business men of the community. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and also a member of the Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce. He died April 28, 1908. Mr. Dunn married Anna Henderson, born in Erie September 6, 1835, and who died March 17, 1900. To them was born one daughter, Jessie. Mrs. Dunn was the daughter of Joseph and Jane (Sweeney) Henderson, pioneers of Erie. Joseph Henderson was born near Braddock, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and with his parents came to Erie county about 1800. The family later returned to Allegheny county, where Vol. II—io 146 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Joseph learned the trade of carpenter. Returning to Erie county, he was married there in 1821. For many years he was the leading contractor and builder of Erie, among the buildings erected by him being the court house, shortly after the destruction of the old building in 1823, by fire. He also had charge of the United States public works at the docks in Erie, Cleveland, and other lake ports. In 1842 and again in 1859 he was elected county commissioner. An up-to-date and enterprising business man, he contributed largely to the growth and development of the town. Jacob Hammer is the present president of the common council of Erie, a well known citizen and a business man engaged in the merchant tailoring trade at 532 West Fourth street. He was born in the village of Neupfotz, Rhine province of Germany, on the 16th of November, 1864, a son of John George and Alary Eva (Heidt) Hammer. The father, both a farmer and a basket seller, died in the year of 1876, and his wife in 1869, both in their native land of Germany. After a good educational training in the fatherland Jacob Hammer learned the tailoring trade and followed that line of work' for two years before coming to the United States in 1881. On arriving in this country he came direct to Erie, where three of his uncles were then living, Peter, Franz Philip and John Adam Heidt, and he made his home first with his uncle Peter. Here he completed the learning of his trade and worked for different employers until opening his own tailoring estab lishment at his present location in 1891. In this city in 1906 he was elected to represent the Fourth ward in the common council, and re elected to the office in 1908 he was then made the president of the board. In politics he supports Democratic principles. Air. Hammer married Annie Plampel, who was born in New York City, daughter of Julius Hampel. The Hampel family came to this country from Germany in 1865 and located first in the city of New York, but subsequently moved west to Ashtabula, Ohio, and from there came to Erie, where the father yet resides, but his wife is deceased. One son, Jacob G, has been born to Air. and Airs. Hammer. Air. Flammer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Flomesteaders, of the Business Alen's Exchange, and of the Alaennerchor. Lynn E. Stancliff is the head of the L. E. Stancliff Carriage Works, the largest establishment of its kind in Erie county. He was born in Waterford township of this county Alay 29, 1866, and is a rep resentative of one of the most prominent' of the early pioneers of this community. Thomas Stancliff, his grandfather, came from Erie county, New York, bringing with him his wife, children and house hold effects in an ox wagon, and he was obliged to cut his way through the woods to his new home. In time he became one of the best known men of his neighborhood, which he served as a justice of the peace for many years, and he also did all of the surveying and deeding of land in that section in those early days. Pie lived "an active and useful life, and is yet remembered and revered by many of the older residents of Erie county. While dismounting from his horse he ruptured an artery and bled to death, and was laid to rest in the cemetery which he had laid out at Sharp's Corners. Fie had married Polly Ann Peek who was born in Erie county, New York, and she lived to the age of e'iehtv- seven years. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 147 Ellsworth Stancliff, their son, was born in Erie county, New York, March 24, 1827, and' volunteering with his brother Joseph in the Civil war he served in Burnside's fleet under Commodore Forest. Return ing to Waterford township after the close of the conflict he resumed his farming operations, and was also for eighteen years a member of the school board. He died on the 4th of August, 1897, while his wife died on the 27th of January, 1883. She bore the maiden name of Emeline Sherwood, and .was born in Waterford township, Erie county, Penn sylvania, a daughter of Cyrus Sherwood, of New England ancestry. He was born in Vermont and became one of the early pioneers of Waterford township in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he died in the year of 1880, at the age of .about seventy-eight. He was one of thirteen children born to John Sherwood, and this John Sherwood was the grandfather of an even one hundred grandchildren at the time of his death. He had married a Miss Miller, and her brother served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Cyrus Sherwood married Har riet Attwater, whose paternal ancestors came from near Fredonia, New York. To Ellsworth and Emeline Stancliff were born the following children: Nettie, the widow of Arthur Marsh and a resident of Titus ville, Pennsylvania ; Cyrus, who died at the age of seven years during the Civil war; Thomas, who married Belle Taylor, from Waterford township, and they reside in New Mexico; Lynn E. and Linne E., twins, but the daughter died at the age of eighteen months; Hattie, the wife of Michael Howe, of Dunkirk, New York; and John Sherwood, who married Alary Blair and lives in Girard township. Lynn E. Stancliff remained on the old home farm where he was reared until the year of 1886, receiving meanwhile a public school train ing, and then learning the blacksmith's trade in West Mill Creek under the instructions of J. M. Shenk he in 1890 entered the service of the late W. L. Scott and for nine years was foreman in charge of all black- smithing, wagon work and plumbing, etc., on the Algeria farm, where he made his home. In the fall of 1898 he opened a country blacksmith shop on the corner of Twenty-sixth street and Brown's avenue, the site of his present large manufactory, and in the winter of 1906 he began enlarging his shop by the building of a paint and wood shop, while two years later, in 1908, he erected the present building for the L. E. Stan cliff carriage works. This is a three story structure, forty by one hun-. dred and twenty-five feet in dimensions, and they manufacture on a large scale carriages, wagons and sleighs, also having a blacksmithing and horse shoeing department, and do general repair work on vehicles of all kinds. The works furnish employment to fourteen skilled opera tives, and as above stated this is the largest establishment of its kind in Erie county. Mr. Stancliff married Clara E. Geist, who was born in Mill Creek township, Erie county, to Jacob and. Alary Ann (Evans) Geist. Jacob Geist is the oldest citizen of Mill Creek township, having been born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on November 30, 1817, and he is a son of Andrew Geist, one of the earliest of the pioneers of Mill Creek township, whither he had moved from Lancaster county when his son Jacob was seventeen years of age. When he came to this county he bought one hundred acres of land, paying four dollars an acre, and this same land in 1907 was sold by his grandchildren at one thousand dol lars an acre. Mary Ann, the wife of Jacob Geist, was born in Lan caster county in 1826, a daughter of another of the pioneers of Mill 148 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Creek township, Erie county. She died in the year of 1869. The chil dren of Jacob, and Mary Ann Geist were : Mary Ann, who married Jacob Zaun and died in May of 1904; Thomas, who died in 1891; Matilda, who married Amos Northrup ; Frank, who died in 1905 ; John, who has never married; Alvin, who married Flora Mason and lives in Girard ; Edward, who married Addie Kreider ; Seth, who married Cora Feisler; and Clara E., who became the wife of Mr. Stancliff. Two children, Harry E. and Ervin, both attending school, have been born to Air. and Airs. Stancliff. He has served as a member of the school board of Alill Creek township for six years, being for four years the chairman of the board, and he is a member of the Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Alen's Exchange in Erie. His politics are Republican, and he is a member of both the fraternal order of Odd Fellows and of the Simpson Alethodist Episcopal church. James AIcBrier, one of the honored sons of Pennsylvania, a man of progressive ideas, fine attainments and one who has made the most of his opportunities in life, has risen to a foremost place among the representa tives of the industrial interests of northwestern Pennsylvania. The pres ident of the Ball Engine Works, a former vice president of the Lake Car riers Association, a member of the board of directors of both the Erie Trust Company and the First National Bank and prominent in municipal affairs, such in part are the life and achievements of James AIcBrier. He was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, a son of William and Alary (Ale A J asters) AIcBrier. The father was a native of the north of Ireland, but coming to the United States when a young man he was for many years engaged in the lumber business in Allegheny City and at other points in Pennsylvania. The son James received his educational training and his start in business life in his native city. He became associated in business with his father when a young man, and after the latter's death he successfully carried on large interests. In 1872, while yet in bus iness in Allegheny City, he with several other gentlemen established a wholesale lumber business in Erie, and in 1878 he located permanently in this city. In 1887 he became interested in the Ball Engine Works, being made president of the company in the same year, and he has ever since continued at the head of that large and important industry. He was for many years largely interested in the lake trade, at one time owning three large freight steamers, and is now heavily interested as a stock holder in steamship companies, and as above stated was for a time the vice presi dent of the Lake Carriers Association. In his native Allegheny City he was prominent in municipal affairs and served as president of the com mon council two years, and was a member of the select council for sixteen years, while for twelve years he was president of the body. He is a mem ber of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade in Erie. In 1860 Air. AIcBrier was married to Alary E. White, who traces her ancestry in -America to the Afayflower, the Hon. D. N. White, her father, at one time being proprietor of the Pittsburg Commercial Gazette. The children of Air. and Airs. McBrier are : David N., the vice president of the Ball Engine Works; Harry L. ; Frederick, the secretary of the same body; Alary Louise; and Lucy, the wife of Alexander Jarecki, of Erie. Air. AIcBrier is a member of both the Masonic order and of the Presbyterian church. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 149 Gustave C. Krack is one of the well known citizens and business men of West Erie, and member of the firm of Gustave Krack and Son, the leading sheet metal workers of the city. He was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, October 20, 1868, son of Gustave and Matilda (Bausch) Krack. The family came direct to Erie in 1884. Both Gustave C. and his father learned the tinner's trade in the old country, where for at least six generations the oldest son of the family followed the same occupa tion. Upon coming to Erie, the father worked first at the Car Works, and then with Conrad Flickinger, continuing with the latter until 1900. The son, however, not having thoroughly mastered his trade in Germany, completed it after coming to Erie. He then worked as a journeyman in various large cities of the country, returning to Erie in 1895. In 1900, he and his father formed the firm of Gustave Krack and Son, and engaged in business in a small shop at the rear of their resi dence, No. 1025 West Eighteenth street. The business developed so rap idly that it became necessary to occupy larger quarters, and in 1906 they erected their present plant at Nos. 1018-1020 West Eighteenth street. There they operate the largest factory in their line in the city, and, be sides their specialty of sheet metal, manufacture warm air furnaces ; ventilation, exhaust, blast and blow pipings ; skylights, metal ceilings, cornices, slate, tin and steel roofing and gutters. Gustave C. Krack is vice president of the Erie Builders' Exchange, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Men's Ex change. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Elks and the Erie Maen nerchor. Besides Gustave C, the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Krack were; Matilda, who married George Neth of Erie; William, connected with Gustave Krack and Son ; Amelia ; Albert E., also with Gustave Krack & Son ; and Bertha, a trained nurse in the New York City Hospital. The members of the family residing in Erie, are all identified with St. John's Lutheran church. Henry F. Petrie. The son of an old and substantial pioneer and himself occupying a portion of an old and well known family estate, Henry F. Petrie, of Harbor Creek township, was born at Gospel Hill, September 25, 1870. He is a son of Frederick and Barbara (Weislogel) Petrie, both of whom were German born, the father being a native of Hesse Darmstadt and the mother of Baden. The father emigrated to the United States in 1855 locating at once in Erie county. Six years later he married and lived on different farms in this locality and in 1877 pur chased eighty-five acres which comprises his present homestead of sixty acres. Since 1896 the elder Air. Petrie has lived in comfort and compar ative retirement in Erie, on Alyrtle street. Henry F. Petrie, of this sketch, is the fourth in a family of three boys and five girls, and made his home with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age. On March 25, 1897, he married Aliss Nellie E. Gray, and their child is Florence May Petrie, born July 7, 1900. The wife was a native of Harbor Creek township, born March 7, 1874, daugh ter of John H. and Lucia (Richmond) Gray. As to the parents, the father was born in Harbor Creek township while the mother was a native of Venango township. The grandparents of Airs. Henry Petrie were Thomas and Esther (Hall) Gray, the grandfather being a native of county Latham, Ireland, and the grandmother of the state of Connecti cut. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Petrie lived for eight years on the paternal homestead after which the husband bought twenty- 150 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY five acres of the old farm upon which he built a comfortable and modern residence. On this land he conducts general farming and has one of the attractive country places of the locality. He also has strong local influence in religious affairs, having been an active trustee of the Methodist church since 1901 and steward since 1905 and is also prominent in Sunday school work. In politics he is a Republican and is actively identified with the Protected Home Circle, known as Good Cheer Lodge, No. 137, of Erie, Armin J. Baur. For a number of years the name Baur has been associated in Erie with the charms of floral beauties and f ragrancies ; and it is a reputation which anyone might covet. The greenhouse of the Baur Floral Company on west Twenty-sixth street, and its elegant dis play parlors in the Majestic Theatre building are both beauty spots and fascinating resorts, which stamp their proprietors as leaders in their line in northern Pennsylvania. Armin J. Baur, the moving spirit in the enter prise, is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, born April 4, 1878, son of Rev. C. A. and Philipina (Blass) Baur, both deceased. The father was a native of Germany ; was educated at the University of Heidelberg, and came to the United States in the late sixties, at that time beginning his ministry in the German Lutheran church. His calling took him all over the central middle Atlantic states, his charges being in many of the larger cities of that section. He retired from the ministry in 1896, located in Erie, and there died in the spring of 1905. His wife, who died in 1898, was born in Germany and belonged to the well known Blass family of Erie. Armin J. Baur began to learn the florist business in Pittsburg, after (vhich he travelled in the eastern cities and as far west as Colorado Springs. In 1896, he came to Erie from that city to associate himself with his brother, Gustave H. The latter was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1880, and travelled with Armin in the west. In Erie they first worked at the old Henry Niemeyer greenhouses on west Twenty-sixth street and Brown's avenue, this business being originally established about 1885. In 1903, the brothers leased the plant and formed the Baur Floral Com pany, entirely remodeling the old plant and in the summer of 1908 begin ning the erection of one of the largest and most up-to-date greenhouses in this part of the state, and covering 112,000 square feet of floor space. The mam building is constructed almost entirely of steel, concrete and glass, and the plant has its own water works as well as gas and coal heat ing systems. While the Baur Floral Company does a large general busi ness, it makes a specialty of growing the Orchid, the American Beauty rose Pomsettias, Hydrangeas, ferns, etc. The brothers have a large cut flower trade throughout the northern section of the state and their elegant retail store and show room in the Majestic, is presided over by ¦ y? oof " Brother-William Otto-who was born in Cullman, Alabama, in 1888. Ihey make a specialty of interior decorations for parties, receptions, etc., and have a large business among the best people of the city. Mr. Armin Baur is the inventor, patentee and manufacturer of th,e^a?r Carnation Chp, a device for binding together split Carnations, which is the only thing of the kind in existence Armin J Baur married Miss Esther Arnold, of Youngsville, Penn sylvania, and to them one daughter has been born-Catherine. He is a member of the Society of American Florists, of the American Carna- t on Society and of the Erie Chamber of Commerce his fraternal rela tions being with the I. O. O. F. and Royal Arcanum HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 151 Captain Thomas J. Boyd. A well known citizen of Erie is Captain Thomas J. Boyd, who has made that place his residence since 1849. He was born in 1848, and is the son of Jeffrey and Mary Boyd, both natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1849. Jeffrey and Mary Boyd had children as follows: Thomas J., Michael, Jeffrey and Mary. The last-named is now Mrs. O'Hara, of Niagara, New York. Captain Boyd was reared and educated in Erie, and in 1869 began his career on Lake Erie, his first employment being as fireman; step by step, as opportunity offered, he advanced in knowledge and skill, study ing navigation first-hand, until in 1871 he was able to pass the rigid gov ernment examination, becoming master mariner. From that date until 1900 he served as master of a tug, and was part owner of the following tugs : "Wm. E. Scott," "Erie," "America," and "Erastus Day." These tugs were purchased by the trust, in 1900. In 1908 Captain Boyd be came interested in the Builders Supply & Sand Company, with which he is still connected. The company owns and operates the steamer "America," of which he is captain. This boat is known as a "sand sucker," that is, it sucks sand from the bottom of the lake, and it is this sand which the company furnishes to the builders of Erie. Captain Boyd is a member of the Knights of Columbus, also of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He married, in 1871, May Golden, and to them have been born eleven children, eight of whom are living, namely: Thomas J. Jr., Marcella, Minnie, Helen, Leo, Joseph, Gilbert and Mildreth. Thomas J. Jr., is a marine engineer employed on the great lakes. John J. Baxter. A public spirited and highly esteemed citizen of Erie, John J. Baxter has been a resident of this city for upwards of forty years, and as a skilful carpenter and pattern maker is actively identified "with its mechanical industries. During the Civil war, he bore arms in support of the cause of the Union, and has since been equally as valiant in championing every enterprise and project of benefit to his country. A son of the late Henry Baxter, he was born, December 27, 1846, in Uti ca, New York. At six years of age he accompanied his parents to Chi cago, Illinois. Here they lived three years and they then moved to Rock Island, remaining there three years. After the father's death the family moved to New York state and subsequently to Michigan. A native of New York state, Henry Baxter was a natural-born me chanic, and early became familiar with the workings of all kinds of machinery. His inclinations turned him towards railroading, and he gradually filled positions of minor importance until he became a loco motive engineer, in which capacity he won distinction for running the engine that drew the first passenger train to make a trip on what is now the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway and that time known as the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad. He was subsequently killed while on duty. He married Jane Van Slyke, also a native of New York state, and they became the parents of six children, namely : G. W. ; John J., of this brief sketch; J. N. ; Lottie; Nancy; and Charles, deceased. The mater nal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. Brought up in Illinois, John J. Baxter attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and while conning his books absorbed, unconscious ly, mayhap, practical lessons in patriotism and loyalty to home and coun try. In the fall of 1864, seeing the pressing need of more men at the front, he enlisted, October 15, in Company I, Twenty-eighth Michigan 152 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Twenty-third Corps, First Division, Second Brigade, of the Department of Cumberland. On Jan uary 18, 1865, his regiment was attached to the Army of Ohio, and he took part in various battles fought on North Carolina soil, including one at Wise's Forks, on March 8 and 9; at Kinston on March 14, when he received a slight wound in the head, at Goldsboro, at Raleigh, and was present at the surrender of Johnston. Mr. Baxter subsequently served with his command on provost duty, being with his command in the Dis trict of Raleigh, in August, 1865; in the Wilmington District, in Octo ber, 1865 ; and in the District of Newbern, in January, 1866. On June 5, 1866, he was honorably discharged from service, with an honorable record for bravery and fidelity as a soldier. Soon after his return from war, Mr. Baxter located in Erie, Penn sylvania, coming here July 3, 1866, and has since made this his home. He was for a number of years employed by the Western Union Tele graph Company, and helped to erect the first telegraph wires in this vicin ity, the line bringing Erie in touch with other great centers. In 1871, Mr. Baxter enlisted in Company B, Seventeenth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, and on January 14, 1873, was made corporal of his company; was promoted to sergeant October 21, 1873; made first ser geant August 4, 1874; second lieutenant March 30,. 1880; and on August 27, 1880, received his commission as captain of his company. During the Pittsburg riots, Air. Baxter was on duty with the Seventh Division, patroling Kingston on August 2; at Wilkesbarre on August 4; and in Scranton from August 4 until August 10, when he was discharged from service. Since settling in Erie, Air. Baxter has followed the carpenter's trade, principally, and as a man of honor and integrity stands well among the well known and highly esteemed residents of the city. On February 19, 1872, Mr. Baxter married Catherine Quien, who was born in Erie, September 17, 1846. Her parents, George and Cather ine (Redding) Quien, were born in Alsace, France, their births occurring in 1814, and both came to this country when young, about 1828, and were here married. Air. Quien was a ship builder by trade, and carried on a substantial business. To him and his wife eleven children were born, of whom five are living, as follows: Elizabeth, Catherine, Sophia, Wil liam and Gustave. Air. and Airs. Baxter have three children, William H. Baxter Gustave A. Baxter and Annie S. Baxter. Mr. Baxter is a member, and past commander of Erie Post No. 67, G. A. R., in which he has filled all of the offices. He takes great interest in educational affairs, and for six years served as superintendent of the Erie School buildings. William H. Smith. Ranking high among the keen, progressive and enterprising men that are closely associated with the advancement of the mercantile interests of Erie is W H. Smith, who for the past twenty years has owned and managed a meat market at 924 Parade street. He is a connoisseur in meats, keeping in stock the best to be obtained, and cutting and putting it up so artistically and scientifically as to attract patronage, and at the same time give evidence of his superior knowledge of the details connected with his trade. A son of John Smith he was born ATarch 6, 1857, in Erie, and was here brought up and educated. John Smith was born in Germany, and came to this country when young. Learning the trade of a carpenter, he followed it in Erie during his active career, becoming widely known as a trustworthy workman HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 153 and a valued citizen. He married Mary Gerhart, who came to Erie from Germany when a child, and into their household eight children were born, as follows: Sophia; John; George; William H., of this brief biography; Mrs. Minnie Fister ; Mrs. Josephine Camp ; Mrs. Melia Fitzner ; and Mrs. Annie Cook. Trained to habits of industry and thrift from his early youth, Wil liam H. Smith entered the employ of a butcher when a boy and contin ued work at that trade for twenty years, obtaining a practical knowledge of the business in its every detail. In 1889, embarking in business on his own account, Mr. Smith purchased his present establishment on Parade street, and has since built up an extensive and remunerative bus iness, being the leading meat dealer in this part of the city. He has a very large trade, handling on an average six beeves a week, and one thousand pounds of sausage of his own manufacture. Mr. Smith married, in July, 1882, Annie Deamer, and of the seven children born of their union six are living, namely: Edward, Carrie, Helen, Alkey, Norman, and Margaret. John T. Brew. The Brews, father and son, are among the best known railroad men (classed in the working force) in the history of the Pennsylvania Railroad in western Pennsylvania. The latter, John T. Brew, is now assistant trainmaster, located at Erie, and is further, one of the most prominent Democrats and public men of the city and county. Born at Wellsville, New York, on the 14th of December, 1866, he is a son of George and Bridget (Quinlan) Brew, the father, a native of Scotland and the mother, of Ireland. Having spent all his mature life in railroad work, George Brew died at Spring Creek, Warren county, Pennsylvania, in 1902, aged seventy-seven years, and the mother passed away at Corry, Erie county, in the year 1906, sixty-five years old. When John T. Brew was an infant of one year the family settled at Petroleum Centre, Pennsylvania, and about ten years later removed to Spring Creek. It was at that locality, when he was only fourteen years of age, that the youth commenced his lifelong career in railroading, and his entire training and continuous progress has been in the service of the Pennsylvania Company. During the earlier years he devoted only the summer months to his railroad work, attending school the balance of the year, and thus managing to graduate with credit from the Corry high school in 1886. On June 1, 1889, he became a resident of Erie, and continued with the Pennsylvania Company in various capacities until the organization of the Chamber of Commerce, when he was elected its secretary. But he only held that position for six weeks, resigning it to accept his present office as assistant trainmaster of the company in whose employ he has been for a virtual lifetime. Mr. Brew's prominence as a Democrat and a citizen of public affairs commenced in 1895, when he was elected to a seat in the Common Council of Erie. He thus served for three successive years (one year as president), and from 1900 to 1904 was a member of the Select Council, holding the presidency of the latter in 1902 and 1903. For two years he was chairman of the city campaign committee, handling the funds in the contest which resulted in the election of Mr. Saltsman for mayor by two thousand majority. In 1897 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the mayoralty. Mr. Brew has been a delegate to numerous state and county conventions of his party, and in 1908 served as a delegate-at- large to the national convention which nominated Bryan. Outside of his 154 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY political and public relations to the community, he is an active member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade; a loyal and leading promoter of various fraternities and a stanch Catholic, being identified with St. Peter's cathedral. He is especially prominent in the Knights of Columbus, having been deputy for five years of the district which embraces Erie, Crawford, Warren, Venango and Forest counties, and at Reading, Pennsylvania, May 12th, 1909, at the State Convention was elected to the highest office of the order in the state, State Deputy in charge of one hundred and six councils in the state of Pennsylvania. He also belongs to the Elks, Alaccabees and C. M. B. A. Married to Ella J. Cooney, of Irvineton, Pennsylvania, Mr. Brew's wife is the daughter of John Cooney, a well-known merchant and justice of the peace of that place. The children of the union are as follows-: George Willi, a graduate of the Erie high school (class of '08) and now a student at the Pennsylvania State College; Paul Edward, still a student in the city high school ; Mary, who died in infancy ; John Vincent, Mary Colum bia and Eugene James Brew. Frank H. Payne. Deserving representation in this publication as one of those alert and progressive "captains of industry" who are aiding materially in forwarding the commercial prestige of the city of Erie, Frank H. Payne is the incumbent of the responsible office of manager of the Metric Metal Works of the American Aleter Company, the strongest corporation of its kind in the world. Mr. Payne was born at Petroleum Center, Venango county, on the 1st of April, 1868, and is a son of Calvin N. and Martha (Dempsey) Payne, the latter a daughter of the late and honored Captain Francis Dempsey, of Erie. Mr. Payne is indebted to. the public schools of the old Keystone state for his early educational discipline. He was graduated in the high school at Titusville as a member of the class of 1885, and in 1887, after a more advanced academic course, was graduated in the Hill School, at Pottstown, this state. He was then matriculated in Princeton University, in which he completed the prescribed course in the academic department and was graduated in 1891, with the degree of B. A. While at the university he was prominent in the athletic affairs of the institution, especially in connection with the "national game" of base ball, in which he was a valued member of the team of his alma mater. On the 18th of July, 1891, the month following his graduation, Mr. Payne became secretary and treasurer of the Aletric Metal Company, at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and on the 1st of the following October he removed to Erie, where he has since been a potent factor in connection with the fine industrial enterprise of this company. Since December, 1895, he has held his present executive office of manager. Mr. Payne has shown signal loyalty to the city in which he maintains his home, and has given his earnest co-operation in support of measures tending to ad vance the industrial and civic precedence of Erie. He is a member of the directorate of the First National Bank of Erie, and is identified with the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Erie Board of Trade. In a more specific social way he is a member of the Erie and the Kahkwa Clubs, and of the local Princeton Club, composed of former students of Prince ton University ; of this last mentioned organization he has been secretary from the time of its inception, on the 2d of November, 1897. Though never active in the domain of "practical politics" he gives a stanch alleg iance to the Republican party. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 155 On the 21st of September, 1892, Mr. Payne was united in marriage to Miss Grace Barber, daughter of James R. Barber, of Titusville, this state, known as the oldest living oil operator in the Union. Mr. and Mrs. Payne have two children, F. Dana, and Calvin N. II. A. A. Deming. Highly esteemed throughout the community as a man of energy, enterprise and integrity, A. A. Deming is contributing his full share towards the promotion and advancement of the business inter ests of the city of Erie, and as a manufacturer of doors, blinds, sashes, and builder's supplies is carrying a large and profitable business, his plant being located at the corner of Railroad and Twenty-first streets. He was born, in 1862, in Spring Creek, Warren county, a son of J. O. Deming. J. O. Deming, and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Johnson, were born, bred, and married in Warren county, his birth hav ing occurred in 1829, and hers in 1844. They are still living on the farm which they improved, in Spring Creek, honored and respected by all who know them. Five children were born of their union, namely : L. L. ; A. A., the subject of this brief biographical review ; C. C. ; Clair ; Mattie ; and Addie D., who died in 1908, married John H. Donaldson of Spring Creek. After completing his early studies in the district school, A. A. Dem ing served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, at which he became expert. Locating in Erie in 1889, he continued at his trade for six years, being successfully employed as a contractor and builder. Buying, in 1895, a large tract of land at the corner of Railroad and Twenty-first streets, nine hundred feet by one hundred and ten feet, in dimensions, Mr. Deming erected his planing mill, and has since established a thriving business in the manufacture of sashes, doors, blinds, and builders' sup plies of all kinds. He has a large patronage, employing fifteen men, whose weekly wages amount to from $150 to $175. Mr. Deming married, in 1889, Miss Flora L. Bogue, of Chautauqua, a daughter of James and Pollie Bogue. Taking an interest in local affairs Mr. Deming served as constable, tax collector, assessor, and one term on the Erie School Board, of which he was elected a member in 1897. Frater nally he is a member of Keystone Lodge, No. 455, A. F. & A. M. George N. Banghart. Prominent among the successful business men of Erie, is George N. Banghart, who is advantageously located at 923 East Eighth street, where he has a commodious store building, well stocked with fine and fancy groceries, and a full line of notions. A son of George W. Banghart, he was born, in 1855, in Paterson, New Jersey, of substantial German ancestry, being a direct descendant in the fifth generation of Philip Banghart, the emigrant ancestor, the line being thus traced — Philip, Michael, Peter, George W., and George N. Philip Banghart emigrated to America in 1740, and here spent the remainder of his life. He reared four children, Michael, Barney, George, and Mary. Barney served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and in one of its noted battles lost a leg. Michael Banghart had a family of thirteen children, one of whom became a Methodist Episcopal minister, and attained a venerable age. Peter Banghart was a life-long resident of New Jersey, spending a large part of his time in Belvidere. He married a Miss Parks, and they became the parents of a number of children. George W. Banghart was born in Belvidere New Jersey, but subsequently removed to the city of Paterson, from there coming to Erie,Pennsylvania, 156 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY where for many years he was employed as a hack driver. He married Mary A' an Ness, the descendant of one of the earliest families to settle in the United States, the founder of her family coming to this country prior to the landing of the Mayflower. Six children were born of their union, namely: George N., the special subject of this sketch; John H.; M. A., deceased; Rachel; Eliza, deceased; and James L., deceased. But six years of age when he came with his parents to Erie, George N. Banghart received the advantages of a public school education, and as a young man was interested in military affairs. Enlisting, in 1875, in Company G, Seventh United States Infantry, he was in active service in the west during the Indian troubles of that time, and at the engagement at Big Hole was three times wounded. A brief account of this battle may not be amiss in connection with the army life of Mr. Banghart. In August, 1877, Captain George L. Browning marched his company to Fort Masule, where he was joined by the "Mountain Rangers," a company of citizens. Thus re-enforced, the company started in pursuit of the Nez Perce Indians, overtaking them in their camps, at Big Hole, where a premature fight was brought on through a shot being fired at a single Indian who was caring for his mount, the alarm causing the entire camp to take the defense. While the Indians, four hundred all told, outnum bered the regulars more than two to one, there being but one hundred and thirty soldiers, there were only forty killed, and forty wounded on the Government side, while one hundred and thirty red men were killed, and many wounded. At this battle, which took place August 19, 1877, Mr. Banghart received wounds in the right forearm, the right shoulder, and the right groin. He was honorably discharged from the service as a private in 1878, and immediately returned to Erie. In 1891 Mr. Bang hart opened his present place of business, and as a retail general mer chant has met with great success, making a specialty of groceries of which he keeps a large and valuable stock, his trade increasing from year to year. Mr. Banghart has been twice married. He married first, in 1879, Sophia Perry, who passed to the higher life in 1890, leaving four chil dren, namely : Mabel, now the wife of F. Lord ; Roy E. ; Alice V. ; Hazel P., wife of Charles Rowlands. In October, 1894, Air. Banghart married for his second wife, Miss Anna Langdon, a most estimable woman, and a kind, helpful, congenial companion. William J. Carroll. The energetic, substantial and valued citi zens of the city of Erie have no better representative in mercantile cir cles than William J. Carroll, who is carrying on a thriving business as a dealer in flour, feed, grain, hay, straw, etc., at 1001 Parade street. As a man and a citizen he is held in high esteem, and has the full confidence of his associates and patrons. A native of New York, he was born, in 1865, in Dunkirk, and was there brought up and educated. His parents James and Ellen (O'Brien) Carroll, natives of Ireland, reared four chil dren, namely : Daniel, John, Nellie, and William J. The branch of the Carroll family now living in Union township, Erie county, is of Irish extraction, being descended from one Ferdinand Carroll, who emigrated to this country from Ireland, but it is not certainly known whether Wil liam J. Carroll belongs to that family or not. On coming to Erie county Ferdinand Carroll bought from the government a tract of wild land in Union township, and the farm which he began to improve is now owned HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 157 by his grandson, George Carroll, a venerable and highly respected man of four score years, and more. As a young man William J. Carroll was for some time employed in a feed and grain establishment in Dunkirk, and worked, also, for a while in the office of the United States Express Company, both employments entering largely as important factors in educating him for commercial pursuits. Thus equipped by knowledge and experience for a business career, Air. Carroll located, in 1894, in Erie City, establishing himself at his present place, on Parade street. Here, by his upright and honorable transactions, and a ready willingness to oblige all customers, he has built up a most profitable trade, carrying a good stock of flour, feed, grain, hay and straw. From the very beginning, Air. Carroll met with almost phenomenal success in his operations, his business materially increasing from year to year, and, owing to its demands, he built, in 1904, at the corner of Twentieth and Parade streets, on a switch of the Nickel Plate Railroad, a large warehouse, which greatly facilitates his business, which is steadily increasing in interest and volume. He employs a force of seven men, keeping them busily employed in attending to the wants of his numerous patrons. Air. Carroll married, in 1896, Aliss Caroline Spahr, and their home is pleasant and attractive. John Hamberger. The interposition of the able, progressive and reliable real estate dealer has greater influence than all other agencies in forwarding the material upbuilding and advancement of any commun ity, and in this important field of operations in Erie county none has accomplished a more beneficent work than has the subject of this brief review, who is a senior member of the well known and popular real-estate and insurance firm of John Plamberger & Company, whose headquarters are in the city of Erie. John Hamberger claims the old Empire state of the Union as the place of his nativity, since he was born in the city of Rochester, New York, on the 13th of October, 1858. He is a son of George Adam and Alary (Rensehler) Hamberger, both of whom were born and reared in Wurtemberg, Germany, where they continued to reside until 1855, when they severed the ties which bound them to the fatherland and came to America. Both located in the city of Rochester, New York, where their marriage was solemnized and whence they came to Erie, Pennsylvania in 1859. They have here maintained their home for a full half century, and to them is accorded the unqualified esteem of the community in which they may well be designated as pioneer citizens. Both are nearing the age of four score years but are well preserved and find that, as the shadows of their lives begin to lengthen from the golden west, their lines are "cast in pleasant places." John Hamberger was an infant at the time of his parents' removal to Erie, and here he was reared to maturity under beneficent influences and surroundings. He duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools, including the high school, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of the centennial year, 1876. For many years he was identified with clerical work of an important nature, and he was bookkeeper in the Erie office of the Chicago & Erie Stove Works until April 1, 1892, when he engaged in the general real-estate and insurance business, in which his personal popularity and his correct business meth ods have conserved a splendid success. Since 1905 his only son, Robert N., has been his able coadjutor in the enterprise, under the firm name desig- 158 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY nated in the opening paragraph of this article. The business has attained to wide proportions, and has involved the handling of many important properties in this county, especially the city of Erie, while the insurance branch of the enterprise is based upon representation of a number of the stanchest and best known companies, in the lines of fire, marine, life, and accident indemnity. Mr. Hamberger has been a prominent figure in connection with public affairs as well as business interests in his home city and county. He served from 1890 to 1899 as a member of the city council, a continu ous service of four terms of two years each, and in 1890-91, as well as in 1895, he had the distinction of being president of the council. In this municipal body he wielded a very potent and definite influence in the securing of a wise and effective administration of municipal affairs, and by his progressive policy added to his strong hold upon the confidences and regard of the people of the community. In 1899 he was appointed a member of the Pennsylvania fisheries commission, and since that time he has retained this important incumbency, as one of the five members of the body. He was recently reappointed to the office by the governor of the state, for a term of three years, and has thus entered upon his fourth consecutive term. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Repub lican party, and he is a valued member of the Erie Board of Commerce and Board of Trade, is affiliated with the time-honored Masonic frater nity, and holds membership in the Kahkwa Club. On the 30th of November, 1882, Air. Hamberger was united in mar riage to Aliss Belle Roberts, who was born in the city of Philadelphia and who is a daughter of the late Henry C. Roberts, who was for many years a well known and highly honored citizen of Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Hamberger have two children, Robert N., and Florence N., and the attractive family home is a popular center of most gracious hospitality. John Valentine Laver, florist, Erie, having greenhouses on the East Lake Road, and city sales room at No. 704 State street, is a repre sentative business man in his line. He is a native of State Line, Ohio. He was born November 2, 1860, son of Alichael and Alary (Buhl) Laver, natives of Rhinbeck Province, Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in the early fifties, the mother came a few years later, and they were married in this country. They lived at different places, includ ing State Line, where they spent two years, and finally they settled on a farm m AlcKean township, which was their home the rest of their lives, the father dying here in 1896, at the age of seventy-six years ; the mother in 1900, _ at the age of sixty-one. They were members of the Lutheran church, m the faith of which they reared their family. Their four chil dren are as follows : A. G, engaged in the grocery business at Erie : John V.. whose name introduces this sketch ; William, who resides on Ridge Road in West Mill Creek township, Erie county; Kate wife of I H. Shaeffer, 124 East Fifth street, Erie. John V. grew up on his father's farm and as a boy attended the common schools of the neighborhood. After giving his attention to farming for a few years, he decided to specialize and accordingly entered the_ employ of Henry Niemeyer, florist, with whom he remained for a period of nine years. In 1900 he engaged in business for himself. He purchased two acres within the city limits, which, with three acres he HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 159 owns in East Mill Creek township, he utilizes for this business, and he has 35,000 feet of glass, modern buildings, etc., thoroughly equipped for the growing of a variety of the most saleable flowers on the market. In 1892 he opened a sales room at 705 State street, which soon proved too small for his increasing business and from which he moved to larger quarters at 723 State street. Three years later he moved to 711 on the same street, and in July, 1908, he came to his present and still larger quarters at 704 State street. Fraternally, Air. Laver is identified with the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Scottish Rite and also of the Mystic Shrine. Politically, he is a Republican. He married, at Erie, Miss Anna M. Offerle, a native of Warren, Pennsylvania, and a daugh ter of George Offerle, a native of Germany. William J. Flynn. Since Washington, in addressing the delegates to the Continental Convention, said "Lay broad and deep the foundation for the general diffusion of knowledge," the public schools of our country have been more or less in evidence. Each year they have in creased the efficiency, modern pedagogical methods being introduced into even the more rural communities, and through these institutions of learning we are fast becoming among the most enlightened people on earth. The schools of Erie rank well with the other schools of the Keystone state, having an excellent board of education, of which Wil liam J. Flynn, a well known and highly esteemed citizen, is the secretary. Mr. Flynn was born June 12, 1875, in Rockland, Massachusetts, where his parents, Michael and Alice (Clancy) Flynn, first lived on coming to this country from Ireland, and where they were married. The family came to Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1879, and here the mother's death occurred in 1905. Air. Flynn was educated in the public schools of Erie, being gradu ated from the Erie High School with the class of 1892. The same year he entered the office of the Erie board of education as assistant sec retary, and served so acceptably in that position that, in 1903, he was made its secretary. Since 1899 he has served as secretary of the board of library trustees. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the board of trade, two of the city's important commercial organiza tions, and is a corporator of Hamot Hospital. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and is a valued member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic cathedral. Frank P. Coyle, of Erie, who is a leader in the business, industrial and civic activities of the city, is a native of Buffalo, New York, where he was born April 8, 1867. He is a son of John and Alice (O'Donnell) Coyle, natives respectively of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Springfield, Massachusetts, and for years residents of Buffalo, where they still live. It was in that city that Frank P. received a common and high school education, and after he had completed his studies was identified for some eight years with the Erie Railroad at Buffalo. Air. Coyle became a resident of Erie in 1895, locating there as agent for the Washburn-Crosby Company, the great flour manufacturers of Minneapolis. He had charge of their interests in the Erie district for six years, and in 1901 commenced to handle all the freight for the Anchor line of boats at their Erie docks. In 1909 he withdrew from those interests altogether, and since that time has been giving his at- 160 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY tention to the sand and gravel business. He is also identified with other enterprises, such as the Cement Products Company and the Arandsee Machine Company, both of which concerns he incorporated. For the past decade Mr. Coyle has been prominent in the municipal affairs of Erie and from the fall of 1899 to the spring of 1900 filled an unex pired term in the Select Council from the First ward. His relations to the work of secret and benevolent societies are confined to the order of Elks, of which, however, he is an active member. Mr. Coyle mar ried Aliss Mary Johnson, daughter of Patrick Johnson, of Buffalo, New York, and they have one son, Frank L. Coyle. V D. Eichenlaub, a general contractor of sewers, pavements and all kinds of concrete construction and also extensively engaged in the manufacture of cement building blocks, has for a long period occupied a foremost position in the ranks of Erie's leading business men. As the incumbent in local office he has also proved his worth and in the various relations in which he is found he commands the honor, respect and good will of his fellow townsmen. One of Erie's native sons, he was born in the Third ward on the 31st of August, 1852, and is a son of the late Ferdinand and Catherine (Trout) Eichenlaub, old and well known residents of this city, both of whom were natives of Herxheim, Bavaria, Germany, but were married in Erie. The former was a son of Joseph Eichenlaub, who in 1845 emigrated to the United States with his large family and after a tempestuous voyage of seventy-three days landed at New" Orleans. On the last day out the rations were reduced to one potato for each passenger on shipboard. The family first located in Cincinnati, Ohio, but in 1847 came to Erie, where the grandfather engaged in pork packing, in which business he was later joined by his son Ferdinand. They made extensive shipments of pork by lake to Buffalo. For many years after the grandfather retired from active life the son Ferdinand carried on the meat business and remained a sub stantial, enterprising and reliable business man of Erie up to the time of his death which occurred in 1883. Flis wife passed away in 1907. V D. Eichenlaub was reared in Erie and attended the city schools. When a boy he became his father's assistant in business and when twenty-one years of age opened a meat market on his own account, continuing in that field of labor until 1880. Fie then engaged in handling fertilizers for four years and in 1889 took up the business of general sewer and paving contracting. From the beginning the new work proved successful and his interests in that particular have constantly broad ened out bringing increased success annually. In 1905 he added the manufacture of concrete blocks, sidewalks and other concrete materials and is now conducting an extensive enterprise in this line. He has thus long figured as a prominent business man of the city, contributing to the growth and progress of Erie, for every successful business undertak ing is a factor in municipal advancement. In 1894 he erected the Eich enlaub block on the southeast corner of State and Eighteenth streets. which he still owns. In 1906 he erected the Wayne hotel on West Twelfth street, built of concrete blocks, and of this he is also yet the owner. He likewise has a valuable business block at the northwest cor ner of Twelfth and State streets and other desirable city real estate, both improved and unimproved, including his handsome brick residence on West Twenty-sixth street, which he erected in 1887. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 161 Mr. Eichenlaub was married to Miss Anna Al. Quinn, the daugh ter of Francis Quinn, who for forty years has been an active engineer on the Lake Shore Railroad and even now, although in advanced age, is still a representative of the road in that capacity. He was born in England but is of Irish parentage and in his younger days was a sailor on the lakes. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine U'Rourk. Mr. and Airs. Eichenlaub have become the parents of three children : Frank J., a resident of Erie ; Alabelle, the wife of Robert AlcClenathan, of Erie ; and Arthur V., also of Erie. While the development and conduct of his business interests have made large demands upon his time and energies, Mr. Eichenlaub has also found opportunity to co-operate in many movements for the gen eral good in the lines of progressive citizenship. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth have frequently called him to office and for nine years he filled the position of market clerk, while for two terms he was county assessor. He was also collector of delinquent taxes for the county, city and schools in the Fifth ward for one term and was elected city assessor, which position he filled for a term of three years under the new law. A year later this same law was declared unconstitutional and he lost the office. In 1881 he became a member of the city council and in all these different positions he has exercised his official preroga tives for the advancement of general public interests, proving himself a progressive and public-spirited citizen. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way, as his success has result ed from his enterprise, careful management and unfaltering diligence. Anton Gottfried, of the firm of A. Gottfried & Company, was born at Neulussheim, Baden, Germany, February 10, 1862, and is the son of George Henry and Dorothy (Schott) Gottfried. After receiving a good education in his native country, he studied organ building, and worked for two of the largest manufacturers in Germany, Lauckhuff, at Weickersheim, Wurtemberg, the largest organ supply house in the world, and W. F Walcker & Company, of Ludwigsburg, Wurtemberg, the largest pipe organ factory in Europe. In 1888 he came to the United States, landing at New York, and entered the employ of Frank Rosevelt, at that time one of the largest organ builders of the country. He next found employment with C. S. Flaskell, of Phila delphia, church organ builder, and later received a request to re-enter the em'ploy of Rosevelt, of New York City, who had established a large branch in Philadelphia. In 1890 he began the manufacture of organ supplies on his own account, on a small scale, in Philadelphia, which was the humble beginning of the present firm of A. Gottfried & Com pany, of Erie. His capital was limited, but as he had natural talent along the line of his chosen work, and was thorough master of all its details, he was able to get a start, and his work was of so superior a quality as to be its own recommendation, and in this way he gained the confidence of his patrons, and the goodwill of the trade in general. His efforts have been along the line of improvements to methods already in use ; he is recognized as one of the leading artists in the country in reed and flue work, the most difficult feature in the production of tones, and in this field he has made a number of important improvements. His flue work is of such high character as to have become a standard ; he is a close student of his work, and his endeavors place him in the front rank of his craft in the country. Mr. Gottfried has invented a special Vol. II—ll 162 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. organ pipe, entirely new in form and style, with which tones can be produced of a character so closely resembling different orchestral in struments as to be recognized only by the ear of an expert. This can not be done by other pipes, and they are covered by patents. He has also applied for a patent on his device for regulating the flow of air in the pipe foot of organs, or in other words regulating the pressure. In 1892 Mr. Gottfried took in as partner, at Philadelphia, Henry Kugel, and two years later the plant was removed to Erie, primarily through the efforts of Mr. Felgemaker, an organ manufacturer, who induced Messrs. Gottfried and Kugel to locate in that city by promising them orders for pipes for his organ output. Their business continued to grow until they found it necessary to secure larger quarters from time to time. Accordingly they removed to their present location, at Nineteenth and Alyrtle Streets, in 1904, and which they built, their present quarters covering forty by one hundred feet, three stories and basement, with ground one hundred thirty-five by one hundred twenty feet. They employ thirty skilled workmen, and their product is pipes and all kinds of organ supplies, having a market all over the country, from Philadelphia to California, and have even shipped goods to British Columbia, South Africa, and other foreign countries. They have a patent on a special stop, also, which they manufacture. In 1909 they began the manufacture of a combination instrument embodying the piano and organ, styled the piano-orchestrion. Mr. Gottfried is a member of the German Baptist church, also of several social, business and fraternal organizations. He married Re- gina Alerz, daughter of William and Margaret Merz. She too was born in Neulussheim, Baden, Germany, who came to the United States at the same time as Air. Gottfried, and they were married at Philadelphia. They have children as follows: Elsie, Hilda, Ottilie, Helen, Orlinda, Harry A., and Henry. Elsie is a student of the violin, for which she has a high talent, having studied under the best teachers of Erie and Cleveland, on the piano, pipe organ and violin, and is now a student at the conservatory of music at Oberlin College, Ohio, where she is also taking a collegiate course. Her special and favorite instrument is the violin. She is remarkably gifted along musical lines and .in harmony is particularly proficient. Hilda is a student at the German Wallace College, Berea, Ohio, where she is preparing for the missionary field. Ottilie, who is highly gifted in music, is studying under the supervision of Airs. Colby, of Erie. Fred W. Burnham. The leading wholesale lumber business in Erie has Fred AY. Burnham as its proprietor and active conductor and he has become a decided leader in that field after having been engaged in it for twenty years of the half century spanned by his life. He is a native of Minnesota, born May 2, 1859, and is a son of the late William B. and Frances (Cowan) Burnham. The father was a native of the state of New York; was born January 2(1, 1824, and was a son of Eliphalet Burnham, born in Connecticut of English descent. In the early fifties William B. Burnham migrated westward to Alichigan, where after spending a number of years he was married and boarding a "jjrairie schooner," with his wife, they journeyed to Minnesota. There he en gaged in farming until 1871, when he returned to the east and estab lished a grocery business at Union City, Erie county, which he conducted for twenty years following, dying in 1905. His widow is also a native of New York state, daughter of William Cowan, a Michigan pioneer. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 163 Fred W. Burnham was twelve years of age when his parents re turned from Minnesota and located at Union City, this county, and after attending the public schools he entered his father's grocery. He continued in that line until 1889, and at the age of thirty commenced to develop his abilities as a lumberman. He forced such good results from every situation that when he located at Erie in 1906, both his finances and his experience enabled him to there found the largest wholesale lumber business in the city. He has steadily retained that standing, having also become one of the most progressive members of the Erie Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce. He is identified with the fraternities as a Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Burnham is married to Littie I. Waters, a native of Union township, Erie county, and daughter of Alonzo Waters, an early and prominent settler. His children are Bessie, Rena J. and Fred W., Jr., and all the adult members of the family are active Methodists. Jesse Allen Root, real estate and wholesale lumber and timber dealer of Erie, with offices in the Downing building, is a prominent fac tor in the business activities of that city. Mr. Root is a native of Mid dlesex, Washington county, Vermont, born just outside the city limits of Montpelier on September 15, 1878, son of George and Iris C. (Howe) Root. His parents were representatives of old New England families and both were born in Vermont, the father at Alontpelier and the mother, at Turnbridge. The parental grandfather, Webster Root, was a native of New Hampshire, and the maternal grandfather, Rhino Howe, was born in Vermont. George Root, the father, died in the latter state on January 27, 1889, at the age of thirty-six years, and his wife survived him until September 8, 1903, when she died on her fifty-first birthday. Jesse A. was reared in his native county and his early education was obtained in the common schools. Then he entered the Montpelier Methodist Seminary (now the Montpelier Seminary), completing a course therein, and in 1899 going west to Kirksville, Missouri, there entering the American School of Osteopathy and graduating from that institution in 1901. Returning east, Dr. Root settled in Erie, which has since been his home and where he has large business interests. He is secretary and treasurer of the Curtis Company and of several other lumber concerns whose aggregate holdings amount to several hundred million feet of timber, the company mentioned doing an enormous busi ness. The doctor's personal holdings include his handsome residence on the south side of the city and two fine farms in Harbor Creek town ship, this county, one containing one hundred and eight acres and the other forty acres, all under grape cultivation. Dr. Root married Miss Zella Myrtle Bowman, a native of Kirks ville, Missouri, and daughter of Andrew R. and Emily (Clark) Bow man. Her grandfather, a pioneer minister of Missouri, served in the Confederate army both as a preacher and a soldier. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Root — Paul Bowman, Winifred Naomi and Virginia Harriet. Fraternally, the doctor is identified with several fraternal orders and is a member of the Atlas and the Country clubs. James Archibald Henry, Superintendent of the Erie County Alms House, which is located near Erie, is a man of prominence among the county officials, possessing in an eminent degree the discretion, trust worthiness and force of character requisite for the responsible position which he is so ably filling. A native of the city of Erie, he was born, 164 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY July 25, 1867, a son of the late Michael Henry. He comes of thrifty Irish stock, his grandfather Henry having been a life-long resident of the Emerald Isle. After the death of her husband, which occurred in 1829, Grandmother Henry emigrated with her eight children to the United States, coming almost directly to Erie, where the family made their first settlement. She died at an advanced age, and all of her chil dren have passed away. There were four boys in the family, John, Wil liam, Nathaniel and Alichael, and four girls. Born in Ireland, November 18, 1818, Michael Henry was a lad of eleven years when he first made his appearance in Erie City, which was but a small town, extending westward only as far as Chestnut street, south to Eighth street, east to Parade street, while the lake was its northern boundary. His first work as a wage earner was on the fron tier farm, where he cut wood for twenty-five cents a cord. He was next employed on the canal and lake, working a few years for old Mr. Reed. Starting then in business on his own account, he took contracts for building sewers, and was one of the leading contractors of the pres ent system of water works in Erie. Continuing as a contractor until 1872, he was one of the bosses when the present reservoir was built. Retiring from that business, he moved to Summit township, where he carried on farming until his death, in 1891. Although his book knowl edge was limited, Alichael Henry, who attended school but a few days in his life, was a natural mathematician, and could figure the dimen sions and requirements of a piece of work as rapidly and accurately in his mind as many other contractors could on paper. He did much of the stone work on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. A man of much natural ability, he became prominent in public and political life and served as a member of the Select Council and the Common Council for the long term of twenty-six years, and was twice director of the Erie County Alms House, of which his son is now superintendent. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Michael Henry was twice married. He married first Mary A. Pog- son, who bore him eleven children, of whom three are living, namely: Mrs. Will Irving, Airs. John T. Pressley, and Mrs. Dr. C. L. Fox. He married second Jane Warren, who was born in Erie county, Pennsyl vania, in 1836, and died in 1870. The only child of this union was a son, James Archibald, of this brief personal narrative. But three years old when his mother died, James A. Henry sub sequently made his home with his maternal uncle, John Warren, a farmer in Summit township. He received a practical education in the district school, remaining on the farm until twenty-one years old. Going then to Ellwood, Pennsylvania, he began to learn the trade of a ma chinist, and at the end of a year went to Greenville, where for eight years he was associated with the Shelby Steel Company, now the United States Steel Company. Returning then to Erie, Mr. Henry worked for a year in the Stearns Alanufactory, after which he accepted the posi tion of engineer at the Erie County Alms House, and retained it until February, 1907, when he received his appointment as superintendent of this institution, which is one of the best of its kind in the state. Mr. Henry married, in 1901, Leonie Bean, who was born in Sum mit township, Erie county, a daughter of William A. Bean. Of this union one child has been born, a daughter named Hulda Geraldine. Fraternally Mr. Henry is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 165 Royal Arcanum, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously he belongs to the United Presbyterian church, while Mrs. Henry is a member of the Universalist church. Peter Hartman, Superintendent of School Buildings, Erie, was born in Erie county, in what is now AlcKean township, January 7, 1853, son of John and Elizabeth (Ludwig) Hartman, natives of Germany, who came to the United States about 1850. The parents were married in the old country, and five children were born to them there, two of whom died previous to the emigration of the family to America. On their arrival here, they came direct to Erie, where they lived for a time, subsequently removing to McKean township, and a year later making permanent settlement on a farm in Franklin township, which continued to be their home while the parents lived. The father died there in 1871 ; the mother, in 1884. They were members of the German Lutheran church. Of their large family, the following named members are now living; John, a resident of the Fifth ward, Erie; Mary, wife of Free man Grant, of Union City, Pennsylvania ; Peter, whose name introduces this sketch; Jacob, a resident of the Sixth ward, Erie; and Daniel, of Union township. Peter Hartman passed the first eleven years of his life on his fa ther's farm and received his early education in the country schools. At the age of fifteen he began serving an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, at Girard, Erie county, under the instructions of H. D. Meyers, with whom he remained three years. He worked at his trade for some time and also did some contract work at Girard and other places previ ous to the spring of 1893, when he came to Erie and established him self as contractor and builder. For eight years he was thus occupied. Then he was appointed by the school board to the position he now holds, that of Superintendent of School Buildings, having continued in office by each year being reappointed. December 25, 1887, Air. Hartman married Miss Anna M. Lacher, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 6, 1859, and is the daugh ter of John Adam and Margaret (Wettslein) Lacher. At the age of twelve years Mrs. Hartman came to America with her father and sister, her mother having died in Germany, and upon their arrival here they made their home in Erie, where Mr. Lacher still lives, now in his eigh tieth year. Edward Perkins Selden, son of Samuel and Caroline (Perkins) Selden, was born at Mayside, Fairview township, Erie county, Penn sylvania, on the 27th of April, 1858. In 1868, when he was ten years of age, his parents removed to the city of Erie, where he has since con tinued 'to reside and where he has risen to a secure place as a represen tative citizen and business man. He attended the public schools until he was about fourteen years of age, when he secured employment in the hardware store of his uncle, John C. Selden on French street ; later he was for a time a student in the Erie high school, where he supple mented his earlier training. At the age of sixteen years he was office boy in the Erie City Iron Works, of which great industrial institution he is now vice president. In 1894 he became treasurer of the corpora tion, and of this office he continued incumbent until 1899, when he assumed his present office of vice president, in which he finds insistent 166 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY demands upon his time and attention as an executive and administrative officer. Amid the cares and exactions of a signally active and successful business career, Mr. Selden has had no inclination to neglect those duties which stand for the higher values in the scheme of human exist ence. His estimate of the complex elements of life has been such as to make him intrinsically a strong man and one appreciative of his steward ship in relation to his fellow men. He has thus given of himself, his influence and his material co-operation to all measures which tend to advance the general welfare of the community, and a generous toler ance and helpfulness have marked his course as a citizen and as a business man. In his boyhood Mr. Selden became a member of the First Presby terian church, and those who know him best realize how fully his relig ious faith has entered into and dominated his daily life. He was made a ruling elder in this church when twenty-five years of age, and during the years since that time his interest and zeal in church work have been constant and marked by appreciative consecration of purpose. He has been a loyal and earnest supporter of the work of the local Young Men's Christian Association, of which he served as president for two terms, and he is identified with various other organizations maintained for benevolent, charitable and moral purposes and standing representative of high civic ideals. At the time of this writing, in 1909, he is specially interested in the promotion and establishing of what is to be known as the Elwood Home, designed as a home for boys and as a partial sub stitute for the reform school, to which many wayward boys are sent when their needs could be more effectually met by such an institution, of semi-probationary and essentially home functions, as that to whose establishment Mr. Selden is giving much of his time, thought and labor. He believes that many boys are sent to reform schools where associa tion with those of the incorrigible type brings disastrous results, while such an institution as the Elwood Home can be made to justify its name and become a notable contribution to the benevolent agencies in every state, — one with practical aims and conducted along practical lines. For this proposed home in Erie Mr. Selden, with his cousin, George D. Sel den, and other members of the family, has donated a fine site on the shore of Lake Erie, and they are otherwise contributing liberally to the furtherance of the philanthrophic enterprise. Mr. Selden has traveled extensively in America and in foreign lands, and has made his journeyings in the world a source of personal satisfaction and the accumulation of wide and varied information. A man of culture, of fine intellectual ken, a successful worker in connec tion with the productive activities of the industrial world, and a citi zen ever loyal and public-spirited, Mr. Selden holds a secure place in the confidence and regard of the people of his native county. -In na tional politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party ; he is iden tified with various civic and fraternal organizations of a representative type, besides being a valued member of the Erie Board of Trade. In the year 1895 he married Miss Blanche McCreary, daughter of the late Jackson McCreary, of West Mill Creek township,' Erie county, and they have two children, — Edward Perkins, Jr., and Caroline Mc Creary. Michael Crowley. In this day of scientific farming, methods have been originated or discovered, whereby the soil has been made to HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 167. yield most bountiful crops, and agriculture has taken its rightful place among the leading industries of our nation. The men who have brought about this marvelous change are men of energy, intelligence, and enter prise, and prominent among the number who are aiding the advancement of the agricultural development and progress of Erie county is Michael Crowley, of Elgin, an active and highly esteemed citizen. His fine farm of one hundred and thirty acres lies partly in Union, and partly in Con cord townships, and, with its substantial buildings, gives ample evi dence to the passerby of his skill and good judgment as a thorough-go ing agriculturist and rural householder. Like many other of our most esteemed citizens, he is of foreign birth, having been born, in 1844, in Ireland. In 1852 Mr. Crowley's father, Jeremiah Crowley emigrated with his family to this country, coming directly to Erie county. This part of our great state was then comparatively in a primitive condition, there being neither railroads, telegraphs or telephones, in fact none of those modern conveniences which are now, classed as necessities rather than luxuries. He assisted to some extent in building the first railway to pierce Erie county, and with his son Michael, witnessed the noted rail way war of a half century ago, and well remembered the burning of the block house, and consequent excitement. In 1865 he purchased land lying in Union and Concord townships, and began the improve ment of the property now owned and occupied by his son Michael. By judicious toil and good management, he improved a fine homestead, and there resided until his death, in 1893. He married in Ireland, Hannah — — - — , who died in the home farm in 1892. Four children were born of their marriage, namely: Catherine, deceased; Michael; Jeremiah; and Bartholomew. Succeeding to the ownership of the parental acres, Alichael Crow ley has spared neither pains nor expense in his agricultural operations, and by dint of close application to his chosen industry has his land under a high state of cultivation, producing crops of such value as to command the highest market prices. Mr. Crowley married, in 1874, Anna Driscoll, who was, likewise, born in the Emerald Isle, and of their union eight children have been born, five of whom are living, namely : Thomas ; Martin ; Bartholomew ; Catherine, now Mrs.. DeWitt ; and Mary, who lives at home. The sons are all associated with the oil industry in West Virginia, being busily and profitably employed as well drillers. Air. Crowley is a Democrat. The family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church at Union City. Harvey S. Lyons. Numbered among the successful, enterprising and well-to-do agriculturists of Erie county is Harvey S. Lyons who is living on the homestead where his birth occurred, in 1843, and on which he has spent a busy and active life, engaged, principally, in the cultivation of the soil. He comes of honored pioneer stock, being a son of John Lyons, who came to this section of the country nearly four score years ago, and by cheerful labor and heroic sacrifice cleared a valuable farm from its primitive wildness, and assisted in the building up and improving of Union township. A native of New England, John Lyons was born, in 1810, in Mas sachusetts, and in that state of good morals and good habits was brought up and educated. He was a natural mechanic, skilful in the use of tools, and as a youth learned the cabinet-maker's trade. Soon after at- 168 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY taining his majority, he followed the tide of immigration westward, in 1832 coming to Beaverdam, Pennsylvania, where he began work at his trade. In the meantime, he boarded at the home of Samuel Smith, whose pretty daughter Nancy he soon fell in love with, and wooed and won. A few months later, in 1835, he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in Union township, Erie county, and at once began the arduous task of improving a homestead. His earnest labors were re warded; and in the course of time he added to his landed possessions, until he owned two hundred and eighty acres, a large portion of which he succeeded in clearing. Here he lived, honored and respected, until his death, April 17, 1904. He was one of the respected and upright citizens of the community, prominent in public affairs, holding all of the township offices which the citizens could confer upon him, and was a valued member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served many years as elder. Nancy Smith, whom he married, was born in October, 1811, and died April 30, 1909. Counting the years of their courtship, John and Nancy (Smith) Lyons, lived under the same roof-tree for seventy-three years, more than the allotted period of man's earthly life. They became the parents of seven children, namely: James J., born at Beaverdam, in 1835 ; David S., born in Union township, in 1838 ; Samuel S., born on the home farm in 1840; Harvey S., of this sketch; Daniel, born in 1845 ; John C, also born on the home farm, his birth occurring in 1849 ; and Sarah Jane, born in 1853. Three of the sons, James J., Samuel S., and Harvey S., did valiant service in defense of their country's flag and honor during the Civil war, James J. and Samuel S. as members of the Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, and Harvey in the 145th Pennsylvania Infantry. Samuel S. was killed at the Battle of Gaines Alills, and Harvey S. was wounded, December 13, 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg. A life-long resident of Union township, Harvey S. Lyons received a practical common school education, and being reared by a father who was well versed in agricultural lore became familiar with general farm ing at an early age. After being honorably discharged from the army at the close of the war, he resumed his agricultural labors, and now, in conjunction with his- brother, John C. Lyons, owns and operates two hundred and twenty-six acres of the parental homestead, carrying on farming with characteristic skill, vigor and ability. Air. Lyons married, in 1878, Florence R. Breed, and to them three children have been born, namely : Robert H., born Alay 9, 1S79 ; Henry B., born July 15, 1881; and Herbert S., born November 6, 1883. Rob ert H. married Nettie Stark, and has one little son, — John Leslie. Henry B. married Tessie Horton, and they have one child, Harvey Horton, whose birth occurred October 16, 1908. Since the advent of this newest member of the family, four generations have lived under the same roof, in the home of Air. Lyons, there being a difference of ninety-six years in the ages of the oldest and youngest members of the household. Fraternally Air. Lyons is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Clement Lodge of Union City, and of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 102 at Union City. Succeed ing his father in the good graces of his fellow citizens, Air. Lyons has filled many public offices with distinction and honor, and now, in 1909, is serving as justice of the peace. Air. Lyons is independent in politics, and casts his franchise for the best man. "IDLEWILD," RESIDENCE OF MRS. MARY SEWELL MRS. MARY SEWELL'S BARN HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 169 Alfred E. Sewell. The large agricultural interests of the late Alfred E. Sewell of Harbor Creek township, who died in 1890, are efficiently continued by his widow who not only conducts the old farm but has developed a large, good gas well on the place. Mr. Sewell was a native of Harbor Creek township, born January 2, 1855, son of Sydney and Nancy (Riblet) Sewell, both of whom were natives of Erie county. The father was of New England parentage and the maternal ancestors were of German stock. Sydney Sewell, the father, was born March 27, 1812, and the mother August 27, 1818. They both died in their native county of Erie, the former, January 17, 1891 and the latter December 27, 1904. Of their family two were sons and four were daughters. Alfred E. Sewell, of this review, was the youngest in the family and lived with his parents until his marriage in 1882. After that event he rented a portion of his father's farm in Harbor Creek township, afterward purchasing fifty-three acres of the estate and devoting it largely to horticulture, five acres of the place being devoted to grapes and small berries. On March 2, 1882, Mr. Sewell wedded Miss Mary Flumb, a native of Greenfield township, born November 2, 1860, and a daughter of Daniel and Ida (Simon) Plumb, the former a native of Greenfield township and the latter of Saxony, Germany. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Sewell has operated the home place, continued the rearing of her children and made substantial building improvements as well as developed to a considerable extent several gas wells which were discovered on her property some years ago. Mrs. Sewell is not only a good business woman, but is widely known for her activity in religious and charitable works having been a member of the Baptist church since 1892. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred E. Sewell are Clarence E., residing at home ; Gertrude, a teacher in Fresno, California ; Bertha, also of that city ; Ruth Cleveland, at home. Mrs. Sewell's home is known as "Idlewild." Richard H. Arbuckle. A worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Erie county, the Arbuckle family having been among the first to locate in this section of Pennsylvania, Richard H. Arbuckle is one of its most highly esteemed citizens, and as president of the Har bor Creek Alutual Fire Insurance Company is widely known. During his earlier life he was for many years in the employ of the government, but of more recent years has been an important factor in advancing the agricultural interests of the county. His ability and fidelity in per forming his public duties, his integrity, and his excellent good sense in all matters pertaining to business affairs, have won for him the regard of his neighbors and associates, both in the country, where he spends his summers, and in Erie, which is his winter home. A son of the late William G Arbuckle, he was born, October 14, 1835, in Erie. His grandfather, Adam Arbuckle came to Erie in the early part of the last century, took up his residence on East Sixth street, between Holland and French strgets, and there his children were born and bred. Born at the home on East Sixth street, William G. Arbuckle served an apprenticeship when a young man at the carpenter's trade, which he followed many years, afterwards being superintendent of the Erie City school buildings. To him and his good wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Bowers, six children were born, as follows : Richard H., 170 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of this sketch ; George W. ; Mary, wife of J. W. Humphrey ; Louisa C, wife of John K. Hallock ; Frank P. ; and John. Educated in the public schools and at Erie Academy, Richard H. Arbuckle served an apprenticeship of four years at the printer's trade, in the office of the old Erie Observer. He was afterwards clerk in the Erie Post Office for a time, and in the years 1875-6-7 and 8 served as county commissioner. Subsequently for four years, from 1885 until 1889, Mr. Arbuckle was collector of customs and disbursing officer at the port of Erie, performing the duties devolving upon him in this capa city efficiently and honorably. On giving up public life, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, his fine farm in East Mill Creek township, with its substantial buildings and modern equipments, giv ing ample evidence to the passer-by of his skill and good taste as a practical farmer and rural householder. Mr. Arbuckle married, in 1859, J. Antoinette Burton, daughter of the late John and Charlotte E. (Barnes) Burton, who were the parents of four children, as follows : J. Antoinette, now Mrs. Arbuckle ; Phoebe J., wife of Jacob Warfel, one of Erie's best known citizens; Lydia M., wife of the late H. C. Sprague, of Toledo, Ohio; and Laura, who died in 1853. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle, namely: Huldah Jeannette, wife of John C. Wolfe; John Burton; Katie Eliza died in 1868; Charlotte Barnes; William Irwin; and Richard C. Edward W. Merrill. Conspicuously identified with the develop ment and advancement of one of the great industries upon which the wealth and prosperity of our nation so largely depends, Edward W. Mer rill is meeting with noteworthy success in his agricultural operations, and as superintendent of the Scott farms in Erie is carrying on gen eral _ farming after the most approved modern scientific methods. The spirit of progress in every direction was never so much in the air as at the present day, and never was the public so ready to give its atten tion to anything and everything that will tend toward the betterment of the affairs of its people, and of its interests in general. Agriculture has come in for its full share of notice in this onward movement, and through the aid and counsel of such wide-awake, brainy men as Mr. Aterrill is establishing and maintaining for itself a place of prominence among the more important industries of the world. A native of New York state, he was born, September 20, 1830, in the town of Pavillion, a son of David M. Merrill. The Merrill family, it is supposed, is of French extraction, being descended from the Huguenot family De Merle, who escaped to Eng land after the memorable massacre on Saint Bartholomew's day, in August, 1572, This family belonged to the Auvergne nobility, and had its ancestral estate near Place de Dombes, in that province The found ers of the Merrill family in America were two brothers, John Merrill and Nathaniel Merrill, who emigrated to New England, in 1633, from Salisbury, County of Wilts, England, to Ipswich, Massachusetts. In 1634 these brothers settled in Newbury, becoming charter members of the new town. John Merrill died September 12, 1673, and by his wife Elizabeth who died July 14, 1682, had one child, Hannah. Hannah, A™! ? S ' marn6d' Maj M' 16i7' Stephen Swett> and died' HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 171 Nathaniel Merrill, born in Salisbury, England, about 1610, died in Newbury, Massachusetts, March 16, 1654. Of this union with Susan nah Wilterton six children were born, namely: John, born in 1635; Nathaniel, born in 1638; Abraham; Susannah; Daniel, born August 26, 1642; and Abel, born February 20, 1644. The line was subsequently continued through several generations to one David Alerrill, who was great grandfather of Edward W. Barzilla Merrill, the grandfather, was born November 17, 1764, and died April 14, 1850, in Fabius, New York. He married Electa , who was born May 3, 1770, died August 4, 1840, in Fabius. They had a family of eleven children, David M., the father of Edward W., having been the youngest child. David M. Merrill was born June 4, 1815, in Onondaga county, New York, about thirty miles south of Syracuse, and died February 4, 1881, at North East, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Coming with his wife and children to Erie county in 1855, just after the completion of the rail road in this vicinity, he settled first at Johnson's Crossing. Three years later, in 1858, he removed to North East, where he continued his free and independent occupation of farming until his death. He was a Democrat in politics, active in public affairs, serving several terms in the borough council. On October 17, 1839, he married Deborah Wal lis, who was born April 22, 1820, in Onondaga county, New York, and died March 15, 1907, in Syracuse. They became the parents of four children, namely: Wallis E., born November 12, 1841, was drowned March 19, 1847; Maria H. ; Edward W., of this sketch; and Evangeline A. Maria H., the second child, born August 8, 1843, married, October 5, 1864, Byron D. Bramer, who died September 26, 1907. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bramer, namely : Fred, born May 20, 1866 ; Mary Eva, born November 30, 1867 ; Lewis Byron, born June 16, 1870; B. Edward, born October 9, 1873; and Harry Monroe, born September 5, 1881. Mrs. Bramer, whose only surviving child is B. Edward Bramer, lives in Syracuse. B. Edward Bramer married Jane A. Pellens, August 3, 1904, and they have one son, William Edward, born February 9, 1907. They reside in Syracuse. Evangeline A. Aler rill, the youngest child of the parental household, born Alay 16, 1855, married, in 1882, Frank H. Perkins, and now resides in Detroit. Three children have blessed their union, namely : Alerrill Alonzo, born Decem ber 24, 1882 ; Richard Harold, born June 5, 1890 ; and Frank Donald, born November 18, 1893, died December 6, 1897. Five years of age when he came with his parents to Erie county Edward W. Merrill attended the public schools of North East, and from his youth up was well trained in the various branches of agri culture. After attaining his majority he was variously employed, for three years running a planing mill in North East, afterwards being engaged in business as a contractor for four or five years. He was one of the leading men in Nort East while a resident of that place, for six years serving as supervisor of the borough, subsequently, as super intendent and secretary, having almost full charge of public matters. Accepting his present position as superintendent of the Scott farms in 1900, Mr. Merrill has since resided in Erie, occupying the Frontier farm. A man of much force of character, possessing undoubted business and executive ability, Mr. Merrill has met with most satisfactory success in the , management of the large estate under his care. The sixteen hun dred acres in the property is divided into farms, including the Lake 172 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY View, Algeria, Carter, Roll, McNary, Frontier, and Lawrence, farms, all valuable estates. On January 17, 1872, Air. Merrill married Amanda Wolf, who was born, November 3, 1850, in North East, a daughter of Henry and Caro line (Hayberger) Wolf, and the descendant of a prominent pioneer fam ily of North East. Air. and Airs. Alerrill have one child, Nellie. M., born September 18, 1872. She married, January 17, 1894, Lafey G. French, of North East, and they have four children, namely: Ruth G, born Alay 11, 1895 ; Helen N., born October 5, 1896 ; Edward Al., born July 27, 1899; and Florence E., born April 18, 1902. In his political affiliations Mr. Merrill is a stanch Democrat, and religiously he is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Erie. Walter W. Gingrich, general manager, secretary and treasurer of the Wayne Brewing Company, and one of Erie's most prominent young business men, was born in the city, October 7, 1864. He is the son of the late Henry Gingrich, and grandson of John Gingrich, a pioneer of the county. The family is of German origin, but has been established in Pennsylvania for at least seven generations. John, the grandfather, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to Erie county in 1812, settling in Mill Creek township on what afterwards became known as the Gingrich farm, but is now a part of the city. Here he followed farming the balance of his days. Henry, son of John, was born on the Gingrich farm, August 27, 1821. At first a farmer, later in life he became interested in one of the pioneer mills of the township, and became prominent in not a few public capacities. While he was a resident of Alill Creek township, he served as justice of the peace for twenty-five years and for twelve years was an active member of the city school board. His death occurred June 25, 1896. The deceased married Alargaret Wolf, born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1829, daughter of Cyrus Wolf, an early settler of Alill Creek town ship. The wife died December 24, 1897, mother of the following chil dren: Alary G, widow of the late J. H. W. Stuckenberg, D. D., the first pastor of the English Lutheran church of Erie, chaplain of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil war, and an author and poet of recognized ability; Etta, who married the late John AI. Ormsbee and who resides in Erie; William H., who is an employe of the City Water Works ; Louis E., who died in July, 1897 ; Gertrude, an instructor in Wooster (Ohio) University, and Walter AA^., of this sketch. Walter W. Gingrich was educated in the public schools of Erie. In 1896 he was elected city controller, in which office he served until 1902. In 1900, while ably performing its duties, he became secretary and treasurer of the Consumers Brewery Company, and was made manager, in addition to the other positions, in 1901. The Consumers became the Wayne Brewing Company in 1908, and in his present of ficial relations Air. Gingrich is one of the main promoters- of its large interests. He is also an influential member of the Chamber of Com merce and Board of Trade, while as a Alason he is past master of Key stone lodge and actively identified with Temple chapter, Alount Olivet Commandery and Zem Zem Temple. His other fraternal relations are with the Elks and the Shrine club. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 173 William E. Beckwith. The faithful and able service of William E. Beckwith with the Marine National Bank of Erie is nearing the quar ter-century mark, and in his fourth year as cashier of that institution he has strongly demonstrated his talents as an executive financier. He is a native of Connecticut, born in Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, on the 17th of November, 1863. Flis family has been a fix ture in New England for generations, his father, William J., being also a native of New London county, while his mother (nee Mary J. Havens) was born in Sag Harbor, L. I. William E. obtained his early education in various district schools and at private institutions in Old Lyme. Among his teachers in his native town, who strongly influenced his after career, was Professor Stone. After a few months of uncongenial experience in a general store near home, the boy received a letter from his old instructor, who had removed to Erie, urging him to complete his education at the Erie Academy in which he (Professor Stone) was then teaching. Mr. Beckwith was thus induced to move to that city and for three years was an industrious stu dent at the Erie Academy. Then, in 1883, he became a clerk in the book store of Ensign & Sherwood, and in 1886 commenced his identification with the Marine National Bank. He commenced at the bottom of the scale and has steadily risen to the top, his present position of cashier, to which he was appointed January 9, 1906, carrying with it the highest active responsibilities of the bank. He is also well known outside of the financial field, being an active member of the Board of Trade, Erie Cham ber of Commerce and the Kahkwa Club, as well as otherwise identified with the business and social life of the city. Mr. Beckwith's wife was formerly Miss Clara Bull, born in Markham, Canada, daughter of Henry W. Bull and mother of Lois H., Mary E., Esther, Winifred and Helen Beckwith. The husband and father is a member of the Presbyterian church, while Mrs. Beckwith is an Episcopalian. Lyman Felheim's leading position as a manufacturer of rough and dressed lumber and a dealer in this product of his factory has been reached by continuous exertions and able management in the Erie field for a period of twenty-seven years. This covers nearly his entire busi ness life since he attained his, majority, for he was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 7th of November, 1860. His parents, Solomon and Yette (Mandelbaum) Felheim, were born in Germany — his father at Bayreuth and his mother near Alunich, Bavaria. Both emigrated to the United States early in life and were married in Cincinnati. In that city the father spent the years of his active business life, spending his last years in Erie as a retired citizen. The mother is still living there. After receiving his education in the Cincinnati public schools, Lyman entered the employ of an uncle in Cleveland when fifteen years of age. He was thus em ployed from July, 1875, until March, 1882, when he located in Erie as a member of the lumber firm of Schlosser and Felheim. In 1887, by purchase, he succeeded to the business as its sole proprietor, and has since ably conducted and steadily developed the establishment. His factory is at the corner of Sixteenth and State streets and his yards near the Nickel Plate Railroad depot. Air. Felheim's firm position in the industry and trade with which he has so long been identified is well established, and in 1907 he served as president of the Erie Builders' Exchange, of which he has long been a leading director. He is also on the directorate of the Erie Chamber 174 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of Commerce, is a member of the Business Men's Exchange and the Board of Trade. He is actively identified with the ritualistic and benev olent work of several of the fraternities, including Masonry. In the latter he is a member of Tyrian Lodge No. 362, F. & A. M., of which he is past master ; is also past high priest of Temple Chapter and a mem ber of the Lodge of Perfection. His active membership further includes the Lake Shore Lodge, I. O. O. F., I. O. B. B. and the Erie Maennerchor. Mr. Felheim's wife was formerly Miss Laura Lasalle, born in Toledo, Ohio, daughter of Captain Jacob Lasalle. Her father served in the Civil war as captain in an Illinois regiment, and is now at the head of one of the largest department stores in Toledo. Two sons have been born to Air. and Airs. Lyman Felheim, S. Lasalle and Robert J. Felheim. Thomas Cassius AIiller. Members of both sides of the family represented by Thomas C. Miller, the ex-county superintendent, educa tor and able lawyer of Mill Creek township, have been strong factors in the establishment of the agricultural interests and the pioneer insti tutions of the county. The maternal ancestors (the Brindles) became identified with the upbuilding of Erie county and West Mill Creek, as early as 1800, the continuous history of the Millers in that section be ginning in 1826. Thomas C. AIiller himself, for seven years county superintendent of schools and for the past ten years a progressive prac titioner in all the courts, is also one of the most widely known advocates of prohibition in the state. He was born on the old farm in West Mill Creek, on the 3rd of December, 1855, and is a son of John J. and Mary C. (Brindle) AIiller, the former being a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the latter, of Franklin county, that state. The great grandfather, Jacob Miller, who was a native of Scotland, came to Amer ica in colonial times and served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His son, also Jacob, was born in Lancaster county, removing therefrom to Erie county, in 1826, and locating on a farm which lay on the line between Alill Creek and Fairview townships. At a later date he fixed his homestead within the limits of Alill Creek township in the neighbor hood of Salem church. He married Alary Alanning, also a native of Lan caster county, and the children of the union were John (father of Thomas C). Jacob, Eli, Amos and Peter, all deceased; Alary Jane, the only one living; and Nancy Ann and Fanny, deceased. John J. AIiller was born in Lancaster county, November 25, 1818, and was therefore but eight years of age when he was brought by his parents to Erie county. His after life was spent in acquiring a district school educa tion, in farming as a resident of West Alill Creek and as an intelligent citizen, concerned both officially and as a family man in the progress of the local educational system. Among other township offices he held the position of school director. The father's death occurred February 9, 1891, the widow still residing in Alill Creek township; and, as she was born April 25, 1832, she is. now in her seventy-eighth year. The birth place of Airs. John AIiller is in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and she is the daughter of Alathias Brindle. Her grandfather, Alark Brindle, migrated from Franklin county in 1800 and established the family home stead on four hundred acres of land in Alill Creek township. Thomas C. AIiller, of this biography, was reared on the home farm in the above named township; was educated first in the district schools of the neighborhood, and in 1880 graduated from the State Normal at Edinboro, afterward becoming a student at Oberlin (Ohio) Col- HISTORY OF*ERIE COUNTY 175 lege. For nearly five years prior to the completion of his normal course he had spent various periods in teaching, his career commencing in the winter of 1875-6. At that time, shortly after leaving the public schools, he began teaching in Union township, and in the winter of 1877-8 he taught in Mill Creek township and returned to the Normal during that season. After his graduation in 1880 he continued as a teacher in Alill Creek, and after leaving Oberlin College remained in West Mill Creek as an educator of growing reputation until the fall of 1889. Air. Miller was then appointed superintendent of schools of Erie county by State Superintendent E. E. Higbee, to fill out the unexpired term of J. M. Morrison, resigned. In May, 1890, he was elected to the regular three years' term and re-elected in 1893, serving continuously until the first Monday in June, 1896. His seven years' superintendency of the educational system of Erie county were marked by energetic and wise management and an expansion along modern lines of progress; his administration was a distinct era of advancement for the county, but it also marked the conclusion of his career in the province of teacher and superintendent, since at the conclusion of his last official term he gave himself wholly to the study of law for three years. On July 8, 1899, after prosecuting his studies in the office of Rilling and Fish, he was admitted to the bar, at once opening an office at No. 710 State street, Erie, which has since been the headquarters of his pro fessional business. In 1904 he was admitted to practice in the United States courts, the nature of his work being general, but mainly confined to civil procedures. An able lawyer and an earnest Republican, his deep sense of moral responsibility to the community has also induced him to take a firm stand in support of temperance. In 1908 he was a candi date of the Prohibition party and the Local Optionists of the Third dis trict of Erie county for the legislature, but was defeated with the balance of the ticket. He is a Alason, being a member of Tyrian Lodge No. 362 of Erie, and for the past thirty-five years has been closely identified with the work of the Westminster Presbyterian church, being now an elder of that body and superintendent of its Sabbath school (since 1881). On the 13th of August, 1882, Mr. Miller wedded Miss Emma Jane Lewis, born in Fairview township, this county, January 22, 1860. Her parents, Alarcus and Emily Al. (Knapp) Lewis, migrated from Poultney, Vermont, at an early date, settling first in Harbor Creek township and in 1857 locating in Fairview. Three children have been born of this mar riage — James B., a brilliant engineer connected with the coast survey of the United States government and now stationed in the Philippines (of whom a sketch follows) ; Emma Adena, born October 12, 1888, a grad uate of the Erie high school and now a Junior at Oberlin College; and Thomas Cassius, Jr., born August 12, 1891, a classmate with his sister, who was also educated in the schools of Alill Creek township and the Erie high school, now a Junior in Oberlin College. James Blaine Miller, oldest child and elder son of Mr. and Airs. Thomas C. Miller, was born October 30, 1883, and is a graduate of the graded school course of Mill Creek township, the Erie high school and Oberlin College (class of 1903). While a student at college he was appointed to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, with orders to report at Washington, D. C, for duty. Leave of absence was granted him for a few days before the college commencement, his entire course being marked by high scholarship, as was indicated by his membership in Phi Beta Kappa. Plis first work as a government surveyor was along 176 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the coast of Alaska and in 1903-4 he was engaged in the survey and chart ing of the west coast of Porto Rico. In the summer of the latter year Mr. Miller was in charge of a party of government engineers running the precise level line from St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Watertown, South Dakota, and in the winter of 1904-5 was on duty in and around Wash ington and Chesapeake, among the other interesting duties assigned him being that of definitely ascertaining whether the Washington monument was settling. In the summer of 1905 he was again on duty in the Dako tas, being placed in charge of parties surveying the precise level line to Sioux City, Iowa, and his work was so satisfactory to the department of commerce and labor as to draw forth a letter from the general super intendent stating that for speed, accuracy and economy it had not been equalled. In the winter of 1905-6 Air. AIiller was appointed captain of a cost survey steamer, and in that capacity surveyed and charted, for the first time, Timbelier and Terre Bonne bays, in the gulf of Mexico. In the summer of 1906 he re-surveyed and re-charted the Hudson river from West Point to a location above Poughkeepsie, and in the winter of 1906-7 he had charge of a party engaged in work of the same nature at Hampton Roads, Virginia. He surveyed and charted the island of Kodiak, on the Alaskan coast about seven hundred miles west of Sitka, in the summer of 1907, and on December 10, 1907, sailed for Manila, Philippine Islands, going by way of San Francisco, Honolulu, Japan and Hongkong. Arriv ing at Alanila January 15, 1908, he was dispatched to Ilo Ho, island of Panay, where he has since had his headquarters, as captain of the coast survey steamer "Research," in charge of the coast survey of Cebu and other islands. Within the past year he has surveyed about 7,500 miles of the insular coast, which fixes the record for department work of that character. Andrew Augustus Culbertson, so extensively connected with the coal interests of Erie and northwestern Pennsylvania, comes of old- world ancestors who migrated from their original home in Scotland to the north of Ireland and first came into prominence as among the stanch Protestant defenders of Londonderry, Ulster. The first of the family to emigrate to America is said to have come over about 1720, John, the eldest son of the original emigrant being at the time twelve years of age. Andrew Culbertson, the eldest son of the latter, married Jennette Boyd in 1763, and in the following year moved from Philadelphia to the present site of the town of Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, which town he founded in about 1773. The first-born of their nine children, William, was the great grandfather of Andrew A., and by his marriage to Alary Culbertson in 1794 became the father of four children, viz:— Andrew Columbus, Jennette C, John Augustus and Willam Washington. This first marriage took place at Williamsport, and in the following year (1795) they moved to the mouth of Conneattee lake, where Mr. Culbert son erected a grist and saw mill near the site of the present mill at Edin boro. Besides conducting this enterprise, he acquired considerable land in the vicinity ; was both farmer and miller and for forty successive years held the office of justice of the peace. William Culbertson's first wife died at Edinboro March 2, 1802, and by his second wife (Margaret Johnson) who passed away in 1820, he was the father of five children, as follows : Maria J., James Johnson, Josiah J., Cyrus A. and Elizabeth. The father of these two families died November 11, 1843. John A. Cul bertson, the third child by the first marriage, wedded Clarissa Harrison, ibur ^-(qjz^H^ /^^^ ^ ^ -d^ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 177 in Edinboro, on the 23rd of October, 1827, and they became the parents of Harrison, Louis C. (father of Andrew A.), Johnson, Porter and Emily. The paternal grandmother died October 16, 1862, and the grand father March 16, 1872. The father, who was born at Edinboro, March 7, 1832, has spent his life there, and as a carpenter and builder, and an industrious and sturdy citizen, has added much to the family record as perhaps the strongest agent in the continuous development of the place. Louis C. Culbertson married, on May 31, 1859, Miss Martha M. Proud- fit, daughter of Alexander Proudfit and granddaughter of Andrew and Isabel (Smith) Proudfit, who were of Scotch-Irish ancestry and settled in Franklin township in 1833. Seven children were born of this union, of whom Andrew Augustus is the youngest. Mr. Culbertson was born in Edinboro, December 15, 1874; was reared there and received the bulk of his education within the limits of the town. In 1893 he graduated from the State Normal at Edinboro and in 1901 finished his course at Allegheny College. In the latter year he located in Erie to assume the management of the Erie and Cambridge Springs Suburban Railroad, resigning that position, after three years, to enter the coal business. In 1904 he organized the Culbertson Coal Company and later the Saltman Coal and Supply Company, and has been president of both from the first. As a fraternalist, he is a Alason, and as a club man, connected with the Erie and Country Club organizations. Mr. Culbertson's wife was formerly Miss Anna Giles Reeder, young est child of Isaac R. and Sarah (Giles) Reeder, and is of the well known family which since 1799 has been identified with the progress of the coun try tributary to Edinboro. In that year her great-grandfather located in the southern part of Washington township, and James Reeder, his second son, owned much of the land which, with his brother-in-law (Mr. Taylor), he afterward platted into eastern Edinboro. He was a success ful farmer ; built and operated the saw mill now owned by his son, Isaac R. ; was a school director and a tireless promoter of education, and in ways too numerous to specify an ideal citizen of his times. Isaac R., the fourth of his thirteen children, was educated in the schools of Crawford and Erie counties, and in 1853 entered into his career as a farmer and lumberman by taking charge of the old saw mill erected by his father, which has already been mentioned. At the present time about four hun dred and fifty acres of the original six hundred comprising the old mill property is still held in the family name. In 1865 Mr. Reeder became part owner in the Burlingham pump manufactory at Edinboro and, with various members of the Taylor family, conducted it successfully for many years, or until its destruction by fire. He has always been a citizen of marked public prominence, having held many of the local offices ; has served for thirty-two years as a director of the State Normal, being now president of the board, and was one of the organizers of the Edinboro Savings Bank, of which he is president. His wife's people, the Giles family, were natives of Massachusetts, her parents coming from that state in 1818 and slowly journeying by ox-team to their first home in Washington township. This was, in fact, their wedding trip, and Anna Giles was the last of their five children. George W. Cook, who passed the last years of his life as a retired farmer and citizen of Fairview, Erie county, was a native of Onondaga county, New York, born March 6, 1832. His father, Alvin Cook, moved with his family to Fairview township, this county, about 1837 and at Vol. 11—13 178 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY that time located just west of the village of that name where he passed the balance of his life as an agriculturist. Both he and his wife are buried in the cemetery at Fairview. His son, George W. Cook, of this sketch, received his education in the schools of Fairview township and Fairview village and at the age of twenty-one located at Erie where for twenty-five years he was engaged as a clerk and bookkeeper. He then returned to his old Fair- view home where for a number of years he was postmaster and proprietor of a store, spending the last years of his life in retirement. His death occurred November 2, 1908, and his decease took from the community a popular and Christian man. For many years he was known as a strong supporter of the Republican party and during the Civil war was a member of the state militia organized to oppose any invasion of the Confederate army from the south. He was also an active member of the Masonic fraternity at Girard, Pennsylvania, and that order, with which he was so long identified, conducted his funeral rites. In his religious faith he was an earnest member of the Methodist church. Mr. Cook's wife was formerly Miss Rebecca Ann Brecht, a native of Fairview township, and a daughter of Samuel and Isabella (Nichol son) Brecht. Her mother was born in Mill Creek township and a daughter of John and Isabella Nicholson. Samuel Brecht, Mrs. Cook's father, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who came to Erie county about 1820 and located at Manchester, Fairview township, where he passed the balance of his life in farming. When Mr. Brecht came to Erie county he brought with him his mother, Elizabeth (Kuhn) Brecht, and seven other children of the family, so that he may be said to have founded it in this section of Pennsylvania. The children born to Samuel Brecht and his wife were as follows : Elizabeth Kuhn, now deceased, who married Jerome Galliard; Isabella Nicholson Brecht, who is now deceased; Maria Louisa, who is also deceased, and married Elias Bales; Rebecca Ann, who became Airs. George W. Cook; John, and Harriett Jane, now deceased. John Brecht, mentioned above, was one of the best known and most honored farmers of Fairview township although a man of most retiring disposition. He was very liberal both in his private charities and in his support of the local Alethodist church but all of his generosity in this regard was never known until after his death. The deceased married Alargaret E. Dixon, of East Springfield, and now also buried with her husband. The children born to Air. and Airs. George W. Cook were as follows: Miles Brecht, Georgianna Alfaretta, who died while quite young; Kath arine Rosemond living at home with her mother ; and Harriett Isabella, who became the wife of Porter A. Newton, and is a resident of Altoona, Pennsylvania and the mother of Katharine Brecht and George Cook Newton. Dr. Miles B. Cook, the eldest of this family and a practicing phy sician of Buffalo, New York, is a graduate of the Cleveland Medical College. He married Aliss Alaucl Anna Davis of Forest county, Penn sylvania, and they have had the following three children: Miles George, who died in November, 190s, at the age of eighteen; Donald Davis, now sixteen years of age; and Ralph Alvin Cook. Miles George was a member of the class of '09 in the high school, also a member of the Lafayette Pligh School Orchestra and of the Mandolin Club. He was HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 179 a bright young man and greatly beloved by all his schoolmates and friends and his death was a blow to everyone. Katharine Rosemond graduated in Erie high school in the class 1907, and in the class of 1909 at the Birmingham School for Girls in' instrumental music. George W. Cook's great-uncle, Lemuel Cook, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and at one time encountering an Indian in his own home he defended himself with a chair. He died aged 107 years old. Elihu and Sarinda Cook, great-grandparents of George W., are interred in Fairview Cemetery. Titus Berst. More than three-fourths of a century ago the Berst family was founded in Erie county, and few names have been more prom inently identified with the civic and material progress of the county than that of this old and honored family, of which Titus Berst of this review is a worthy representative. The old Berst homestead is now an integral part of the city of Erie-, and to the development and upbuilding of the city those bearing the name have contributed in most generous measure. Titus Berst was born on what was then known as the old Reed farm, now within the city limits of Erie, on the 10th of April, 1847, and he has literally grown up with the city, in whose advancement and prosperity he has ever taken much pride, the while doing all in his power to further the work of development and progress along industrial, commercial and material lines. His grandfather, Conrad Berst, was a native of Plautz, Germany, where he was born in the year 1779, and where he was reared and educated. In 1798, when about nineteen years of age, Conrad Berst immigrated to America, and soon after his arrival he took up his residence at Alanheim, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where, in 1807, was solemn ized his marriage to Miss Catherine Gunthner. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and thus manifested his intrinsic loyalty to the land of his adoption. In 1827 he removed with his family from Lancaster county to Butler county, but three years later, in 1830, he came to Erie county. He first rented a small farm south of the city of Erie, which was then a mere village, and in 1834 he leased the Reed farm, of which mention has just been made. In 1836 he removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he passed the remainder of his life, as did also his wife. John Berst, father of Titus, was born in Alanheim, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1808, and there he was reared to manhood, receiving such advantages as were afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Erie county, and here he passed the residue of his long and useful life, a man of progressive ideas and one animated by the utmost civic loyalty and public spirit. In February, 1836, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth AIiller, whose death occurred in 1886 and who is survived by five children, namely: Henry, Catherine A. (wife of Hobart Hogan, of Erie,), Jacob, John W., Titus and Hiram L., who died December 19, 1908. John Berst continued to occupy the Reed farm until 1866, when he removed to his own farm, located west of the city. In 1842 he had pur chased of Joseph S. Colt about seventy acres of land, extending from the present Cherry to Liberty streets and from Seventeenth to West Twen ty-sixth streets in the city of Erie. All of this land was at the time given over to farming purposes, and it is now all included in the heart of the residence section of the southwest part of Erie. On a portion of this old homestead three of his sons still continue to make their homes. For a 180 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY number of years John Berst continued to devote his attention to agricul tural pursuits, and he then became interested in the nursery business, to which he devoted much of his farm, as did he later to the propagation of garden seeds. In 1861 he purchased the property on .the west side of State street between Eighth and Ninth streets, and in 1872 he erected thereon the brick business block which is still standing and which bears his name. He, with his sons, also became interested in the old Erie Rail way franchise, and at one time they owned the controlling interest in the system, which they sold in 1888. John Berst was known as one of Erie's most progressive and substantial citizens, and his course in life was char acterized by that impregnable integrity and honor which ever beget objec tive confidence and esteem. He was the architect of his own fortunes and his success was won by worthy means, not the least being the great appreciation in the value of the land which he had the prescience to hold in his possession. He was a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the German Lutheran church. He was summoned to the life eternal in April, 1888, and his name has an enduring place on the roll of the sterling pioneers and loyal citizens of Erie county. Titus Berst gained his early educational discipline in the common schools of Erie, and supplemented this by a course of study in the old Erie Academy. In July, 1864, while on a visit in the city of Philadelphia, he tendered his services in defense of the Union. He was eighteen years of age at the time and he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Ninety seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He takes much satisfaction in reverting to the fact that he signed his enlistment papers in Indepen dence Park just outside of old Independence Hall, undoubtedly the most cherished landmark in the history of the nation. After remaining in camp at Baltimore, Maryland, for several weeks, his command proceeded to Rock Island, Illinois, where it was assigned to guard duty at the federal prison, in which were held about fifteen thousand Confederate prisoners. At the expiration of the ninety days' term of enlistment the members of the company were mustered out, in Philadelphia, where Mr. Berst received his honorable discharge. By virtue of his service he is eligible for and retains membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. After the close of his military services Mr. Berst returned to his home in Erie, and later he entered a commercial school in the city of Pittsburg, where he was a student at the time of the assassination of President Lin coln. In the autumn of 1868 he was matriculated in Pennsylvania Col lege, at Gettysburg, where he remained as a student for four years, but impaired health caused him to withdraw from the institution only a short time before the time of graduation. Returning to Erie, he became asso ciated with his father and brother, Pliram L., in the nursery business, and gradually the enterprise was changed to that of floriculture, and still later to the seed business. The father ultimately withdrew from the enterprise, which was thereafter continued for some time under the firm name of Berst Brothers. In 1878 Titus Berst became the sole owner of the business, and he continued the same until 1901, when he sold out, after having developed a large and important industry. For several years he was secretary of the Erie City Passenger Railway Company. In 1875 he was commissioned to investigate and report upon the condition of the Methodist Episcopal church interests in the Sandwich Islands. He spent two months in the work of this interesting commission, and within this period visited all sections of these beautiful tropic isles. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 181 In 1880 Mr. Berst erected his commodious and attractive brick resi dence, at 655 Brown's avenue, and the same is located on a portion of the old Berst homestead of which mention has been made. He has five acres of ground, with an abundance of handsome shade trees, and the residence is surrounded by beautiful lawns, making it one of the most attractive homes in the city. In 1878-9 Mr. Berst was a member of the board of education of Erie, but he has never consented to become a candidate for political office, though he gives a stanch allegiance to the cause of the Republican party. He and his wife are zealous and valued members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and he holds membership in the Erie County Historical Society, taking a deep interest in the collating and perpetuating of data cc ncerning the history of his native county. The Berst family has done much in furthering the upbuilding of the city of Erie, in evidence of which fact it may be stated that several fine business blocks stand as monuments to the enterprise and progressive spirit of its representatives. The brick block at 808 State street was erect ed by the father, John Berst, in 1871, and is now owned by his son Jacob. The Berst block, 806 State street, was erected in 1867, by John Berst and Jacob F. Walther, taking the place of a primitive log house, and this property is owned by Hiram L. and Titus Berst. The New Berst block, on West Eighth street, and adjoining the block on State street, was erected in 1904, by Hiram L. and Titus Berst. On the 22d of February, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Titus Berst to Aliss Mary G. Brubaker, daughter of George M. and Elizabeth (Beaver) Brubaker, of Millersburg, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Berst's mother was a niece of Thomas Beaver and a cousin of Hon. James Beaver, a former governor of Pennsylvania. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Berst are : Charles Brubaker Berst, born at the old family home stead, was afforded the advantages of the public schools of Erie, includ ing the high school, and after serving three years as a teller in the First National Bank he entered Syracuse College, New York, in the electrical department of which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1907. He is now (1909) completing a practical course in electri cal work in the plant of the Westinghouse Company in the city of Pitts burg. Clara Lois was graduated in the Erie high school as a member of the class of 1900, after which she spent three years as a student in the Syracuse Conservatory of Music and completed her musical studies in the conservatory connected with the famous University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where she also taught music for two years ; she is now at the parental home and is most popular in the social and musical circles of her native city. John Elmer Reed and George Arthur Reed, M. D. In the pro gress of the agricultural interests and the professional affairs of Erie county, various members of the Reed family have actively and prominently participated for several generations, the legal and medical fields having been cultivated with signal success by John E. and Dr. George A. Reed, residents of the city. Joseph Reed, their grandfather, was born in Erie county, and married Jane Grubb, also rep resenting one of the substantial pioneer families of the county; his brother, James L., is still living. John Grubb Reed, the father, still owns the farm on which he was born in Alill Creek township, September 27, 1838, and he wedded Miss Candace Eliza Blair, daughter of John W. and Candace Blair. Mrs. Reed was born January 1, 1840, and died May 8, 182 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 1901. Mr. Reed has been a prominent citizen and a progressive farmer of Mill Creek township for many years, having served for two terms as tax collector and three terms as justice of the peace. He has also been of great activity and influence in the affairs of the Westminster Presby terian church of Mill Creek, having served as trustee, elder and Sunday school superintendent. Six children were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Reed— John E., George A., Joseph W., Mary E., Edith J. and James R. John Elmer Reed was born on the old farm in Mill Creek township on the 27th of February, 1865. He obtaineu his education in the common schools of his home neighborhood, at the State Normal, Edinboro, and at Clark's Commercial College, Erie. After teaching two terms of school in McKean township and three terms in Mill Creek, he read law in the office of Judge E. A. Walling and was admitted to the bar of Erie county, June 28, 1895. Mr. Reed has since been engaged in a growing practice at Erie. He is identified with the Erie Tool Works both as attorney and secretary and has other interests outside his legal work. Like his father, he was a leader in all the active affairs of the Westminster Presbyterian church, at West Mill Creek, in which he has served as secretary, Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He is now active in the church work of the Central Presbyterian church of Erie. Mr. Reed married Miss Elizabeth Cora Brown, daughter of James and Anna Jane (Cameron) Brown, the former born in Ireland and the latter in London, Ontario, the mother being a descendant of the ancient Cameron clan of Lochiel. Mr. and Mrs. John E. Reed are the parents of one child, Robert C, born March 27, 1901. George Arthur Reed, M. D., a leading physician of Erie, was born in Mill Creek township, February 27, 1869. He obtained his preliminary education in the common schools and at the State Normal at Edinboro, and then entered the medical department of the University of Pennsyl vania, from which he graduated in 1895. He first located for practice at No. 2113 Peach street, Erie, whence he moved to his present office, No. 122 West Twenty-first street, which is also his handsome place of resi dence. The doctor is an active member of the Erie County Medical Soci ety. He married Miss Mable A. Love, daughter of James F. and Jeanette (Dunn) Love, of Erie county, and the two children of their union are Harrison, born January 29, 1895, and Richard, born Alarch 31, 1900. Joseph Wilbur Reed, third child and son of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Reed, is a leading farmer of Mill Creek township, born on the old family homestead, March 27, 1871. He was educated in the common schools and at the State Normal ; married Mary Jane Caughey, daughter of John F. and Lotta C. Caughey, and is the father of the following: Gilbert, born January 14, 1903, and Winifred Candace, born April 1, 1906. Mary Ellen, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Reed was born August 7, 1873, and Edith Jane, born September 16, 1876, are both unmarried. James Ross Reed, the sixth and youngest child, was born February 24, 1880 ; received a grammar school and a high school education in Erie, and then completed both the literary and medical courses at the University of Michigan. After his graduation as an M. D. he became an interne in a Boston hospital, and next served for a year on the staff of the New York City Eye and Ear Hospital. In October, 1908, Dr. Reed located at Pasadena, California, where he is engaged in practice in partnership with his former college mate, Dr. Roberts. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 183 William Hamilton. In the breadth of his activities and abilities, William Hamilton of Erie represents the strongest type of the English- American; for, although he has but just entered the middle period of life he is a leading factor in the iron industries of this part of the state, is prominent in the commercial field, and has done much in futherance' of the public works of Erie and the development of its system of public schools. Mr. Hamilton, who is a native of Hexham, Northumberland- shire, England, was born on the 6th of September, 1865, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Hamilton, also natives of the Eng lish county named. In July, 1869, the family emigrated to Canada, but after residing in the Dominion for two years located in Erie. There the father continued his trade as a blacksmith and, in time, became superin tendent of the old Erie Car Works. He died in 1891, his widow surviv ing him. Mr. Hamilton, of this sketch, was educated in the Erie public schools, learned the trade of a blacksmith and machinist, and in 1889 succeeded his father as superintendent of the Erie Car Works. In December, 1894, with Julius C. Knoll, he purchased the plant, which had recently been de stroyed by fire, and thus associated conducted the business until 1898, when it was re-incorporated under the name of Erie Car Works with Mr. Ham ilton as president, Air. Knoll as vice president, J. C. Kuhn as secretary, and C. F. McClenathan as treasurer. Upon the death of the president of the Burry Compressing Company Mr. Hamilton succeeded him as its head, and is now its vice president. He was one of the organizers and first president of the Morse Iron Works and continues to superintend its progress. Mr. Hamilton also served as the second president of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, as well as of the Business Men's Exchange; of the Y. M. C. A., is a director in that body and has served on the director ate of the board of trade. His club connections are with the Kahkwa and Golf clubs ; his fraternal relations, with Alasons, and his religious affili ations, with the Methodist Episcopal church. Reference has also been made to Mr. Hamilton's prominence in the municipal service. In 1903 he was appointed a member of the city school board to fill an unexpired term, after serving which he was twice elected as a representa tive from the Sixth ward, his present term expiring in June, 1909. In 1906 he was appointed a member of the Water Works Commission, in which capacity his business and mechanical ability was of great value to that branch of the public service. Mr. Hamilton's wife (nee Charlotte Ehret), who was born at Pleasantville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, is a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Wagner) Ehret. The children of their union are Ruth, Robert, William, Jr., and Catherine Hamilton. Frank Connell, treasurer of the Skinner Engine Company and a prominent citizen of Erie, is a native of Wooster, Ohio, born September 24, 1855. He was reared in Lancaster, Fairfield county, that state, until he was eighteen years of age, beginning his business career in Pittsburg in 1873. Mr. Connell became a resident of Erie in 1885, when he became treasurer of the Skinner Engine Company, one of the important manu facturing enterprises of the city. He has also been treasurer of the Union Iron Works since its establishment in the early 90's. He is a member of the board of directors of the Second National Bank ; and is also identified with the Erie Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade. 184 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Charles Lewis Culbertson. The distinction of being the oldest living native son of the village of Edinboro belongs to Charles L. Culbert son, and he was born on the place where he now lives March 7, 1832, a son of John Augustus and Clarissa (Harrison) Culbertson. John A. Culbertson was the first white male child born in this village, he having first seen the light of day in the same house in which his son was born, his natal day being the 26th of March, 1800, and his parents William and Mary Culbertson. They were married at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and coming to Erie county located at what is now Edinboro in 1795. William Culbertson secured and bought one thousand acres of land, and erected the first grist mill and later the first saw mill here, he having operated those mills for many years. To him also belongs the distinction of platting the village and laying out and donating the land for Erie street, a thoroughfare one hundred feet wide, and he also donated the land for the old cemetery in the northern part of the village, and there this patriotic and revered pioneer of Erie county now lies buried with his family, his death occurring on the 11th of November, 1843. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and while serving as a justice of the peace it is said of him that he would often saddle a horse and ride for miles to see his parties and settle their troubles before they were brought for trial before him. He was known for his sterling qualities of honor, and was always ready and willing to help the needy and advance the welfare of his community. He was in politics a Whig and was a member and stanch supporter of the Presbyterian church. His first wife died on the 2d of Alarch, 1802, and was the first person buried in the cemetery which her husband had founded. In January of 1806, he married Miss Margaret Johnston, from Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and she died on the 30th of June, 1820. John Augustus Culbertson, a son of William and Alary Culbertson, supplemented school attendance with work on his father's farm and in his mill, and when but a lad of sixteen he went to Erie and became apprenticed to the cabinet maker's trade, working seven years for the same man. He spent four years as a journeyman, and then in 1827 he married and returned to Edinboro, his native town, and spent the remain der of his life here, dying on the 16th of Alarch, 1872, being at that time a man of considerable wealth and one of the largest real estate owners of the village. He was a Republican politically, and was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, as was also his devoted wife, whose death occurred on the 16th of October, 1862. Their children were as follows: Harrison, who was born September 25, 1829, and died at the age of eleven years ; Charles Lewis, mentioned below ; Johnson, born October 27, 1834, is deceased; Porter, born Alarch 1, 1837, is also deceased; Emily, born Alarch 24, 1840, married John Proudfit, and resides in Edinboro; and Edwin, born Alarch 11, 1843, also resides in Edinboro. Charles Lewis Culbertson after attending the schools of his native village learned and followed the carpenter's trade until he was twenty- one. During two terms thereafter he attended the academy at Girard, Pennsylvania, and then returning to Edinboro has since resided here. After following his trade for a time he turned his attention to butchering, later took up farming and then resumed work at the carpenter's trade. He has been very successful as a carpenter, and he erected the first build ing on Aleadville street, the lower floor of which he used as a shop and the upper as a public hall. During his identification with the carpenter's trade he has built and sold about twenty-six houses in Edinboro and has ?PC^^^r^k^^~ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 185 also erected and sold about five houses in the city of Erie. The site of his present residence was in the early days the location of the first frame building in Edinboro, and it was used for both school and church purposes. Mr. Culbertson married on the 31st of Alay, 1859, Miss Martha M. Proudfit, a daughter of Andrew Proudfit, and their children are as fol lows : Clarabelle, who married Frank Pulling, of Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, and their two children are Charles and Louisa ; Mabel, who married Charles Dundon, of Edinboro, and they have four children, Helen Lewis, Lynn and Roscoe ; Agnes, a bookkeeper in the Edinboro Savings Bank; H. E., a resident of Edinboro and one term postmaster, now a land agent; was educated in Edinboro Normal; Elizabeth, whose home is in Lewistown, Pennsylvania; and Andrew Augustus, a resident of Erie, the president of the Culbertson Coal Company, who married Miss Anna Reeder, a daughter of I. R. Reeder. Mr. Culbertson, the father, votes with the Democratic party, and he has served as a councilman of his village. Both he and his wife are honored members of the Presby terian church. Hon. Milton W. Shreve, of Erie, an able member of the bar of Pennsylvania, a prominent Republican of the state and now serving his second term as a member of its house of representatives, is a native of Crawford county, that state, born May 3, 1858. He is a son of the late Rev. Cyrus and Florella (Nourse) Shreve, his father being a faithful and beloved Baptist clergyman of Crawford county and vicinity for a period of more than half a century. This revered disciple of Christ and tireless promoter of his cause was a native of Bloomfield township, of the county named, born July 23, 1825. He was a grandson of Richard and Margaret Shreve and descended, more remotely, from the English nobility. In 1798 the great-grandparents named came from Burlington, New Jersey, and settled at the head of Oil Creek lake (now Lake Cana- dohta). Their son Israel, the grandfather of Milton W., was born in 1794 and married Elizabeth Bloomfield, daughter of Thomas Bloom- field — a companion of Richard Shreve, a Revolutionary soldier and such a prominent man generally that Bloomfield township was named in his honor. Israel Shreve died in 1866 and his wife in 1880, and eight children were born to them, of whom only one (Thomas B. Shreve, of Bloomfield) is now alive. Aside from the groundwork of an education laid in the district schools of Crawford county, Cyrus Shreve obtained his mental training through his own exertions, and his culture and profound influence over men and women from the book of life. His power was that obtained by all simple, direct, disinterested souls, who are alive to the needs, sufferings and longings of others, and who, in their endeavors to assist and comfort, took no thought of self or personal progress. That such characters are revered by all is the greatest possible tribute to Christianity itself. Mr. Shreve modestly recognized his call to the ministry at an early age, and by self-instruction and prayerful thought had attained wide scholarship and deep spiritual insight at the reaching of early manhood. In the fall of 1851, when twenty-six years of age, he preached his first sermon, and two years later assumed his first pastorate as a Baptist clergyman, his charges being at Bloomfield and Rockdale. On September 10, 1853, he was ordained to the ministry, and the two years of his pastorate at the places mentioned were fertile of spiritual results. Although he resigned his charge in 1854, he soon returned to Bloom- 186 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY field, and in 1855 was instrumental in erecting the church which stands there today. In 1857 he resigned his pastorate at Bloomfield, for six years was in charge of the churches at Chapmanville and Cherrytree, and then, because of ill health, withdrew from his ministerial labors and resided for a time on his farm in Bloomfield. With fully recovered health he returned to the ministry with renewed zeal, and was thus engaged at various points until a comparatively late period in his life. His last charge, of nine years, was at Centerville, and he finally retired from the Christian field, on account of enfeebled health, to his own deep regret and the real sorrow of the many whose inspiration and comfort he had been for many years. On January 1, 1856, Rev. Cyrus Shreve was married to Miss Florella Nourse, whose parents were natives of Vermont. Their two sons, Hon. Milton W. and Dr. O. M. Shreve, were both born at Cherrytree, Pennsylvania. The father passed peacefully away at his old home in Bloomfield, July 3, 1908, and although he had then' nearly reached his eighty-third birthday his entire life, with the exception of the last few years, had been marked by continuous physical and mental vigor ; then it faded away as the result of no chronic and wearing ailment but from the weakening effects of an acute attack of the grip. The deceased will long be remembered as the father of the Oil Creek Baptist association, but longer still as a wise and sympathetic personal counselor and a gentle guide toward the spiritual heights. Milton W. Shreve obtained his preparatory education at the Edin boro State Normal, for two years afterward was a student at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, and finally graduated from the Buck- nell University in 1884. He read law, was admitted to both the state and the United States courts, and has since been a prominent figure in both legal and public affairs. His practice, which of late years has been largely in business and corporate channels, has brought him financial interests in various financial and industrial concerns. He is a director in the People's Bank of Erie and in several manufactories, and has an active membership in the Erie Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, and the Country and Shrine clubs. In Masonry he is past eminent com mander of Mount Olivet Commandery, K. T., and past potentate of Zem Zem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Shreve's chief public record covers the past ten years. In 1899 he was elected district attorney of Erie county, and in 1900 served as chairman of the Republican county committee. He was first elected to the Pennsylvania house of representatives in 1906 ; was re-elected in 1908, and has served during both sessions as a member of the committee on appropriations, in 1909 being honored by being chosen as chairman of the committee on mines and mining. Judson E. Turner. During many years Judson E. Turner has been identified with the agricultural interests of Greene township in Erie county, and he is numbered among the progressive business men and public spirited citizens of his community. He was born in Wayne township of Erie county July 22, 1861, a son of Byron Turner, who is mentioned more at length in the sketch of his son Daniel Deville, elsewhere in this work. After receiving a good education in the public schools of Wayne township Judson E. Turner learned the 'cheese maker's, trade and followed that occupation for four years in Greene township." He spent four years in New York state and returning to Erie county, Pennsylvania, he purchased in 1887 fifty acres of his present homestead in Greene township, and with HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 187 the passing years he has not only improved his land but has added to his possessions twenty-five acres more and follows general farming and dairying. Mr. Turner married in 1881 Miss Flora Johnson, who received her education in the public schools of Wayne township, Erie county. Her parents, William and Sarah (Alorton) Johnson, of Syracuse, New York, came to Wayne township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1866. They bought eighty-one acres of land' there, and were prominent farmers of that township until their death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been born the following children: Edith R., Roscoe C, Josalyn S. and William Byron. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are members of the Grange, in Greene township and Mr. Turner and his son Roscoe are also identi fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 574 at Phil- lipsville, while Airs. Turner and their daughter Edith are members of its auxiliary, the Rebekahs. Mr. Turner has been elected D. D. G. M. of Erie county, second district of the county, and he has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. Airs. Turner is N. G. of the Rebekahs and the daughter is treasurer of the lodge. Mr. Turner was treasurer of the order for ten years. He is a true blue Republican. Charles Bartholomew Lorenz, commissioner of Erie county and ex-president of the select council of the city, is one of the most prominent Democrats of the locality. He is a native of South Erie, born April 9, 1857, and is a son of Emanuel and Appolonia (Kasper) Lorenz, both natives of Bavaria, Germany, who came to Erie in 1847, being married in that city during the following year. In his early life the father was a printer in an oil cloth manufactory. He died at Erie, April 2, 1876, his widow passing away in 1894, both as loyal members of the Roman Cath olic church. Charles B., of this sketch, received rather an incomplete education in the parochical and public schools of Erie, as in 1869, when only twelve years of age, he commenced work as a clerk in a butcher shop. This he followed until 1880 when he established his own business and before many years had accumulated quite a large property holding. He has not only made rapid and substantial progress as a business man but has obtained wide influence as a Democratic leader and a public man. From 1898 to 1902 he served as a member of the select council of Erie, being president of that body in the latter year, and from 1899 to 1902 he was also hon ored with the presidency of the board of tax revision. In 1905 he became a member of the board of county commissioners and was re-elected by a flattering majority in 1908. Mr. Lorenz was married in 1884 to Miss Elizabeth Leslie, a native of Waterford township, Erie county, and daughter of Cochran Leslie. They have become the parents of the following children : Henry Leslie, born October 1, 1884, and died November 5, 1885, and Alargaret, born July 24, 1887. Henry V. Claus. Among the strong and honored figures in the business and civic circles of the city of Erie that of Henry V. Claus stood prominently forth, as he gained a definite success in his chosen field of endeavor, was loyal and public-spirited as a citizen, and so ordered his life as to retain the unequivocal esteem of the community which so long represented his home, and in which his personal popularity was based on his generous, kindly and honorable character. He was the architect of 188 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY his own fortune and he used his forces not alone for self-advance ment but also for the helping of others who were less fortunate. He died on the 11th of September, 1893, and his memory is cherished by the many friends whom he had "grappled to his heart with hooks of steel." Henry V. Claus was born at Hamen, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 6th of November, 1840, and was a son of John and Hedwig (Kueshner) Claus, representatives of stanch old families of that section of the German empire. John Claus was a man of excellent intellectual attainments and was a successful teacher in the schools of his native land. In 1852 he came with his family to America and both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives in Pennsylvania, where he con tinued to follow the pedagogic profession in connection with other avoca tions. Henry V Claus secured his early educational discipline in his fath erland and was about twelve years of age at the time of the family removal to the United States. The parents located in Erie county, and here he was reared to manhood. As a boy he was employed on a farm in this county for a time, and he then came to the city of Erie, where for six years he was a clerk in the grocery store of the late Philip A. Becker. In this connection he gained valuable experience and well fortified him self for the attaining of success in his independent operations along simi lar lines in later years. After leaving the employ of Mr. Becker he was similarly engaged for one year in the store of F. L. Siegel, and then, in 1863, he initiated his independent career, which was destined to be one of marked success. Fie opened a grocery and liquor store at the corner of French and Fifth streets, and thereafter he continued to be identified with the business interests of the city until his death. His loyalty to his adopted country, however, was such that in the early part of the year 1865 he placed his business in charge of others and tendered his services in defense of the Union. He enlisted in Company K, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and with this command he served until the close of the war, when he received his honorable discharge. Upon his return to his home in Erie Mr. Claus resumed charge of his business, to which he gave his undivided attention. His popularity and resourcefulness caused the enterprise to expand in scope as the years passed, and he finally found his original store inadequate to accommodate his large and substantial trade. He accordingly purchased one of the old foundry buildings on State street, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, and by putting in a modern front and otherwise remodeling the building he made it especially eligible for the uses of his business, which was here confined to the handling of liquors and tobaccos at wholesale. He continued his original retail store on French street, as a branch of the new headquarters, until 1887, when he sold the property and busi ness to Charles B. Wuenchel, and thereafter gave his undivided atten tion to his extensive wholesale business until he was summoned from the scene of life's endeavors. He gained success by worthy means and ever held the confidence and respect of all with whom he had dealings. He was one of the best known of the German-American citizens of Erie, and his popularity was measured only by the circle of his ac quaintances. He was prominent in musical circles and was for many years one of the leading members of the Liedertafel Society. He was also affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Knights of Honor, the Royal Arcanum and other social and fraternal organizations. His political support was given to the Republican party. He was gen erous, kindly and public-spirited, and his integrity was of inviolable GEORGE D. REAVLEY HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 189 order. Liberal and charitable, he did much for others, invariably in an unostentatious way, and his memory will long be revered by those to whom he has shown the helpfulness of true friendship. In the year 1870 Mr. Claus was united in marriage to Miss Fran- zeska Curtze, daughter of the late Frederic Curtze, Esq., of Erie, and of this union were born four children, namely : Frederick, deceased ; Adolph, who is secretary and treasurer of the Globe Iron Works and treasurer of the Heisler Locomotive Works ; Anna, who is the wife of Charles A. Mertens, a representative attorney of Erie; and Herman, who died at the age of nine years. George Dawson Reavley. It was within the province of the late George D. Reavley to have wielded a large and beneficent influence in the commercial, civic and social affairs of the city of Erie, and he was exponent of that high type of manhood which ever stands indicatory of usefulness and subjective honor. He impressed his strong individu ality upon the community in which he so long maintained his home and in which he was held in unqualified esteem, and it is fitting that this publication accord to him a tribute of perpetual appreciation as one of the representative citizens and business men of Erie county. George Dawson Reavley was born near Alnwick, Northumberland, England, on the 13th of August, 1841, and was a son of John and Isabel Reavley, who passed their entire lives in England. The subject of this memoir received excellent educational advantages in his youth, and in his native land he also learned the profession of druggist, to which he there devoted his attention until 1861, when, at the age of twenty years, he came to the United States, where he found employment in the vocation to which he had been trained. The land of his adoption must have soon appealed to this loyalty, for as the Civil war progressed he found himself entering a responsive protest, which culminated in his enlistment in the Union service in January, 1864. He was assigned to duty on the United States steamship "Curlew," of the Gulf squadron, and in this connection was in active service during the later part of the great conflict between the North and the South. He received an hon orable discharge at the close of the war, and thereafter he was con fined to the hospital for several months, his illness having resulted from exposure endured during his service for the Union. Finally, with the hope of recuperating his physical energies, he returned to his native land, where he passed about a year at the parental home. He then re turned to America and located at Youngsville, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the drug business until 1874, in February of which year he took up his residence in Erie, with whose interests he was destined thereafter to remain closely identified during the remainder of his long and useful life. Soon after his arrival in Erie Mr. Reavley established a large and finely equipped retail drug store on Parade street, and there he built up a trade that was essentially representative in character and of large extent. His honorable business methods and the courtesy shown to all patrons had the effect, coupled with the effective service accorded, of making his fine establishment one of the most popular in the city, and he continued, to give his personal supervision to the enterprise until 1902. when he practically retired from active business associations. Mr. Reavley did much to further the material upbuilding and advancement of Erie, where he became the owner of much valuable realty, upon 190 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY which he made the best type of improvements. In 1890 he erected the first three-story brick building to be put up on Jfarade street, and the same is known as the Reavley block. This is still owned by his estate. In 1900 he erected the beautiful and commodious family residence, at 522 East Sixth street, where his widow still maintains her home. In 1894 Mr. Reavley and his wife made a trip abroad being absent for a period of four months, within which they visited his old home in England and also made a comprehensive and interesting tour of the European continent. As a citizen Mr. Reavley was essentially loyal and public-spirited, taking a deep ¦•.West in all that concerned the welfare of his home city and lending his support to worthy measures advanced for the general good of the community. He was a man of most gracious personality and had a wide acquaintanceship in Erie county, where he ever com manded the high regard of all who knew him. In politics he gave his allegiance to the Republican party, though he never sought or desired official preferment of any description. He was a supporter and attend ant of the First Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Reavley is a zealous and valued member. In a fraternal way he was identified with the In dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Sons of St. George, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His death occurred on the 6th of June, 1903, and the people of Erie felt a sense of personal bereavement in the loss of this honored citizen and representative business man. In 1873 Mr. Reavley was united in marriage to Miss Emma Mc- Kinney, of Youngsville, this state, and she was summoned to the life eternal in 1877, being survived by one daughter, Mabel Isabel, who is now the wife of Willis D. Hudson, of Erie. On the 21st of October, 1880, was solemnized the marriage of Air. Reavley to Mrs. Jennie (Car- lin) Zurn, widow of George Zurn, whose death occurred in 1876, and who left two children,— May Dorothy, who is now the wife of Ben jamin F. Sieger, of Erie, and Otto, who died at the age of seven years. Mrs. Reavley was born July 5, 1847, in Chautauqua county, New York, and is a daughter of Henry and Angeline (Dibble) Carlin, the former of whom was born at Westfield,- New York, and the latter in the state of Ohio. Airs. Reavley is specially prominent in the social and fraternal affairs of her home city and state. She is identified with the Daughters of Rebekah, an adjunct of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been specially active and popular in connection with the interests of the Woman's Relief Corps. In 1888-9 she was president of the Penn sylvania state organization of this splendid auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in 1887 she was the third to be called to the presi dency of the Strong- Vincent Relief Corps, the local organization in the city of Erie, and was again elected to that office in 1909. Of this body she has served continuously as treasurer for a period of fifteen years. She was identified with the organization of the Erie Bureau of Chari ties now known as the Associated Charities, and has been active in its work for a long period of years, during nearly twelve of which she was treasurer of the organization— an office from which she finally retired m October, 1908. She is a zealous and devoted member of the First Presbyterian church, and in the same is president of the Pastor's Aid Society. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 191 Justin Arthur Robison has attained his official majority by hav ing served, for more than twenty-one years, as clerk to the board of commissioners of Erie county, and in point of continuous official work is the Nestor of Erie. The total years of his life, however, by no means make him a venerable representative of the county officers, as he was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of October, 1844. His grandfather was a native of Ireland, who became a pioneer farmer of that county, owner of a 400-acre farm and also a leading citizen of Cherry Tree township. At his death the son, Alexander, inherited one hundred acres of the family homestead, and followed farming on this division of the old place all his life. He married Miss Catherine Graham Irwin and both died on the old farm. It was there also that the son, Justin A., was reared, and in that locality that he received a district school education. His earlier years were spent in agricultural pursuits and afterward, as a young man, he was engaged in the oil fields of Venango county and in the manufacture of staves in western New York. He then located in Albion, Erie county, as clerk in a general store whose proprietor was also the postmaster of the place. Upon the death of his mercantile superior Mr. Robison succeeded him as postmaster, holding the office with much credit for eleven years. One of his predominating traits seems surely to be stead fastness of purpose, for he passed from the postmastership of Albion to his present position, to which he was appointed January 1, 1890. These facts require no formal comment as to unusual efficiency of service and honorable and substantial personal character. Air. Robison's wife was Miss Martha A. Logan, of Albion, whose father was one of the best known practicing physicians of Erie county. The greatest sorrow of their lives is the death of their only daughter and child, Ada M. Rob ison, who passed away in 1896, at the age of twenty-one years. Thomas Pickering, one of the old and well known citizens of Erie, was born at East Islington, Yorkshire, England, June 27, 1845, the son of Harland and Elizabeth (Day) Pickering. The family came to Canada in 1848, locating in Trafalgar township, Ontario, where Har land, the father followed farming. He died in 1874, and his widow in 1883. Thomas Pickering located in Erie in 1866, but shortly after wards went to the oil region of Pennsylvania, where he spent several years. In 1873 he returned to Erie and engaged in the livery business on West Eighteenth street, between State and Peach, and in 1885, re moved to his present stand at Nos. 145-147 on that street, where he has one of the largest and best establishments of the kind in the city. Mr. Pickering has been very prominent in municipal affairs, as will be seen by the brief record which follows : He was a member of the select city council in 1887-8 and 1894-7, serving as its president dur ing the last year. In 1896-8, he was a member and president of the board of review of taxes and appeals, and he also served on the board of education for several years. Mr. Pickering was married January 12, 1874, to Katherine, the daughter of Anton Knoll, an early business man of Erie. John N. Sapper. One of the leading business men and citizens of public influence residing in Erie, John N. Sapper is also a German-Amer ican, born in the Second ward of the city, on the 16th of November, 192 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 1848. His parents, \reit and Anna Dora (Kroph) Sapper, were natives of Germany — the former of whom was born in 1821 and died in 1889, and the latter, born in 1827 and died in 1881 respectively. _ In 1848, in the year of John's birth, which also marked the revolution when so many young men emigrated from the fatherland to the United States, the father came direct to Erie, making the entire journey by _ water. Although master of the stone mason's trade, when he located in that city he entered the employ of Lester, Sennett and Chester, and later became identified with Barr and Johnson. The latter firm was merged into the Germer Stove Works, with which Mr. Sapper was connected for thirty-five years continuously. Both he and his wife were devout Lutherans. Ten children were born to them — John N., Adam, Elizabeth, Alargaret (deceased), George, Kate (deceased), Anna, William, Dora, and Frank C. (deceased). John N. Sapper, the oldest child of this family, attended the public schools of Erie until he was thirteen years of age, and from that time until he was sixteen was employed in the foundry. He then mastered the tinner's trade, and was employed by one house for twenty-five years, his identification with the business commencing when the firm was Barr and Johnson and concluding under the Germer Stove works. In 1887 he became a member of the firm of Alehl and Sapper, hardware dealers at No 1114 State street, and since that time has been engaged in a large and growing business at that location. He is an active member of the Erie Board of Trade, and in his civic relations to the city has shown special interest and attained prominence in the educational affairs of the municipality. In June, 1901, he was elected to the Erie school board, and has been a member of that body ever since, serving as its president in 1906. He belongs to the order of Elks, and is an earnest worker in the religious and charitable activities of St. John's Lutheran church, of which he once served as secretary of the board of trustees and with which his wife is also identified. Airs. Sapper was formerly Miss Alinnie AIiller, daughter of F. W. AIiller, of Erie, and she is the mother of one child, Frederick William Sapper. The latter was for merly connected with the Alarine National Bank of Erie, and is now treasurer of the Federal Alanufacturing Company. He married Aliss Zella, daughter of N. A. Watson, of Erie, and to them has been born a son, Frederick William. Albert AIacDonald. It is characteristic of the thrifty and com mon-sense traits of the old Scotch family of which Albert MacDonald is a representative that three generations in this country have founded their family comforts and based their substantial careers on a special form of industry. Albert, the representative of the present generation, is now superintendent of the Aletric Metal Works of Erie. He was born at Albany, New York, on Alay 11, 1875, and is the son of William and Elida (Pangborn) AIacDonald, also natives of that city. The grand father came from Inverness, Scotland, to Albany in 1849, and there established a manufactory of gas meters. The father has always been engaged in the same line and is still active. The mother died in 1890. Albert AIacDonald reached the period of his youth in Albany, in whose common and high schools he was first educated. He then took a preparatory course at the Steven's School, Hoboken, New Jersey, and then entered the institute proper. While a senior in that institu tion, he left to accept his present position. Mr. MacDonald is widely &^?,n>L^ H XWtd r>i— \ w M>Owo Xw>H HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 193 known in his special line of manufacture, and is a member of the Amer ican Gas Institute, AAmerican Brass Foundrymen's Association, xAmer- ican Foundrymen's Association and the Canadian Gas Association, and is a director in the Erie Engine Works and in the Erie Gas Company. He also belongs to the Erie and Kahkwa clubs. Before her marriage his wife was known as Miss Louanna Hardwick, daughter of Hon. Wil liam Hardwick, of Erie. George W. Blaine, connected with various business enterprises which he has successfully conducted, is numbered among the represen tative citizens of Erie county, in that his business affairs have always been of a character that have contributed to general prosperity as well as to individual success. A native of North East, Pennsylvania, he was born on the 6th of March, 1849, of the marriage of A. W. and Sarah A. (Platt) Blaine, also natives of North East. His paternal grandfather, James Blaine, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, while his maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Platt, was a native of Connecticut. Both became residents of North East township about 1800 and purchased . land from the Holland Land Company. The tract was all covered with timber, which it was necessary to clear away before they could plow and cultivate the fields. Both were active in the substantial development and improvement of that section and both were equally strong in advocacy of Republican principles. George W. Blaine is a cousin of Hon. James G. Blaine, the "Plumed Knight" and the lineage is in direct line in the Blaine family. Reared in the place of their nativity, A. W. Blaine and Sarah A. Platt were married in North East and were prominent and well-known residents there. The father was actively and successfully engaged in the banking business for a number of years. In 1864 he organized the First National Bank in association with Amos Gould, John McCord and William Griffith and was elected its first cashier, in which capacity he controlled its interests and made it one of the substantial financial institutions of that locality. He also did much toward shaping the public policy of that district, his ability and fitness for leadership result ing in his selection for various offices. For sometime he filled the position of justice of the peace and three times he was called upon to represent his district in the general assembly, during which time he was connected with much important constructive legislation, while to each question which came up for settlement he gave earnest and thoughtful consideration, casting the weight of his influence on the side that he be lieved would further the best interests of the commonwealth. He died January 10, 1879, having for twelve years survived his wife, who passed away in May, 1867. Their children were : Alice E., now the wife of Colonel W. A. Robinson, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; George W. ; and Mary R., the wife of Joseph T. McCord, of North East, Pennsylvania. Reared under the parental roof, George W. Blaine acquired his education in the public schools, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority. In 1870, when twenty-one years of age, he began business on his own account as proprietor of a grocery store but a year later he sold out and went upon his father's farm, which he rented until the father's death. He then purchased the place, which he still conducts as a vineyard, it being now within the city limits and comprising a tract of rich land of fifty acres. As the years Vol. 11—13 194 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY have gone by Mr. Blaine has also extended his efforts into other fields of activity. He was for a time engaged in the sawmill and lumber business with A. I. Loop and a year later became connected with A. M. Backus in the same line, that association being maintained for two years. He then severed his business relations with Mr. Backus and in 1893 turned his attention to banking, joining with several other leading business men in organizing the First National Bank of North East. He was elected its president, with Robert Dill as vice-president and B. C. Spooner as cashier. In the control of this enterprise he has dis played keen discernment, his efforts being an important factor in its successful conduct. In 1893 he also purchased a gristmill from the Haywood Estate and established a coalyard. In 1903, in connection with G. N. Mackay and J. E. Lee, he purchased the Scouller mill, and this firm also handles coal and other commodities. Mr. Blaine is now the president of the Blaine, Mackay & Lee Company and the firm is enjoying continuous and growing success in the lines along which they are operat ing. In 1896, in connection with W. J. Town and Charles S. Ivloses, Mr. Blaine purchased the plant of the North East Cider Works, which they converted into a vinegar factory with a capacity of from ten to twelve thousand barrels per year. This company was incorporated with Mr. Blaine as president and the business is now one of the important productive industries of the town. In 1906 Mr. Blaine became owner of the American Beauty Stove Works, with W. E. Jorden as partner and manager, Mr. Blaine retaining the presidency. It will thus be seen that his interests are varied and in the community where he resides he is known as a successful business man who carefully formulates his plans and is determined in their execution. He allows no obstacles or difficulties to bar his path if they can be overcome by persistent and earnest effort and his activity has carried him into important public relations. In addition to his other interests he is president of the board of trustees of the North East cemetery, he is a director of the Mutual Telephone Company and is the owner of over three hundred acres of valuable farm land, over eighty acres of which is planted to grapes. On the 25th of September, 1872, Mr. Blaine was married to Miss Anna AI. Hampson, who was born in North East township and is a daughter of James and Matilda AI. (Porter) Hampson. Their only child, Ruth M., born September 8, 1877, died in February, 1879. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Blaine has filled all of the offices and he takes a prominent part in the church of his choice. In 1901 "The Centennial Commemoration of the Found ing of the First Presbyterian Church of North East, Pennsylvania" was published and Mr. Blaine was the prime factor in its publication. It is a volume of 282 pages, illustrated with halftone engravings of the first churches of the society and the ministers. This book is well written and of great historical value to the North East Presbyterian Society. Mr. Blaine's political allegiance is given to the Republican party and for thirteen years he has served as a member of the city council, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity, his efforts being practical factors in promoting the city's upbuilding. He has also been and is the treasurer of North East and without invidious distinction he may be termed one of the foremost citizens of the town. His entire life has here been passed and through the period of his manhood he has been closely associated with its material, intellectual, political and moral prog ress. He stands as a splendid type of the progressive American citizen HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 195 who realizes and meets his obligations to the community and in business affairs holds to high standards, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen but winning his success in the legitimate lines of trade. Charles B. Wuenschel is a well known and prominent business man of Erie, and a leading member of the city school board. He is a native son of Erie, having been born there in 1858, the son of Simon and Elizabeth (Heidt) Wuenschel, both natives of Bavaria, Germany. Simon Wuenschel was a cooper by trade and came to the United States and to Erie in 1847, being there engaged in business as agent for a large oil cloth manufactory. He died in 1870, and his wife in 1898. Mr. Wuenschel of this sketch, was educated in the Erie public schools, and began practical life as a clerk in the shoe store of Joseph P Eichenlob, where he continued for eight years. He then entered the employ of the late H. V. Claus, and had charge of the French and Fourth street branch of that gentleman's State street business, until 1887, when he succeeded to the entire business and has since success fully conducted the enterprise. For many years Mr. Wuenschel has been closely identified with the public school system of Erie, and for sixteen consecutive years has been a member of the school board, hav ing served both as secretary and president of that body. He was first elected in 1892, and has since been chosen for six different terms, three times without opposition. In 1894-5, he served as secretary, and in 1906, as president of the board and during his term of service, many great improvements have been made in the public school system. Dur ing the above period, school buildings numbers 10, 12, 13 and 16 were enlarged, numbers 2, 4, 6, 14, 17 and 18 erected, and the city high school completely remodelled. In 1879 Air. Wuenschel married Maggie B., the daughter of J. T. Sevin. For nine years before her marriage, Mr. Wuenschel's wife was a teacher in the public schools of Erie. Two children have been born of this union ; Flora E., who died in 1902, at the age of twenty- two years, and Charlotte M., who resides with her parents. Charles H. English, who is a prominent young member of the Erie county bar and also a local leader of the Democracy, was born in the First ward of the city, on October 30, 1883. Lie is a son of Ali chael M. and Maria (Sheridan) English, highly respected citizens of Erie. His father was born in Buffalo, New Atork, in 1847, and his mother is a native of Ireland, born in the following year, their marriage occurring at Lockport, New York. In 1878 they settled in Erie, where Michael English has long been a construction engineer identified with railroad construction. Charles H. English, of this sketch, acquired his preliminary educa tion at St. Patrick's parochial school and later attended the Erie high school, from which he graduated in 1902. Being thus prepared for a university course, he entered Georgetown College, from whose law de partment he graduated in 1906, having also pursued his professional studies in the office of C. L. Baker, of Erie. He was admitted to the bar June 27, 1907 ; in that year began the practice of his profession, and February 1, 1908, became associated with Francis F. Nagorski to form the firm of Nagorski and English. The partnership business is increasing at an encouraging rate, and Mr. English is becoming well known both as an able and progressive attorney and a forceful element 196 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY in local Democratic affairs. In 1908 he was chosen chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee and is still engaged in the energetic and satisfactory discharge of his official duties in that connection. Mr. English is also popular in fraternal society circles, being a Grand Knight of the Erie Council, Knights of Columbus, and a director in the Mar quette Club, as well as of the Alarquette Building and Loan Association. Philip W. Dietly. A city acquires high standing in any branch of industry or commerce by reason of the quality and originality of its manufactures and business methods, as well as because of the bulk of transactions in a particular line. Originality and enterprise are always at a premium in the markets of the world, however great a value it may place upon efficiency and skill. Now, the city of Erie is obtaining — has obtained — a fine name as a center of iron manufactures ; as a leading headquarters in the production of powerful and complicated mechan isms used in the operation and building of railroads and the general development of commerce and municipalities. One of the prime rea sons for this standing is that it has produced such men as Philip W. Dietly, proprietor of the Erie Alachine Shop, who is not only a master of his craft but has original ideas in mechanics which he has put into practical execution and actual forms of working iron. His establishment was the second machine shop in the United States to build steam rollers, which, as much as any one agency, have advanced the "good road" move ment and the stability and beautifying of city thoroughfares and pleas ure grounds. The great asphalt mixers, which every lover of ingen uity and power, as well as economy of labor, has paused to admire in the progress of street construction — this fine useful piece of mechanism is especially Air. Dietly 's favorite child, as it was he who erected one of the first asphalt plant (whose central feature is the mixer) in the city of Erie. The paving roller and the asphalt mixer are now the main specialties of his machine shop, which is the largest individual establishment of the kind in the city. Air. Dietly is a native of Erie, born on the 26th of September, 1861, and is a son of the late Uras J. and Caroline (Reasir) Dietly, natives respectively of Switzerland and Germany. They both emigrated to Erie in 1853, where the father followed his trade as a tailor until his death November 4, 1874, at the age of fifty-three years and seven months. The mother was born June 20, 1833, and died in Erie, March 9, 1897. The son first obtained a public school education and then served an apprenticeship at. the machinist's trade in the old Humbolt Iron Works. He steadily worked at the bench for about ten years; then was an engineer on the Anchor line of lake steamers for four years, and then engaged in the retail oil business by establishing the first "route" in the city. Air. Dietly's career as an individual iron manufacturer dates from 1885, when he established the Erie Alachine Shop at the corner of Twelfth and State streets. He continued at that location until 1894, when he completed the substantial brick building which is now his plant, at the southeast corner of Thirteenth and Peach streets. He is also at the head of two other leading industries of Erie, the Volcanic Torch Alanufacturing Company and the Wayne Brewing Company, and is also otherwise interested in various business enterprises. As a public citizen he has been prominent for a number of years, and since 1905 has been an active member of the city school board. As he is a thirty-second HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 197 degree Alason, a Knight Templar and a Shriner, he is a member of the local Shrine Club, and is also identified with the Elks and the Country Club. On the 22d of October, 1891, Air. Dietly wedded Miss Alary E. Milks, daughter of Albert and Deborah (Fogg) Milks. She was born at Cranesville, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1861. Her mother is de ceased, while her father lives with her in Erie. The children of the household are four, as follows: Hazel S., born December 2, 1892; Uras A., born May 18, 1894; Philip W., born February 3, 1897; and Alary E., born March 16, 1900. George F. Diehl, one of the prominent of the younger citizens and business men of Erie and president of the Colby Piano Company, has as one of his strongly marked characteristics a determination that enables him to persevere in the pursuit of a persistent purpose. Alore- over his plans are always well formulated and are the result of care ful consideration of the possibilities of every business situation. One of Erie's native sons, his birth occurred in the Fourth ward of this city, February 8, 1861, his parents being Fred and Barbara C. (Doll) Diehl, well known German-American residents of Erie. The father was born in the Rhine province of Prussia, November 15, 1834, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Mehl) Diehl, who were also natives of Prussia, where they spent their entire lives. Fred Diehl, father of our subject, came to America in 1851 and, locating first at Buffalo, there completed the trade of shoemaking in the employ of an uncle. In 1853 he came to Erie and was in the employ of Conrad Doll until 1860, when he en gaged in the boot and shoe business on his own account. For thirty-eight years thereafter he was closely associated with the commercial interests of the city, conducting a successful and growing business until 1898, when he retired from active commercial lines, having in the meantime acquired a handsome competence sufficient to supply him with all the necessities and many of the comforts and luxuries of life. His wife was born in Germany, April 30, 1836, and when only a year old was brought to America by her parents. Her father, Casper Doll, was a son of Casper Doll, Sr. The family were among the pioneer German residents of Erie and this part of the state and were prominent here for many years. During the long period of his residence here Fred Diehl was actively interested in community affairs and in 1883 was called by his fellow townsmen to the office of member of the common council, serving for two years. Unto him and his wife were born three children : George F. ; John C, who is now principal of the high school of Erie ; Minnie M., the wife of Edward W. Horn, now of Cleveland. George F. Diehl acquired his education in the city schools of Erie and after completing his course was engaged in several lines of business prior to 1893, when he became connected with the Colby Piano Company as an employe in the office. Mr. Diehl reorganized the company in 1900 and was made president and general manager of the new concern, which is now one of the city's important manufacturing industries. The busi ness is carefully organized, is systematically managed in its various de partments and, studying to produce the best results at a minimum ex penditure of time and labor — which is the basis of all success — the officers of this company have made it a profitable concern and one of the leading features in the industrial circles of the city. Mr. Diehl was united in marriage to Miss Anna Smith, of Erie, a daughter of Airs. Margaret Smith Beekman. Air. and Mrs. Diehl are 198 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY prominent in the social circles of the city and are consistent members of the Salem Evangelical church. His membership relations also ex tend to the Blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the Masonic fraternity and to the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Country Club and of the Chamber of Commerce and in association with the last named is active in affairs for the promotion of the city's welfare and upbuilding, giving earnest co-operation to all movements for the public good. Augustus B. Felgemaker. Blessed with the love for music, the late Augustus B. Felgemaker was also endowed with mechanical genius and the typical perseverance of his race. The grand result of his life was, therefore, that in his early youth he consecrated his abilities to the work of practically perfecting and creating one of the most magnificent forms through which the vast harmonies and soul of music are ex pressed. After applying his powers of invention and his genius for hard labor and business promotion, Mr. Felgemaker developed the first port able pipe organ in the world. Even prior to his death, October 16, 1905, he had established one of the largest church organ manufactories in the country. He had become known not only throughout the United States, but abroad, as one of the leading organ builders of the world. The concern was incorporated as the A. B. Felgemaker Organ Company in 1904, and so firmly was it established that even since the death of its founder it has prospered to an unparalleled extent. A conclusive test of its remarkable stability was the long business panic or depression of 1907-8, during which it enjoyed the distinction of being the only manufactory of Erie which continued in operation on full force. For years the plant has confined itself to the construction of church organs and fully one thousand religious edifices have housed its products within their walls, with pride for the manufacture and high honor for the manufacturer. Augustus B. Felgemaker, founder of this great establishment, was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 16th of July, 1836, and is a son of Dr. Joseph and Caroline (Penning) Felgemaker, both natives of the Nether lands. The father, who was a graduate of the medical department of Heid elberg University, practiced his profession for a time both in Holland and Germany. Emigrating to the United States in 1840, he located at Buffalo, New York, where he continued in professional work and, with his wife, passed his last years. The son received his education in the Buffalo public schools, and while yet a boy showed decided talent and mechanical gifts. Moreover, he early chose organ building as a trade and business, and while still a youth invented and patented the first port able pipe organ ever made. In 1865 he began the manufacture of organs under his own patents in Buffalo, under the firm name of Derrick and Felgemaker. In 1872 the business was located in Erie, and in 1875, by the retirement of Air. Derrick, it commenced to be conducted as the A. B. Felgemaker _ Pipe Organ Company, with Mr. Felgemaker as its sole proprietor until his death thirty years later. The deceased was not only widely known as the head of one of the leading industries of Erie, whose uniqueness gave the city itself a special standing, but as a broad citizen of many outside activities. He was a well known member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, a director of the Erie Trust Company, and a Alason of the thirty-second degree in the Scottish rite consistory. • As a family man, the deceased was affectionate HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 199 and generous, and since his taking away there is a pathetic vacancy in the household. The surviving members of the family are the widow and four daughters, two of whom are married and two, live with their mother. On September 14, 1869, Mr. Felgemaker wedded Miss Julia Dickman, daughter of George and Catherine (Smith) Dickman, resi dents of Buffalo, New York, and the children of this marriage are as follows : Ada E., who is now Mrs. Martin Mayer, wife of the well known contractor of Erie; Emma Henrietta, who married Dr. David V. Reinoehl, a leading Erie physician; and Charlotta and Olive, who live at home. Mrs. Felgemaker and her daughters are all members of St. Paul's Episcopal church. Horatio Nelson Bradley. More than forty-three years of indus trious and honorable residence in Erie have brought Horatio N. Bradley into the first ranks of its citizens, and the three decades covering his career as a railroad man have raised him to the responsible position of commercial agent for the Pennsylvania Company, his progress with that great corporation being based upon a record of remarkable faithful ness, adaptability and ability. Born at Dansville, Livingston county. New York, on the 30th of March, 1846, he is descended from an old and prominent New England family, his grandfather becoming a pioneer paper manufacturer of western New York. At a very early day, this paternal ancestor located at Dansville, because of the natural water power found there, and erected what was the first paper mill in that section of the country. Plaving thoroughly mastered this line of manufacture in his native state of Connecticut, the builder and pro prietor made a permanent and broad success of the business. For many years, both he and his four sons were engaged in paper making at Dans ville and (at least, a portion of the time) at Niagara Falls. One of these sons, Lucius Bradley, was a native of New Haven, Connecticut; accompanied his parents to Dansville; after completing his education en tered the paper mills and spent his remaining days in the locality, being a leader not only in its industries but in the general progress of the com munity. He also held a commission from Governor Seward as a major in the state milita, his brother Chester being a colonel; so that Lucius Bradley, father of Horatio N., proved his full worth to the city and the commonwealth in many capacities. He was united in marriage to Miss Eunice Knowlton, also a native of Dansville, daughter of Amos Knowl- ton, a native of Vermont but a pioneer of Livingston county, New York. H. N. Bradley, of this sketch, was reared in Dansville and was edu cated in its public school and academy. In 1866, when twenty years of age, he located in Erie as a clerk in the hardware store of John C. Selden on French street and was similarly engaged with W. W. Pierce and Company, also hardware merchants. In 1878 he began his railroad career as clerk to George V. Maus, then division freight agent of the Pennsylvania Company at Erie. Continuous proofs of his ability to assume greater responsibilities led to successive promotions as chief clerk to C. F. Perkins, division freight agent, and (1892) as division freight agent himself of the Erie and Ashtabula division of what was then the Erie & Pittsburg and the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad companies. He continued in the latter position until April, 1904, when he was appointed to his present responsible position as com mercial agent of the Pennsylvania Company, with headquarters at Erie. 200 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Air. Bradley was married at Erie, in 1874, to Miss Annie Perkins Smith, who was born in 1849 and is a daughter of the late Ex-Mayor Sherburn Smith, for more than forty years a leading business man and citizen of the place. Airs. Bradley's father was a native of New Hamp shire, born in 1805, and for some years followed his trade as a hatter in the Granite state. He was also thus engaged at Hartford, Connecti cut, and in 1832 became a journeyman hatter in Erie, in that year enter ing the employ of P. K. Rockwell on French street. Two years later he founded a business in the old Mansion House, continuing at that loca tion until the great fire of January 22, 1839, swept away that structure with a number of adjoining buildings. Air. Smith then moved his store to the east side of French street, where he remained until his death December 26, 1876. Besides operating a large establishment as a manu facturer of hats for thirty-five years he was an extensive buyer of wool for the eastern markets, during a large portion of his active business career, Erie county being considered in the "western country" and near the center of supply of raw material for the woolen manufacturers of New England. Air. Smith was also highly respected for his public services to the city of Erie, serving in its municipal council and, in 1859-62, as mayor. His marriage in 1841 was to Aliss Susan Heck, daughter of J. Heck, long a justice of the peace in Erie. Both by marriage and in his individual relations, Air. Bradley stands high as a citizen of Erie. As a railroad man who carries especial weight with the business community, he is among the influential mem bers of the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, and he is closely associated with those organizations in all the movements fathered by them for the general development of the city. He is also a member of the Erie Club. His religious affiliations are with the St. Paul's Epis copal church, and both he and his wife are widely known and honored for their cultured sociability and their sterling characters. Louis Galmish is one of Erie's best known and most popular cit izens, being proprietor of the Parkview Hotel, a leading hostelry of the county. A native of the Keystone state, he was born in Frenchtown, Crawford county, on the 15th of February, 1861. His parents, Alonzo and Frances (Dounon) Galmish, were natives of France, the father having been born in Paris and the mother in Belleville. His natal year was 1S24 and in his boyhood days he came with his father and mother to the United States, the family settling in Frenchtown, Crawford coun ty, Pennsylvania. The mother made the voyage across the Atlantic with her sister about 1855. Alonzo Galmish followed the occupation of farm ing in Crawford county for a long period and there departed this life in 1894 at the age of seventy years, having for more than two decades survived his wife, who died in 1872. Louis Galmish was reared on the home farm and the country schools afforded him his educational privileges. When not busy with his text books he worked in the fields, but thinking that he would find other pursuits more congenial and more profitable, in the fall of 1876, when a youth of fifteen years, he left the old home and secured a position in ageneral store in Frenchtown. The following year he removed to Titus ville, Pennsylvania, where he obtained employment in a restaurant and in 1878 he went to Franklin, Pennsylvania, where he made his initial step in connection with hotel interests by securing a position in the United States Hotel, becoming general assistant to the proprietors. ^fef J$. &rf£. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 201 Realizing the value of education in preparation for life's responsible duties, he supplemented his early course by attending General Miller's free night schools through three seasons. On leaving the United States he went to the Exchange Hotel in Franklin, first having charge of the dining room, while later he became steward and afterward manager, filling the last named position for sixteen years. On the expiration of that period he felt that his long and varied experience and the capital which he had saved from his earnings justified him in beginning busi ness on his own account and in 1901 he purchased the Hotel Allen, of Erie, and the following year enlarged the capacity by building an addi tion. AAt the same time he changed its name to the Parkview Hotel, which is now a fine hostelry situated on South Park Row, fronting beautiful Central park. It is one of the most popular of the city's best hotels. The building is a four-story brick structure, containing forty rooms- and a fine dining room. It is equipped with steam heat and elec tric lights and is thoroughly modern in every respect, due attention being paid to the cuisine, while every practical effort is put forth for the com fort and convenience of the patrons. The hotel has a large commercial patronage and is a favorite with many guests. On the 25th of September, 1901, Air. Galmish was married to Miss Catherine Henry, daughter of Michael Henry, of Franklin, Pennsyl vania, where Airs. Galmish was born. They now have two sons, Louis and Henry. The parents are members of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church and Mr. Galmish belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a Knight of Columbus. He is also a member of the Business Alen's Exchange and the Erie Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard on Major General Charles Miller's staff for seven years and is a member of the Pennsylvania and of the National Hotel Men's Associations. He has made steady progress in his business career, basing his actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving commercial integrity. An intelligent appreciation of opportunities has been one of the salient features in his success and his friends — and they are many — rejoice in what he has accomplished, knowing that his prosperity is well merited. Rev. John B. Tipp, the pastor of St. Boniface's church, in Greene township, was born in Neuhaus, Westphalia, Germany, on the 9th of Alay, 1869, and is a son of Joseph and Josefa Tipp, who still live in the little city of Paderborn. The son in his early life was well prepared for the high position he now holds, and first attended the College of St. Theodore at Paderborn, Germany. In 1890 he matriculated in the seminary at Puerto' Viejo, in Ecuador, South America, and remaining In that institution until 1892 he then entered the Grand Seminary at Quito in Ecuador. He continued his studies there until 1894, and on the 8th of June, 1895, he was ordained to the priesthood by Rt. Rev. Peter Schuhmacher, bishop of Puerto Viejo. About this time Rev. Tipp left South America on account of a revolution, and coming to the United States he was" stationed at Pittsburg until 1897, when he came to Erie as the assistant to Rt. Rev. Mgr. Decker, and remained in that capacity until June of 1899. At that time he was transferred to Meadville, and on the 1st of November, 1900, he was appointed the pastor of the St. Bon iface's church. He is thoroughly earnest and sincere in all his thoughts, words and deeds, and his efforts in his divine calling have been abund antly blessed. 202 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY The first resident pastor of St. Boniface's parish was Rev. Joseph aA. Oberhofer, appointed June 16, 1857. Alass was said in the house of Alichael Schnell until September of that year. During this time a structure was put up which served as church, priest's house and school AAbout fifty families belonged to the congregation and there are a few of the old settlers still living in the parish, namely: Alartin Aloritz, John Gredler, Alartin Wick, Joe Lavery, Airs. John Stesel, and Airs. Elizabeth Wagner. Rev. P. F. Alaloney succeeded Father Oberhofer in June, 1867. The old church burned down and a temporary structure was put up. In the following year Rev. Father Gerst took charge of the parish and was followed by Rev. A'. Yollmeyer in December, 1868. Dissensions arose between the nationalities in the parish and the only man who was capable to deal with the difficulty was Rev. Joseph .A. Oberhofer, the first pastor. The bishop appointed him again and soon the parties were united and a new building was erected which stands today. The church was dedicated on Alay 25th, 1873. Shortly after this Father Alelchior Appel took charge of the parish. In August, 1878, Rev. E. Hasse relieved Father Appel who was transferred to Aleadville. The next change was made in AAugust, 1890, Rev. John C. AIcEntee being the new pastor. He was relieved of his duties by Rev. Jos. AA' Sieverding in August, 1891. The year 1894 brought another new pastor, Rev. Simon Assenmacher, who attended to the wants of the parish up to June, 1895, when Rev. Henry F. Dietrich was assigned to the charge. He built a new Sisters house but did not enjoy his pastoral works very long because in February, 1897, he took very sick and died on account of hardships. He was fol lowed by Rev. Jno. H. Heibel, who was transferred to Rasselas in Octo ber, 1900, and succeeded by Rev. John B. Tipp, who is still in charge of the parish. aA new parsonage was built in 1901. School-work went always hand in hand with the church work. The teachers were Alessrs. Feuersbein, Rohmer, and AAdolph Schmidt, and the Yen. Benedictine Sisters of St. Alary's, and now the \ren. Benedictine Sisters of Erie. The organist in the church since 1903 has been Aliss Catherine F. Seus. At the present there are about sixty families and as the congregation intend building a new brick church all the members of the parish are work ing earnestly for it. Two boys of the parish became priests. Rev. Francis Wagner now pastor of Brookville and Rev. Jno. H. Heibel, pastor of Rasselas. AIelvin N. Lovell. The patent of nobility which rested its honors and distinction in the person of AIelvin Newton Lovell came from high authority, since it was based upon fine character and marked ability. His life record was one of valuable and generous accomplishment along practical, productive lines, and his measure of success was large; but greater than this was intrinsic loyalty to principle and the deep human sympathy which designated the man as he was. As a manufacturer and inventor he gained precedence; he aided materially in the promotion of the industrial upbuilding of _ the city of Erie; and his life was one of signal usefulness and honor in all its relations. Air. Lovell was born at Allegheny, Venango county, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of August, 1844, and is a son of Darias T. and Susan B. ( Conover) Lovell, both of whom were likewise natives of Pennsylvania, where the respective families were early founded, both being of English lineage. Darias T. Lovell died about the year 1858 and his wife long HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 203 survived him, as her death occurred in 1883. When the subject of this memoir was a boy the family removed to Kerrtown, a village located in the vicinity of Titusville, this state, and there he was reared to maturity, in the meanwhile receiving such advantages as were afforded in the com mon schools of the locality and period. As a youth he served an ap prenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and his natural mechanical talent, enabled him soon to become a skilled workman. He followed his trade during the major portion of his term of residence in Kerrtown, and also became interested in the oil fields of Titusville. In 1861, when seventeen years of age, Mr. Lovell left his home and, without parental authority, tendered his services ,jn defense of the Union. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war he thus enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and with this command he saw active service during his comparatively brief career as a soldier of the republic. He received his honorable dis charge at the expiration of his term of enlistment, and in 1865 he took up his residence in Erie, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for a number of years thereafter. In 1869 Air. Lovell invented and patented several useful articles for household use, and in that year he began the manufacturing of certain of these inventions, in partnership with Frank lin F. Adams. Among the principal products of the original factory were washing machines and step-ladders. In 1881 Mr. Lovell individ ually began manufacturing other of his patents, including spring beds, and from a modest inception the Lovell Manufacturing Company grew to be one of the largest industrial concerns of its kind in the Union, even as to-day it is recognized as being the most extensive manufactory of clothes-wringers in the entire world. In connection with his manufactory Mr. Lovell established sales agencies for his products in all parts of the country, and these branches were known as the Lovell stores. From them goods were sold on the installment plan, of which now common system Mr. Lovell was practic ally the originator. After his business had already been established upon a substantial basis and had grown to no inconsiderable proportions, Mr. Lovell invented and patented the famous wringer which bears his name, and in later years he confined his operations largely to the manu facture of this very superior invention, which now finds sales in all sections of the civilized world. He was chosen president of the Lovell Manufacturing Company at the time of its incorporation, and the con cern is now one of the most important industrial corporations of Erie county. Mr. Lovell was also one of the organizers and stockholders of the Combination Roll & Rubber Manufacturing Company, of New York, which was formed for the purpose of manufacturing his patents, with office headquarters in New York City and factory at Bloomfield, New Jersey. Of this strong and successful corporation he was vice-president until the time of his death. He was the first and most potent factor in securing the proper representation of the state of Pennsylvania at the Cotton States Exposition, held in Atlanta, Georgia, and was appointed commissioner from Pennsylvania to that exposition, where he did an enthusiastic and particularly successful work in behalf of his native state. He was signally alive to all that concerned the welfare of his home city, and his aid and influence were ever given in support of meas ures for the general good of the community. Though never active in the domain of practical politics he gave a loyal support to the cause of the 204 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Republican party, and he was also active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he was a liberal supporter. He was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, and also held membership in var ious civic, business and social organizations. He was steadfast and relia ble as a business man, and left a deep impress upon the industrial history of his native state, where his name is held in lasting honor as one of the world's noble army of workers. He was summoned to the life eternal on the 21st of November, 1895, in the very prime of his strong and use ful manhood. In 1870 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lovell to Aliss Eliza beth A. Neilson, who was born in New York City, October 15, 1846, and who is a daughter of James and Alary A. (Gaggin) Neilson, the former of whom was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, and the latter in Ireland. The parents were married in New York City, where the father was a prominent and successful florist for many years, and there both continued to reside until their death. In conclusion of this brief sketch is eniered record concerning the children of Air. and Airs. Lovell: Susan Alay, died in 1888, at the age of twenty years; Rose Lillian is the wife of J. Edwin Kirk, of Atlanta, Georgia, and they became the parents of three children, AIelvin Newton, who died at the age of two years, and Charles Edwin and AIiller Cameron, who are living; Bertha Neilson Lovell became the wife of George Rogers Williams, and they reside in Buffalo, New York; they have one son, Lowell Wetmore. Airs. Lovell still maintains her home in Erie, where she has long been a member of the board of managers of the Home for the Friendless, and where she is prominent in social activities and in the work of the First Alethodist Episcopal church. Joseph Orin Wait, prominent among the younger members of the legal profession at Erie, Pennsylvania, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Erie county. The Wait family of Erie county is descended from Thomas Wait of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He with two brothers, Richard and Gamaliel, came from the west of England to America,_ arriving at Plymouth in 1634, fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims. Soon after his arrival in America he .settled in Rhode Island, where on July 1, 1639, he was granted a building lot. On Alareh 6, 1641, he was made a freeman, a privilege then granted only to church members. He died intestate at Portsmouth some time before April, 1667, and the town council divided his property among his children, Sam uel, Jeremiah, Thomas, Mary and Reuben. John Wait, a descendant of Thomas Wait was the fifth justice of the supreme court of Rhode Island. The descendants of Thomas Wait continued to reside in the New Eng land states, principally in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, until after the close of the Revolutionary war, since which time the family has become widely extended over the country, principally through the New England states and New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas. Samuel Wait, son of Thomas, married Plannah Whitman, of Kings ton, Rhode Island; they had four children, Samuel, John, Joseph and Susanna. Susanna married Benjamin Perry; they had a son, Freeman Perry, who married Mercy Hazzard, who had one son, Christopher Perry, who married Sarah Wallace Alexander, who has a son, Oliver Hazzard Perry, Commodore in the United States Navy. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 205 The great-great-grandfather of Joseph Orin Wait, the subject of this review, was Joseph Wait of Broadalbin, New York. He was born in Rhode Island in 1759, and died October 19, 1828. He was the son of Benjamin (4th), the son of Samuel (3rd), the son of Samuel (2nd), the son of Thomas (1st), of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He was a brother of Colonel Beriah, who was an ensign in the Third Company, North Kingston, Rhode Island, in 1778, a lieutenant in June, 1780, and a colonel in the Continental army for five years. Many of the Waits served as soldiers in the French and Indian wars as well as in the Revol ution and Civil war. The family of John Wait was captured by the Indians and carried into Canada during the French and Indian wars. His wife gave birth to a daughter, while in the hands of the Indians, who was named Canada and one of whose descendants was the founder of Smiths College at Northampton. Joseph Wait, of Broadalbin, served in Captain Delano's company of Rhode Island troops during the Revolutionary war., He married Abigail Clarke on February 23, 1783. They were the parents of sons as follows: George, Clarke, Beriah, Joseph, Benjamin, Walter, Philip and Stephen, the great-grandfather of our subject. He was born as Broadalbin, New York, August 3, 1802, and died in Le Boeuf township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1874. He married at Broadalbin on Janu ary 17, 1821, Jane Shepherd. They settled in Le Boeuf township, in 1833, where he took out a patent for a tract of land from the Commonwealth. This land is- still owned by the Wait family, having been in the family for four generations. The children of Stephen Wait were, Samuel, S., Peleg P., Eunice, Benjamin J., Sarah, Stephen A., Edmund R., Beriah G. and Levi J. Peleg P. grandfather of Joseph Orin Wait, was born at Broadalbin, New York, January 11, 1824. He married Lois Davis of Washington town ship, Erie county, Pennsylvania, on March 30, 1845. They had four chil dren Daniel, Sarah Jane, Peleg Plenry, and Stephen. Daniel Wait was born in Le Boeuf township, October 25, 1846, and married October 29, 1867, Martha A. daughter of Joseph and Isabella (Benn) Arters. To them were born three children: Jennie Viola, Febru ary 27, 1869, married March 30, 1892, Robert McLallen; Joseph Orin, whose name introduces this sketch, and Raymond Philip, born July 5, 1888. Joseph Orin Wait was born July 5, 1871, in Le Boeuf township, Erie county. He was a student at Waterford Academy and graduated from the State Normal School at Edinboro, in 1894, and from Allegheny College, Meadville, in 1898, as salutatorian of his class. While in col lege he was on the editorial staff of the "Kaldron," the college "Annual ;" also of the "Campus," the weekly publication of the college. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was admitted to the bar in Erie county in 1902, and has offices at No. 8 South Park Row, Erie, Pa. Mr. Wait was married at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1903, to Nina Ethel, daughter of Joseph and Elza (Buys) May- cock. They have one child, a daughter, Lois, born March 16, 1907. Mr. Wait is identfied with both the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He is a member of Perry Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., of Temple Chapter No. 215, of the Shriners Club, of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 718, and of Hen- eosis Adelphon Encampment No. 42. 206 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Charles Gunnison. The growth and development of a city are dependent not so much upon the machinery of government or upon those who fill the public offices as upon the business men who institute and con trol legitimate enterprises, holding to high standards in all their trade relations. Of this class Charles Gunnison is a worthy representative and is well known to the general public as the senior member of the firm of Charles Gunnison & Company, tanners and dealers in hides and leather. He was born in Erie, October 29, 1851, a son of the late John B. Gun nison, who was one of the most prominent and influential citizens here and one of the founders of the business which is now conducted by his son of this review. John B. Gunnison was born in Erie, April 16, 1826, his parents being Ebenezer D. and Sophia (Baker) Gunnison, who were pioneers of this city. In his youthful days he was a pupil in the old Erie Academy and later he learned the trade of a tanner and currier, while subsequently he engaged in the book trade. In 1859 he and his brother, Charles E. Gunnison, now president of the Marine National Bank of Erie, formed a partnership and erected the large brick tannery on West Eighteenth street. John B. Gunnison at once took charge and managed the enterprise successfully until his death, which occurred in February, 1897. In all of his business undertakings he was resolute, determined and energetic, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertook and in all things conforming his actions to a high standard of commercial integrity. He served as a member of the common council, as city assessor, as a member of the school board and as county assessor and in these various relations discharged his duties most ably and faith fully. In his younger days he was assistant chief of the old volunteer fire department of Erie and throughout his life he took an active and helpful interest in all those activities and movements which were a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He was also a member of the Owl Club, one of the prominent early social organizations of the city. He was reared in the Baptist faith but in later life united with the Universalist church and continued in that belief until his demise. On the 5th of February, 1850, John B. Gunnison was united in mar riage to Aliss Eleanor Spafford, who was born in Erie, May 23, 1830, a daughter of Oliver and Lucinda (Burton) Spafford. Her father was a representative of the old and prominent New England family of that name which numbered among its representatives Ainsworth Spafford, late United States congressional librarian. Oliver Spafford was born at West Windsor, Vermont, January 27, 1795, and was the son of John and Elizabeth (Kendall) Spafford. The former was born in Vermont in 1758 and was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Oliver Spafford was married in Portland, Chautauqua county, New York, and in 1817, after having followed various business interests in other parts of the country, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, then a town of only three or four hundred population. In that place he engaged in the book trade and among other volumes published AVebster's Elementary Spelling Book and the American Preceptor, once noted as a popular reading book for the schools. In 1828 he removed to Erie and became the founder of a large and prosperous publishing house of this city, which he conducted along constantly expanding lines up to the time of his death, which occurred September 30, 1881. He had long survived his wife, who died January 6, 1855. The children of Mr. and Airs. Spafford were as fol lows: Oliver, now deceased; Elizabeth K., who has passed away; Char- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 207 lotta A.; Alary J., deceased. Eleanor L. ; Sarah M., deceased; Charles R. and Curtis J., both now deceased. The children of John B. and Eleanor (Spafford) Gunnison were four ici number, the subject of this review being the eldest. Alfred, the second son, was born in Erie, Alarch 17, 1853, and pursued his education in the schools of that city, after which he went to California in 1874. He spent twenty years on the Pacific coast, where he was engaged in tanning and leather business. During that period he married Josephine Springer and in 1895 returned to Erie, where he became connected with the firm of Charles Gunnison & Company. Anna L., the only daughter, born in Erie, May 5, 1855, is the wife of Charles Thayer and the mother of three children: Lila, the wife of Stanley Byron, of Erie; Edna, the wife of George Freas of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; and Paul. Rolla Gunni son, the fourth member of the family, was born in Erie, September 30, 1863, and was educated in the city schools, after which he became con nected with his father in the tanning business as a member of the firm of C. Gunnison & Company and still retains his interest in the enterprise, although in 1903 he became a member of the George Plumer Leather Company of Girard, Pennsylvania. He still retains his residence in Erie, however. He married Annie Sisson, of this place, and to them have been born three sons : Boyd S., J. Eben and Gordon. Charles Gunnison, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in Erie and after leaving school entered his father's employ, continuing with him in business until the father's death, when he and his mother and brothers succeeded to the ownership of this enterprise, which Charles Gunnison has since capably managed and directed. His thor ough understanding of the trade well qualifies him for the onerous duties that devolve upon him in this connection. The output is of superior qual ity and finds a ready sale on the market, their trade in leather and hides being now quite extensive and profitable. Mr. Gunnison is most pleasantly situated in his home life. He wedded Aliss May E., daughter of A. B. and Olive M. (Low) Gunnison, of Erie, and unto them have been born two sons, but the elder, Arthur, who was born September 11, 1880, died at the age of thirteen years. Carl, who was born September 17, 1883, married Inez C. Skinner, a daughter of F. E. and Alary Skinner, of Erie. There was one child of this marriage, Howard Wesley, who died at the age of one year and four days. Well known in his native city, Charles Gunnison is a valued member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and of the Business Men's Exchange. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Unitar ian church and these associations indicate much of the nature of his in terests and the rules which govern his conduct. The fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his youth to the present time is an indication that his life has at all times been an hon orable and straightforward one. William Pitt Gilson, who for years was prominently identified with the commercial interests of Erie and throughout the entire period held to a high standard of business ethics, so that he received the respect and esteem of his colleagues and associates, was born in the state of New York in the year 1823. He removed from Watertown, New York, to Erie, Pennsylvania, when a young man of sixteen years, arriving here in 1839. For a long period he was engaged in the coal trade and in the 208 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY commission business on the docks and during a part of that time was a member of the firm of Gilson & Walker. In 1873 he became rental agent for the Reed estate, a position which he held until his death on the 8th of March, 1898. Mr. Gilson was one of the best informed men in the state on turf matters and for many years was the secretary of the Erie Racing Association. In early manhood Mr. Gilson was united in marriage to Miss Fran ces Newton, who was born near Saratoga Springs, New York, in Novem ber, 1826. They became the parents of a son and daughter, but the latter, Harriet, died in the fall of 1904. The husband and father passed away March 9, 1898, and at the time of his demise one of the local newspapers said of him: "He was a kind and affable gentleman whose acquaintance was very extended, and wherever known was held in the highest esteem. He was a man of honor and his word was as good as any man's bond. In his domestic relations he was very happy and his entire time outside of business hours was spent at his home. He was a man of refined tastes and was exceedingly well read. His home was one of the most attractive in the city in its surroundings. The cultivation of roses and other out- of-door flowers and growths was a part of the occupations for which he had a great liking." His strongly marked traits of character were such as won for him unqualified regard and friendship and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him. John L. Gilson, a citizen of Erie well known as a theatrical mana ger, was here born June 9, 1851, and spent his youthful days in his par ents' home, while in the public schools he acquired his education. He afterward took up the study of telegraphy, became a capable operator and from 1870 until 1878 resided in the west, where he was connected with telegraphic interests. On the expiration of that period he returned to Erie and accepted a position in the office of the collector of internal revenue, thus serving from 1878 until 1884. He began his theatrical career in 1893, when he assumed the management of the Park Opera House of Erie, of which he has since been continuously in charge. On the 1st of January, 1905, he became manager of the Alajestic theatre, one of the most beautiful playhouses in Pennsylvania, and now manages this and the Park Opera House conjointly, showing excellent business discernment in the control of the two theatres, together with thorough understanding of the demands of the public in the way of theatrical entertainment. Air. Gilson was married to Aliss Florence Sterrett, a daughter of Joseph A. and Sarah (Kirkpatrick) Sterrett, both old Erie families. Air. Gilson belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Genial, courteous and cordial, he is a popular resident of his native city and has many friends here. Paul D. Mullin, a promising young business man of Union City, secretary of the Standard Chair Company, is a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, the son of J. AI. and Sarah (Troth) Alullin, and grandson of Robert Alullin who was a native of Fayette county and a, hat maker by trade. J. Al. Mullin was a well-to-do farmer, and owned valuable coal lands in his native county. Paul D. Alullin attended the public schools of his native county, and later fitted himself for business life at the Syracuse University, from which institution he graduated. After leaving college Air. Mullin en gaged in the insurance business in Pittsburg, but upon the re-organization of the Standard Chair Company, of Union City, in 1900, which was HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 209 incorporated, he assumed the office of secretary of that institution, and entered upon the performance of his duties after the completion of the building now occupied by them. This company had been formed first in 1898, and had a force of sixty skilled workmen, but the new factory furnished employment for two hundred men, and the output is thirty-five hundred chairs in ten hours ; the machinery is operated with electrical appliances giving four hundred horse-power, and in this city, noted for the manufacture of chairs, the company herewith described takes a prominent place. Air. Alullin married, October 3, 1906, Marjorie E., daughter of Charles H. and Alice AI. (Cady) Church, born in 1882, and they have no children. The Church family are further described in the article regard ing H. L. Church, in another part of this work. Charles H. Church and his wife had two children, namely : Gertrude E., born in 1878, in 1902 married O. C. Hatch, and Alarjorie E. Mrs. C. H. Church was a native of Columbus county, Pennsylvania, and both Mr. and Mrs. Church are dead he having died in 1886. Lowell M. Little. The death of Lowell AI. Little removed from the city of Erie a citizen who represented a fine type of faithfulness in whatever he undertook. Was it business, his associates and superiors could always rely upon his absolute integrity although it might run counter to his private interests, and upon his unfailing courtesy and gentleness, whatever the provocation to anger or even just indignation. In a word, Mr. Little was a man who carried the conscience, charity and kindliness of his religion into every detail of his daily life, and his faithfulness to both worldly and Christian duties was inseparable. Air. Little was a native of Ohio, born at Aurora. Portage county, Ohio, on January 1, 1847, and when he came to Erie in 1865 he had received a common school education and a wholesome home training. At first he entered the office of the American Express Company, at that city, but later was transferred to the office at Titusville, Pennsylvania. AVhile residing there he became connected with the Titusville National Bank, but in 1870 returned to Erie and lived in that city, as one of its useful, strong and moral men, until the day of his death. His advent to its activities was as secretary and director of the W. L. Scott Coal Company, and he ably held the position for thirty years, relinquishing it only when compelled to retire from active business on account of fail ing health. For many years he was also a director of the First National Bank. His ability, fidelity and elevating influence made him a welcome and a prominent personage in the specific circles of religious and chari table workers. In the Park Presbyterian church he was a strong sup porting pillar for many years, being long the leader of its choir, for eight years superintendent of the Sunday school and during the last three years of his life one of its elders. He was also, for some time, president of the local organization of the Young Men's Christian Association, and held other positions on the boards of various religious, charitable and benevolent bodies. Fully alive to the elevating effects of a general men tal enlightenment upon the public, he was always a firm and earnest supporter of the city library, being one of its original trustees. In 1872 Mr. Little married Susan Brewster, daughter of Alexander W. Brewster. Her father was a native of Allegheny county, Pennsyl vania, born in 1796, and in 1806 was brought by his parents to Erie, where he became a leading citizen. He served as sheriff of Erie county, Vol. 11—14 210 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY was 3 the last burgess of the city, and held other honorable offices. Mr. Brewster died May 26, 1851, and his was the first interment in Erie Cemetery, of which he was one of the incorporators. His wife (nee Susan Al. Tones) was a native of Connecticut and died in 1886. The only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell AL Little is Margaret L, who married Professor F A. Cleveland, a native of Palmyra, New York who is now identified with Cornell University. Prdfessor and Airs. Cleveland have one child, Susan Brewster Cleveland. Casimer Siegel. For more than a half century the name of Casi- mer Siegel was an honored one in Erie, for his labors constituted an important factor in the upbuilding and development of the community and in the promotion of commercial and industrial progress through his intense and well directed business activity. He was a native of Germany, his birth occurring in that country in the year 1814. He was twenty- one years of age when in 1835 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He first located in the city of Buffalo, New York, where he engaged in business for two years and then crossed the boundary line into Pennsylvania, locating in Erie in 1837. He remained a continuous resi dent of this city from that time until his death. Soon after coming to Erie he met with an accident which resulted in the loss of one of his arms but this misfortune did not materially lessen his usefulness as a cit izen or retard his active business career. He was alert, energetic and enterprising and readily recognized and utilized the opportunities for business advancement. His first place of business in Erie was in the old Witter block on French street and during the time of the construction of the old Erie canal he was one of the sub-contractors and while so engaged established a supply store on Federal Hill. Continually watch ful of opportunities pointing to success, he extended his business inter ests from time to time. His next venture was in the establishment of a linseed oil mill on the site of the old Gingrich mill on Twenty-seventh street in South Erie, this being the pioneer enterprise of the kind in the county and one of the first in the entire country. Air. Siegel withdrew from that field of labor, however, at a later date because of the failure of the crop. He was next engaged in the wholesale grocery and seed business, in which he continued for several years at different localities in the neighborhood of the park. In 1870 he established his business on Eleventh street, where he continued up to the time of his death. Honored and respected by all, there was no man who occupied a more enviable position in commercial and financial circles in Erie than Casimer Siegel or who was more universally respected. He was espec ially popular among the German-American residents of this city and his word carried influence with them.- He was thoroughly American in spirit and interests and gladly cooperated in every movement for the welfare and benefit of the city. His wise counsel was frequently sought, not alone in business matters but in shaping important measures in muni cipal legislation. For some time he served as a member of the city coun cil and his efforts in that body were always in the direction of betterment and improvement. He died October 17, 1886, and the community mourned the loss of one whom it had long known and honored. Neither fear nor favor could swerve him from a course which he believed to be right and his name was ever an unsullied one in commercial circles. Dr. Owen Al. Shreve, one of the leading specialists engaged in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, is one of the most HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 211 thoroughly and broadly trained among the physicians and surgeons of Erie. He is a son of the late Rev. Cyrus and Florella (Nourse) Shreve, his father, who died at Union City, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1908, having been engaged in the work of the Baptist ministry in that section of the state for more than fifty years. The family is descended from Eng lish ancestry and Richard and Alargaret Shreve, the great-grandparents of the doctor, migrated from Burlington, New Jersey, and settled at the head of Oil Creek lake (now Lake Canadohta) in 1798. Their son Israel, the grandfather of Owen Al., married Elizabeth Bloomfield, daughter of Thomas' Bloomfield, a Revolutionary soldier and prominent citizen in whose honor Bloomfield township was named. Eight children were born of this union, and, since the death of Rev. Cyrus Shreve, the only survivor of the family is Thomas B. Shreve, a resident of Union City. Rev. Cyrus Shreve was a native of Bloomfield township, born July 23, 1825 ; was ordained to the Baptist ministry September 10, 1853, and held charges for the next half century at various places in western Pennsylvania. He was a man of remarkable vitality of body and mind and retained his vigor until within a few years of his death, when his powers were enfeebled by an acute attack of disease. He then resigned his pastorate to the deep sorrow of the many whom he had befriended and assisted in ways both practical and spiritual, and passed peacefully away at his old home in Union City a venerable man of God, revered for his earnestness, unaffected character and his Christian desire, as well as his strong human ability, to aid those in material or spiritual suffering. The two sons of the deceased are Dr. Owen M. and Hon. M. W. Shreve, both of whom prominently figure in the professional and public annals of Erie. Dr. Shreve pursued courses preparatory to his professional educa tion at Bucknell Academy and University, graduating from the latter with the class of 1884. He completed his studies at the Buffalo Medical College in 1892, and after his graduation therefrom went abroad to extend his knowledge and training in connection with diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He attended several of the hospitals and clinics of Europe, and for some time served as an assistant at Moore- field's Eye Hospital, London. Returning to the United States in 1902, he located at Erie for practice, and his uninterrupted success since is but the natural and legitimate result of his thorough training in his profes sional specialities and his instinctive abilities. The doctor is president of the Erie County Aledical Society, and is actively identified with the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Aledical Associa tion and the Hamot and St. Vincent's hospitals. Fie is also a Alason, and a member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, as well as of the Erie and Country clubs. In other words, he is a live citi zen of Erie and one of its most thoroughly representative physicians. The doctor married in London in 1903 — Aliss Elise Courtier-Dutton and two children were born to them in England — Olive E. and Owen M., Jr. Orr G AIetzner, the leading retail dealer in meats of Erie, is a pro duct of the county, in birth, education and business development. He was born on a farm in North East township, Alay 24, 1860, and is a son of the late John and Catherine (Wallace) AIetzner. He was educated in the Erie public schools, learned bookkeeping from a private tutor and mastered the meat business under his father. In 1882 he founded his own establishment in that line on Parade street, but a year and a half later became his father's partner. In 1886 he located at his present num- 212 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ber 13 West Seventh street, and from the large profits of the business erected the fine block on the site of the old building, in 1890. Air. AIetz ner is an influential member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Bus iness Alen's Exchange, and is past master of Perry Lodge, A. F. & A. AI He was married, December 30, 1889, to Aliss Carrie Firch, of Erie, and to them have been born the following: Alaxwell, March 19, 1891, and Webster, June 21, 1893. . John Metzner, father of Orr G, was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1846, his first work being to learn the butcher's trade at St. Mary's, Pennsylvania. After residing in Erie for a time he purchased a farm in Greenfield township, this county, and resided there on until 1865, when he returned to the city and engaged in the meat bus iness at No. 924 Parade street, retiring in 1892 and dying in Erie three years later. His wife (Catherine Wallace) was born in England of Scotch- English parents and died in 1876, mother of two sons— James William, who was born October 5, 1856, and died Alay 15, 1874; and Orr G. Metz ner, of this biography. Rufus S. Loomis, deceased, was a member of one of the oldest fam ilies of the vicinity of North East, and was descended through many gen erations from the mother country of England. Born in North East on the 20th of January, 1811, he was a son of Joel and, Susanna (Baird) Loomis, who were married on the 1st of January, 1799. Joel Loomis was born in Granville, New York, and was a son of Seth and Mindwell (Porter) Loomis. Seth Loomis was born Alay 22, 1737, and was a son of Joshua and Abigail (Langdon) Loomis, of Westfield, Massachusetts. Joshua Loomis, born August 24, 1706, died previous to 1788, and he was a son of William and Alartha (Alorley ) Loomis, also of Westfield. Wil liam Loomis, born on the 18th of Alarch, 1672, died February 22, 1753, and he was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Judd) Loomis. Samuel Loomis was born in England, and was a son of Joseph and Sarah (Hill) Loomis. Joseph Loomis afterward married Alary Channey. Seth Loomis, the grandfather of Rufus S., moved to the town of North East during an early period in its history, and he died here on the 15th of July, 1809. His son Joel bought a large tract of land six miles south of North East, in Greenfield township, which was his home for many years, but the later part of his life was spent in the town, and dur ing the fifteen years previous to his death he was blind. Rufus S. Loomis was a member of his parents' home until he came to North East and learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. He assisted in the building of the first church in the town, and was its chorister for thirty years, finally resigning his position on account of ill health. In 1847 he purchased a residence in the village, and later, in 1865, became the owner of a one hundred acre farm adjoining the village on the west, and this he farmed until his death, August 12, 1873. As a Republican he served in many of the offices of his community, and as a Presbyterian he was very prominent in the religious and social life of the town, active both in church and Sunday-school work for many years. He married on the 19th of Alarch, 1833, Sarah Tuttle, born in North East April 28, 1812, a daughter of Amos and Sarah (Richards) Tuttle, and a granddaughter of Colonel Timothy and Alehitable (Royce) Tuttle. Colonel Timothy Tuttle was a personal friend of George Washington, and was with him during the Revolutionary war. The children born to Air. and Airs. Loomis were : Sarah Ann and Susan Ann, twins, born October 20, 1834, and the former died on the 27th of January, 1853, and HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 213 the latter on the 26th of February, 1851 ; Amos, born January 14, 1837, and now a real estate dealer in Erie, Pennsylvania ; John Jay, born June 13, 1839, enlisted on the 16th of September, 1861, as a musician of the Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in August of 1862, and is now a manufacturer of the Loomis Elastic paint for metal preservation; Mary L., born September 22, 1841, died Febru ary 14, 1848 ; Frances Amelia, born June 29, 1844, died February 19, 1848 ; and Ella Alay, born Alay 1, 1850, resides with her brother, John Jay, at the Loomis homestead in North East. The Schaffner Brothers Company, proprietors of the largest meat packing house in northwestern Pennsylvania, is the outcome of the small business established in Cleveland, in February, 1884, by Alorris and Jacob Schaffner. In January, 1887, they moved their business to Erie, opening a retail and wholesale store at No. 1327 Peach street, now the location of the Dispatch newspaper plant. In 1888 the Schaffner Broth ers commenced to devote themselves exclusively to the wholesale trade, their slaughter house being on Alill creek at Twenty-ninth and State streets. With the increase of their business, in 1891 the firm secured larger slaughtering "accommodation by obtaining the old Busch establish ment at the corner of Eleventh and Wayne streets, whose capacity was also increased from time to time. In 1906 they purchased an entire block on East Fifteenth street, breaking ground for the erection of the great plant which they now occupy on August 11, 1906. It was com pleted on September 26, 1907. The main building is 100 by 87 feet, three stories in height, and is furnished with every sanitary and modern convenience known to the trade. As the structures are mainly of con crete and iron, every sanitary advantage is afforded. The power house of the plant, which is 40 by 60 feet, also generates electric lighting. There is also a two-story warehouse, 30 by 50 feet, and the covered yards and sheds for the handling of the cattle cover an area of 300 by 89 feet. The most approved methods of artificial refrigeration are in use, the cellars and great coolers giving ample assurance that all meat pro ducts will be handled with every safeguard as to cleanliness and general sanitary conditions. The output of the plant amounts to two carloads of live stock daily, or to 5,000 head of cattle, 18,000 of hogs and 7,500 of sheep and lambs, annually. A large trade is also done in manufac tured meats, for which the city of Erie and the towns along the Pittsburg and Eastern and the Bessemer railroads furnish the main markets. In 1906 the business was incorporated as the Schaffner Brothers Company, with Morris Schaffner as president, Jacob Schaffner as treas urer and Milton Schaffner as secretary. The head of the company is a native of Hehsloch, Hessen, Germany, born on the 28th of November, 1866, and is a son of Henry and Regina (Sedel) Schaffner. The father, who was a butcher, died in the old country in 1893, at the age of fifty-six years, and in 1898 the mother came to Erie to reside, being still living there in her sixty-ninth year. In 1881, as a boy of fourteen, Morris Schaffner came to this country alone, joined some friends in Cleveland, and two years later opened a small butcher shop. In 1884 his brother Jacob emigrated to the United States and the two became associated in Cleveland, as stated, under the name of Schaffner Brothers. He is now the guiding force in the Schaffner Brothers Company, as well as presi dent of the National Commission Company of Cleveland, vice president of the Fostoria (Ohio) Commission Company and a director of the 214 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Presque Oil and Gas Company. Like the majority of leading citizens who have combined for the general advancement of Erie, he is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and, in accord with his special property interests, he is also closely identified with the work of the South Erie Improvement Association. Further, Air. Schaffner is well known as a member of the Cleveland Commercial Travelers' Association, Erie Maennerchor, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights and Ladies of Honor. His firm religious faith is that of his fathers, and from 1903 to 1908 he served as president of the Jewish congregation of Erie. On November 28, 1886, Air. Schaffner married Miss Carrie Schuster, of Buffalo, New York, and the children born to them were as follows: Milton, now secretary of the Schaffner Brothers Company; Alfred, a salesman in the employ of that corporation ; and Minnie, living at home. Jacob Schaffner, treasurer of the Schaffner Brothers Company and one of the founders of its large business, was born in Hessen, Germany, on January 4, 1868, and came to the United States in 1884, as already stated. It was at that time that he associated himself with his brother Morris in the establishment of the small butcher shop in Cleveland which was the forerunner of the present great establishment in Erie. Mr. Schaffner is an honored member of the I. O. O. F. and the Knights and Ladies of Honor and of the Cleveland Commercial Travelers' Associa tion, and has long been an active trustee of the Jewish congregation of Erie. His wife was formerly Miss Sarah Oppenheimer, of Erie, and he is the father of Henry and Helen Schaffner. Gustav F. Brevillier. In this volume there is perhaps no history which serves to illustrate more clearly the force of determination and persistent purpose in enabling one to rise from a humble financial posi tion to affluence than does the record of Gustav F. Brevillier, who for many years was a prominent business man of the city but is now living retired, enjoying the respect, confidence, good will and honor of all with whom he has been associated through business, political or social rela tions. A native of Germany, Gustav F. Brevillier was born on the 8th of September, 1830, in Lichtenfels, Bavaria. His father, Alexander Brevillier, now deceased, was of Huguenot stock. The ancestors of the family, upon the revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685, were driven out of France and took refuge in Germany, locating in the city of Frank fort, where they became engaged in extensive business and banking enterprises. Alexander Brevillier was united in marriage to Miss Chris- tiane Koch and they removed to Hildburghausen, Thuringia, in 1840, and in 1854 came to this country with their son, Frederick. Gustav F. Brevillier continued his education in the common and high schools of Thuringia until 1846, after which he spent two years in the Polytechnic Institute at Vienna, Austria. Favorable reports reached him concerning the business opportunities of the new world and in 1848 he came to the United States, where he expected to find employment as a draughtsman or civil engineer. After traveling to several different cities and failing to secure a position in the line of his profession, he determined to learn a trade. He was at that time in the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, and he took up the task of acquainting himself with the manufacture of soap. There he worked as a soap-maker until the autumn of 1852, when he decided to seek his fortune further west and came to the city of Erie. Flere he made a permanent location and soon embarked HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 215 in business on his own account, engaging in the manufacture of soap and candles on a small scale, his place of business being located at the corner of Holland and Sixth streets. The business grew from year to year and within a decade had assumed large proportions, having become one of the profitable productive enterprises of the city. Mr. Brevillier continued in the trade until 1871, when failing health forced him to retire from active business and, taking his family with him, he went to Europe, where he remained for four years, visiting the scenes and friends of his early youth. He was always a progressive and thorough business man and was among the first manufacturers of Erie to utilize natural gas for heating and illuminating purposes. He dis played intelligent appreciation of opportunities and carried forward to successful termination whatever he undertook, realizing that determined industry and perseverance will eventually win the desired end. In Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1854, Mr. Brevillier was united in marriage to Aliss Johanna Stuebner, who was born in Gera, Germany, April 30, 1832, and died in Erie on the 15th of August, 1886, at the age of fifty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Brevillier were the parents of the fol lowing named : Henry L., born August 30, 1855, is one of Erie's prom inent citizens and is serving his second term as protho-notary of Erie county. He married Elise Eichhorn, of Erie, by whom he has the fol lowing children : Johanna Catherine, who was born July 28, 1880, and died October 23, 1880 ; Gustav H., born September 9, 1882 ; Alexander F., whose birth occurred February 24, 1885, and who married Miss Mary Emeline Foster on the 26th of October, 1908. Louise, the second child of our subject, was born November 20, 1856, and became the wife of Emil Beyer, of Erie, by whom she has the following children : Edmund, whose natal day was April 23, 1891, and who passed away December 3, 1899 ; and Arthur, born April 15, 1893. Hedwig, whose birth occurred on the 5th of June, 1858, passed away on the 12th of June, 1858. Anna, born May 1, 1859, was called to her final rest on the 11th of April, 1901. She was the wife of Frederick Nick, of Erie, and became the mother of the following children : Frederick, Jr., born October 7, 1882 ; Edwin, March 10, 1885 ; Louise April 20, 1887 ; Charlotte, who was born Febru ary 25, 1891, and died February 28, 1894; one who died in infancy, being born on the 28th of August, 1893, and passing away two days later ; and Elsie, who was born January 8, 1893. Emma, whose birth occurred February 9, 1861, died on the 25th of August of the same year. Emma, the second of the name, was born February 7, 1862, and was called to the home beyond on the 23d of December, 1900. She gave her hand in marriage to Edward C. Siegel and had one child: Herbert B., born May 20, 1896. Ida, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 3d of November, 1863, passed away at Plymouth, England, July 17, 1871. Jennie, whose birth occurred July 27, 1866, became the wife of Fred A. Siegel, of Erie, by whom she had two sons, Raymond F. born November 14, 1897, and Harry S., born July 1, 1901. Gustav, who was born Janu ary 7, 1868, died on the 3d of August of the same year. Mr. Brevillier has been very prominent in the public life of Erie and has filled a number of offices of honor, trust and responsibility, always discharging the duties incumbent upon him in a most capable manner, ever placing the general welfare before partisanship or personal aggrandizement. He was -a member of the school board from 1858 until 1861 and again from 1863 until 1866. The following year he became a member of the city council and filled the office for two years, while in 216 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 1888 he was chosen city assessor and from 1889 until 1896 was city comptroller. The last office which he filled was that of water commis sioner, his incumbency continuing from 1900 until 1906. His devotion to duty was most marked and his service was characterized by an intel ligent understanding of the needs of the situation and the opportunities for municipal progress. He is a member of the Erie Board of Trade and of Perry Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M. He has been conspicuously useful in public affairs and in all the multiplied activities of his fruitful life his energies, means and influence have been thrown upon the side of justice, truth and progress. He is a man of broad mind, of kindly pur poses and high ideals, with whom contact means elevation and expansion. Daniel G. Curtis. The Curtis family has been prominently con nected with the development of the lumbering and tanning industries of New York and Pennsylvania for several generations, Daniel G. Curtis, of Erie, having devoted the past fourteen years of his career to the acquisi tion and promotion of extensive timber interests in British Columbia, California and the southern states; and this is his high standing in the business world, although he has but just entered his thirty-ninth year. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born at Warren, April 19, 1871, and is a son of John Gould and Alary (Chambers) Curtis. The grandfather, John Curtis, was born in Connecticut, where, for many years, he was engaged in the tanning trade. John G. Curtis, the father, is a native of Newtown, that state, where he learned the tanner's trade under his father and also served his apprenticeship as a machinist. While still a young man he, with his two brothers, went to Steuben county, New York, and engaged in lumbering and tanning to such advantage that the scene of their operations was named the town of Curtis. After disposing of his interests in the combined venture John G. located at Alaunch Chunk, Pennsylvania, where he became superintendent of a large tannery. Later, he purchased an interest in a tannery at Emporium, that state, and sub sequently moved to Warren and Ludlow, at the latter place engaging in the lumber business in which he is still interested, although since 1907 he has been a resident of Erie. Daniel G. Curtis was reared at Ludlow, residing there from an early age until his eighteenth year, when he went to the Pacific coast and for three and a half years engaged in various lines of railroad work. In 1892 he returned to Ludlow and incorporated The J. G. Curtis Leather Company, of which he was chosen president. In 1895 the business was absorbed by the J. G. Curtis Leather Company of New Jersey, its foun der relinquishing his interests and returning to San Francisco for the ourpose of investing in timber lands on the Pacific coast. This business move has resulted in his acquisition of large tracts of sugar pine and red wood timber in California and valuable properties in British Columbia, as well as extensive lumber and timber interests in Mississippi and Ala bama. At the present time he is president of the Pacific Slope Lumber Company, Limited ; Yellow Cedar Lumber Company, Limited, and a director in the Tide-water Timber Company, Limited, with headquarters at Vancouver, British Columbia. The extent and importance of his southern interests are indicated by the fact that he is president of the American Timber Company of Alabama and the Tuscaloosa Lumber Company, of the same state ; is vice president of the Interstate Lumber Company, of Columbus, Mississippi, of which his father is president, and treasurer of The Curtis-Attala Lumber Company, of Curtiston, Alabama. (Pfafoz**^ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 217 In October, 1906, Mr. Curtis fixed his residence at Erie, from which he directs his varied interests and where he is also recognized as a popu lar and influential citizen. He is a director in the People's Bank of Erie, and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Erie, Country, Khakwa and Shrine clubs. As a Mason, he belongs to Tyrian Lodge, Alount Olivet Commandery, Presque Isle Lodge of Perfection, Pittsburg Consistory and Zem Zem Temple. Air. Curtis' wife is a native of Spring Creek, Pennsylvania, and was formerly Miss Jennie Eldred, daughter of Byron Eldred. Their children are John Gould and Harriet Eldred Curtis. Charles AI. Conrad. The great empire of Germany has con tributed a most valuable element to the cosmopolitan social fabric of our American republic, which has had much to gain and nothing to lose from this source. Among those of German birth and ancestry who have attained to success and precedence in connection with business activities in the city of Erie is Mr. Conrad, who is a citizen of sterling character, honored by all who know him and influential in both civic and commercial life. It is, indeed, a "far cry" from the position of the German immigrant boy standing on the market place in what was then the village of Erie to peddle from his baskets such vegetables as his worthy mother had provided for such disposition, — to the status of one of the most prominent capitalists and influential business men of the city in which his career was thus initiated under most lowly conditions. It is the glory of our republic that such personal advancement is pos sible of accomplishment, and no man is more appreciative of the ad vantages of the land of his adoption and none more loyal to its institu tions than is the honored citizen whose name heads this biography. Charles AI. Conrad, president of the Erie Brewing Company, was born in the province of Rheinpfalz, Germany, on the 26th of February, 1841. In 1849, his mother came with her two sons, Louis and Charles AL, aged respectively ten and eight years, to America, together with her mother, her father, Joseph J. Conrad, having come in the preceding year, taking up his residence in Erie, which was then a small village. The widowed mother and her two boys landed in New York City, whence they proceeded by boat up the Hudson to Albany, from which point they went on to Buffalo by the newly completed railroad. While in Albany the devoted mother, unfamiliar with the language or customs of the country, was robbed of what little money she had, and when the little party of 'four reached Erie they were penniless. From Buffalo they came to Erie on the old side-wheel steamer "Diamond." Upon their arrival they found shelter in the modest little home of Henry Hechtman, by whom the grandfather was employed in the capacity of bookkeeper. This worthy pioneer business man granted to the mother and her two boys the use of the upper story of his log house, which stood on the southeast corner of Third and French streets, and directly across the street from which was the old Franklin House, a pioneer tavern. On the top floor of this hotel building was located the first lodge room of the Masonic fraternity in this section of the state. The question in providing for the maintenance of her family was the all important one which confronted Mrs. Conrad, and with all of solicitude and devotion she made recourse to the best expedient that offered. She engaged in gardening on a modest scale, and Charles M., to whom this sketch is 218 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY dedicated, was able to lend his aid in the work and also in placing the products on sale. Equipped with two large baskets, filled with at tractive vegetables, he stood on the old market place in Central Park and peddled the contents of his hampers to the citizens of the village. A few years after coming to Erie Airs. Conrad was united in marriage to Jacob Fuess, who owned what was known as the Fuess brewery, and thereafter the burdens resting upon the shoulders of this noble and in telligent woman were lightened. Soon after the marriage Charles M. Conrad went to work for his step-father, with whom his relations were ever most agreeable, and from that time to the present the National brewery, with its various changes in name and with the improvements made from time to time to keep the plant up to modern standards, has been largely in the hands of Mr. Conrad. Upon the death of Mr. Fuess, in 1863, Air. Conrad, who was then twenty-two years of _ age, be came associated with his mother in continuing the brewery business, of which he assumed entire charge and whose interests he signally ad vanced by his able and progressive management. As the business ex panded in scope and importance, the plant was enlarged and otherwise improved, to meet the constantly increasing demands placed upon it, and finally, in 1895, the entire institution was remodeled. All of the frame buildings were replaced by substantial and attractively designed struc tures of brick, stone and iron, and the latest improved machinery and accessories were installed throughout the entire plant, which is the largest in this section of the state and which constitutes an imporant contribution to the industrial activities of Erie. About the time of this rebuilding of the plant Mr. Conrad also engaged in the manufacturing of malt and brewers' supplies, in which department of his business he built up a successful enterprise, which so continued until the combina tions effected by the leading interests in this line of industry rendered the competition so great as to make such individual enterprises unprofit able, and Mr. Conrad accordingly withdrew. Upon the consolidation of all of the brewing plants in Erie under the corporate title of the Erie Brewing Company, April 1, 1899, Mr. Conrad became president of this great local corporation, of which he has since continued the executive head, and to the administration of whose affairs he brings the fine forces of discrimination, long experience and distinctive business acumen. He is also interested in other local enterprises of important order and is president of two or more industrial concerns outside of his home city. His energy and progressive ideas have led him to make judicious invest ments of his capital and through his well directed efforts and financial co-operation he has done much to forward the upbuilding and progress of his home city, to which his fealty is unwavering, since he fully ap preciates the fact that here he has risen from obscurity to a position of independence as a capitalist and representative business man. In politics Mr. Conrad gives his allegiance to the Republican party, though he has never had aught of ambition for public office. His only official service was as a member of the common council of Erie, a posi tion of which he was incumbent for one term, but every public enter prise and worthy measure projected for the general good is certain to receive his co-operation and definite support. He is a member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and the Erie Board of Trade, has attained to the thirty-second degree in Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masonry, besides which he is identified with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 219 the Mystic Shrine, and the Shrine Club, maintained by members of the last mentioned branch of the Alasonic fraternity. Within the years of his residence in Erie Mr. Conrad has witnessed the rise of the city from the status of a village to that of a fine industrial community of seventy thousand population. When he came here as a boy from the German fatherland Erie was an obscure lake port, and to-day it is one of the busy and important ports on the great inland seas, to whose commerce it contributes much, the while it holds pre cedence as one of the most important manufacturing cities of the fine old Keystone state. It can not but be a matter of pride to Mr. Con rad to realize that he has contributed his quota to the development of his home city, where he is known as a man of genuine public spirit and as one of those ever to be depended upon for influence and tangible aid in the support of all that tends to advance the general welfare. He has guided his life upon the strictest principles of integrity and honor and the indubitable evidence of this is that offered by the confidence and regard in which he is held in the community which has represented his home from his boyhood days. On the 26th of June, 1867, Mr. Conrad was united in marriage to Dorothy Diefenbach, who was born and reared in Erie and who was a daughter of the late Charles Diefenbach, an honored pioneer of this county. Mrs. Conrad was summoned to the life eternal on the 22d of January. 1882, and is survived by five children, namely : Catherine, who is the wife of Frederick A. Brevillier, secretary of the Erie Brewing Company ; Ida, who is the wife of Arthur Brevillier, secretary and treas urer of the Morse Iron Works, of Erie ; and Dora, Flora and Clara, who remain at the parental home. On the 9th of Alarch, 1886, Mr. Conrad married Sophia Siegel, daughter of the late Cassimer Siegel, a pioneer business man and representative citizen of Erie. Mrs. Conrad presides with gracious dignity over the beautiful family home and is most popular in the social circles of the community in which she has lived from the time of her nativity. James Nelson Thayer, proprietor of the extensive business of O. C. Thayer & Son, is one of the well-known citizens of Erie, Pennsyl vania. Air. Thayer was born in this city, September 15, 1864, son of the late Oscar Cornelius Thayer, for many years one of Erie's most successful business men. Oscar Cornelius Thayer was born at Benning ton, Vermont, September 3, 1827, of English descent, the Thayer family having been established in America during Colonial days by two brothers who came from England and settled in Vermont. Members, of the fam ily participated in the Revolutionary war and otherwise demonstrated their worth as citizens and pioneers. The great-grandfather of James N. was Simeon Thayer. He was a native of Vermont, as also was his wife, who before her marriage was Miss Experience Nelson. Their son Nel son, born at Bennington, Vermont, married Lucretia Elwell, a native of the "Green Mountain State" and a daughter of Chauncy Elwell, of English descent. The children of Nelson Thayer were : Mary Jane, who married Lafayette Hamlen of Bennington, where they now reside ; Oscar C, father of James N. ; Alartha, deceased, was the wife of J. H. Cushman ; Caroline, widow of W. C. Riddell, Buffalo, New York ; a son who died in childhood ; Edward, who served in the 14th Vermont Regi ment of Infantry, as First Lieutenant, during the Civil war, died a few years thereafter; a son who died in childhood; Harvey H., a resident of 220 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Buffalo, New York; Ellen E., widow of Robert K. Hughes; Corinna, widow of James Aleacham, resides at Bennington, Vermont; Emily widow of Enos Gould, lives at Buffalo, New York; and Dexter, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Oscar C. Thayer had the advantage of a good education in his native town, Bennington, where he remained until about twenty-one years of age, when he left the old home and sought his fortune in the lumber regions of Alichigan. In the spring of 1853 he came to Erie, Pennsyl vania, and on settling in this city he engaged in the manufacture of what is known as stoneware, having a factory on the old canal at Third street. Later, he engaged in the oil business at Sixteenth and French streets, where he manufactured refined and lubricating oils. Subse quently, he sold this business to the Standard Oil Company, after which he established large plants in the same line of business at Utica and Rome, New York, and conducted operations at both places until 1902, when he again sold out to the Standard Oil Company. During the above period he maintained his residence at Erie, and here he passed the last three years of his life in retirement. He died January 31, 1905. His whole business career was marked by signal success, and he left a large estate. Oscar C. Thayer's wife was before her marriage Aliss Anna Hughes. She was born in Erie, daughter of James Hughes, late of Erie. Thomas Hughes, her grandfather, was a pioneer of Erie and was closely iden tified with the early history of the city. He was born in Ireland in 1766 ; emigrated to this country in 1787, and located at Pittsburg, where he followed his trade of brick layer and stone mason. In 1795 he came to Erie with the troops to assist in erecting the garrison and fort at this point, and built a chimney at the fort, which chimney, being a smoky one, was the source of much annoyance to Gen. Anthony Wayne, when that distinguished general was languishing in his bed of fatal sickness. The General, upon learning the identity of the builder of the smoky chimney, ordered him under arrest, saying, "I will have you shot, sir." Officers interceded for Air. Hughes, and he lived to help dig General Wayne's grave. Thomas Hughes built the first brick house in Erie, and helped to build Erie county's first court house. In 1810 he erected a carding and fulling mill on the west bank of Mill Creek, close to the lake shore, which he operated until it was destroyed by fire in 1824. During that period he also manufactured brick and lime. After 1824 he removed to his farm in AlcKean township, Erie county, where he lived until 1833, that year returning to Erie, and there spending the closing years of his life in retirement from active duties. He died Alarch 14, 1837. In January 1S04, he married Alartha Richards, who was born in Lancaster county. Pennsylvania, in 1786, but at the time of marriage was living in Union township, Erie county. She bore him nine sons and a daughter: John, James, Jane, Alexander, Thomas, Robert, William, George W., Perry and David R. Both Thomas Hughes and his wife were members of the Associ ate Reformed Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder from the time of its organization until his death. His widow died August IS, 1847. James Hughes, son of Thomas, was born in Erie, December 3, 1806. Soon after he attained his majority he was appointed postmaster of Erie. Later he engaged successfully in merchandising in this city, which busi ness he carried on until 1859, when he retired. January 31, 1833, he married Emily Carmack, daughter of Jacob and Ann (Cummings) Car- mack. Jacob Carmack was a captain in the war of 1812, while John HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 221 Cummings, father of Airs. Jacob Carmack, served as a captain in the Revolutionary war. Following are the children of James Hughes and wife: Anna, mother of James N. Thayer; Alartha J., deceased; Emily, wife of R. H. Thayer of Buffalo; and Robert K., James C, William and Thomas, all deceased ; and they had two other children that died in infancy. James Nelson Thayer was educated in the Erie schools, and is a graduate of the high school with the class of 1885. After his graduation, he took charge of the stoneware business, which his father has estab lished and carried on all the time he was engaged in other lines of indus try. This stoneware business was closed out in 1894, at which time the business of manufacturing wall plaster and the dealing in general build ers' supplies, such as lime, cement, fire brick, etc., was established at Chestnut street and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, under the firm name of O. C. Thayer, of which James N. is now the sole proprietor. Mr. Thayer is also interested in other manufacturing plants, three of which are among the important ones of Erie. He is a prominent member of the National Builders Supply Association, of which he served several years as treasurer, and at one time as an execu tive officer. Mr. Thayer married Rebecca Sarah Warner, who was born in Erie, daughter of the late W. S. Warner, a leading dry goods merchant of Erie, for many years, and one of the founders of the well-known firm of Warner Bros, of to-day. Mr. and Airs. Thayer have one son, Oscar Cornelius. Air. Thayer is a member of the Royal Arcanum. John Scarlett. For more than a quarter of a century the late John Scarlett was one of Erie's leading citizens, from a business stand point, in view of his public enterprise and in the light of his activities in religious and charitable movements. He was an Englishman, born at Liverpool in 1848, son of John Scarlett. The grandfather was a man of considerable scientific attainments and unbounded enthusiasm, being so much a pioneer in his studies and investigations that some time in the for ties he sunk his fortune in electrical experiments. Afterward he migrat ed with his family to Hamilton, Canada, where he died in 1857 and his widow four years later. As the son John Scarlett was but nine years of age at the time of his father's death, but the oldest of the children, he became a bread-winner at that early age, and, with the mastery of the carpenter's trade, his road to independence was assured. As quite a young man he became a resident of New York City, where he followed that avocation and married Aliss Anna Bell, a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, but a resident of the United States since early girlhood. The young couple commenced housekeeping on the heights of Jersey City, New Jersey, and while the husband was busily at work in New York City as a carpenter, the wife conducted the small store which was opened in front of their living rooms. Such thrift resulted in the accumulation of a little capital, so that when Air. Scarlett located at Erie in 1876 he opened the "New York Tea Store," at No. 2 Noble (now Penn) block. In 1885 he removed to even more pretentious quarters at No. 5, same block, occupying them until the destruction of the building by fire in 1890. In that year he erected the fine brick block at Nos. 909-11 State street, which is still occupied by the Scarlett store. The gradual and remarkable growth of the business founded by John Scarlett and devel oped by him and his sons, William J., Robert H., David, Joseph and 222 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Theodore, are indicated by the following facts. The first branch store was established, in 1886, at No. 1718 Peach street, and the second at No. 1002 Parade street, in 1889. In 1892 the elder Air. Scarlett erected the Scarlett block at 1004 Parade street, and established the store there which was the beginning of the wholesale part of the business. In 1895 another branch was opened at No. 402 West Eighteenth street, this store being closed out in 1908. In 1896 the founder of the business retired from the active management of the retail stores, giving most of his attention to the wholesale branch. Outside of his business relations, John Scarlett was a man of wide, strong and good influence. He was a Alason in fine standing, being a member of Perry Lodge, and was actively identified with other organi zations. But outside the interests of his business and his beloved family, his deepest concern was for the welfare and growth of the United Pres byterian church, in which, for many years, he was a trustee and the treasurer, holding both at the time of his death July 2, 1902. The deceased left a widow and seven children, sketches of the latter follow ing in the order of their birth. William J. Scarlett, president of the John Scarlett Company, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on the 17th of February, 1874. Edu cated in the Erie public schools, while still in the early periodof his youth he entered his father's business, and upon its incorporation in Feb ruary, 1907, he was elected president. Theodore L. is first vice president, David D. second vice president, Joseph E. secretary and Robert H. treas urer, these officers also forming the board of directors. In 1904 the sons of Mr. Scarlett purchased the old established business of John Schultz, and opened another branch at that location. In the spring of 1905 they bought the grocery and meat privileges at Exposition Park, Conneaut Lake. The wholesale business is now conducted at Nos. 909-11 State street. In 1909 they bought the grocery and meat conces sion at Chautauqua Assembly grounds, New York. It will thus be seen that the presidency of the John Scarlett Company is weighted with heavy responsibilities, only to be carried by a man of thorough experience and pronounced business abilities, such as its present head. Air. Scarlett is also an active director of the People's Bank and the Erie Chamber of Commerce, having served as second vice president of the latter in 1908. He is a married man, his wife being in her maiden days Aliss Alargaret Alehaffey, daughter of Robert Alehaffey, a resident of Erie. Robert H. Scarlett, treasurer of the John Scarlett Company, is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, born June 7, 1875. He received his education in the Erie schools and obtained his business training in his father's stores. His wife was Aliss Sarah, daughter of John Schabacker, of Erie. David, the second vice president, was born in Erie Alarch 18, 1872, and obtained his education in the public schools of the city, while Rufus B., the fourth son, is a graduate of the Erie high school and of the medical department of the U. of P., and is practicing his profession in Philadel phia. Joseph, secretary of the John Scarlett Company, is a native of Erie, born December 20, 1874, and Theodore L., first vice president, was born in that city June 11, 1882, is a high school graduate and is married to Aliss Edith, daughter of John Burton, of Erie. Hunter W., the youngest, is also designed for the medical profession. He is a native of Erie; a graduate from the regular literary course of the University of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 223 Pennsylvania in the class of 1907, and now a sophomore in the medical department of that institution. William Scriven, a prosperous merchant and well-known business man of Erie, was born in 1872, at Niles, Ohio, and is the son of Joseph and Helen Scriven, both natives of England. They were the parents of a large family, and being in only moderate circumstances, were unable to provide for them as they wished, in the matter of education and start in life. William Scriven had an ambitious nature, and resolved to make for himself a recognized place among his fellow men, and to that end took advantage of every opportunity offered him • for his mental and financial improvement. Being possessed of a strong determination, he has succeeded very well in accomplishing his undertakings, but he has the hope of continuing to improve his condition in life, from time to time, as he is able to do, and keeps before him the thought of progress and improvement, knowing there is always a chance for those to advance who have the required zeal and courage. He has been a citizen of Erie since 1889, engaging in the meat business, in which he has enjoyed a large patronage, and has been for five years at his present location. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Scriven married, in 1888, Louise Knaf. Julius C. Knoll. For nearly eighty years three generations of the Knoll family have been strong assistants in the progress of the industries of the city of Erie, and have well sustained the industrious and honorable character of their German countrymen. Julius C. Knoll, of this biog raphy, is a native of the Third ward of the city of Erie, born March 7, 1858, and is a son of Frank and Eva Marie -(Ending) Knoll. The family was transplanted from Germany about 1830 by Irvin, grandfather of Julius C, who came to Erie and became one of its leading citizens. He was both an able mechanic and business man, being a pioneer both as a distiller and a manufacturer of oil cloths. Later, he became interested in one of the early breweries, and was also successful in that enterprise. His son, Frank, for several years had charge of the Lake Shore Railroad freight depot, and his life was bright with promise when it was cut short by death when it had only covered twenty-nine years. He died in 1862, his widow (a native of Germany) residing in Erie until her decease in 1899, at the age of fifty-eight years. The children born to Air. and Airs. Frank Knoll were : Anna, who married Philip Kessel and resides in Buf falo, New York; Frank and Jacob, both deceased; Julius C, of this sketch ; and Barbara, who married John Winston, a resident of Erie. Julius C. Knoll has spent his life as a resident of Erie, and began to be a useful force in it at a very early age. After a few years of school ing in the city institutions, at the age of twelve he commenced work in the old Erie Car Works while they were being operated by the Daven ports. He was apt, industrous and faithful, rising finally to the super- intendency of the bolt department. In December, 1894, he associated himself with William Hamilton, an expert iron worker and an able busi ness man, who five years before succeeded his father as superin tendent of the plant. When Messrs. Knoll and Hamilton came into pos session the works had just been destroyed by fire, but they were soon rebuilt on a larger and more modern scale. The business was incorpor ated under the former name of Erie Car Works in 1898, with Air. Ham ilton as president and Mr. Knoll as vice president. The latter is also interested in the Lippold Valve Company, and is an active member of 224 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the Erie Chamber of Commerce. In his religious faith he is a loyal Roman Catholic and identified with the Knights of Columbus. His wife was formerly Miss Alary Louise Straub, daughter of Captain Andrew Straub, and, like Air. Knoll, is a native of Erie. Their children are as follows: Lillie, who married Charles Burk, of Erie, and Elmer, employed in the Erie Car Works. H. H. Foringer, AI. D. A well-known member of the medical fra ternity once said: "It is the actual force of character that makes suc cess, rather than an adaptation. There is a certain inherent force in every one that can make some success in anything he undertakes to fol low. There are men with heads large enough to make doctors, but com paratively few with hearts large enough to make great doctors. There is one qualification necessary for a doctor. That is a large, warm, unsel fish and loving heart. The man who goes into a sick room with a gentle step and a tender expression, not only in word, but in tone, with a heart filled with loving emotion, has the inborn qualities of a successful phy sician." These needed qualities are indeed a part of the make-up of Dr. H. H. Foringer, one of the most prominent and popular physicians and surgeons of Erie. A native of this state, he was born, Alarch 24, 1854, at Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, a son of Joseph and Hannah (Barnhart) Forringer, natives of the same county, and descendants of pioneer American families. Obtaining his preliminary education in the district schools, H. H. Foringer subsequently attended the Edinboro State Normal School. A man of his mental calibre naturally turns towards a professional life, and his choice led him to take up the study of medicine. He began his preparation in Edinboro, in the office of Dr. S. B. Hotchkiss, after which he entered the Western Reserve Medical College, in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated, with the degree of Al. D., in 1883. Beginning the practice of his profession in Edinboro, in company with his old pre ceptor, Dr. Hotchkiss, he remained there a year and a half. Locating then in Aliddleboro, Pennsylvania, Dr. Foringer built up an excellent practice, remaining there until the winter of 1888 and 1889. Going east at that time, the doctor reviewed his studies in some of the more noted medical colleges, becoming familiar with the more modern methods employed in medicine and surgery, and in the fall of 1889 settled in the city of Erie. In the practice of his profession he has met with distin guished success, and is well worthy of the recognition he has received as one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of this part of the state. Dr. Foringer married, June 11, 1885, Anna A., daughter of Rich ard and Lorinda (Strohm) Owen, of Rouseville, Pennsylvania and they have one son, Owen H. Foringer, now of Ann Arbor, Alichigan, studying medicine. Fraternally the doctor belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Alasons, and to the Knights of Pythias. Religiously he and his family are valued members of the Presbyterian church, and liberal contributors towards its support. Frank AI. Wallace is president of the Second National Bank of Erie and vice president of the Pittsburg Coal Company. He is a native of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, born January 11, 1868, and it will therefore be seen that he has attained a high and broad standing in the practical affairs of the country at an age which is but the early period of middle life. He is a son of Dr. Thomas C. and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Wallace, and the grandparents on both sides were natives of county Done- SHADE VILLA," RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. HERMAN F. SHADE HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 225 gal, Ireland, who came to the United States about 1825. William Wallace and William Hamilton, the grandfathers, also first located near Pitts burg, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Butler county. They were farmers in that section of the state. The father (Dr. Wallace) was a native of Butler county and, prior to taking his regular medical lectures, was a student at Prospect (Pa.) Academy. After his graduation from the Cleveland Homeopathic College, he entered practice at AAllegheny City, where he continued until the time of his death in 1905, at the age of sixty-four years, his wife passing away December 22, 1891, fifty-two years old. Air. Wallace was reared and educated in the public schools of Alle gheny City. In 1893, then only twenty-five years of age, he was ap pointed a national bank examiner, resigning that position after service of five years, to become vice president of the Second National Bank of Erie. Following the death of the late Daniel D. Tracy, on December 9, 1901, Mr. Wallace succeeded to the presidency of the institution, and has since been the active head of its administrative affairs. To these responsibilities were added, in March, 1904, those connected with the treasuryship of the Pittsburg Coal Company, and in April, 1909, Mr. Wallace was chosen vice president of that great corporation. He is an active member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and, as a Alason, is identified with Tyrian Lodge. As an offset to his strenuous life in the fields of finances and business, he is associated with numerous organiza tions of a social, out-of-door and athletic nature. This list includes the Erie, Kahkwa, Yacht and Country clubs of Erie, the Duquesne Club of Pittsburg, the Pittsburg Athletic Club and the Pennsylvania Society of New York City. But his domestic affairs are, after all, his chief pleasure. His wife was, before marriage, Aliss Margaret Shannon, -daughter of Henry C. Kelsey, of Erie. Philip Shade Sr., represents a worthy and prominent family who have been identified with the agricultural life of Greene township for many years. As a lad of eight years he came with his parents from his native land of Germany to the United States in 1836, and coming direct to Greene township in Erie county, Pennsylvania, the family lo cated in the woods near where the West Greene Alethodist Episcopal church now stands. There the father, Philip Sr., bought a little farm of ninety acres, cleared his land and spent the remainder of his life, a worthy representative of the sturdy German race. His son Philip, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1828, accumulated one hundred and forty acres of land in Greene township, and he lived on his farm and cultivated its fields until he retired from an active business life and moved to the city of Erie. By his first wife, nee Emily Pillman, he had the following children : Edward and Philander, both deceased, Herman F., Philip J. and Charles. He subsequently married Alary Spade, and she bore him three children, Lewis, Jesse and Emma, while by his third wife, Alary Smith, he had one son, Daniel, who died in infancy. Herman F. Shade has devoted his entire business career to farming and dairying, and he now owns and operates the farm of one hundred and forty acres which his father cleared and improved and on which he made his home for many years. This pretty home is known as "Shade Villa." On the 30th of March, 1879, he married Nellie Cutter. a daughter of Charles A. Cutter and a granddaughter of Jacob Sawyer and Orpha Anna (Adams) Cutter, natives respectively of Troy and of Vol. 11—15 226 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Sandy Lake, New York. Jacob S. Cutter served as a soldier in the French and Indian war, and while serving his country he was captured by the Indians and died in captivity. Mrs. Cutter, his widow, came with her children to Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, and located in Venango township. Charles A. Cutter, one of the children, was born in Trov, New York, Alarch 11, 1834, and when a lad of twelve years he entered upon his career as an agriculturist and farming has been his life's work. On the 25th of December, 1856, he was united in marriage to Sallie Lorena Weed, a descendant of one of the earliest of Greene township's pioneer families, and their children were Perry F., Nellie, Guy F. and Andrew and Jake, both of whom are now deceased. In July of 1862 Charles Cutter enlisted for the Civil war in Company C, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served with his command for two years or until he entirely lost his voice, and he was then with the invalid corps until the 28th of June, 1865. Another two years passed before he regained his speech. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Three children have been born to the union of Herman F. and Nellie Shade, — Ralph G, Eva L. and Harry Andrew, but the only daughter is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Shade and their son Ralph are members of the West Greene Grange, and Mr. Shade is also a member of the fra ternal order of Odd Fellows, No. 1143 Samaritan and his wife of its auxiliary, the Rebekahs, while the son Ralph has membership rela tions with the Royal Order of Moose. It may be added that the elder Mr. Shade served as first master of the West Greene Grange, for two years, and that he has always been esteemed one of its most influential members. George Dudley Selden, who is president of the Erie City Iron Works, is at the head of one of the largest manufactories of Pennsyl vania, having been president for the past fourteen years and wisely guided the business through its most expansive period. He has been identified with the progress of the industry since the days of his youth, and the business energies and abilities of his life are mingled with its advancement and form a large element in the forces which have pushed it along. Born in Erie, April 21, 1847, Air. Selden is the son of Joseph and the grandson of George Selden, and as his father died when he was but five years of age the boy was received into the home of his uncle, John C. Selden. Completing his education at the Old Erie Academy when nineteen years of age, George D. Selden assumed a subordinate position in the Erie City Iron Works, which establishment then, as now, was controlled by the Selden family. From that time to the present, some fqrty-three years, he threw the force of his personality into the development of the works, with the natural result of continuous per sonal advancement. He finally reached the general office of the treasury- ship, was then advanced to the vice presidency and in 1895 was promoted to the presidency. Under his skillful, but conservative management, the Erie Iron AA'orks have advanced into the foremost class of Pennsylvania's great industries, and another large addition to the plant is planned for the near future. For many years Air. Selden was also a director of the First National Bank of Erie, resigning from the board because of his other engrossing duties. He has long been a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and his social activities are identified with the Erie and Kahkwa clubs. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 227 Mr. Selden has always taken a deep interest and wielded a strong influence in the religious and philanthropic movements of Erie. He is president of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian church; has been president of the local Young Alen's Christian Association for sev eral terms, and is now serving on the state board of that association. Married to Aliss Alarie Louise Spader, daughter of J. Vanderbilt Spader, of Brooklyn, New York, he is the father of two children — Marie Louise and George Dudley Selden, Jr. Addison Leech was a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of the old Keystone state, and for many years he played an im portant part in connection with the industrial and civic life of the city of Erie, where his death occurred on the 10th of April, 1899, and where his widow still maintains her home. His earnest and successful life well entitles him to such tribute as may be perpetuated in the pages of this publication. He was born at Slippery Rock, Butler county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of February, 1824, and was the fifth child of David and Rhoda (Findley) Leech, both likewise natives of this state. The Leech family traces its genealogy through a long line of sterling English ancestry, and the American branch was founded here in the early colonial epoch of our national history. John Leech, grandfather of Addison, removed from York county, Pennsylvania, and settled near Greenville, Mercer county, where his home locality was named Leech's Corners, in honor of him. He was a surveyor by profession, and in Mercer county he took up a large tract of government land, to which he later added by pur chase of other tracts, so that he became one of the extensive landholders of that section of the state. He married Miss Jane Morrison, from Morrison's Cove, ' near the center of this state, and they became the parents of ten sons and two daughters. John Leech was one of the influential citizens of Mercer county, where he developed extensive farming lands and where both he and his wife continued to reside until their death. David Leech was reared and educated in Mercer county, and he became one of the representative citizens and business men of that sec tion. He was the founder of the town of Leechburg, Armstrong county, where he established and operated flouring and saw mills, and he was also the head of a transportation company which operated a line of boats on the old canal between Pittsburg and Philadelphia. Like his father, David Leech became a skilled civil engineer, according to the standard of his times, and when a young man he came to Erie and as sisted in the construction of the old Waterford plank road, the govern ment highway between Erie and Buffalo. Both he and his wife died in Leechburg, and their five sons and one daughter are all now deceased. Addison Leech gained his early educational training in the common schools of Armstrong county, whither his parents removed when he was about two years of age, and later he was afforded the advantages of Allegheny College, at Meadville. After leaving school he became as sociated with his father's business operations, and in this connection became an expert at the miller's trade. The Leech mills made an exhibit of their products at the London exposition, and there Addison received a bronze medal for flour which he had made. In 1846 the Franklin Institute, in Philadelphia, conferred upon him a silver medal, for a 228 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY similar exhibit. At the inception of the Civil war he tendered his services in defense of the Union. He was appointed assistant commissary with rank of major, with which department he was identified until the close of the great conflict. After the war Air. Leech returned to his home in Leechburg, where he continued in business until 1868, the winter of which year he passed in St. Paul, Minnesota. In the meanwhile his brother, William F. Leech, of Philadelphia, at that time identified with the Pennsylvania Railroad, had purchased a grain elevator in Erie for his company, known as the Anchor Line Transportation Company, of which the elevator and the subsequent elevators were a part, and in the spring of 1869 Addison Leech came to this city to assume charge of the elevator business. He became associated in the ownership of the same and was identified with operations here until 1880, when he went to the territory of Dakota and purchased large tracts of wheat lands for his sons, — in what is now the state of North Dakota. Thereafter he passed a portion of each sum mer in Dakota and his winters at his home in Erie. He found much satisfaction in these annual changes, and he continued to give a gen eral supervision to his various business and capitalistic interests until his death, at the venerable age of seventy-five years. Air. Leech was never an aspirant for public office but was loyal to the duties of citizenship and was a stanch adherent of the Republican party. He was affiliated with the Alasonic fraternity, and his religious faith was that of the Alethodist church. His wife is a devoted member of the St. Paul's Episcopal church. In the city of Erie Mr. Leech was known and honored as a man of marked business ability, unswerving integrity and gracious personality, so that his memory will long be re vered in this community. On January 8, 1852, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Leech to Miss Mary Isabel Watson, of St. Louis, Alissouri. She was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and was a child at the time of the family removal to St. Louis, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of John S. and Mary (Reynolds) Watson, the former of whom was born in Lycoming county and the latter in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. The Watson family were numbered among the early settlers of Lycoming county, and the mother of John Smiley Wat son was a daughter of Brattan Caldwell, a noted character of that sec tion of the old Keystone state. The children of Air. and Airs. Leech are : John Watson Leech, who is connected with the Burke Electric Works, of Erie, married Aliss Nellie Clark, and they have one daughter, Alarion C. ; Aliss Alary Reynolds Leech remains with her mother at the attractive family home in Erie; AVilliam Findley Leech is a representative farmer and citizen of Cass county, North Dakota; Isadora is the wife of Chester W. Bliss, of Springfield, Alassachusetts, and they have three children,— Elizabeth, Addison and Isadora; Addison Leech, Jr., is one of the extensive farm ers of Cass, North Dakota, and, like his brother, William F., is a bachelor; Isabella is the wife of Wilson A. Luce, of Sewickley, near the city of Pittsburg, and they have two children.^John AA'ilson A. Jr., and Addison; Henry Lansing Leech died at the age of ten years; Ella is the wife of Edward D. Whetmore, of Warren, this state; Louise remains at the maternal home and is a popular teacher in the public HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 229 schools of Erie, with whose best social life the family has long been identified. Robert F. Devine president of the Erie Forge Company, who operates one of the most complete iron manufactories of northwestern Pennsylvania, has made success assured at every stage of his career by a thorough preparation for every step he has undertaken. He is com plete master of every element of his great industry, from the coal which feeds his huge furnaces to the most complicated engine forging of his fine modern plant. Air. Devine is a native of the hamlet of Lake Run, located near Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and was born on the 17th of September, 1860. He is a son of Robert and Jeannett (Alurray) Devine, natives of Scotland who came to America with their parents when in childhood. After residing about a year in Nova Scotia, the family migrated to Pennsylvania, the father enlisting in the Forty- eight Infantry of that state for service in the Civil war and contracting a fatal attack of pneumonia in 1864. When he was about eight years of age young Devine went to work in the coal mines of Schuylkill county, as a "breaker boy," and continued identified with the coal mining industry until 1879. Far from satisfied with either his condition or his prospects at this time, the youth aban doned the mines and served an apprenticeship of three years as a me chanic blacksmith in Philadelphia. He worked at his trade for a time in that city ; married in 1885, and one month later started for the west with his young wife. They located at Kansas City, where Mr. Devine found employment at once and before long became foreman of the black smith department of the Armour Packing Company. Soon he found himself in condition to buy a small home (which, with other property, he still owns in that city), but after several years of profitable employ ment in the interests of others moved to Seattle, Washington, and es tablished a shop of his own. In 1895 Mr. Devine returned to the east and entered the Frankfort Steel and Forging Company of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and at the death of his brother, who was superintendent of the works, he succeeded to the vacancy. In 1903 he organized the company which purchased the Erie Forge Company (limited), and the new concern was incor porated under that name on May 22nd of that year. The incorporators and officers (also the present incumbents) were as follows: Robert F. Devine, president and general manager; G. W. J. Stout, treasurer and general superintendent ; A. C. Grove, vice president ; Joseph C. Campbell, Charles R. Eckert, J. R. Phillips, Thomas F. Judge, George B. Galey, Elizabeth C. McCoy, Robert McLane, J. G. Mitchell, C. P. Brobeck, C. Al. Wallace, H. J. Eckert, E. C. Weir, John Greer and E. J. Schleiter. Hugh C. McLaughlin, secretary and accountant of the company, is the only official who is not among the incorporators. When the newly or ganized company assumed the old plant it was in very poor condition, but with the addition of modern machinery and new buildings the manu factory is now up-to-date and complete. The power plant is entirely new ; a charging machine was installed for the modern open-hearth furnaces; over 800 feet of runway is in operation, as well as four over head traveling cranes for handling hot metal — two of five tons each, one of fifteen tons and one of forty tons. The employes number two hun dred and fifty, nearly all of whom are skilled workmen, and the works 230 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY turn out iron and steel forgings, including those for steam, gas and marine engines and for pneumatic and hydraulic machinery, and, as a specialty, crank shafts and connecting rods of from twenty to thirty thousand pounds. Mr. Devine is widely known in the trade as the head of this great metal manufactory, and is also an active member of the Manufacturers' Association, the Erie Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, and the Engineer's Club of New York City. In the secret and benevolent orders he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Royal Arcanum, Elks, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Improved Order of Heptasophs. In 1885 Mr. Devine married Miss Sarah Craig, who was born at Grace Hill, a Moravian settlement in county Antrim, Ireland. Five chil dren were born to this union, as follows : May, who died as an infant of seven months ; Robert F., Jr., who was born March 1, 1888, and is a student at the University of Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, born July 25, 1890 ; Jeannette, born October 29, 1893 ; and Joseph Craig Devine, born May 8, 1895. C. W. Horne. Although he has not yet reached his fortieth year, C. W. Horne, of Albion, is in such comfortable circumstances that he is not engaged in active business, although he transacts quiet dealings as a stock broker and is interested in the Dempsey hotel. He is a na tive of Hagerstown, Pennsylvania, born on the 12th of July, 1870, and is a son of George D. and Mary E. (Terrill) Horne. The father, who died in 1906 at the age of sixty-four, spent all the years of his man hood as a train despatcher of the Erie Railroad and various members of his family have been prominent officials of that corporation. The widow is living in retirement at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and is the mother of C. W. Horne, of this sketch ; Edward A., a general store keeper of the Erie Railroad, residing in New York; Mary F., now the wife of M. T. Foraker, purchasing auditor of the Erie road, at Meadville ; and Earl S., assistant to the master mechanic of that road at the same point. After graduating from the public school course at Meadville, C. W. Horne entered the employ of the Erie Railroad and was a tele graph operator for twelve years. Later, he engaged in the wholesale oil business at Toronto, Canada, and after three years in this employ ment, located at Pittsburg as a stock broker. He was an active mem ber of the Pittsburg Consolidated Stock and Produce Exchange until 1909. In that year he became a resident of Albion, where, as stated, he is virtually retired from active business, although he is placing his means in not a few profitable channels. His fraternal affiliations are with the Elks lodge of Johnston, and his religious connections are with the Episcopal church. His wife, who was born in Meadville, July 6, 1872, a daughter of Henry and Emeline (Brown) Shafer. bore him one child, Henry, on the 3rd of September, 1896. William M. Orr, of Girard township, who has been farming for sixty years in the county, is the typical English type of agriculturist — industrious, dependable and not only concerned in his own welfare and those nearest to him, but in the good of the general community. He is a native of Cornwall, England, born August 14, 1833, and is a HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 231 son of John and Elizabeth (Handy) Orr. His grandparents were William and Ann Orr, and for many generations the most of the male members of the family in England have been employed in the tin and copper mines of Cornwall. Mr. Orr's grandfather was a miner all his life, and his father followed that occupation until he came to the United States with his family and settled in Washington township, Erie county. From that time until his death he was identified with the soil as a farmer. Mr. Orr's mother was a daughter of Nicholas Handy, who came to the United States with his daughter, her hus band and family, in 1841, settling in Washington township, and built the first log house in their neighborhood, known as Ash Corners. The first year spent by the Orrs and Handys in Erie county was one of many hardships, their food consisting almost entirely of the scant crop of corn and potatoes which was raised from their small clearing. The winter was also so bitter cold that it was no unusual thing to wake up in the morning and find the bedsteads and bedding decorated with glistening icicles. William M. Orr was reared in Washington township, attending district school with more or less regularity until he was seventeen years of age. From that time until he was thirty he was employed on the paternal farm, and then purchased a homestead in Franklin township whose development occupied him for thirty years. In 1907 he bought the sixty-four acre tract in Girard township, which he is now cultivating with his old time thoroughness. In connection with his successful agricultural enterprises of these many years he has also served his townships in many public capacities, evincing in his official business the same faithfulness and practical judgment which have been displayed in the management of his private affairs. In politics, he has always been a Republican. In 1864 Mr. Orr married Miss Lucy Fellows, daughter of William and Deborah (Fuller) Fellows, the former being a native of New York state and the latter of Massachusetts. Mrs. Orr was born in Livingston county, New York, August 4, 1832, and was seven years of age when the family settled in Washington township. Her father died in 1873, at the age of seventy-four and her mother in 1875, eighty years old. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. William M. Orr. Charles, born January 1, 1869, is a farmer of Franklin town ship, married Miss Emma Alford and is the father of one child, Don ald. Lynn is a resident of Louisville, Kentucky, married Miss Emma Kidd and has one child. Nelson and Wilda are both living with their parents. Air. Orr has one sister living — Elizabeth, wife of Morris Fritz of Platea, this county. One brother and two sisters of Mrs. Orr survive, viz : Charles Fellows, a resident of Corry, Pennsylvania ; and Alliff, widow of William Putnam of Edinboro, and Mina, widow of W. Sherwood, a farmer of Washington township. G. W. F. Sherwin was one of Erie county's representative citizens and was closely identified with many of its important interests. He was born on a farm near Harbor Creek in this county, July 12, 1831, his par ents being Dr. Ira and Sarah (Wilson) Sherwin. The father was a native of Windsor county, Vermont, and a graduate of the Castleton Medical College of that state. At an early day he came to this county, 232 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY settling in Harbor Creek township, where he followed the occupation of farming and was also engaged in the practice of medicine for many years. He likewise taught three terms in the first schoolhouse built in the township and was closely associated with the material develop ment and substantial progress of the region. His wife (nee Sarah Wil son) was born in Erie county, August 10, 1800, and was a daughter of AVilliam and Sarah (Barr) Wilson, who were natives of Mifflin county, this state, and became pioneer residents of Erie county. The children of Dr. Wilson's family who remained in this county were, G. W. F Sherwin and the Misses Josephine B. and M. F Sherwin, the lat ter two still living in Harbor Creek. G. W. F. Sherwin spent his youthful days on the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturalist. His early education was acquired in the district schools and was supplemented by study in the Erie Academy, after which he pursued a mathematical course in Kingsville (Ohio) Academy. Subse quently he took up the profession of civil engineering, turning his at tention to that work in 1846. He followed it in the summer seasons, while in the winter months he engaged in teaching school. In 1850 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he engaged in surveying for the North Alissouri Railroad and later for the Belleville & Alton road. He made the first soundings for a bridge over the Alissouri river for the Alton & St. Louis Railroad and was chosen engineer in charge for that line. His labors in the middle west in connection with railroad build ing were of a very important character and brought him prominently before the public in his professional relation. In 1854 he was made assistant superintendent and paymaster of the Chicago & Alton Rail road, filling that position until 1855, when he resigned to resume the private practice of his profession, in which connection he laid out Sioux City, Iowa, and Niobrara, Nebraska. In the latter town there were two thousand Indians living at the time. Throughout the period of his residence in the west he was a factor in the substantial development and in progress along intellectual and other lines. He was chosen one of the original eleven trustees of the Iowa Agricultural College and was twice elected county judge of Cherokee county, Iowa. Upon the death of his father Air. Sherwin returned to Erie and remained here to settle up the estate. Here he was called to public of fice, being elected county surveyor, in which position he served for three years, while for five years he was city engineer and three terms water commissioner, acting as president of the board during the last year of his incumbency in that office. During his term as commissioner the de partment advocated and introduced many needed reforms and re modeled the pumping station. AAfter his retirement from office Mr. Sherwin was engaged as chief engineer in the conduct of several en terprises, the most important being the construction of the Franklin and North East water works. He also made the survey of Corry and established all the land marks and corners. He possessed marked abil ity in his chosen field of labor, being widely recognized as one of the most capable civil engineers in this part of "the state. He died in 1887. On the 30th of January, 1861, Air. Sherwin was married to Miss Jennie Moorehead, a daughter of Colonel James Al. Moorehead, of Har bor Creek township, Erie county. They became parents of five children but only two are living, Al. F. and James M. While Mr Sherwin was widely known as a most capable and successful civil engineer, in which w coO QW « o w u W Pi— i co W J J wcoO Cah HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 233 connection he did much important public service, he also deserved the gratitude of the community for his labors in lines of general improvement and progress. He was the founder of the boys' branch of the local Young Alen's Christian Association, which is a monument to his dis interested forethought and appreciation of the needs of the boys. He was ever deeply interested in the young and realized the fact that their environment has much to do with shaping character. Lie therefore be lieved in surrounding the boys with good influences and they recognized in him a warm and constant friend. He was also one of the earliest members of the National Historical Society and was one of the founders of the Central Presbyterian church, in which he served as an elder, while in religious work he long took an active and most helpful part. His life contained the elements of greatness in that it was not self-centered but was largely devoted to the welfare of his fellow men, his influence being ever on the side of progress, reform and improvement. "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success ;" and judged in this way Mr. Sherwin was a most successful man. His son, James Al. Sherwin, after attending Adelbert College studied law and was admitted to the bar. He has since practiced in the state and federal courts. He was the first president of the Erie Chamber of Com merce. Fred Rose. The agricultural interests of Greene township, Erie county, number Fred Rose among its most prominent representatives, and in addition to the old Rose homestead where his parents lived and labored for so many years he also owns an estate near by where he resides. He is engaged in general farming and dairying pursuits, and is one the of community's most prominent business men. He was born in Greene township on the 6th of March, 1860, a son of Charles and Anna Mary (Goss) Rose, who were born in Germany, in Hamburg and Wittenberg respectively. After coming to this country Charles Rose worked for about two years in the brick yards in Erie, and he then purchased and removed to the sixty-six acre farm in Greene township near where his son Fred now lives, and he was the first to locate on that road. Anna M. Goss came to Erie county some time after the ar rival of Mr. Rose, and after their marriage they located on their little farm of sixty-six acres in the uncut woods of Greene township, built their home, cleared their land and there reared their children named as follows : Emily and Christena, both deceased. Adam, Charles, Freder ick, Mary, Herman, John and Jacob. Fred Rose attended in his early life the Lawrence and the Pleasant Hill schools, both in Greene township, and with the exception of the three years spent in the Bradford oil fields his time since leaving the school room has been given to the work of his farm. He married Sep tember 14, 1882, Miss Sophia Dunker, a daughter of Henry and Mar garet Dunker, who came from Germany to the United States in their early lives and located in Mill Creek township, Erie county, Pennsyl vania, the birthplace of their daughter Sophia. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rose was blessed by the birth of five children : Anna, Lilly, Edward, Carl and Margaret. Mrs. Rose, the wife and mother, died on the 8th of September, 1906, after a happy married life of many years. Mr. Rose is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Samaritan No. 1143, in West Greene, and the Encampment No. 42, at Erie, and he 234 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY also has membership relations with the Grange and the Royal Order of Aloose, of Erie. In politics he is a Republican, and he has held the various offices of his township. The home of Mr. Fred Rose and family is known as "Rose Hill." Samuel H. Drown. Identified with a dual line of enterprise which is of distinctive importance in every community, — that of real-estate and fire insurance,— Mr. Drown is recognized not only as controlling one of the leading agencies of this kind in the city of Erie but also as being one of the loyal and progressive business men of the younger genera tion in his native county, where he has attained to success and prece dence through his well directed efforts along normal avenues of enter prise. Samuel H. Drown was born in Greene township, this county, on the 12th of September 1876, and thus made his advent into the world in the centennial year, one of the most notable in the history of his native commonwealth. He is a son of Hosea and Melvina M. (Hilborn) Drown, both likewise natives of Greene township, where the former was born on the 13th of July, 1833, and the latter on the 31st of March, 1848. Hosea Drown is a son of Cyril and Catherine (Zimmerman) Drown, whose marriage was solemnized in Greene township, this county, where the former took up his residence in the year 1818, so that both families are to be noted as having been pioneers of the county. Cyril Drown became one of the prominent and influential citizens of Greene township, where he became a successful farmer, and he was called upon to serve in various township offices. He continued to reside in that town ship until his death, which occurred in 1869, and his wife also passed her declining years on the old homestead. Hosea Drown was afforded better educational advantages than fell to the lot of the average youth of the locality and period, and that he put his acquirements to practical test and utilization is shown in the fact that for several years he was a successful and popular teacher in the district schools of his native county. His principal vocation, however, was that of farming, to which he devoted his attention during the major portion of his active career, having been the owner of a fine landed estate in Greene township, where he continued to reside until 1889, since which time he has lived virtually retired in the city of Erie, where his cherished and devoted wife died in 1906, secure in the affectionate regard of all who had come within the sphere of her gentle and gracious in fluence. Their marriage was solemnized on the 11th of September, 1873, and she was a daughter of Samuel H. and Roxy aA. Hilborn, the former of whom was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1802, and the latter of whom was a daughter of Alartin and Mary Flayes, who were natives of New England. When a young man Samuel H. Hilborn removed to the state of New York, whence he later went to Ohio, and in 1835 he took up his residence in Greene township, Erie county, Penn sylvania, where his marriage was solemnized on the 1st of October, 1837. He became a prosperous farmer and honored citizen of Greene township, where his death occurred February 25, 1877, and his wife survived him by several years. Hosea and Alelvina AI. (Hilborn) Drown became the parents of four children: AI. Cyril, who is one of the interested principals in the Erie Laundry Company, married Aliss Alarietta Voltz, of Erie; Samuel H., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Arthur L., also iden- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 235 tified with the Erie Laundry Company, married Bertha Sawtelle and they have two children; and Bertha C. is a student (1909) in Drexel Institute, in the city of Philadelphia. Samuel H. Drown passed his boyhood days on the home farm and secured his preliminary education in the district schools of Greene township. He accompanied his parents on their removal to the city of Erie, in 1889, and here he continued his studies in the public schools until he had completed a course in the high school, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1897. He initiated his business career by taking a position in the office of the Erie Trading Stamp Company, and later became bookkeeper in the retail store of the Black Manufacturing Company. His next position was that of traveling representative of the celebrated International Correspondence School, of Scranton, Pennsyl vania, in which connection he had charge in turn of the offices at Erie, Niagara Falls, and Rochester, New York, from which last he had charge of all territory in central New York. In February, 1901, Mr. Drown purchased one-half interest in the real estate and insurance business of Al. H. Sawdey, of Erie, and the business was thereafter conducted under the title of Al. H. Sawdey & Company until August 7, 1905, when Mr. Drown purchased his partner's interest, since which time he has con tinued the enterprise most successfully in an individual way and under his own name. He handles both city and country realty and on his books are at all times represented the best of investments, both for sale and in exchange. The fire insurance department, controlling a large and sub stantial business, is based upon the agency of a number of the best com panies in the world. Mr. Drown is known not only as an aggressive young business man of much initiative and executive ability but also as one whose methods and systems are such as to well entitle him to unqualified confidence and esteem. His agency is one of the most prominent and popular in Erie county and its business is constantly expanding in scope and importance under his effective management. He is actively identified with the work and interests of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, of whose directorate he is a member, and he is a member of the Hamot Hospital Corporators Association. He is a member of the Erie Real Estate Exchange and the Business Alen's Ex change, besides which he holds membership in the Erie Board of Un derwriters and is receiver for the Lakeside Cemetery. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he is one of the valued and zealous members of the Central Presbyterian church, being one of its trustees and superintendent of its Sunday school. He is affiliated with the Alasonic fraternity, in which he has completed the circle of the York Rite and advanced to the 14th degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, as a member of Presque Isle Lodge of Perfection. In 1901 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Drown to Aliss Bertha Russell. She moved to Erie from Clarendon in 1890 and graduated in the same class with her husband in 1897 from Erie high school. She was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Thomas J. Russell, now a representative business man in the city of Erie. James D. Hay, treasurer and general manager of the Cascade Foundry Company of Erie and one of its leading manufacturers and citizens, is a native of Fairview township, this county, born August 31, 1848, being a son of William and Juliette (Demsey) Hay. Mr. Hay is also 236 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY one of the leading Republicans of the county and was for a number of years prominently identified with its progress as a leading official. He stands high not only on the basis of personal merit but from the fact that his family is one of the oldest and most prominent in this section of the state. It was in 1802 that his grandfather, James, and his grand- uncle, John, came from their native state of Alaryland and made their homes in Erie county. The former selected Fairview township as the family homestead, took up land in that locality and cleared and improved it. John Hay, the granduncle mentioned, became the first postmaster of Erie and John Hay, son of James and uncle of James D., served as captain in the war of 1812, seeing service in the vicinity of Erie and otherwise became an honored and prominent citizen. It is on record that he was a witness in the second will on file in the court house in Erie county. John Hay, the famous author and distinguished statesman, was also a member of this family. William Hay, the father, was born in Alaryland in 1802, the family removing to Erie during the same year of his birth. Here he was reared and spent his entire life in farming, dying in 1883. He married Juliette Demsey, a native of Erie and a daughter of John Demsey, a pioneer millwright and carpenter who built many of the early mills of the county. Her father also served in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Tippecanoe and altogether spending a year under the military leadership of General William Henry Harrison. Mrs. Hay died in 1879, the mother of four sons and six daughters. Henry, the eldest child, who was born in Fairview township, is now deceased. William C, the sec ond, also a native of that township, served in the Civil war as captain of Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volun teer Infantry, and was also treasurer of Erie county for one term. John, the third son, born in Fairview township, enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer In fantry, and was killed at the battle of Fredricksburg, December 13, 1862. His death was most untimely, as he would have been only eighteen years of age on the following fifteenth of June. James D., of this sketch, is the youngest of the sons. Caroline, the oldest daughter, married S. R. Miller, of Springfield, Pennsylvania, who served in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment during the Civil war, afterward removing to Kansas, where both he and his wife died. Lu anda married William Cole, of Fairview, later removed to Amboy, Ohio, and both died in that place. Alary became the wife of Joseph Wilcox. Her husband served in a Pennsylvania cavalry regiment dur ing the Civil war and they both now reside on a farm near Amboy, Ohio. Eliza J., the fourth daughter, married Charles Loverin and they both now reside in Cleveland, Ohio. Adelaide is the widow of Charles P. Cummings, also a soldier in a Pennsylvania regiment. Mrs. Cum mings is now a resident of Alarshalltown, Iowa. The sixth and youngest daughter is Nellie, now Airs. D. E. Waters of Marshalltown, Iowa. James D. Hay, of this sketch, received his early education in the district schools of Fairview township, taught school for several years and subsequently became a student at the University of Alichigan. As his training had been along agricultural lines, however, in the spring of 1882 he accepted the responsible position of superintendent of the large farm owned by Powell brothers of Shadeland, Crawford county, Penn sylvania. He remained thus engaged for eight years, or until 1890, when he was appointed deputy revenue collector in the Erie office. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 237 He served in this position for three years, resigning with the outgoing of the Cleveland administration. He then re-entered the employ of Powell brothers and after continuing as superintendent of their interests for another two years, returned to Erie to assume the office of deputy, under Sheriff George W. Evans. The efficiency which he displayed in his official service as subordinate earned him both general respect and wide popularity and in 1896 his Republican friends and supporters elected him to the office of register and recorder of Erie county. He assumed office on the first of January, 1897, was re-elected in 1900 and altogether served two full terms of three years each. In the winter of 1902, Mr. Hay, in association with Edward Huer and U. P. Rossiter, obtained the controlling interest in the Depinet Foundry Company and in 1903 they assumed the management of the entire plant, reorganizing its business as the Cascade Foundry Company. This is its present style and represents one of the largest establishments of the kind in the city. In 1907 the present large brick buildings occupied were erected and the plant was removed to the corner of Nineteenth and Plum streets. From the time of the reorganization Mr. Hay has acted as its treasurer and general manager and in this position has done much to bring the estab lishment to its present high standing in the industrial field. Mr. Hay is an active and influential member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, is a Mason of high degree (a member of the Shriners), and also actively connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a man of wide and high social standing and has been long connected with the Country Club. Mr. Hay was first married to Miss Lillian Davie, a native of War ren county, Pennsylvania, and daughter of O. J. and Esther (Gallowhur) Davie, the family being of old Welsh descent. Mrs. Lillian Day died in 1892, at the age of thirty-six years, leaving three children. Donald D., the eldest, born in 1880, was a student at the University of Penn sylvania and was afterward appointed lieutenant in the United States army and is now on duty with the Twenty-fifth Infantry at Parang Parang, Philippine Islands. It is interesting to know and decidedly to the young man's credit that at the time he passed the required examination for his lieutenancy he was under the legal age. When the department discovered this, proceedings were suspended for a time but the matter was carried to the secretary of war who, in view of his fine record, issued an order that he should receive the appointment as soon as he became of legal age without further examination or delay. The young man resumed his studies at the univeristy and upon his twenty-first birthday received his commission without formal application. Florence, the sec ond child and only daughter, is now a student at the School of Industrial Arts of Philadelphia. John, the third and youngest child, has com menced a six years' course at the University of Alichigan from which he will graduate with the degree of A. B. and Al. D. Mr. Hay's second wife was Anna Lipton, of Center county, Pennsylvania, daughter of E. B. Lipton, who for twenty-five years was head bookkeeper for the Jarecki Manufacturing Company of Erie. He is now retired from active work. Henry C. Kelsey, president of the Union Ice Company, Erie, Pennsylvania, was born in this city, October 29, 1844, son of Samuel H. and Mary H. (Johnson) Kelsey, natives respectively of Oswego, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Air. Kelsey's paternal grand father, Joseph Kelsey, moved from Oswego to Erie county at an early 238 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY date and settled on a farm in Alill Creek township, where he carried on farming for a number of years. Subsequently he entered into a partner ship with his son-in-law, Henry Cadwell, and they engaged in the hard ware and tinning business. Samuel H. Kelsey, the father of Henry C, also became interested in this business, and was connected with the firm for a number of years. Later, under the administration of Postmaster Robert Cochran, he held a position in the Erie postoffice, and at the expiration of his service there he entered the employ of the late Gen eral Charles M. Reed, as clerk on a lake boat, in which capacity he served two years, after which he was given a position as accountant in the office at the docks. He remained in the employ of General Reed for a period of upwards of twenty years, and after Rawle & Co. succeeded General Reed in business, he retained his place with the new firm and continued with it until the company went out of business. In 1866, asso ciated with his son, Henry C, Mr. Kelsey established the Erie Ice Company, the son taking active management of the business. The father lived to the ripe age of seventy-five, and died August 14, 1892. Henry C. Kelsey was reared and educated in Erie. From 1860 to 1862 he was in Canada, employed, in different capacities, in the oil fields. Returning to Erie in 1862, he entered the employ of Henry Rawle & Co., with which he remained four years, until he joined his father in the ice business. They established the first thoroughly equipped ice plant in Erie. In 1890, the Union Ice Company was organized, it being made up of the Erie Ice Company and the John R. Cooney Ice Company. The People's Ice Company, formed in 1892, was in 1893 added to the Union. Mr. Kelsey was made treasurer of the Union Ice Company at its forma tion and so continued until 1900, when he was made president, the office he now fills. September 3, 1868, Mr. Kelsey married Laura H. Johnson of Erie, and they have two daughters: Margaret Shannon, widow of the late Harry Saltsman of Erie, who married Frank Al. Wallace in 1909, presi dent of the Second National Bank of Erie, and one of the vice presi dents of the Pittsburg Coal Company ; Blanche Elizabeth, wife of Charles F. Wallace, assistant cashier of the Second National Bank. Fraternally, Mr. Kelsey is a Mason of high degree. Rinaldo E. Clemens. When it is stated that Rinaldo E. Clemens is a scion of a family which was founded in Erie county more than a century ago, it will be at once understood that the name has been linked with the annals of the old Keystone state since the pioneer epoch. Fur ther than this the name has been ever honored and has stood for definite accomplishment in connection with the civic and business activities of this section of the state. Not too often and not through the agency of too many vehicles can be recorded tributes to the memory of those who have thus wrought nobly in the past and who have left descendants to perpetuate in their lives and services equally worthy achievement. Rinaldo E. Clemens, who is now living virtually retired in the city of Erie, with whose business interests he was long and prominently identified as a progressive and loyal citizen, was born in the village of Fairview, this county, on the 9th of October, 1844, and is a son of John and Lydia (Hutchinson) Clemens. John Clemens was born in Le Boeuf township, this county, in 1819, and was a son of John and Mary (Irwin) Clemens, whose marriage was solemnized in Pennsylvania. John Clem ens, Sr., was a native of county Armagh, Ireland, where he was born in HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 239 the year 1762 and where he was reared to the age of fifteen. In 1777, when fifteen years of age, he severed the ties which bound him to the Emerald Isle and immigrated to America, to whose upbuilding and advancement those of his race have contributed in liberal and noble measure from the colonial era to the present day. He first settled at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and in 1795 he removed to Erie county. He established his home in Le Boeuf township, about one and one-half miles south from the present village of Waterford, and there he secured from David AlcNair two hundred acres of land a very considerable portion of which he reclaimed to cultivation. He was a man of energy and strong mentality, so that he naturally became a leader and power in his community. He developed a valuable property an'd continued to reside on his fine old homestead until his death, which occurred in the year 1822. His wife, who was a native of north of Ireland, survived him by a number of years. John Clemens, Jr., father of Rinaldo E., was reared to manhood on the ancestral homestead and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. In 1840, soon after attaining to his legal majority, he took up his residence in the vil lage of Fairview, this county, where he became associated with John Avery Tracy in the general merchandise business, under the title of Tracy & Clemens. Later he conducted a hotel in the same village, where he remained until 1848, when he removed to Girard, where he entered into partnership with David Olin and again engaged in the mercantile busi ness. His operations in this field were attended with success and he con tinued his residence in Girard until 1854, when he took up his residence in Erie, where he greatly amplified the scope of his business by forming a partnership alliance with his brother-in-law, William M. Caughey, and opening a well ordered wholesale grocery establishment. The prescience and judgment of this firm were notable, as they were among the first to recognize the advantages of Erie as a wholesaling center and were among the first to show their confidence in the definite manner desig nated. They built up a fine enterprise, controlling a trade throughout the large territory normally tributary to Erie, and Air. Clemens continued to be actively identified with the business until 1869, when he retired to engage in the wholesale and retail lumber trade, in which his acumen and honorable dealings likewise made his success assured. In 1878 he retired from this field of enterprise and became associated with Prescott Metcalf and founded the Erie Malleable Iron Works, which grew to be one of the most important industrial enterprises in the county. He was also one of those prominently concerned in the organization of the com pany which erected the Park Opera House, and his aid and influence were given in the promotion of numerous other enterprises conserving the progress and material prosperity of his home city, in which his inter ests centered and in which he was ever regarded as a most loyal and gen erous citizen. His life was ordered on a broad plane of integrity and honor, and his success, which measured large, was won by legitimate means, so that no shadow rests on any portion of his career as a citizen and as a business man. His political allegiance was given to the Repub lican party, and as already intimated, he took an active interest in public affairs, though he never had aught of desire for the honors or emolu ments of political office. His wife held membership in the Episcopal church and was active in its work and support. In 1842 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Lydia Hutchinson, daughter of the late Judge 240 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Myron Hutchinson, who presided on the bench of the county court in this county, and of the two children of this union the subject of this review is the elder; Frances Eliza died in 1863, when a young woman. John Clem ens rounded out a life of signal usefulness and honor and was summoned to eternal rest on the 24th of August, 1892. His wife passed away in November, 1896, and their memories are revered in the city which so long represented their home and in whose social life they were prominent. Rinaldo E. Clemens was a child at the time of the family removal to Erie, and in the public schools of this city he secured his early educa tional discipline. He became in time associated with the various enter prises with which his honored father was identified, and his career has added new laurels to the family name. He was concerned in many important business corporations, and contributed in large measure to the industrial and commercial advancement of Erie, to which city his loyalty has ever been on a parity with that shown by his father. Since 1905 he has lived virtually retired, though he gives his general supervision to his various capitalistic interests, and is a member of the directorate of the Alarine National Bank, of Erie, one of the stanch financial institutions of northern Pennsylvania. Though never active in the arena of prac tical politics, he is an adherent of the Republican party, and his wife holds membership in the Episcopal church. He is identified with no fraternal organizations except the Royal Arcanum but is a member of the Erie Club, the leading social organization of business men in the city. In 1874 was solemnized the marriage of Air. Clemens to Miss Anna C. Hays, daughter of the late William B. Hays, who was an old and hon ored citizen of Erie at the time of his demise. Mr. and Airs. Clemens became the parents of two children, John Hays, who died in July, 1908, at the age of thirty-three years, and Hays H., who was graduated in the Troy Polytechnical Institute and is now a civil engineer by profession : he still maintains his home in Erie. George S. Ray, M. D. A leader among the younger and most pro gressive physicians and surgeons of Erie, Dr. George S. Ray was born at Meadville, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of Alay, 1870. The family is of ancient Scotch descent, but its American home has long been in the east ern and especially, the New England states. The doctor's parents, S. H. and Alargaret (Hart) Ray, were early settlers of his native city. He graduated from the Aleadville High School in 1888 and from Allegheny College in 1892, after which he completed a three years' course in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1895. His graduation from that institution was followed by service of a year in the Alethodist Episcopal Hospital, and he began the practice of his profes sion at Cooperstown, Pennsylvania, in the later portion of 189(5. Dr. Ray became a resident of Erie in the fall of 1897, and has since established a substantial general practice and is especially recognized as a skilful, but conservative surgeon. At the present time he is a member of the surgical staff of St. Vincent's Hospital, Erie, and surgeon of the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad. He is actively identified with the Erie Aledical Society, of which he served as president for a year, and is also a member of the Northwestern Aledical Society of Pennsylvania, State Aledical Society and the American Aledical Association. The doc tor is a Free Alason, connected with Keystone Lodge of Erie, and enjoys membership in the Chamber of Commerce. His wife, known before her marriage as Aliss Emma Eby, is the daughter of Bishop Isaac Eby, of "- ¦ ¦ . . - _ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 241 Lancaster, Pennsylvania, so prominent a figure in the Mennonite church of the east. There is one child by the marriage, Frederick Al. Ray, born February 16, 1906. Charles E. Gunnison. Distinguished not only as the worthy representative of a pioneer family of much prominence, but for the eminence he has achieved as a man of affairs and one of rare business and executive ability, Charles E. Gunnison occupies an assured position among the respected and valued citizens of Erie, and as president of the Marine National Bank exerts a wide influence in the realms of finance. A life-long resident of this beautiful city overlooking the blue waters of Lake Erie, he has been identified with its highest interests during his active career, and has contributed in no small measure to its progress and prosperity. Charles E. Gunnison, president of the Marine National Bank, Erie, was born August 9, 1829, at Erie. His parents were E. D. and Sophia Gunnison who came to Erie in 1815. After the usual attendance at private schools he closed his school career at the Erie Academy. At the age of fourteen he found employment as clerk in the general store known as the "Canadian Store" located in the original Reed House block on North Park Row. From 1847 to the spring of 1851 he was engaged in a clerical capacity in the Reed Store owned by the late General Charles M. Reed. Mr. Gunnison's banking career commenced April 1, 1851, when he accepted a position with Joseph H. Williams, banker, Erie. In 1853 he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, to assume the cashiership of The Southern Bank of Indiana where he remained a portion of the year returning thence to become a member of the banking firm of C. B. Wright & Co., the members of which were Charles B. Wright, Francis P. Bailey and Charles E. Gunnison. This firm was dissolved in 1858. In 1859 Mr. Gunnison, associated with his brother John B. Gunnison, established the tannery business. During the years of 1860 to 1864 he assisted in the firm of Vincent, Bailey & Co. He became assistant cashier of the Marine National Bank in the spring of 1866 and subse quently became the cashier and then president. Mr. Gunnison was married September 1, 1852, to Jane T. Welsh, a native of the City of Douglas, Isle of Man. Of their three children, Emma G, wife of Dr. David H. Strickland, alone survives. Harry, who married Lucy Morrison, died while cashier of the Marine National Bank and Carrie married Frank T. Kimball, both of whom are deceased. Air. Gunnison has been a member of the board of trade of Erie and of the Park Presbyterian church for many years. John W. Little. Among those who have stood as distinctive types of the world's workers is John W. Little, who is president of the People's Bank of Erie, and whose identification with the civic and busi ness interests of this city has extended over a period of fully two score of years, within which it has been his to mark by definite accomplishment a place of honor on the record of progress made by the city within the period noted. It is naught more than simple justice to refer to him as one of the representative business men of Erie county, and the most emphatic voucher for his sterling characteristics is that offered in the uniform respect and confidence accorded to him in the community which has so long represented his home and been the center of his interests. In a characteristic paraphrase Senator Chauncey Al. Depew gave utterance to the following statement : "Some men are born great, some Vol. 11—16 242 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY achieve greatness, and some are born in the state of Ohio." This indicated a signal appreciation of the part the fine old Buckeye commonwealth has played in giving to the nation men of beneficent influence in public affairs, and the application may well be taken to wider. limitations in not ing the accomplishment of sons of Ohio in the manifold departments of productive business activity. The distinction thus lies with Mr. Little that he can claim the Buckeye state as the place of his nativity, and he is a scion of one of the honored pioneer families of the Western Reserve, which has been designated as "the largest and most distinctly individual ized and most influential of all the varied elements" in the compos ite population of Ohio. He was born in Aurora, Portage county, Ohio, on the 14th of November, 1848, and is a son of John and Lucy (Eggles- ton) Little, the former of whom was born in the state of New York, where his parents were temporarily sojourning, and the latter of whom was a native of Aurora, Portage county, Ohio, where her father, Mar tin Eggleston, of New England birth and lineage, was an early settler. The Little family was founded in America in the colonial epoch of our national history, and in the state of Massachusetts was born Warren Little, grandfather of John W. Warren Little removed from the old Bay state to Ohio in the pioneer days, and it was his to become one of the early settlers of the historic Western Reserve, which, though its boun daries are no longer designated in modern geographies, bears a name that still belongs to a well defined portion of Ohio, a section whose resi dents are knit together by historic associations and social ties as close as though indicated by strict political limits. Upon his removal from the east to the Western Reserve of Connecticut, Warren Little took up his abode in the wilds of Portage county, where he reclaimed a farm from the virgin forest, and there he and his wife passed the residue of their lives. He there became the owner of a generous landed estate, and it is interesting to record that his old homestead is still in possession of his descendants of the name. John Little was reared under the conditions and influences of the pioneer era in the Western Reserve, where his educational advantages were such as were offered in the schools of the day. He lived up to the full tension of the arduous labors of the pioneer farm, and continued to be actively identified with agricultural operations in Geauga county, Ohio (to which he removed in 1852) until 1872, when he removed to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he lived virtually retired until his death, which occurred in June, 1877. His cherished and devoted wife was sum moned to the life eternal on the 12th of December, 1898. They were consistent members of the Disciple church and in politics John Little was a Republican. They became the parents of nine children, of whom three are living. John W. Little, the immediate subject of this review, was three years of age at the time of his parents' removal from Portage county to Geauga county, Ohio, in which latter he was reared to maturity. After duly availing himself of the advantages of the common schools of the locality and period he continued his studies in Geauga Seminary, a well ordered institution, and he put his scholastic attainments to practical test and util ization by assuming the position of teacher in the district schools of his home county. In the pedagogic profession his labors were successful, and to the same he devoted his attention for two years. In June, 1869, about five months before attaining to his legal major ity, Air. Little severed the ties which bound him to home and native state, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 243 and came to Erie, where he assumed a clerical position in the offices of the Pennsylvania Railroad, under William E. Baldwin, general superin tendent. He continued to be identified with the interests of the corpora tion noted until 1876, when he marked the centennial year by assuming a position in the offices of W. L. Scott and Company, long known as rep resenting one of the most important industrial enterprises of this section of the state. On the death of W. L. Scott in 1891 he became one of the stockholders and executive officers of The W. L. Scott Company, and with the same he continued to be identified until its retirement from bus iness, in 1905. He exerted no little influence in the building up of the large and successful enterprise of this well known company, whose oper ations were in the mining and shipping of anthracite and bituminous coal and during the long years of his connection therewith he gained distinc tive recognition as one of the progressive and representative business men of the city of Erie. In the year last mentioned Air. Little became one of the organizers and incorporators of the People's Bank, in which he is the largest stock holder and of which he has been president from the time of its incorpor ation. The bank bases its operations upon a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars with a surplus from organization of one hundred thou sand dollars and it has gained secure prestige in popular favor and sup port. A progressive but duly conservative policy has been maintained, and as executive head of the institution Mr. Little had ordered its affairs with consummate discrimination and ability, so that it stands to-day as one of the most solid banking houses of northern Pennsylvania. As a citizen and business man Mr. Little has shown much of public spirit and loyalty, and all that concerns the welfare of his home city has been a mat ter of definite interest to him during the long years of his residence in Erie, where he is held in unequivocal confidence and esteem and where his popularity is based upon a record marked by sterling integrity and honor. He is a valued member of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, and is identified with various civic and fraternal organizations. Though never manifesting aught of ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office he is arrayed as a stalwart sup porter of the cause of the Republican party, and both he and his wife hold membership in the First Presbyterian church. On the 25th of September, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Little to Aliss Anna Henry, daughter of the late Robert H. Henry, of Erie. Mr. and Airs. Little have had no children. John H. Berkenkamp. For the past twenty years a leading busi ness man of Erie John H. Berkenkamp is a representative German-Amer ican whose family name was established by his father in this section of the state more than fifty-six years ago. He himself was born in West Mill Creek township, Erie county, February 18, 1863, and is a son of William and Louise (Fogel) Berkenkamp. The father was a native of Prussia, born in 1832, and celebrated the attainment of his majority on shipboard, in the course of his sixty-three days' ocean voyage from the fatherland to America. Going direct to Erie, he at once entered the employ of John A. Tracy, owner of a farm in West Mill Creek township. Subsequently, he purchased a place himself at Franklin Centre, operated it for eight years, and then sold the property, after which he was identi fied with the Reed farm, east of the city, for a period of thirty-five years. William Berkenkamp then built a home on Buffalo road and Downing 244 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY avenue, to the rest and comforts of which he retired until his death in September, 1905. His wife and the mother of John H. is still living, in her eighty-second year. She is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany ; came to Erie when a young girl and was married in the county. She is a life long German Lutheran, as was her husband. John H. Berkenkamp, of this sketch, was reared on the old Reed farm, received a public school education and obtained a commercial train ing — the latter at Clark's Business College. Until he was twenty-two years of age he remained with his parents, and then, for a year, was em ployed on the plantation owned by W. L. Scott at Cape Charles, Virginia. For the succeeding year and a half he was with the C. F. Adams Com pany, stationed both at Erie and Chicago, and in 1889 he established him self in the furniture and house furnishing business at the former city. Having completed the regular course at the Pittsburg College of Embalm ing, Mr. Berkenkamp added an undertaking department to his business, which developed so satisfactorily that in 1906 he disposed of the furni ture branch and devoted his entire time to it. Both as an embalmer and a funeral director Mr. Berkenkamp is now widely known, his high stand ing being the natural result of his scientific knowledge of the business and his straightforward and pleasing traits of character. His popularity as a citizen is also partially demonstrated by his membership in the Cham ber of Commerce and the Business Alen's Exchange, and his active iden tification with the Masons, Elks, Odd Fellows, Royal Arcanum and Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and a leader in the work of the Central Presby terian church. Mr. Berkenkamp's wife was formerly Mrs. Ella Metcalf, a San Francisco lady. W. Ed. Marsh. For upwards of thirty years W. Ed. Marsh has been actively engaged in the practice of law in Corry, Erie county, and in the meantime has won in an eminent degree the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, those who know him best placing implicit confidence in his integrity, fidelity, and good judgment. A Pennsylvanian by birth, of English descent, he was born, January 15, 1851, in Farmington township, Warren county, where the birth of his father, William S. Marsh, occurred July 9, 1826. Of his parents the following account is interesting in several ways : "In a little Quaker church, John Marsh and Phebe Allen of the township of Woodbury, Middlesex county, New Jersey, having declared their intention of marriage with each other before several monthly meetings of the people called Quakers, at Rahway, on the 26th day of August, 1790, and in the presence of fifty-one witnesses did, according to the custom among them, take each other by the hand and declare that they took each other for man and wife, promising by the Lord's assistance to be faithful unto each other until death should them part." On the 10th of Alarch, 1795, Joseph Marsh was born to them, being their third child. 'In 1800. when Joseph was a little over five years old, the parents saw the opportunity to secure a new and cheap home in the lands which had been ceded to the Commonwealth by the Seneca Indians, who then occupied this part of Pennsylvania. They left their old home in New Jersey, and started for the wilds of Northwestern Pennsylvania. They carried their family and goods in ox-carts, drawn by oxen. Slowly they wended their way along through rough and hilly roads until they reached Franklin, where they unloaded their goods and placed them in HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 245 keel boats, as there was no road up the river at that time, and pushed them up the river to Warren — their cattle being driven over the hills and through the woods to Warren, where their goods and wagons were dis embarked from the boats, and they proceeded as before, until they reached their destination in what was known as Beech-woods, later Pine Grove, now Farmington township, on the 15th day of October, 1800. His brother, Hugh Alarsh, had preceded him two years before. Here he spent the remaining years of his life. In the year 1803, John Marsh taught the first school in Warren county, in a part of his own house, the scholars being his own and his brother Hugh's children, with one or two others. He built the first frame building, (a barn) in Warren county, in 1812. Joseph Marsh always retained a good share of the Quaker belief, as he was reared among them, his parents being of strict Quaker faith, hold ing regular meetings at their own fireside. Succeeding to the ownership of the parental homestead, Joseph S. Marsh was there engaged in agricul tural pursuits until his death. He was the first justice of the peace in what is now Farmington township, Warren county, serving fifteen years beginning in 1842. He married Ruth Sheldon, who died in middle life, and of their children but three grew to years of maturity, William S., John A., and Phebe Ann. William S. Marsh grew to manhood on the ancestral farm, and after attaining man's estate bought land in Farmington township, and was there employed to some extent in general farming during his active life. He was also elected justice of the peace serving several terms. He was, however, a natural mechanic, expert in the use of tools, and spent much of his time in carpentering, although he had never served an apprentice ship at the trade. He spent his entire life in Farmington township, passing away, in 1902, at the age of seventy-six years. He married Rosaville P. Knapp, who is still living in Farmington township. She was born, August 22, 1828, near Boston Corners, New York, being a daughter of Hiram and Clarissa (Barrett) Knapp. William S. Marsh and wife reared three children, namely : W. Ed., of this sketch ; Carrie, wife of Sherman Brown; and Fred S., who received the Peabody prize when he was graduated from the Buffalo School of Pharmacy, and is now chemist for the Straight Dry Plate Company at Jamestown, New York. The Knapp family is traced back to a very early period in Saxony, a province of Germany, and with the natural tide and flow of human life the family entered Wales and England and is found among the records of the seventh year of the reign of Edward I, in 1279-80. The coat of arms was granted Roger de Knapp in 1540 during the reign of Henry VIII. The family motto is : "Spes Nostra Deus." Two of the Knapps, William and Nicholas, came to this country in 1630 with the (Gov.) Winthrop and Saltonstall emigrant expedition. Uzal Knapp who was born in 1753, and died in 1856, was the last survivor of Washington's Life Guard, and his monument is beside "Washington's Headquarters" at Newburgh, New York. The Knapp house at Danbury, Connecticut, is the only house in that part of Danbury that escaped the fire when the British burned Danbury. Completing his early education in the Union schools of Jamestown, New York, W. Ed. Marsh began his professional career as a teacher at the age of seventeen years, and taught in Warren county until 1875. While there he began reading law in the office of Johnson and Lindsey at Warren, Pennsylvania, completing his studies with Crosby and Brown 246 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY at Corry, Pennsylvania, remaining with that firm until his admission to the bar, in 1879. For a short time thereafter, Mr. Marsh was located in Smethport, from there returning to Corry, where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, win ning a place of distinction among the leading lawyers of this part of Erie county. He has also devoted a part of his time to other lines of business and to both fire and fraternal insurance, at the present time being secre tary and treasurer of the Corry Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Polit ically, Air. Marsh is a stanch Republican, and has served with acceptance to all concerned in various positions of prominence, including those of city attorney, police justice, and mayor of the city. Fraternally he is a member of the Jonathan Lodge, No. 685, I. O. O. F., and of Corry Lodge, No. 470, K. P. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge I. O. O. F. 1891-2. For two years he was secreary, also, of the Equitable Aid Union. Religiously he and his wife are faithful members of the Presby terian church. Air. Alarsh married first, October 1, 1874, Mary L. Brown, daughter of Dr. S. W. and Louisa Brown, of Farmington township. After her death, Air. Alarsh married, October 1, 1890, Pearl E. Hoffman, who was born in Corry, a daughter of Philip and Mary S., (Wells) Hoffman. Her grandfather, Paul Hoffman, was born in Germany, a son of Philip Hoffman, who emigrated to this country with his wife and eight children, locating in Youngsville, Warren county, Pennsylvania, where he bought land, improved a farm, and resided until his death. Ten years old when he came with his parents to Pennsylvania, Paul Ploffman assisted in the pioneer labor of clearing a homestead, and subsequently bought a tract of wild land near Pittsfield, Warren county, where he pursued the peace ful occupation of a farmer until his death, at the age of sixty-six years, in 1856. His wife, whose maiden name was Dorcas Andrews, was a life long resident of Pittsfield, her death occurring on the home farm in 1854. She reared nine children, as follows : Ross A., John W., Matthias, Philip, Mary Ann, Martha, Robert, James and Franklin W. Of this family Alary Ann, wife of Asahel Davis, is the only survivor. Philip Hoffman, Airs. Alarsh's father, learned the trade of a shoemaker when young, but in 1849, abandoned the bench to go with the gold hunters to California, where he spent two years in mining being fairly successful, and with the gold thus obtained he returned to Pittsfield, purchased his father's home stead, intending to return to California, but yielding to his mother's wishes, remained at home tilling the soil until after the breaking out of the Civil war. Enlisting in 1863, in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, he served until the close of the war, when he received his honorable dis charge from the army. He was commissary sergeant of Company C, Fourteenth- Pennsylvania Cavalry. Selling his farm soon after, he removed his family to Corry, where for awhile he was engaged in the drug business. To be with old comrades, he entered the Soldiers' Home, in Dayton, and there remained until his death, January 1, 1904. His first wife, whose maiden name was Samantha Bills, was born near Pitts field, a daughter of Chester Bills, a pioneer settler of that town, and died on the farm, near Pittsfield. Pie married for his second wife Alary S. Wells. Air. and Airs. W. Ed. Alarsh have two children, namely: W. Lloyd and Barrett Hugh. George F Rankin is a well known and successful agriculturist in Venango township, where he owns a valuable and well improved home- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 247 stead of one hundred and twenty acres of dairy land. He was born at Goshen in Orange county, New York, February 22, 1851, a son of Wil liam H. and Deborah A. (Lockwood) Rankin. William H. Rankin was born in Goshen in 1822, where he was brought up on the parental farm, his parents being George and Amelia (Etsel) Rankin, who ended their days there. Their son William attended the district schools and also pursued a three years' course in an educational institution in New York City, and afterward was for three years in the mercantile house of a Mr. Bonar there. When twenty-two years of age, after his father's death, he returned home to manage the farm, and on the 28th of February, 1850, he was married to Miss Deborah A. Lockwood and came to Erie county two years later. Of their five children three are now living, George F., Charles W. and Judson G. William H. Rankin enlisted with the One Hundred and Sixtieth Pennsylvania Regiment in November, 1862, and after serving his time Was honorably discharged in 1863 and returned to farming. He was a stanch Democrat all his life, was a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and was captain of the State Police force, known as the "Independent Order of Home Guards." He died on the 4th of October, 1890, and his wife Deborah died in February, 1900. George F. Rankin was reared and educated in Venango township, whither his parents had moved when he was but a year old. He pur chased his first farm in 1883 and his second in 1902, and he is now one of the large land owners and successful agriculturists of Venango town ship. February 22, 1883 he was happily married to Miss Alay, a daughter of Leonard L. and Almeda M. (Chadwick) Howard, and two children have been born of their union, but the only one living is Howard W., a graduate of the Edinboro Normal with the class of 1908, and who is now engaged in teaching in Erie county. Mrs. Rankin was born in Venango township, July 22,. 1865, and her father, Leonard L. Howard, was born in Columbus, New York, August 11, 1835. Soon after the completion of his education, received at Kingsville, Ohio, he began teaching school, and in 1852 he became a resident of Erie county. On the 2d of Alay, 1857, he was married to Almeda M. Chadwick, and their four children are Charles L., Lelia A., Curtis (deceased) and May. Airs. Howard was born in Columbus, Warren county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1837, and in her younger days she taught school for several terms. Leonard L. Howard served as a justice of the peace, as a township clerk, as a school director and in other minor offices. He became the owner of the Ellis place in 1871, and it has since been divided between his daughter, Mrs. Rankin, and her brother. The Howard and Rankin families are equally well known and honored in Erie county, and they have long been prominently identified with its agricultural history. John Blackman. The wealth and support of our great nation depends largely upon its agricultural development and promotion, which is carried on by men of energy and enterprise, many of whom come to this country from the other side of the broad Atlantic. Noteworthy among this number is John Blackman, a prosperous farmer and dairyman in Venango township, Erie county. He was born in 1854, in England, and immigrated to this country in 1872. His father, Benjamin Blackman, was born in Canbridgeshire, England, and remained in his native land until after the death of his wife, in 1895. He subsequently came to Pennsylvania, and spent his last years in Erie county, dying at the home of his son John, May 4, 1905. To him and his wife six children were 248 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY born, as follows : Ruth ; Eliza ; Amy, living in Canada ; Ann ; John ; and Joseph, a resident of Erie county. Soon after his arrival in Erie county, John Blackman located in Venango township as a farmer, and now owns and occupies a valuable farm of one hundred acres, which he devotes largely to dairying, keeping fifteen cows, in the prosecution of this branch of industry meeting with satisfactory results. Air. Blackman was united in marriage in 1885, with Alartha Daggett, who was born October 9, 1860, and died March 30, 1893, leaving three children namely: Benjamin, Blanche and Annie. Mr. Blackman married second, in August, 1895, Amanda Fritz. She was born in Venango township, in 1864, a daughter of Franklin Fritz. She comes of German ancestry on the paternal side, her Grandfather Fritz having been a native of Germany. He was the father of eight children, namely : Alinerva, Daniel, Rebecca, Mary, John, Christian, Jacob, and Franklin. Franklin Fritz, the youngest son of Christian Fritz, was born in Danville, New York, and his wife, whose maiden name was Vashti Aus tin, was born in Canada, being a daughter of Alorris and Electa (Rob- bins) Austin, who were the parents of eight children, as follows : Weal thy, AAlmeda, Vashti, Alorris, Stephen, Lindsor, Selah, and Charles. Franklin Fritz carried on general farming in Arenango township for many years, residing here until his death, July 16, 1900. His wife Vashti sur vived him, passing away February 4, 1905. His children, five in number, were born on the home farm, being as follows : Rebecca, William S., Deli lah, Christian, and Amanda. Air. and Airs. Blackman have two children, Frank and Ethel. Mr. Blackman is a sound Republican. Elmer E. Bemis is one of the representative agriculturists of Ven ango township and a worthy representative of one of the county's early families. Jonathan and Fannie (Billings) Bemis, his paternal grandpar ents, were natives respectively of Massachusetts and of Chenango county, New York, and the wife dying in the spring of 1828 the husband subse quently married Alartha Kingsley, and in 1837 they located in the north western part of Venango township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, where they cleared a farm. In 1853 they moved west/ spending four years in Iowa and twenty years in Kansas, and they finally settled in Richardson county, Nebraska, where Mr. Bemis died in 1881. I. Sumner Bemis, a son of Jonathan, was born in Chenango county, New York, Alarch 20, 1823, and coming with his father to Erie county he became one of the influential residents of his community. He served in various township offices, and was a stanch supporter of all movements for the public good. He in time settled on the old homestead taken up by his father in Venango township, and this land has never since been out of the family name. On the 29th of June, 1848, I. Sumner Bemis wedded Eleanor Flinton, who was born in Wales, a daughter of Griffith Hinton. He was born in that country in 1785, but coming to the United States he served his adopted land in the war of 1812, and he died on the 15th of Alarch, 1881, when aged ninety-six years. The children born to Mr. and Airs. Bemis were: Fannie, who was born February 13 1870 and is deceased; Seth, who was born in 1855 and married Lida J Charles McLaughlin, who during many years has been prom inently identified with the business interests of Edinboro, was born at Sterrettania, in AlcKean township, Erie county, October 11, 1836, a son of Thomas and Honora (Fagan) AlcLaughlin. Thomas Mc Laughlin, who was born to John and Mary (Spence) McLaughlin on March 28, 1796, in County Tyrone, Ireland, came to the United States in 1818, and after spending three years in the state of Georgia came north to New York City and became the owner of a farm in what is now the heart of that great city. But becoming ill he disposed of his property there and located in Mill Creek township of Erie county, Pennsylvania, on what is now Twenty-second street of Erie, where, during four or five years, he worked at brick making. Moving then to Sterrettania in McKean township he was engaged in farming dur ing the remainder of his life and died there on the 5th of Alarch, 1880. During a number of years he served as the supervisor of McKean township, and for twenty-one years was its auditor. His wife was born in Mill Creek township, of Erie county, in July of 1807, a daughter of John and Mary (Logan) Fagan. The HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 331 parents were born in York county, Pennsylvania, but coming to Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1800 they located in Mill Creek township, east of the city of Erie on what is known as Fagan's Road, where they cleared a farm of one hundred acres and lived for fifty years. Mr. Fagan was a Revolutionary soldier, entering the army when but eleven years of age and he was discharged at the age of fifteen. He also took part in the war of 1812, serving as a waiter for Alad Anthony Wayne, and he was also with Perry at the battle of Lake Erie. He now lies buried in the city of Erie. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, namely: John, deceased; Mary Jane, who married James Kennedy and resides in Crawford county, Pennsyl vania ; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Al. Ricks ; Thomas, deceased ; Charles, who is mentioned below; Rosanna, who married Michael Harmon and lives in Girard, this county; Michael, who resides on the old McLaughlin farm; Hannah, deceased; Edward, whose home is in AlcKean township ; and James C, deceased. Mrs. McLaughlin died on the 4th of September, 1858. Charles McLaughlin spent the first twenty-three years of his life at home with his parents, and after working for a time at the carpenter's trade, he bought a small farm and also conducted the R. T. Stewart farm until enlisting for the Civil war. He became a member in 1863 of Company I, One Hundred and Second Pennsyl vania Volunteer Infantry, as a private, took an active part with his regiment in the conflict, and was present at the surrender of Lee. After his honorable discharge in 1865 he returned home, but was ill, during the following year, and after his recovery he followed car pentering and farming until 1878. From that time until 1895 he was engaged in the house moving business, and then until February of 1898 he operated the Keystone mill in Edinboro. He owns a num ber of splendid farms in Erie and Crawford counties, and his time is devoted to looking after these estates and to his real estate business. Mr. McLaughlin married Miss Margaret Mcintosh, who died in the city of New York in 1903, and lies buried at Crossettville, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Their union was blessed by the birth of fifteen children, namely: Thomas W., whose home is in Oklahoma ; James, deceased ; John F., of Detroit, Michigan ; Mary A., who became the wife of Michael Nash and is deceased ; Lizzie, deceased ; Dora, whose home is in Wichita, Kansas ; Michael, of New York City; Abbie, the wife of John Murphy, of Crawford county; Allie, of New York City ; Ves, who for eight years was a member of the navy and is now living in the city of New York; Lorene, who married S. F. Eckles and lives in Rochester, New York; Charles, of Wichita, Kansas; Bertha, the wife of Guy Baker, of Akron, Ohio; Bernice, deceased ; and Henry, whose home is also in the city of New York. Mr. McLaughlin is a member of Proudfit Post No. 416 at Edinboro. He is one of th best known citizens and business men of this community. Elmer M. Love. Having a natural taste for mechanics, Elmer M. Love has applied himself diligently to the study of everything con nected with the mechanical arts and sciences, and is now successfully ooerating the foundry established in Corry by his father, the late Milton Love. A native of Chautauqua county, New York, he was 332 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY born in the town of Chumley, February 3, 1862. His grandfather, Erastus Love, was born near Attica, New York, a son of Richard Love, a farmer, who moved from Wyoming county, New York, to Chautauqua county in pioneer days, and there, living with his chil dren, spent his last days, dying at the remarkable age of one hun dred and four years. But a child when he went with his parents from Wyoming county to Chautauqua county, Erastus Love spent his earlier life in helping his father clear and improve a homestead. Developing a liking for agricultural pursuits, he chose farming for his life occupation, living for a number of seasons near Poland, New York. He afterwards spent some time with his wife's people, and then came to Corry, Pennsylvania, where he resided during the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, whose girl hood name was Catherine Love, was born at St. Clareville, Chau tauqua county, New York. Her father was born in the eastern part of New York, being a son, so saith tradition, of John Love, Sr., who was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, emigrated to America when young, locating in New York state. John Love mar ried Polly Bronson, a native of Chautauqua county, New York, and subsequently bought land in Gerry, where he carried on farming successfully for many years, acquiring a competency, after which he lived retired until his death, at the age of three score years, his death occurring in St. Clareville. Catherine Love died in 1840, at a comparatively early age, leaving five children, as follows: Melissa, Margaret, Milton, Merritt, and Marvin, all of whom have passed to the higher life. Born in Gerry, Chautauqua county, New York, October 23, 1835, Milton Love was brought up on the parental homestead, and acquired his education in the district schools. He subsequently served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in Buffalo, after which he followed the tide of emigration across the country to California. There he was first employed in installing saw-mill machinery for some Mormons, after which he turned his attention to mining, remain ing on the Pacific coast until 1860. Returning then, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, to Chautauqua county, New York, he followed his trade in Chumley for three or more years. Locating in Corry, Pennsylvania, in January, 1864, he opened a blacksmith's shop, and the same year enlisted, in Dunkirk, New York, in Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry. Going to the front with his regiment, he was severely wounded at the battle of Hatcher's Run, and was subsequently confined in the hospital until the close of the war. Being honorably discharged in Buffalo, he re turned to Corry, where he continued his occupation as a blacksmith until 1 886, when he established the foundry now operated by his son Elmer. He lived to the age of three score and ten years, spend ing the last few years retired from active business. Milton Love married Caroline M. Cobb, who was born in a log house, situated on the Read farm, in the town of Charlotte, Chau tauqua county, New Y^ork, August 27, 1842. Her father, George Cobb, was born in St. Clareville, Chautauqua county, which was also the birthplace of his father, Bassett Cobb. Her great-grandfather, David Cobb, was born, it is thought, in the eastern part of New York. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 333 As a young man he migrated to Chautauqua county, journeying with ox-teams, oftentimes being forced to cut his way through the forests. Buying wild land, he cleared and improved a farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He was a very successful business man, acquiring a handsome property, and assisted each of his children to a farm. Bassett Cobb married Harriet Porter, a native of Utica, New York, and a niece of General Wolfe, who was brother to her mother. After his marriage, he settled on land given him by his father. Sub sequently selling out, he came with his family to Erie county, Penn sylvania, locating at Harbor Creek, where he resided the remainder of his life. Plis wife survived him, and spent her closing years in Michigan, making her home with her children. George Cobb was born and brought up on a farm, but having learned the trades of a carpenter and millwright when young, followed those occupations throughout his active life. He spent his last years in Fredonia, New York, pass ing away at the venerable age of four score and four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Alaria White, was born, in 1819, in South Hadley, Alassachusetts. Her father, Horace White Jr., a son of Plorace AA'hite Sr., was born and bred in Massachusetts, and for many years owned and operated a cotton mill on the Connecticut river. On account of ill health, he sold his mill, moved with his family to AArestern New York, spending his last days in Chautauqua county. He married Jerusha Skinner, a native of Connecticut, and she died before he did, dying when but thirty years old. Airs. Caro line AI. (Cobb) Love is now living in Corry, which is also the home of her four children : Elmer, Earl, Catherine, and Grace. Having completed the course of study in the graded schools, and the Corry high school, Elmer M. Love taught school in Chautauqua county, New York, for a year. Embarking then in business in Corry, he established a hardware store, and carried it on for a short time. Selling out at an advantage, he went to Washington Territory, where he installed the Spokane Water Works. Completing the contract, Air. Love returned to Corry, entered the foundry with his father, and has since continued business as a foundryman, since the death of his father having had entire control of the plant. Mr. Love married, in October, 1884, Nellie C. Cullin, who was born in Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York, and they are the parents of two children, John and Lucille. Fraternally Mr. Love is a member of Jonathan Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the Royal Arcanum. Thomas D. Willis and Seth H. Willis. In the prominence and variety of its relations to the agricultural, as well as business inter ests of Erie county, the Willis family has maintained the strength and adaptability of its English blood. Thomas Willis, who founded it in that section of Pennsylvania, was born in the world's metropolis July 16, 1795, and was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Evans) Willis. The family came to the United States in 1803, locating at Philadelphia, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. The Thomas who became the father of Thomas D. and Seth H., first changed his residence to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and in 1817 located on the old Brown farm, now within the. city limits of Erie. At a later date he purchased a place on the Ridge road, and there died on the 24th of Alay, 1875. The main interests of his life ¦m HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY were centered in agriculture, but his practical abilities and his pro nounced religious tendencies were shown in his efficient discharge of various public duties and by his earnest work for the Seventh Street Methodist church. He served as county poor director for nine years and held numerous township offices. Thomas Willis was twice married, first, to Aliss Alary Weidley, who was survived by four children — Frank, Matilda, Martha and Edwin, now all deceased. His second wife was Marrillia M., daughter of Jeremiah Osborn, a native of Nova Scotia, who bore him two sons, Thomas D. and Seth H. The mother passed away on the 29th of December, 1902, in her eighty- third year. Thomas D. Willis, president of the Erie County Milk Associa tion and a leading citizen, was born on the old farm in West Mill Creek township, in the year 1845. On August 22, 1862, when only seventeen years of age, he enlisted in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and received an honorable discharge after a service of three years. He conducted the old farm until January, 1901, when he as sisted in the organization of the Erie County Milk Association, of which he was chosen president. In order to give his most efficient service to the promotion of its progress he became a resident of the city at that time. On September 26, 1876, Mr. Willis married Miss Anna J., daughter of John McKee, and the children born to them are as follows: Gussie B., who married Herbert J. McCreary, now a teacher in a Brooklyn (N. Y.) high school; Thomas C, still residing on the old farm, who married Miss Nellie Tuttle; and Harvey M. and Frederick Willis, both living with their parents. Seth H. Willis, the second son of Thomas Willis by his marriage to Marrillia Osborn, was also born on the Mill Creek farm, April 8, 1847. He received a thorough education in the public schools, Erie AAcademy and the State Normal, at Edinboro, and continued as a suc cessful farmer and dairyman until March, 1894. Mr. Willis then was appointed secretary of the Harbor Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Com pany, with headquarters in the city of Erie. While a resident of West Alill Creek townshio, he was influential in its public affairs, serving for nine years as a school director, and since coming to Erie he has been an active member of its Chamber of Commerce and of the Simpson Methodist Episcopal church. By his marriage to Miss Adella, daughter of Andrew Nicholson, an old citizen of Erie county, he has become the father of one child, George A., who is now paymaster at the Erie City Iron Works. The latter married Miss Mabel Heiss, daughter of AA'illiam Heiss, a well-known grocer of Erie, and they are also the parents of one son, Richard H. Willis. Anthony S. Pinney. Conspicuous among the native sons of Erie county, noted for their integrity, ability and worth, is Anthony S. Pinney, of Erie, who for nearly four decades was prominently identified with the mercantile growth and prosperity of that city, and is now serving as city treasurer of Erie. Universally respected and esteemed, there is no more popular man in the community than he. In manner frank, cordial and amiable, making friends with all with whom he comes in contact, it is a pleasure to meet him, for he is ap proachable, and ever ready to forward beneficial enterprises. A son HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 335 of Horace L. Pinney, he was born, March 23, 1845, in Belle A 'alley, Green township, Erie county, coming from honored New England ancestry. Horace L. Pinney, a son of Elijah and Mahala (Grant) Pinney, was born in Connecticut, in 1815, and died, in Erie county, February 20, 1878. AA'ith the Pinney family he came to Erie county in 1838, locating on a farm in Mill Creek township. To all intents and pur poses he was a farmer throughout his entire life, but having acquired an excellent education in Connecticut, his services were in demand after he came to this county as a teacher, and for sixteen winters he taught in the public schools of Erie county. Buying land in Green township in 1844, he carried on general farming successfully, and for a quarter of a century served as justice of the peace. He married, in 1842, Mrs. Sarah Shannon, daughter of AVilliam Saltsman, a pioneer of Erie county, and the widow of Samuel D. Shannon. She survived him, passing away in March, 1892, aged eighty years. Six children were born of their union, namely: Sarah Ellen lived but eight years; Elijah N., of Case City, Michigan, and Anthony S., the subject of this sketch, twins ; Alexander of Erie ; Rose, and Catherine. Laying a substantial foundation for his future education in the schools taught by his father, Anthony S. Pinney afterwards attended the public schools of Belle Valley and Erie City, completing his studies in the old Erie Academy. Desirous then of beginning his business career, he entered the hardware establishment of McConkey & Shannon as a clerk, and showed such aptitude in that capacity that the firm, in 1867, placed him in charge of a branch store at No. 1525 Peach street. Energetic, wide-awake and ambitious, Mr. Pinney met with most satisfactory success in the management of affairs, and in January, 1869. purchased the branch store, and embarked in mercan tile pursuits on his own account, beginning on a modest scale. In order to meet the demands of his large and increasing patronage, he added to his stock, and in February, 1893, having outgrown his orig inal quarters, he moved to No. 724 State street, where he put in a complete line of hardware, and continued business for a number of years. In 1904, after a long and highly successful experience as a hardware merchant, Mr. Pinney retired from business, having by per severing industry and honest thrift acquired a competency. In 1905 he was elected city treasurer, and has since served in this capacity with ability and fidelity, having been re-elected to the office in 1908. Mr. Pinney married. Alarch 4, 1869, Mary E., daughter of the late Allen A. Alorse, of Erie, who was a cousin of Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse, distinguished as the inventor of the telegraph. Air. and Airs. Pinney have one child, Sarah Ellen, wife of AVilliam F. H. Nick, of Erie. Politically Air. Pinney supports the principles of the Democratic party by voice and vote. He belongs to a number of fraternal organizations, including the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and the Knights of Pythias. John L. Wells is ex-county treasurer of Erie county, and for many years leading pension attorney of Erie, and it can truly be said that whatever he undertakes to do is well done. In public life he has faithfully performed his official duties, while his military record in the Civil war was a distinguished one, reflecting honor and credit upon his brave and gallant conduct during the many hard-fought battles and 336 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY campaigns in which he participated. He was born, in 1841, on a farm in Harbor Creek township, Erie county, being of pioneer descent on both sides of the house. His parents, Jarvis and Polly (Chambers) Wells, life-long residents of Erie county, reared four children, namely: James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, twins ; John L., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned ; and R. Eliza. Brought up on the home farm, John L. Wells received a practical education in the rural schools of his neighborhood, in the meantime having the usual training of a country boy. In 1861, before attaining his majority, enthused by patriotic ardor, he enlisted in the One Hun dred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Captain Braden, and served under Colonels Schlaudecker, Cobham and AValker. He received a lieutenant's commission, and on being transferred to another company, commanded the same until the close of the war, rendering efficient service as its captain. He was at the front in many of the more important engagements of the contest, in cluding the second engagement at Bull Run ; the battle at South Moun tain, Georgia, where his bravery won recognition, the general and Governor Gerry giving him as a souvenir for a daring act a special commission ; the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, and Lookout Mountain ; and was also with General Sherman in his famous march to the sea. Near the close of hostilities, Captain AVells was captured at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, confined as a prisoner in the famous rebel prison at Anderson ville, from which he made an almost miraculous escape. He earned the rank of lieutenant colonel by acting as a scout on one occasion and discovering the position of the enemy, thereby saving his entire division from capture. His own capture and subsequent retention in prison, however, prevented him from bearing his well deserved promotion, hence his testimonial from the governor. Receiving his honorable dis charge in 1865, he returned to his home in Erie, where he has since resided. In 1883 Captain Wells was elected to the office of county treasurer of Erie county by a flattering majority, and served with such ability and faithfulness that he was re-elected at the expiration of his term to the same office. On leaving the office, the Captain engaged in busi ness as a pension attorney, and has continued in it successfully ever since, having added thereto a line of fire insurance business, in which he has established a large and remunerative patronage. Fraternally Captain AA'ells is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Loyal Legion. Captain AVells married, in February, 1867, Adele S., daughter of Stewart Chambers, of Erie, and of their union three children have been born. Felix F Curtze. President of three of the largest metal indus tries of Erie and an industrious and progressive member of the com munity since he was fifteen years of age, Felix F. Curtze has earned a most substantial standing in the practical activities and the honorable citizenship of northwestern Pennsylvania. His father, Frederick Curtze, who was a city pioneer of 1840, was also a man of varied and quite remarkable capabilities, being a skilled silversmith, a thorough linguist, and a successful oil-cloth manufacturer. The elder Air. 5-M+$X w21 Z W PQ B 0 >.i/i K0 Z< o w u2 W0H[flw 0wH (fl Ms 0 HBISzHW HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 337 Curtze was a native of the German province of Waldeck, where he was born on the 11th of Alarch, 1813, a son of the Rev. Ludwig Curtze, a clergyman of the Lutheran church. Frederick Curtze received a liberal education, becoming proficient in the Latin, English, Spanish and French languages. In accord with the typical and sound German cus tom, he also learned a trade — that of a silversmith — and after spending some time in Europe, including a residence in Vienna, in 1836 he emi grated to the United States. The first two years of his residence in this country were spent in New York City, followed by a year each in Boston and Philadelphia, the entire time being passed in the prose cution of this trade. When he became a resident of Erie, in the spring of 1840, he commenced to make printing molds for the manufacture of oil cloth, at the same time giving private lessons in German. Five years later he began the manufacture of oil cloth himself and continued in that industrial line for about five years. For the succeeding six years he resided on his farm in Fairview township, returning to Erie in 1858. In that year he was elected a justice of the peace and served contin uously in that office for a period of twenty-five years, his death occur ring on the 14th of April, 1891. The conclusion of his active life as a justice of the peace for a quarter of a century established his position as a widely popular and a highly honored citizen — a standing which was doubly assured in view of his long leadership in the religious and social matters of the German-American community with which he was identi fied for so many years. In 1844 Frederick Curtze married Miss Mary A. Beekman, daughter of Abraham Beekman, a Fairview farmer, and to them were born the following children : Caroline, who married Louis Albracht ; Louisa, who became the wife of Captain Jacob Feigler ; Fran- ciska, now Mrs. Henry V. Claus ; Herman J., Charles A. and Adolph ; Felix F., of this biography ; Julius, Oscar, Mary, who married F. War- noth ; Sabine, Mrs. Frederick Mertens, and Adelia, who became the wife of Charles Stohlman. The mother of this family died on the 25th of October, 1864. Felix F. Curtze, before mentioned, was born in Erie, March 5, 1858, soon after the family had returned to the city from the Fairview farm. After obtaining a public school education, as a youth of fifteen he became an offiice boy in the Erie Dime Savings Bank, and, after thirteen years of continuous and progressive service, in 1886 was appointed treasurer of the institution. Mr. Curtze held that position for a num ber of years, and in 1894 became financially interested in the Globe Iron Works, upon the incorporation of the business being elected president of the company. He is still the active head of its affairs, as well as president of the Stearns Manufacturing Company and of the Heisler Locomotive Works and interested in other important industries. He is also a director in the Erie Trust Company and a strong and far-sighted financier. On June 30, 1885, Mr. Curtze was married to Caroline J., daughter of Frederick and Julia (Pfarre) Stohlman, residents of New York. John Bennett is one of the leading agriculturists of Venango town ship, where he was born on his father's homestead July 24, 1845. Colonel John H. Bennett, his father, was born in Delaware county, New York, July 8, 1808, and he was sent by his father, John Bennett, to Erie county to collect debts from men who owed him. This was in 1827, and while Vol. 11—22 338 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY discharging his duties as his father's collector he was offered a horse by a man in payment for his debt. This young Bennett accepted, ex pecting to ride it back to Delaware county, but before he set out he received word that his father was coming and advised the young man to stay in the new country. Trading his horse then for forty acres of land he settled here permanently and in time became one of the large land owners of the county. He was joined in the following year by his father and his family, and in time this John Bennett and his sons owned about four hundred acres of the finest land, and after the death of the father the son, Colonel John H, Bennett, became the possessor of this large tract. After an eventful and useful life John Bennett passed away in death on December 28, 1851, in the seventy-eighth year of his age and his wife followed him in 1864 aged over eighty-three years. Colonel John H. Bennett was a colonel of a militia regiment, a strict disciplinarian, and he also held the office of collector of his township. With his father he purchased the saw mill of Nims and Ball, located on the east branch of French creek, and there they manufactured lumber and shingles and also ground apples. He married Mary E. Foote in January of 1883, and to the union were born the following children: Frances A., Helen M., Lucia J., Victor H., John, Betsey and Daniel, but of this number John alone survives. Colonel John H. Bennett was a large-hearted man whose friends were as numerous as his acquaint ances, and he died in 1887, long surviving his wife, who passed away in 1851. John Bennett has been a life-long agriculturist, and when lumber was to be had on his or his neighbors' land he operated a saw mill in conjunction with his farming. He now owns and operates in his own name nearly four hundred acres of fine dairy land, the place being well stocked and worked with the best and most approved machinery. When his country was in war he offered his services to the northern cause and was enrolled as a private in Company F, One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Atolunteer Infantry, on the 24th of November, 1863, and becoming a member of the Army of the Cumberland he participated in the entire campaign with Sherman on his march to the sea. His services were meritorious and honorable, and he was discharged from the ranks in July of 1865. On the 5th of November of the same year he was happily married to Aliss Elvira Stewart, born in Amity township April 2, 1842, a daughter of Truman Stewart. To this union there was born a daughter, Addie J., on the 24th of October, 1869. She became the wife of T. Ramsdale on February 21, 1891, and the mother of three children, Harold, John and Florence Nightingale. She was called from this life on the 21st of February, 1909. Mr. Bennett is independent politically and will vote for the best man fitted for the office. Fraternally he is a charter member of the I. O. O. F. in Wattsburg and has passed all the chairs. He is also a member of the Alason Lodge, and a member of the Grange. Robert Wesley Lawrie. The various stages in the career of a successful business man are readily traceable inasmuch as, step by step, he progresses, each time making a sure footing and bringing to bear upon the situation such ability and judgment as enables him to make good present opportunities and, little by little, availing him self of them, enlarge his business chances, thereby mounting upward on the strength of his own merits toward a final and substantial goal. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 339 The career of Robert Wesley Lawrie is no exception to the rule. He is in every sense of the word to be numbered among those men who may be denominated as successful and whose success has not been won on the ground of outside influences or aid, but simply on the excellent judgment of the man himself and of that degree of care ful management which enabled him to coerce forces and arrange cir cumstances in such a manner as to make them work to his own ad vantage, all the while observing thorough and honorable business methods and at the same time preserving unassailable relations as far as concerns the commercial world. Without doubt he is one of the leading as well as progressive business factors of the city of Erie, being the owner of one of the largest and most complete furniture establishments in this part of the state. At the same time he is the proprietor of an extensive undertaking and ambulance enterprise at No. 1207 State street, which is a lucrative department of his business. Mr. Lawrie is a man of excellent parts and strong qualities of char acter, whose stalwart powers do not permit cowering in the presence of adversities, but which, on the other hand, make apparent defeat a victory and a stepping- stone to high attainments and thus he has gained the prominent position in which he stands in the commercial and financial circles of the city. A native of Canada, Mr. Lawrie was born at Bowmanville, Ontario, September 8, 1872, a son of James and Mary (Drinkle) Law rie. The father, a native of Scotland, during infancy was brought to Canada, where he spent his life, death calling him in 1904, while the mother, also a native of Canada, now resides there. In his native town of Bowmanville and at Oshawa, Robert Wesley Lawrie was reared, acquiring his educational privileges in the common schools, leaving his text-books when in his eleventh year and at that tender age, entering the employ of a commercial establishment. His first step in the business world was as a messenger boy, in which position, although it was humble, he was honest in the performance of his du ties, considering his post as one of trust and in this way prepared himself for a higher step in the business, his next position being that of a clerk and as such he worked for a period of five years. At that period of his life, deeming it advisable to become familiar with the trade, thereby thinking that he might have a better showing for suc cess in life, he became apprenticed to a wood finisher at Oshawa, with whom he became an artisan in that kind of work. Later he repaired to Woodstock, where he plied his craft to advantage until 1892, dur ing which year he located in this city. Upon his arrival here he ac cepted a position in the Shaw Piano Works as a finisher and in the prosecution of his craft he displayed a measure of skill which rapidly gained him recognition as a man unsurpassed in his department of mechanics. Following his trade until the year 1896, in the meantime through economical habits having saved the greater portion of his earnings, considering himself able to embark on a business venture on his own account, he -engaged in the furniture enterprise on a small scale at West Eighteenth street. There he conducted business suc cessfully, all the while extending his popularity until 1891 when he transferred his business site to the fifth floor of the Mayer block on South State street, which quarters, being much larger than his former location, allowed him to enlarge his business according to his popu- 340 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY larity and the demands made upon him in his particular line of trade. About the time of the removal he was joined by his brother, William J. Lawrie, and the firm became known under the tile of Lawrie Brothers. The partnership, however, was of short duration, the brother who entered into business relations in April .withdrawing from the concern in the following September. Nevertheless, by mutual agreement, the firm name, Lawrie Brothers, was still maintained and under this title the business has since been transacted. Since locating in the Mayer block the enterprise has witnessed rapid growth and Mr. Lawrie has added to his furniture lines, carpets and rugs, and also a line of shoes, in all of which commodities he conducted an increas ing trade, although recently he has ceased to deal so much in these added lines, but has supplanted them by other commodities, such as stoves, etc. Moreover, in addition to the above named merchandise he carries a stock of men's clothing, paying some attention also to ladies' tailoring and millinery, in which he has gained a wide reputation, while in addition to these he also engages in the undertaking business. His enterprise was in the height of prosperity and in a flourishing con dition, being one of the largest in the city when total destruction came upon the establishment, his entire stock having suffered in the fire which destroyed the Alayer block on September 28, 1908. In this con flagration Mr. Lawrie suffered the total loss of his stock, which was estimated at above forty-eight thousand dollars, inasmuch as he did not carry insurance upon his goods. Previous to the fire he had ne gotiated for the occupation of the new Baldwin block on State street and the deal for the new quarters was closed on the afternoon on which the fire occurred and he was to assume occupancy on Decem ber 1, 1908. The building, which is a three-story brick structure hav ing a floor space of twenty-eight thousand square feet, was completed at the specified time and Mr. Lawrie, in accordance with his contract, assumed occupancy and again resumed his business. Although the conflagration swept from under him his belongings, his business meth ods before the catastrophe had been such as to recommend him highly as an honorable and able man in commercial lines and his credit both here and elsewhere was as good as his word and he was not at all hampered in supplying his new store with a new line of goods. With out a doubt he carries the largest stock in the line of commodities he handles of any house in the city and since occupying his new quarters, having brought to bear that firm resolve and business ability which heretofore characterized him, he has maintained his popularity as a business man and tradesman and is now carrying on an enterprise which far exceeds the proportions of his former one and which is one of the most valuable assets to the commercial life of the city. The fact that Mr. Lawrie has recuperated in such a short period of time after such great losses is ample recommendation of his superior busi ness judgment and determination as well, of the fact that the busi ness methods upon which he conducts his enterprise are such as in the eyes of the business world are bound to insure success and to this extent explains the high reputation in which he is held, not only here but throughout the country. Air. Lawrie wedded Miss Nellie Arron, of this city, a daughter of John Arron, deceased, and the couple reside in an elegant residence, which is supplied with every convenience with which to make domestic HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 341 life happy. Mr. Lawrie is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and a number of other social and fraternal organizations, his connections in these lines evidencing his belief in the brotherhood of mankind and in mutual helpfulness. He has always been deeply interested in the welfare of the city and the fact that he is a member of the Erie Chamber of Com merce shows that he is a man who is ever ready to espouse and further such measures as will promote its business and financial interests. Mr. Lawrie is widely known as a young and aggressive business man and the part he has already taken in bringing the finances and commerce of the city to their present high place has won him the respect of the business men of the city, in which he is justly numbered as a repre sentative and valued benefactor. Isaac Robbins Reeder, of Edinboro, was born just south of this village in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in what is known as the Reeder Settlement, December 6, 1832, a son of James and Polly (Tay lor) Reeder. James Reeder was born in Erie county, November 17, 1804, a son of Jobe and Nancy (Campbell) Reeder. Jobe Reeder, born April 29, 1776, came to Erie county about the year of 1799, and located in the southern part of Washington township. He married there on the 10th of March, 1800, Nancy Campbell, whose mother was one of .the first settlers of Washington township, she having come from the ¦eastern part of the state to near Edinboro in 1797, and she later married a Mr. Randolph. The names and dates of birth and death of the chil dren of Mr. and Mrs. Reeder are as follows : Joseph, born September 23, 1802, died April 24, 1848; James, born November 17, 1804, died June 18, 1860; Dorothy, born January 16, 1807, died September 2, 1820 ; Jane, January 16, 1809, died May 9, 1848; Mary, April 29, 1811, died May 20, 1877 ; Jobe, February 27, 1813, died August 27, 1863 ; Eleanor, May 21, 1815, died September 23, 1894; John C, born November 7, 1817, died November 21, 1876; Samuel, born September 14, 1821, died September 2, 1901 ; Hannah, born December 11, 1823, died February 5, 1898; and Moses, born April 19, 1826, died March 22, 1899. James Reeder, the second born son in the above family, at one time with his brother-in-law, Mr. Taylor, owned all of the land in the east ern and southeastern part of the village of Edinboro, and to those two gentlemen belong the credit of laying out the streets and platting that part of the village. They also gave the land on which the Normal school is located, and it may be truthfully stated that had it not been for these public spirited citizens Edinboro would never have been the seat of this institution of learning. Throughout his entire life Air. Reeder was a stanch advocate of education, and during a number of years served as a school director. He was not only a well-known agri culturist, but also built and operated the saw mill a mile south of the village, which is now owned by his son Isaac. He was prominently identified with the early history of this community, and during the war of 1812 he was at several different times one of the guards of the city of Erie. Mr. Reeder married on November 9, 1826, Polly Taylor, and they became the parents of the following children : James Oliver, born August 15, 1827, died May 4, 1857; Jobe D., born June 30, 1829, died March 16, 1842 ; Isaac Taylor, born August 19, 1831, died October 18, 342 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 1831 ; Isaac Robbins, who is mentioned below ; Hattie Ann, born March 17, 1835, died August 27, 1899, and she married Martin Pratt; John Taylor, born February 4, 1837, died April 8, 1869; Mary Jane and one who died in infancy were twins, and the former, born on July 26, 1839, died when about two years of age ; Louisa Flora, born July 22, 1841, married Charles Dale and resides at Franklin in A'enango county, Penn sylvania ; Sally Dorothy, born December 6, 1843, died June 3, 1868; Fanny Quincina. born April 19, 1846, died January 25, 1871 ; Polly El- mira, born October 13, 1848, married James Martin and resides at New Castle, Pennsylvania ; Eleanor, born January 1, 1853, died November 21, 1895. Two of the daughters, Louisa Flora and Sally Dorothy, were the first two graduates of the Edinboro Normal after it came under state control, they having been the only members of their class, and both afterward taught in the institution for a number of years. The next younger sister, Fanny Quincina, also taught instrumental music there. Isaac R. Reeder attended first the schools of Crawford county and later the old academy at Waterford in Erie county. In the year of 1853 he entered upon his business career as a farmer and lumberman, he hav ing assumed control then of the old saw mill which his father had built, and he still continues to operate this old mill. At one time where it now stands the Reeder family owned six hundred acres of land, but at the present time only three-quarters of this once large estate is in their name, this forming a part of Isaac Reeder's mill yard. In about 1865 and in partnership with Isaac R. and Jobe Taylor he bought the Bur- lingham pump manufactory at Edinboro and engaged in the making of wooden pumps, following that occupation for many years, and after the death of one of the partners, Jobe Taylor, Dr. I. N. Taylor became interested in the firm. This business was successfully managed and conducted by Mr. Reeder, with the exception of the one year which he spent in the west, until it was destroyed by fire. With his youngest brother he in 1858 sailed from New York City around the Horn to Cres cent City, Oregon, a journey of one hundred and thirty-three days, and after spending the summer on the Rogue river they returned via the Isthmus of Panama. Mr. Reeder throughout the active years of his business life has taken an active part in the advancement and welfare of his city and county, has served as a burgess, councilman and as sessor, and he was one of the organizers of the Edinboro Savings Bank and one of its first directors. He is now the president of the bank. In 1862 he was made one of the directors of the Normal School, holding that office at different times for thirty-seven years, and he is now the president of the board. As did his father before, he takes an active and helpful interest in the cause of education. Mr. Reeder married Miss Sarah T. Giles, who was born in Wash ington township of Erie county, January 19, 1836, a daughter of Joseph and Tyler (Crossette) Giles. The parents were born and mar ried in Massachusetts, and in 1818 they made the overland journey to Erie county, Pennsylvania, with a horse and yoke of oxen, locating in Washington township, and this was their wedding journey. Mr. Giles was for many years one of the prominent agriculturists of that township. The following children were born to Mr. and Airs. Reeder: Eva, Fanny Edith and James Lynn, all of whom are deceased ; Charles Joseph, the cashier of the National Exchange Bank in Carthage, New York, who wedded Aliss Clara Jennie Richardson, of Lowville, Lewis HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 343 county, New York, and has two children, Ronald Joseph Richardson and Roscoe Giles; and Anna Giles, the wife of A. A. Culbertson, of Erie. Mr. Reeder is an independent Republican voter, and with his wife he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is one of its elders. Norris S. Woodruff has been identified with the business and political life of Erie county for a long number of years, and is now serving as the oostmaster of North East. He was born in Tompkins county, of New York, August 25, 1849, a son of Heman and Nancy J. (Norris) Woodruff, born respectively in Chautauqua county, New York, and in Sullivan county of the same state. The father was a son of Israel and Tamer (Hatch) Woodruff, natives of Connecticut, and the mother was a daughter of Stephen and Sally (Burr) Norris, from New York. Heman Woodruff was a farmer in Ripley, New York, from 1856, until his death in 1902, long surviving his wife, who passed away in 1860. Norris S. Woodruff, the second born of their six children, two sons and four daughters, attended a private and high school at Ripley and the Westfield, New York, Academy. He was eighteen years of age when he left the parental home to begin his work as a school teacher in Chautauqua county, New York, but in 1880 he left the school room to become a carpenter and contractor, thus continuing until appointed the postmaster of North East. During all these years he has been an active local worker in the interests of the Republican party, and served as a member of the election board from 1888 until 1907, while for two terms he was a member of the Republican county central committee. Since 1906 he has served as a member of the school board of North East, serving three years as its secretary, two years as its president, and one year as its treasurer. Mr. Woodruff married on September 24, 1872, Mary A. Phear, born in Stockton, Chautauqua county, New York, a daughter of Thomas and Paulina (Harris) Phear, the father born in England and the mother in Aurora, New York. The children of this union are E. Maud, the wife of J. D. Sterrett, the manager of the Standard Saw Mill and Machinery Company at Erie, and Blanche W., the wife of F. H. McCord, a grocer in North East. Mr. Woodruff is a member and since 1906 a past grand master of the fraternal order of Odd Fel lows, Lodge No. 1073, of North East, and has passed all the chairs. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and. he has served as its trustee for several years. Milton Hughes Christie, M. D. Prominent among the well- known and prosperous physicians of Corry is Dr. Milton Hughes Christie, who, thoroughly prepared by study for his chosen profession, has gained wisdom and knowledge from his years of experience, and won a fine reputation for skill and ability. A native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, he was born, March 7, 1858, in Concord township, where the birth of his father, William Hughes Christie, occurred in 1812. Andrew Christie, the doctor's grandfather, was born in Scotland, and, so far as is known, was the only member of his immediate family to cross the Atlantic. Emigrating to the United States when a young 344 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY man, located first in Westmoreland county, but shortly after wards removed to Butler county, settling as a pioneer in Concord township. Buying from the state six hundred and forty acres of land that was still in its virgin wildness, he built a small log cabin, and at once began the arduous task of hewing a farm from the forest. There he lived to the ripe old age of ninety-four years, and in the meantime had the pleasure of witnessing the development of the country there about from a dense wilderness into a populous and wealthy com munity, in the wondrous transformation taking, himself, an active part. He married Alary Hughes, who was of Welsh descent. She attained the venerable age of ninety-seven years. Three sons and three daughters were born of their union, namely: John, William Hughes, Andrew, Polly, Elizabeth, and Mary. Reared on the home farm, William Hughes Christie inherited a part of the land which he had assisted his father in clearing, and was there prosperously employed in tilling the soil until his death, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy MacCIain, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, of Scotch ancestry. Her father, John MacCIain, emigrated from Scotland to America, and after spending a few years in Westmoreland county, re moved to Freeport, where he was engaged in mercantile business the remainder of his life. Mrs. William H. Christie survived her husband, passing away at the venerable age of eighty-one years. She reared four children, as follows: Elizabeth, Emelda, Milton Hughes, and Maggie. Having completed his studies in the district schools, Milton H. Christie attended first the Sunbury Academy, and later the Wither- spoon Institute, at Butler. Going then to Salem, Ohio, he studied medicine with Dr. Rhodes, and in 1888 was graduated from the Med ical Department of Wooster University, at Cleveland, receiving the degree of M. D. Beginning the practice of his profession in Cleveland, Dr. Christie remained there a short time, after which he practiced suc cessfully in Columbus, Warren county, Pennsylvania, until 1905. Coming then to Corry, the doctor has since built up a large and lucra tive patronage in this city, his professional knowledge and ability being recognized throughout the community. In 1879 the doctor married Hattie Rhodes, who was born in West Sunbury, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Albert and Rheuamy (Patter son) Rhodes. Of the marriage of Doctor and Mrs. Christie three sons have been born, namely: Arthur, Merle, and Clare, to all of whom have been given ample opportunity to cultivate their scholarly tastes and ambitions. Arthur was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at the Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, and is now assistant surgeon in the United States army, being stationed in the Philippine Islands. He married Maude Hopkins, and they are the parents of two children, Genevra and Carlisle. Merle, the second son, was graduated from the Dental Department of the Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, and is now practising dentistry in Corry. Clare, the younger son, is studying law in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Politically the doctor is identified with the Republican party. Fraternally he is a member of F. & A. M., of Columbus; of Clarence Commandery, No. 51, K. T., of Corry ; and of the Knights of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 345 the Maccabees. Religiously both he and his wife are consistent mem bers of the Presbyterian church. Arold Albert Freeman stands as a splendid representative of the profession which is the conservator of human rights and liberties and in all of his professional relations has manifested unwearied industry, laboring ever for the best interests of his clients and for the honor of his calling. He was born on the old Freeman farm in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1850, a son of Arold and Mary (Davis) Free man. The father was born near Metuchen, New Jersey, July 26, 1807, and was a son of Arold Freeman, who was born in the same neighbor hood in 1770. His father, Thomas Freeman, born in New Jersey in 1748, was the son of Henry Freeman Jr., born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, in 1717. The last named was of the first generation of Ameri can-born members of the family. Llis father, Henry Freeman Sr., was ".born in England in 1670 and emigrated to America in 1683, landing at Philadelphia. He was married on the 16th of May, 1795, to Elizabeth Bonne. Thomas Freeman, the great-grandfather, is reputed to have "been an American spy in the Revolutionary war and in Volume I of the "American Ancestry" is referred to as having "married Lillian Moore, served in the Revolutionary war, was taken prisoner by the British -and escaped." Family tradition has it that Thomas Freeman was once strung up to a tree by his captors to make him divulge information re garding the patriot army but he refused to do so. Arold Freeman Sr.. was engaged in the coasting trade, sailing between New York and Boston until 1816, in which year he came to Pennsylvania and settled on a large tract of unimproved land in Crawford county. He married Sarah Edgar and they reared a family of eight sons and three daughters. Arold Freeman, the father of our subject, followed the occupation •of farming throughout his entire life and died in Crawford county September 11, 1888. His wife was born in that county in September, 1810, and was a daughter of Isaac Davis, of Welsh descent and a pioneer of Crawford county. She died January 10, 1877, after having reared a family of seven children to maturity, all of whom are still "living with the exception of one son, who was killed by a falling tree. Arold A. Freeman, whose name introduces this review, remained -on the old home farm of the Freeman family in Crawford county until he attained the age of nineteen years. Leaving the district schools, he entered the state normal school at Edinboro, Erie county, and was there graduated with the class of 1872. He afterward engaged in teach ing school for a few terms in order to obtain money with which to •complete his education and after acquiring his literary course he en tered the medical department of the Buffalo University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1876, winning his M. D. degree. The same year he located in Erie, where he engaged in the practice of his ¦profession for five years until his health became impaired and he was forced to put aside the duties of his chosen calling. About that time he was elected tp the office of alderman and while filling that position he also read law familiarizing himself with the leading textbooks and commentaries during his five years' aldermanic term. In 1886 he was -admitted to the bar and at once entered upon the practice of law, in which he has continued successfully to the present time. His ability at the bar is evidenced by the large clientage accorded him. Thorough ;and careful in the preparation of his cases, he loses sight of no point 346 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY which will bear upon the decision, yet gives to the most prominent point its relative place. In argument clear and concise, his application of legal principles is correct and his deductions are sound. While his professional duties make heavy demand upon his time, Air. Freeman has also been recognized as an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party and in 1888 was made its candidate for as semblyman, being defeated by only seventy-two votes. The same year he was elected a member of the Erie school board and served for three years, while for one year he was president of the board. During that period he agitated the subject of building a free school library, earnest ly advocating this work and is conceded to be the originator and chief promoter of the project, a report of the secretary of the board giving him credit in this way. He has at all times been interested in matters of general improvement, reform and advancement and wherever the op portunity has presented for a good work or for assistance in any worthy movement he has not been found wanting. He was one of the in corporators of St. A'incent's Hospital, drafted the plans for its organiza tion and has ever since been its attorney. He is also attorney for the Sisters of St. Joseph, representing them in legal interests since his ad mission to the bar. Air. Freeman was married to Aliss Josephine Finn, who was born in Chautauqua county, New York, but was reared in Erie county, a daughter of Nehemiah L. and Lucina (AA'eaver) Finn. She is a de scendant in the fourth generation of AVilliam Finn, who came as a stowaway from Ireland and when the vessel reached Castle Garden was sold for his passage to a Dr. Carpenter, of Long Island. He afterward married the doctor's daughter, Helen. Their son, Anthony Finn, re moved to Orange county, New York, while Nehemiah Finn, the grand father of Mrs. Freeman, located in Greenfield township, Erie county, and was one of the first to make and ship butter from this town to New York City, shipping by lake to Buffalo and thence by the Erie canal to the Hudson and on to the metropolis. His son, Nehemiah Finn Jr., became a well known and representative farmer of North East township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have been born the following named: Arold R., whose birth occurred Alarch 3, 1878, and who wedded Alice Blickinderfer, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by whom he has one daughter, Elinor Jane, born October 2, 1907 ; Robert T., who was born January 19, 1881; Hortense, born December 20, 1883; and Gladys, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 19th of July, 1889. Such in brief is the history of A. A. Freeman, one of Erie county's representative lawyers, who holds to high standard in his professional service and is recognized as an able, faithful and conscientious minister in the temple of justice. He has achieved and deserves a prominent position at the bar, for in his practice he is absolutely fair, never in dulging in artifice or concealment, never dealing in indirect methods, but winning his victories, which are many, and suffering his defeats, which are few, in the open field face to face with his foe. Earl L. Brown. A man of unlimited energy and enterprise, pos sessing excellent judgment and good business ability, Earl L. Brown, of Corry, has for many years been actively associated with the lumber interests of the country, in his various dealings meeting with signal success. A native of Erie county, he was born, March 16, 1868, in Concord township. His father, Oliver Lorenzo Brown, was born, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 347 October 5, 1838, in Spring Creek township, Warren county, where his father, Josiah Brown, was a pioneer. Having cleared and improved a farm in Spring Creek township, Josiah Brown lived there a number of years, and then removed to Harbor Creek, subsequently settling permanently on a farm in Con cord township, Erie county, where he spent the later years of his life. His wife, Nancy (Stowell) Brown, survived him, dying, at the home of a son, in Bradford. Choosing the free and independent occupation with which he had become familiar when a boy, Oliver Lorenzo Brown bought land in Concord township, four miles from Corry, and there began the improve ment of a farm. Successful in his operations, he has now a valuable farm of eighty-five acres, well supplied with the necessary buildings, and is carrying on general farming and stock raising in a profitable manner. The maiden name of his wife was Lois Ophelia Patterson. She was born near Stockton, Chautauqua county, New York, a daugh ter of Alvah and Maria (Cressey) Patterson. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver L. Brown, four children were born, as. follows : Earl L., Clyde F., Bessie Grace, and Bertha Delia. Leaving home on attaining his majority, Earl L. Brown went to Kane, where for three years he worked for an uncle in a feed mill. The ensuing eighteen months he was engaged in the grocery business in the same town. Selling out, he embarked in the milling business, but at the end of four years sold his interest in the plant, and located in Corry. Taking advantage of what seemed to be a most favorable opportunity for increasing his financial resources, Mr. Brown joined the Yukon Dredging and Transportation Company, and started for Alaska. At Astoria, Oregon, the company procured a steamer, loaded it with a complete set of dredging machinery, and proceeded on its way to Alaska, intending to secure gold by dredging the river. Arriv ing, after a voyage of twenty-nine days, at Saint Michael, the party went up the Yukon about one thousand miles, but did not meet with the anticipated success in finding the yellow metal. Disposing, there fore, of his personal outfit, Mr. Brown returned to Corry, having been away four months. Forming soon afterwards a partnership with Henry Cogswell, he was here engaged in the wholesale and retail meat busi ness for two years. Selling out his interest in the firm, Mr. Brown became associated with the Elgin Chair Company, the following two years serving as book-keeper for the organization. In the meantime he had become interested in the lumber business with George Hay- wang, and at a later time became identified with the Chautauqua Lum ber Company, which purchased a large tract of timber in Mina, Chau tauqua county, New York, and put up a large saw mill. Mr. Brown was an active factor in the business of that company until its timber in Mina was exhausted. While thus employed Mr. Brown assisted in organizing the Commonwealth Lumber Company, which operated at Glen Ray, West Virginia, and in 1907 became a member of the Au gusta Lumber Company, which owns twenty-five thousand acres of timber land near Staunton, Virginia. Now, in 1908, Mr. Brown is operating individually in Corry. On December 25, 1889, Mr. Brown married Minnie Alice Lemon. She was born in Gorry, January 24, 1866, a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Hainer) Lemon. Her grandfather, James Lemon, born in 348 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Dover, Canada, February 4, 1788, married Jane Van Sickle, and both spent their lives in Canada. Isaac Lemon, born in Dover, Canada, February 7, 1823, came with his wife to the States, having previously learned the wheelwright's trade. Becoming one of the first settlers of Corry, he bought a tract of land on West Pleasant street, it being cov ered with timber. He built a house on Union street, and for a few years carried on farming, in the meantime platting a portion of his land, and selling it for house lots. He subsequently spent a year at Panama, being in the government employ. Eventually he sold his Corry farm, and bought one in Concord township, where he resided for awhile. Returning to Corry, he lived here retired until his death, in September, 1898. His wife survived him, passing away July 9, 1908. They were the parents of nine children, as follows : Mary, Aleck, Ben jamin, Lavina, Amanda, James, Melissa, Merta, and Minnie Alice. Into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brown three children have been born, namely: Gertrude, Robert, and Lloyd. Fraternally Mr. Brown is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of Corry Tent, No. 16, K. O. T. M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Methodist Epis copal church. Alexander AIcInnes Sr. A man of activity, enterprise and marked ability, Alexander Mclnnes Sr., of Corry, holds a noteworthy position among the leading business men of the city, being widely and favorably known as head of the firm of Mclnnes & Sons. A na tive of Scotland, he was born, May 14, 1847, at Bowmore, on the island of Islay, Argyleshire, which was also the birthplace of his father, Neil Mclnnes. He comes from a family of exceptional worth, the Mclnnes clan being one of the oldest of Scotland, dating back to the fifth century, when this clan owned in its own right the islands of Islay and Jura, in Argyleshire. The name Mclnnes means in the Scotch vernacular Son of Angus. John Mclnnes, grandfather of Mr. Mclnnes, likewise a native of Argyleshire, was a veterinary surgeon and a blacksmith, and dealt extensively in horses. He made one trip to America, spending a few years in Canada, but not being quite contented in his new home, re turned to his native heath, and there spent the remainder of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Jean Lang, was born in the north of Ireland, and died in Argyleshire. Becoming a veterinary and blacksmith, Neil Mclnnes succeeded to the business established by his father, and spent his entire life of sixty-five years in Argyleshire. He married Marv Spaulding, who was likewise a life-long resident of Islay, Scotland, where she lived to the venerable age of ninety years. Her father, Donald Spaulding, was active at the age of one hundred and ten years, and lived beyond that age. Of the union of Neil and Alary (Spaulding) AIcInnes, eight children were born, as follows : Sarah, John, Mary, Neil, Jean, Eliza beth, Jessie and Alexander. Of these, Neil, Mary and Alexander came to America, and Alary, who resides in Honolulu, and Alexander, of this brief sketch, are the only survivors of the family. Reared and educated in his native land, Alexander Mclnnes Sr. began as a boy to learn the blacksmith's trade with his father, with whom he worked until 1866. Venturing then the hazard of new for tunes, he emigrated to this country, and after following his trade in HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 349 Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for a time, went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, for two or more years working as a blacksmith along the line of road west of Omaha. Returning to Scotland in 1869, he married, and in 1870 returned with his bride to Pittsburg, where he worked at his trade for six years. Locating in Verona, in 1876, Mr. Mclnnes was there employed in the shops of the Allegheny Valley Railroad Com pany for three years. Resigning, he accepted the position of fore man in the Vulcan Steel Company's Works, near St. Louis, Alissouri, and a year later became superintendent of the Llelmbeck Forge and Rolling Mill Company, at North St. Louis, where he continued four and one-half years. Entering then the employ of the LaClede Car Company, now the St. Louis Car Company, Mr. Mclnnes fitted up blacksmith shop connected with the plant, and then resigned to become superintendent of the Carnegie Steel Company, at Pittsburg, a position that he filled acceptably for five years, when he resigned, intending to start in business on his own account. Giving up the enterprise, however, because of the financial depression of the times which soon ensued, Mr. Mclnnes accepted the offered position of superintendent of the blacksmith department of the Bovaird and Say- fang Manufacturing Company, at Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he remained two years. Entering then the employ of the Emporium Steel Company, at Emporium, he started its works, and continued with the firm until it suspended operations. Establishing then the firm of Mclnnes & Sons, he leased the Emporium Steel Company's plant, and when, two years later, the buildings burned, he and his sons bought the land upon which they stood, rebuilt the plant, and conducted a substantial business there until 1901. Removing then to Corry, this enterprising company has here established a large and extensive business, being one of the most prosperous corporations of the kind in Erie county, the partners of Mr. Mclnnes being his sons, John J. and Alexander Jr. Mr. Mclnnes married, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Jane Wilson Jarvie, who was born at Bellshill, Scotland, a daughter of John and Mary (Thompson) Jarvie. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, six of whom are living, namely: John J., who mar ried Mabel Cormya ; Alexander Jr., married Ruth Ann Chew, and has three children, Paul Alexander, Harold Boyce, and Alfred Charles ; Jean W. ; Elizabeth, wife of Harry Bruce Smith, of Corry ; Sara ; and James H. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Mclnnes are valued members of the Presbyterian church, and have reared their family in the same faith. Robert Anderson Patterson Jr. During his active career, Rob ert A. Patterson Jr. has been identified with various industries, as merchant, real estate dealer, insurance agent, and agriculturist, meet ing with recognized success, and is now ably filling the high posi tion he holds among the thriving business men of Corry. A son of Robert Anderson Patterson Sr., he was born, March 9, 1866, in Craw ford county, Pennsylvania, of substantial Scotch ancestry. His pa ternal grandfather, Robert Patterson, was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife- shire, Scotland. Becoming an engineer by profession, he vas em ployed in both Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, spending his last years in 350 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the latter city, dying at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Anderson, was born in Dunfermline, Scot land. She survived her husband, came to America to live with her children after his death, and died in Kingston, Canada, when upwards of four score years old. She reared ten children, namely: Euphemia, Jeanette, Ann, Isabella, James and Christina (twins), Elizabeth, Henry, Robert A., and George. Jeanette, Christina and Henry came to America, locating in Canada, while Isabella, Robert and George, who came, also, to this country, settled in the United States. Robert Anderson Patterson Sr. was born in Dunfermline, Fife- shire, Scotland, March 14, 1838, and at the age of fourteen years came with his sister Isabella to America, after a voyage of twenty-eight days in a sailing vessel landing in Quebec. Going from there to Kingston,' Canada, he found some old friends that he had known in Scotland. He attended school in that place a few months, after which he served an apprenticeship of four years at the blacksmith's trade. He subsequently did journeyman labor in Kingston for two years, after which he followed his trade in different places in Canada and the United States, finally locating in Buffalo, New York, where he re mained about three years. In the spring of 1865 he established him self in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and began work in the oil fields. About 1870, accompanied by his family, he went to the lead and zinc regions of Missouri, for four years living in either Granby or Joplin. Returning then to the Pennsylvania oil fields, he resided in Crawford county until 1885, when he located in Erie county, near Corry. Taking up his residence in the city of Corry in 1892, he soon afterwards erected the pleasant home that he has since occupied, it being situated at the corner of Center street and Columbus avenue. He married, in 1864, Ann Amelia Bradley, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, January 15, 1847, a daughter of John Stephen Bradley. Mr. Bradley was a native of Connecticut, and there learned the trade of a blacksmith and spar maker. After working in various ship-building places, he went to Chicago to take charge of the rigging of a vessel being there built, from there moving, in 1848, to Buffalo, New York. He died in New York in 1852, when but thirty years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Alaria J. Overall, was born in England, and there spent a large part of his life. After the death of his wife, he came with his seven children to New York, and was subsequently engaged in the provision business at Buffalo until his death, in 1860. Mrs. Bradley, Air. Patterson's grandmother, now eighty-five years of age, is living at Seneca Falls. She reared three children, John Stephen, Ann Amelia, and Clara G. Eight children blessed the union of Robert A. Patterson Sr. and his wife, namely: Robert A. Jr., Charles H., Clara J., George W., Adelbert, Albert, Edith, and LeRoy. An excellent student, quick to learn, Robert A. Patterson Jr. ac quired a practical education in the public schools, and at the age of sixteen years began to be self supporting, working as clerk in a drug store at Spring Creek, Warren county, and serving, under his employ er, as assistant postmaster. He afterwards became a partner in the business there, and served, during President Harrison's administra tion, as postmaster. Establishing himself in the mercantile business in Corry in 1892, he conducted a general store for five years, and then sold out. Since that time Mr. Patterson has here been profitably en- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 351 gaged in the real estate and insurance business, in addition being financially interested in various manufacturing industries. He also owns and occupies a valuable farm, of five hundred acres, lying two and one-half miles from the city, and as a general farmer is meeting with most gratifying results, making a specialty of raising stock and poultry. In September, 1887, Mr. Patterson married Dora Wead. She was born in Union City, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Silas S. and Eliza beth (Rossman) Wead. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have one child, Berenice. Politically Mr. Patterson is .a stanch Republican, and has served in various offices of trust and responsibility, having been a member of the city council, of the board of education, and city treas urer. He was elected in the spring of 1909 secretary of the Corry Fair and Driving Park Association, which was incorporated in 1905. Fraternally he belongs to Jonathan Lodge No. 685, I. O. O. F., and religiously both he and Mrs. Patterson are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Captain Marion N. Baker. Among the well known, substan tial and respected citizens of Corry is Captain Marion- N. Baker, who won his title as commander of a company of the National Guards, and who, for nearly twenty years, has served faithfully as factory in spector. A son of Edwin W. Baker, he was born, October 18, 1845, in Farmersville, Cattaraugus county, New York. He comes from ex cellent New England stock, his grandfather, David Baker, having been born, reared and educated in Connecticut. Migrating to New York state in early manhood, David Baker re sided for awhile in Chenango county, from there removing with ox teams to Cattaraugus county, the same state. Purchasing a tract of timbered land in what is now Farmersville, he cleared a small space on which to put up a small log house, and with true pioneer pluck and courage began the improvement of a farm. There were no railroads in that locality for many years thereafter, and all the produce had to be taken by teams to Buffalo, the nearest market town, where the farmers traded the products of their soil for such household goods as they must of necessity have. Grain was low then in price, oats bringing scarce twenty cents a bushel, while factory made goods of any kind were very high, a piece of common calico costing forty cents a yard. AA'as it a wonder that in those days the women spun, carded and made the material in which the entire family was clothed? He cleared a homestead, and there tilled the soil until his death, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Bowen, was born in Connecticut, and died, aged seventy-five years, in Farmersville, New York. They reared seven children, as follows: Chauncey, Ira, Caroline, Emily, Tilly, Cyrus, and Edwin W. Born in 1808, in Smyrna, Chenango county, New York, Edwin W. Baker was but a boy when he moved with his parents to Cattarau gus county, where for awhile he assisted in improving the home farm. After learning the carpenter's trade, he, at the age of nineteen years, bought his time of his father for one hundred dollars. Coming then to Warren county, Pennsylvania, he settled as a pioneer in Columbus, where he worked at his trade a part of the time, and in a saw mill 352 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY a portion of the time. He subsequently rented the mill, which was run by water power, and for two years operated it, rafting his lum ber to Wheeling, where he sold it. Being, however, cheated out of the proceeds by a dishonest lumber dealer, his entire work for two years was lost. He subsequently followed his trade there a few years, re maining there until 1836, when he returned to Farmersville. Assum ing the management of the home farm, he cared for his parents as long as they lived, and at their death succeeding to the ownership of the estate, was there profitably employed in agricultural pursuits until his death, in April, 1895. He married Maria T. Stacy, who was born in Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y., in 1809, and died on the homestead, in Farmersville, N. Y., at the comparatively early age of fifty-one years. Her father, Rev. Nathaniel Stacy, was born in Vermont, of Scotch parentage. A man of upright integrity and worth, he was by nature deeply religious, and became one of the early Universalist preachers, settling as a pioneer minister of that denomination in Hamilton, New York. He afterwards removed to Columbus, Pennsylvania, where he was likewise a pioneer, and there, with the exception of three years spent at Ann Arbor, Michigan, preached during the remainder of his active career, being prominent in the ministry until nearly the end of his life, passing away at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Clark, was born in Vermont, and died in Columbus, Penn sylvania, at the age of eighty-nine years. To them eight children were born and reared, namely : Haskell, Maria, Susan, Edwin, Mary, Walter, Charlotte, and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Baker were the parents of two children, Mary, and Marion N. Mary, widow of the late Hiram M. Lawrence, of Farmersville, New York, has one son living, Frank Lawrence, and has lost two, Edwin and Alertie. Obtaining a practical education in the common schools, Marion N. Baker began when young to assist in the farm labors, remaining with his parents until after the breaking out of the Civil war. On September 3, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteer Infantry, went South with his regi ment, and was with it in all of its campaigns and marches, taking part in the battle at Hatcher's Run, the various engagements around Petersburg, and in the Southside expedition, being in the front line when General Mead rode along giving to the soldiers the news of Lee's surrender. Then, after taking part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, he received his honorable discharge from the ser vice, and returned home, and resumed farming. Coming from Far mersville, New York, to Corry, in 1868, he first found employment in a wood-working shop, but subsequently learned the jeweler's trade, which he followed for a time. Becoming a member of the Seventeenth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, in 1874, he was commis sioned sergeant, and a short time later was made first sergeant of Company A, and for ten years served in that capacity. He was then elected captain of the company, of which he had command the next ten years. In 1889 Captain Baker was appointed, by Governor Beaver, factory inspector, and has since been reappointed to this position by each succeeding governor, his service as such extending over a period of twenty successive years bespeaking in no uncertain tones of his ability, fidelity and efficiency. ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, NORTH EAST HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 353 Captain Baker married, in September, 1866, .Estella Smith, who was born in Columbus, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Ozro and Char lotte (Stacy) Smith. She died at the age of thirty-one years, leaving one son, Stacy Baker. Captain Baker married second, Mrs. Nellie (Gilbert) Caldwell, who was born in Ontario county, New York, and married for her first husband Bird Caldwell. In his political affilia tions the Captain is a straightforward Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the J. J. Andrew Post, No. 70, G. A. R., of Corry, and of Corry Tent, No. 16, K. O. T. M. St. Mary's College. The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeem er (C. SS. R.), whose members are called Redemptorists, is a religious order of missionaries founded at Scala in the kingdom of Naples in 1732, by St. Alphonsus Alaria de Liguori, Bishop of St. Agatha and Doctor of the Church. The first Redemptorists came to this country in 1832, and up to the present year (1909) have founded forty-four houses in the United States and Canada. For many years the Congregation in America had no institution to prepare new members for the Order. The means taken to supply this want gave origin to the Preparatory College, now known as St. Alary's College at North East. In 1847, at Baltimore, the Redemptorist Fathers sought to provide future members for their order by instructing a small class of boys whose inclinations seemed to indicate a calling to the priesthood and to the religious life. In 1856 this class developed into a day school for boys who felt inspired to become Redemptorists. In 1867 this day school was in turn formed into St. Alphonsus' Academy by the Very Rev. Provincial J. Helmpraecht. Rev. J. N. Berger was the first Direc tor of this Academy. In May 1868, Rev. Joseph Firley succeeded Father Berger, and in the following July, Rev. Joseph Wriest was appointed Director. The latter is considered the real founder of St. Mary's Preparatory College. His energetic coadjutor was Rev. Thaddeus An wander. They introduced the complete classical course of a regular college. For this purpose the garret of St. James' School at Baltimore was fitted up and opened on April 29, 1869, under the name of St. James' College. In September 1869, forty-eight pupils were present; the faculty was increased by the addition of Professor August Messier, who taught at the College for 35 years, when death came unexpectedly, August 18, 1904. In September 1871 there were over eighty pupils on the roll. The next step in the progress of the College was its removal to Ilchester, near Baltimore, where a large stone house had become the property of the Redemptorists. A frame building was added and both became known as St. Clement's College. In 1873 Father Wuest was relieved of the heavy burden as Director of the College, and was succeeded by Rev. Father Stuhl. The latter served to July, 1875, his successor being Rev. George J. Dusold. Rev. Joseph M. Schwarz became Director in December, 1877, and during his term the College was removed to North East in 1881. During the sixties there had been established at North East, under the auspices of the Methodist church, a seminary for the education of young people. The site chosen was on a part of the property of an old North East family named Hall, and lay on the northern limits of the borough. The building was begun in 1867, and the cornerstone Vol. 11—23 354 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY laid in October, 1866. The erection of the institution cost $70,000, a sum too large for the Methodists to carry. The Presbyterians therefore joined them in the undertaking, and for some years prosperity seemed to attend the institution. The Lake Shore Seminary was chartered as "a literary institution of high grade at which males and females may pursue and complete a course of study embracing English branches, ancient and modern languages, mathematics, metaphysics, music, draw ing, painting, and the science and art of teaching." The Presbyterians soon became dissatisfied with the joint management and withdrew, after which the Seminary was so harassed by debt, that it was finally closed. The trustees at one time tried to get the United States government to take over the property and use it for an Indian school. Finally the ground and buildings were sold, in satisfaction of the debts, to the North East Savings Bank. Meantime the Preparatory College at Ilchester had reached a point where it demanded larger and better accommodations. The removal of the institution having been decided upon, a chance visit to Erie, by one of the Redemptorist missionaries, Rev. A. J. Alclnerney, brought the news about the desirable property at North East. The papers which concluded the sale of the buildings and five acres of land to the Re demptorist Fathers were signed January 31, 1881. With the opening of the first term at North East, in August, 1881, the Preparatory College entered upon a new period of existence. This new period was inaugurated on August 2nd, by the solemn dedication of the building, the Lake Shore Seminary, henceforth to be known as St. Mary's College. The Preparatory College was no longer an idea, an experiment ; it was an institution that had been taken up into the life and activity of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, of which it was now recognized as a necessary part. The nature and ideals of the institution had been stated by Father Helmpraecht some ten years be fore, and the objects and principles then laid down have been faithfully pursued. "The institute is to be of such a nature as to impart both moral and scientific training. The moral training is to imbue the scholars thoroughly with the spirit of the Congregation of the Alost Holy Re deemer. The scientific training shall embrace the usual classical course, and must be formally completed before a student can enter the novitiate. The first and most essential requirements for admission of students to the college are : That they have a sincere desire to become Redemptorists, and that they give promise of future usefulness. The pupils shall be made to understand that all their learning, however necessary, is little better than useless, if it goes not hand in hand with virtue." The old seminary building was a two-story brick structure, 168 feet long by 60 feet wide, with mansard roof and twin towers. The edifice presents practically the same external appearance that it did in 1881. In the interior, however, the changes have been so extensive that scarcely a vestige of the old building remains. The surrounding grounds have also been greatly changed and extended. The original property of the College was increased in 1887 by the purchase of the Hall property, some twelve acres, on the west side of Pearl Street, now the College cam pus. A little later during the same year, the Hitchcock property, east of the college, containing two and a half acres with a residence in the midst of a pretty grove, was added to the grounds. From 1887-1891 two lower classes of St. Mary's College formed St. Clement's College at Saratoga Springs, New York. When they returned to North East the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 355 accommodations became limited, and in 1893 plans were made for the erection of a faculty building. The cornerstone was laid on November 19, 1893, and in August, 1894, the new building was dedicated. In June, 1896, the "Mills property," fronting on Lake and Seminary Streets, was purchased. In 1900 an electric power house was erected. On June 25, 1901, the cornerstone was laid for the College Chapel, a beautiful Gothic structure, built of granite with sandstone trimmings. The altars, windows, statuary and decorative work of the interior are products of the best artistic taste and work, and a source of constant inspiration to ecclesiastical students. In 1884 the Superior of St. Alary's was raised to the rank of Rector and Father Schwarz, whose labors as Superior of the College, both be fore and after its removal to North East, entitled him to highest praise, was appointed its first Rector. He continued in this office during two terms, until July, 1890, when he was transferred to take charge of a similar college in the Western Province of the Redemptorist Fathers, at Kirkwood, Missouri. Rev. August Dooper was the second Rector at St. Mary's, and was succeeded in 1898 by Rev. Casper G. Ritter. In May, 1901, Rev. John G. Schneider became Rector. Rev. Francis Auth, the present Rector, was appointed in May, 1904, and it was during his term that the Silver Jubilee of St. Mary's was celebrated. We deem no excuse necessary for inserting here a brief sketch of the jubilee, since the glorious success, which attended it in every detail, due as it was in no slight measure to the whole-souled efforts and en thusiastic participation of the good. people of North East, merits lasting and grateful recognition in the pages of the annals of Erie county. Some idea of the character of the Jubilee and attendant festivities may be gleaned from the utterances of North East and Erie papers on the occasion. The Erie Herald of May 31, 1906, well says : "The cele bration of the Silver Jubilee of St. Mary's College yesterday, made the day one of the greatest in the history of the thriving and bustling little village of North East and a day, in the events of which many people and a number of organizations from Erie participated. The village was in festival attire. The houses were, practically without exception, deco rated with the nation's emblem, with bunting and in many instances with some insignia of the Church, while the places of business were an uninterrupted mass of decorations. North East, always a particularly pretty and delightful little hamlet, was for the nonce transformed into a city in so far as population was concerned. The celebration drew thousands of outsiders to the village, a railroad man, when the crowd was densest, estimating and apparently most conservatively, that there were between 6,000 and 7,000 visitors within the gates of the town." The following items taken from the North East Advertiser of June 1, 1906, give the reader an idea of the nature of the jubilee fes tivities : "The Jubilee exercises began in the College Chapel at ten o'clock with Solemn Pontificial Mass by Rt. Rev. John E. Fitz-AIaurice, Bishop of Erie. The sermon was preached by Rt. Rev. Bernard J. AIc- Quaid, Bishop of Rochester. Prominent in attendance were His Excellency Most Rev. Diomede Falconio, the Apostolic Delegate, from AA'ashington. D. C, Rt. Rev. Ignatius Horstmann, D. D., Bishop of Cleveland, and Rt. Rev. Chas. H. Colton, D. D., Bishop of Buffalo, six Rt. Rev. Alon- signori, and one hundred and five priests." The civic program in the afternoon was enjoyed by a multitude of people. It comprised a competition drill between the Erie and Roch- 356 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ester Knights. Then followed an exhibition of militia maneuvers and a sham battle by a company of Dunkirk militia. After this came the parade which, as the North East Breeze expresses it, was "the most elaborate and grandest spectacle ever witnessed in North East or Erie county. This was the verdict of citizens, visitors and all." To conclude in the words of the North East Sun "the affair was a success from beginning to end and one of the greatest days North East ever had." The weather was ideal and never did the beautiful College Green and its picturesque grounds present a more lovely or attractive appearance than that, which greeted the thousands of admiring visitors on that last day of Alay. Truly they must have seemed to them, as the North East Sun puts it, "the finest grounds within seventy-five miles of North East," or as another paper expressed it, "between Buffalo and Chicago !" Marvin Wight, A well known and highly esteemed resident of Corry, Pennsylvania, Marvin AVight served his country bravely during the Civil war, and has since, just as earnestly and sincerely, performed the duties devolving upon him as an individual, and a law-abiding citizen. He was born, July 11, 1839, in Centerville, Alle gany county, New York, a son of Benjamin Wight, and grandson of Daniel AVight. The emigrant ancestor of the family from which he is descended was born on the Isle of Wight, in the English Channel, from there coming, in 1632, to America. Levi AA'ight, Mr. Wight's great-grandfather, migrated to New York state in pioneer days, in company with a band of people com posed of his seven sons, three daughters, and their families, and some of their neighbors and friends, locating in what is now Center ville, Allegany county. Purchasing a large tract of timbered land, these pioneers improved farms from the wilderness, in the course of a few years building up the prosperous little hamlet known through out that locality as the "Wight Settlement." Daniel Wight, born, it is thought, in Oppenheim, New York, moved with his father and brothers and sisters to Allegany county, and on the land that he bought erected a log house for a dwelling, and one for a work shop. He was a natural mechanic, and in addition to improving and tilling his land, he made pails and barrels, and also made the first grain cradles manufactured in Western New York. He was patriotic, and served in the War of 1812. He married Mary Hewitt, who was born, probably, in Montgomery county, New York, the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Both he and his wife -died on their farm, in Centerville. Born in Oppenheim, New York, August 30, 1813, Benjamin Wight was seven years old when the family removed to Allegany county. The country roundabout was then in its pristine wildness, deer, bears and wolves being plentiful, while the native Indians still made their home in the forests. On attaining his majority he married and lived in the same log house with his brother and sister, a frame addition being added, and afterwards, in addition to clearing the land and tilling the soil, worked during the winter seasons at the blacksmith's trade. Trading his land, in 1850, for forty acres of land in Higgins, the same township, he resided there until 1882. Coming then to Corry, he lived here, retired from active pursuits, until his death, in 1891. He married Jerusha Lyon, a daughter of James and Sarah (Brewer) Lyon, natives of the Mohawk valley, and of English and Dutch an- LIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 357 cestry, respectively. She was born, September 17, 1815, in Oppen heim, New York, and died, in 1899, in Corry. She reared eight children, namely: Marvin, Daniel, Edwin, Clinton, Orrissa, Melinda, Wesley, and Emery. The three older sons were all soldiers in the Civil war. Until seventeen years old, Marvin Wight assisted his father in the care of homestead, and in the shop, the following five years working as a farm hand in different places. On September 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Fifth New York Cavalry, which was as signed to the Army of the Potomac. Going to the front with his command, he fought at the second battle of Bull Run, at the battle of Gettysburg, and in many others of importance. At Hopewell Gap, October 17, 1863, he was taken prisoner, and confined at Belle Isle until March, 1864, then, after spending two months in the parole camp, was exchanged. Joining his regiment, he was honorably discharged, in October, 1864, on account of the expiration of his term of enlist ment. In 1865 Mr. Wight located in Columbus, Warren county, and two years later went to Chillicothe, Missouri, which was his home for three and one-half years. Coming then to Corry, he was here employed as a wood turner until 1881, when he went to Rockford, Illinois, where for twenty-one years he was engaged in the business of wood-turning and pattern-making. Returning in 1902 to Corry, he has since resided in this city. Mr. Wight married. October 16, 1866, Louisa U. Bracken. She was born in Columbus, Warren county Pennsylvania, August 10, 1846, a daughter of George W. and Angeline Bracken, of whom fur ther notice may be found on another page of this volume, in connection with the sketch of C. H. Bracken. Mr. and Mrs. Wight have one daughter, Nellie E. Broad and liberal in their religious beliefs, Mr. and Mrs. Wight are Universalists. Mr. Wight is a member of J. J. Andrews Post, No. 70, G. A. R. Byron Homer Phelps, M. D. During the many years that Dr. Byron Homer Phelps has been located at Corry, he has had ample opportunity for practicing his profession, his patronage being ex tensive, and has met with gratifying results as a physician and sur geon, ranking among the leading practitioners of this locality. A son of Truman Oliver Phelps, he was born, March 16, 1844, in Wil- liamsfield, Ashtabula county, Ohio, coming from substantial New England stock. Lyman Phelps, the doctor's grandfather, was a native, it is sup posed, of Connecticut. Removing in pioneer days to Trumbull county, Ohio, he journeyed across the country with ox teams to Hartford township, where for a number of years he was employed in clearing and tilling the soil. Going from there to Ashtabula county, he bought a tract of wild land in Williamsfield township, and there resided until his death, when in his ninety-first year. He married Sophia Holcomb, who was born in Connecticut, and died, on the same day that he did, in Williamsfield township, aged eighty-six years. Of their children, five grew to mature life, namely: Truman Oliver, Lyman, Alary, Sophia, and Ann. Born near Granby, Connecticut, Truman O. Phelps was but a boy when his parents removed to Hartford township, Ohio, where he 358 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY subsequently served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade. Go ing to Williamsfield, Ohio, at the same time that his parents did, he bought fifty acres of land adjoining that purchased by his father, and there in addition to following his trade superintended the clearing and improving of a farm. Subsequently selling that property, he re moved to Andover, Ashtabula county, where he lived retired until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Gardner, was born in Massachusetts, moved with her parents to Trumbull county, Ohio, when a girl, and died in Andover, Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Of their union seven children were born, as follows : Norris T., Obed K., Byron Homer, Charles H., Addison B., Lyman C, and Sophia M. Three of their sons served in the Civil war. Charles H. went to Pennsylvania at the age of fourteen years, and there enlisted as a drummer boy in the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Being captured by the Confederates at the second battle of Fredericks burg, he was confined in Belle Isle, Andersonville, and other Southern prisons for a year, after which he was exchanged. Joining then his command, he served until the close of the war, when he received his honorable discharge. Byron Homer, at the age of seventeen years, and his brother, Obed K., who was a little older, enlisted in Company C, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, went to the front with their regiment, and participated in many engagements of importance, including among others those at Winchester, Cedar Mountain, and Port Republic. In the fall of 1862, Byron Homer was taken ill, and after being for awhile in the hospital, joined his regiment at Dum fries, Virginia, but in the spring of 1863 he was honorably discharged from the service on account of physical disability. Having saved his earnings, Byron H. Phelps used it in paying his expenses for two years at the Austinburg Academy. He subse quently taught several terms of school, in the meantime working dur ing the vacations in the harvest field, and when he had money enough to warrant him in so doing, entered the Kingsville Academy, from which he was graduated in 1867. The ensuing two years he was one of the instructors in the academy at Springfield, Erie county, Pennsyl vania, where he began reading medicine. Entering the office of Dr, Webster, in Kingsville, Ohio, in 1869, he continued his studies for a time, after which he went to Cleveland, where, in 1871, he was grad uated from the Medical Department of the Western Reserve College with the degree of M. D. Beginning the practice of his chosen pro fession at Wayne. Ashtabula county. Ohio, he remained there four years, after which he was located for some time in Orwell, Ohio. Coming to Corry, in 1880, the doctor has here built up an extensive and lucrative practice, his professional skill and knowledge being well known and highly appreciated. Doctor Phelps has been twice married. He married first, Decem ber 23, 1866, at Amboy, Ohio, Philena C. Greenlee, who was born at that place, a daughter of Jacob and Rachel ( ) Greenlee. She died in Orwell, Ohio, February 11, 1878. Dr. Phelps married second. April 16, 1879, Alice C. Dungan, a daughter of Joseph and Amelia ( ) Dungan. The doctor had one son, Truman Otis, by his first marriage, and one son. Paul, by his second union. Truman Otis, a jeweler in Bradford, married Velna Gibbs. Paul is a student in the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 359 Corry high school. Fraternally the doctor belongs to the J. J. An drews Post, No. 70, G. A. R., and is a member of the Masonic Order. Taking genuine interest in the welfare of city and county, he has never shirked the responsibilities of public office, but has served as mayor of Corry, as a member of the local school board, as a member of the United States Board of Examiners, and is now one of the Corry Hospital Staff. John M. McLaughlin stands at the head of the North East Preserving AVorks, one of the largest institutions of its kind in the state. He was born in Mooreheadville, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1870, a son of John N. and Sophia (Bran) AIcLaughlin. His paternal grand father, John McLaughlin, came from his native land of Ireland to the United States in 1825, and he established his home in Pennsyl vania. Thomas Bran, the maternal grandfather, was a native of old England, but came to the United States and to Pennsylvania in 1820, and ten years afterward, in 1830, bought land from the government in Mooreheadville. He died at the good old age of ninety-three years. John N. McLaughlin and Sophia Bran married and located at Moore headville, but they had previously resided in McKean, this state. He died on the 22d of April, 1902, in North East, where he had lived since 1895, and his wife survived only until the 15th of May, 1903. John M. McLaughlin, the tenth born of their twelve children, nine now living, attended in his early life the district schools, and when he had attained the age of twenty-two years he left his parents' home and with two brothers, William J. and George, engaged in the gro cery business in North East, he succeeding his brother Frank in the business. He continued as a grocery merchant from the 1st of January, 1893, until the 1st of January, 1902, when he sold his interest to his brother George. In 1900, with Henry G. Fink, of Erie, Pennsylvania, he bought the North East Preserving Works. The factory consists of two buildings, one twenty-four by one hundred and eighty feet, two- stories in height, and the other is a one story building, forty by eighty feet. Since the purchase they have added to the building until the floor space is fifty thousand square feet, and the works have a capa city of two hundred and ten cans of fruits and vegetables a minute. During the busy seasons they furnish employment to from two hun dred and twenty-five to three hundred employes. They can all fruits and vegetables grown in this section of the country, and they ship their goods from the New England states to Duluth, Minnesota. They have also become the owners of the Sherman Canning and Preserving Company at Sherman, Chautauqua county, New York, which they pur chased in the spring of 1908, and Messrs. Fink and AIcLaughlin are its sole proprietors. They also lease land and raise factory products, having received as high as thirty-five hundred bushels of tomatoes in a day. Mr. McLaughlin is a member of U. C. T. No. 216, of Erie, and also of the B. P. O. E. No. 67, at Erie. Religiously he is a member of St. Gregory's church. Mr. H. G. Fink is one of Erie's most successful business men, and while he still resides in Erie, makes frequent visits to his North East interests. 360 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Henry Hausmann Sr., of Erie, who is the largest manufacturer of costumes, uniforms and lodge paraphernalia in northern Pennsyl vania, has established and developed his business by ceaseless energy and industry and the application of sound and honorable principles. A native of Hesse, Germany, he was born July 7, 1857, and is a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Nusbickel) Hausmann, also natives of that section of the fatherland. The father was for many years a manu facturer of hats and a dealer in furs, and was thus engaged at the time of his death in Germany, in 1858. In 1866 his widow emigrated to Erie, bringing her three sons, Charles (now deceased), Philip and Henry. When he thus located in that city, Henry Hausmann was able to read and write German but not English, and spent the fol lowing two years in the public schools mastering the common tongue of his adopted country. When he was little more than eleven years old, however, he was obliged to drop his schooling and go to work as a bundle boy in George Becker's drygoods store on Peach and Six teenth streets. He was connected with this establishment until 1876, and was then able to complete his education at the Erie Academy. He next spent four years with H. A. Walther and Nathan Cohen, and then became identified with the drygoods house of F. Walther for a period of seventeen years. In 1878 Mr. Hausmann entered the mercantile field as an independent merchant and began to deal in costumes on his own account. Starting with a dozen masquerading outfits he met, first the local competition, and then that of houses in Buffalo and Cleveland, but his honest, tasteful workmanship and straightforward dealings finally "won out." As the enterprise enlarged he was obliged to receive his brother Charles into partnership, and, under the title Hausmann Brothers, they conducted the business until 1890, their store being on State street between Eleventh and Twelfth. In 1893 Mr. Hausmann erected a factory on East Eighteenth street, considerably enlarging the enterprise, and three years later began the manufacture of lodge paraphernalia, regalia, badges, banners and uniforms for bands and foremen. Still broadening the scope of his trade, he included the manufacture of all kinds of interior and ex terior decorations, and his business relations now embrace the entire country, especially in the line of secret order supplies. His average stock of goods is now valued at ten thousand dollars, and he is also the owner of his factory site at Nos. 177-9 East Eighteenth street and an elegant residence on the adjoining property. Although hard pressed with business affairs, Mr. Hausmann takes time to devote to the public affairs of the city. In 1885 he was elected a member of the city council from the Sixth ward, and faithfulness and value of his services fully earned him his re-election in 1886. Later he removed to the Fifth ward and in 1890 was returned to the council by the voters of that community. During his incumbency he was instrumental in having Eighteenth street paved from Peach to Parade and in effecting a number of other improvements. He is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce ; is a Alason and an Odd Fellow (Encampment, Canton and Rebekas), and for the past ten years has been record-keeper of the Maccabees. As he is among the leading German-Americans of Erie, he naturally belongs to the Erie Maenner chor and the South Erie Turn Verein. In a word, Mr. Hausmann is a vital asset to the commercial life of the city, and in his social and HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 361 •domestic relations sustains his honorable character, which has been .so signally manifested in the practical and hard-fought field of busi ness. On the 30th of April, 1885, Air. Hausmann was united in mar riage with Miss Lucretia Loesel, of Erie, daughter of Frederick Loesel, the details concerning her family appearing in connection with the biography of Charles F. Loesel. Mr. and Mrs. Hausmann have one daughter, Emma, whose birth occurred in 1886 and who wedded Dr. Carl Kirschner, a leading physician, on February 3, 1907. Charles A. AIertens. Numbered among the representative young er members of the bar of Erie county, Mr. Mertens is engaged in the successful practice of his profession in his native city of Erie, to which he has shown a son's unselfish loyalty and in which his popularity is of the most unequivocal type. He has represented his native county in the state legislature, and is one of the wheel-horses of the Republican party in this section of the old Keystone state. Charles A. AIertens was born in the First ward of the city and Erie, ¦on the 30th of Alay, 1875, and is a son of August and Louise (Ester) Mertens, both natives of Germany, whence they came to America when young. Their marriage was solemnized in Erie, where they still main tain their home and are held in high esteem by all who know them. Charles A. Mertens duly availed himself of the advantages of the ex- •cellent public schools of the city of Erie, and was graduated in the high school as a member of the class of 1893. In the. following year he began reading law in the office of H. J. Curtze, of Erie, and he showed marked facility in the accumulation and assimilation of knowledge of the science of jurisprudence. In 1897 he was admitted to the bar of his native county, and since that time he has been admitted to practice in the state and federal courts. After being admitted to the bar he con tinued to be associated in practice with his former preceptor, Mr. Curtze, until 1903, since which time he has conducted an individual pro fessional business, with offices at 14 East Eighth street. He has shown •distinctive ability as a trial lawyer and has proved a safe and conserva tive counsel, as he has a wide and accurate knowledge of the minutiae of the law and continues a close and appreciative student of his pro fession. His practice runs extensively into the line of real estate and Orphans' court practice on which subject he is considered an authority. Mr. Mertens has ever manifested a zealous interest in the cause of the Republican party, and in its behalf has rendered effective service. In 1900-1 he represented Erie county in the state legislature, where he made an excellent record as a careful and conscientious worker for -effective legislation. In 1904-5 he was chairman of the Republican cen tral committee of Erie county, and during the incumbency of this posi tion he showed much ability and discrimination in marshaling the forces at his command. He and his wife hold membership in St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran church, and he is identified with the Erie Board of Trade, the Alasonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fel lows, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Country Club and other social organizations in his home city. His parents are valued members of Salem Evangelical Lutheran church, with which they have been identified for many years. His father is an old and valued employe of Jarecki Manufacturing Company, with which great industrial con cern he has been identified from the time of its organization. In 1902 was solemnized the marriage of Air. AIertens to Aliss Anna -Claus, daughter of Henry V. Claus, who was a representative citizen 362 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of. Erie, where he continued to reside until his death. Air. and Mrs. Mertens have three children, — Frances Louise, Charles A., Jr., and Adolph A. aAretas P. Mount. Artistic in his tastes, endowed by nature with mechanical gifts of a high order, and at the same time being an expert in the use of tools, Aretas P. Mount, of Corry, occupies a position of prominence and influence among the foremost architects of Western Pennsylvania. Possessing good judgment, and having a thorough knowledge of his profession, he is kept busily employed, as a designer, drawing up plans for dwelling houses, stores, churches and large public buildings, his reputation for satisfactory work in that line being well established, and far extended. A son of William Mount, he was born, October 23, 1851, at Cherrycreek, Chautauqua county, New York. Thomas Mount, grandfather of Aretas P. Mount, was born, bred and educated in New Jersey, where in early life he operated a dis tillery. Realizing, however, the evils of intemperance, he gave up the business, putting the distillery out of commission, and moved to Montgomery county, New York, living for a time at Ames. Going from there to Cherrycreek, New York, he bought land that was in its original wildness, and having improved a good homestead, lived there until his death, in 1881, at the venerable age of ninety-nine years, having almost rounded out a full century of life. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Chamberlain, died in 1850. She bore him fifteen children, thirteen of whom married, and reared children. Born in Ames, New York, October 3, 1829, William Mount began when but a youth to learn the carpenter's trade, working with an older brother. From 1852 until 1864, he was engaged in farming at Cherrycreek. Subsequently entering the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company, he was for a number of years super intendent of its carpentry department, residing in Urbana, Ohio, until 1871. Locating then in Corry, he was here engaged as a contractor and builder during the remainder of his active life, and died in this city, in December, 1896. He married, October 24, 1850, Mary Frost, who was born in Chautauqua county, New York, in 1830. Her father, George Frost, an early settler of Chautauqua county, was a man of much energy and ambition, and was actively identified during his long life with numerous enterprises in that locality, being in turn farmer, hotel keeper, and merchant. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Mount, as follows : Aretas P.,, Emeline, and Ritta. After completing his early education, Aretas P. Mount followed the bent of his natural inclinations in developing his mechanical talents, beginning life for himself as a contractor and builder, and later as an architect. Mr. Mount has been eminently successful in all of his undertakings, as an architect winning honor and distinction. Many of the handsomest and most substantial residences and public buildings of Erie county are the work of his brains and hands, and bear visable evidence of his architectural knowledge and skill. To him was awarded, by the state board, the contract to draw the plans, and superintend the construction, of the armories at both Corry, Warren and Grove City, his ability as an architect being thus publicly recognized. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 363 On September 9, 1875, Mr. Mount married Kate L. Wetmore. She was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Augus tus and Catherine (Kidder) Wetmore, both of whom were of honored New England ancestry, descendants of families there prominent in early colonial days. Mr. and Mrs. Mount are the parents of three chil dren, namely :' William P., Jewell E., and Clarence. William P. mar ried Lida Vincent, and their only child died in infancy. Clarence A., married Cora West, and they have one son, Richard P. Mr. and Mrs. Mount are consistent Christians, and worthy members of the Baptist church. Fraternally Mr. Mount belongs to Corry Lodge, No. 470, K. P., and to Corry Court of Foresters. Thomas B. McCray. Distinguished not only for his life record of honesty and integrity, but for his valiant services as a soldier during the Civil war, Thomas B. McCray, of Corry, is especially de serving of more than passing mention in a work of this character. A son of Joseph McCray, he was born in Concord township, Erie county, February 25, 1841. He comes of excellent Scotch ancestry, his grand father, James McCray, having been a native of Scotland. Emigrating to America, the land of great promise, James Ale Cray was one of the pioneer settlers of Washington county, Pennsyl vania, where he lived a number of years, taking while there, an active part in developing the agricultural resources of that part of the state. From there he came overland to Erie county, his wife bringing one of the children on horseback. Locating in what is now Concord town ship, he purchased a tract of timber from the Holland Land Company, cleared a space, and there built a log house for himself and family. There were then neither railways nor canals in the country, and there being no convenient markets, all supplies for the household and farm were brought from Pittsburg by teams. The pioneers of those days used to burn timber, and with the ashes make black salts, the only product that could be sold for cash. In after years, when they began raisins? cattle in large numbers, all of the stock had to be driven either to Philadelphia or New York to be sold. On the farm that he improved from the wilderness, James McCray spent his later years of life, con tented and happy. To him and his wife, six children were born, as follows: Joseph, George, William, James, John, and Ellen. Born in 1794, in Washington county, Joseph McCray was reared among pioneer scenes, as a boy doing much pioneer labor on the parental homestead. While yet in his teens, he enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, and afterwards served for a time in the regular army, being stationed on the Western frontier. On receiving his discharge from the army, he returned home, and engaged in farming and lum bering, rafting the logs down the rivers. On one of his river trips, he stopped awhile in Kentucky, and there married. Settling in Bracken county, that state, he continued his agricultural labors. A few years later his wife died of cholera, leaving an infant son, George McCray, who was reared by a Mr. and Mrs. Parks, and is still a resident of Ken tucky. Returning to Pennsylvania after the death of his wife, Joseph McCray lived for awhile near Titusville, from there coming back to Erie county. Buying timber land in Concord township, he erected good buildings, cleared and improved a valuable farm, and there re sided until his death, at the age of ninety years. He married for his second wife, Sarah J. Scott, a native of Ireland. Her father, Thomas 364 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Scott, was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. Coming with his family to this country, he settled as a pioneer in Crawford county, where he redeemed a farm from the wilderness, as a tiller of the soil becoming quite successful. Mrs. Sarah J. (Scott) McCray died on the home farm at the good old age of four score and four years. She reared five sons, James, Thomas B., John, Josiah, and William. Receiving a good common school education, Thomas B. McCray also acquired a substantial knowledge of the various branches of agriculture while working with his father. In 1861, at the first call for volunteers, he enlisted in Company F, Pennsylvania Volunteer In fantry, and served for three months under Captain Morgan, being on duty at Pittsburg. Being then honorably discharged from the army, he returned home, and on August 13, 1862, enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Go ing south with his regiment, he arrived at Antietam just at the close of the memorable battle there fought. Subsequently, with the excep tion of the time that he was confined in the hospital, Mr. McCray continued with his regiment, taking part in many important engage ments, among them being the battles of Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, those of the Wilderness, and the battle of Spottsyl- vania. He was wounded at Gettysburg, and again at Spottsylvania, where his lower jaw was shattered, and his tongue badly cut. The greater part of the jaw had to be removed, and it was a long time before he could talk. In October, 1864, he received his honorable dis charge from the service, and returned home. As soon as he was able to do anything, Mr. McCray was elected constable and collector, and served two years. Turning then his attention to agriculture, he bought the interest of his brothers in the old home farm, in Concord town ship, and there carried on farming and stock raising until 1902. In that year he erected a house on Center street, Corry, where he has since lived retired from active pursuits. Mr. McCray married, in May, 1886, Carrie G. Parsons, a native of Concord township. Her father, Henry Parsons was born, June 11, 1842, on the Atlantic Ocean, while his parents, James and Ann (Roberts) Parsons, were en route to this country. Mr. Parsons was born in England, and his wife in Wales, and both died in Concord township, Erie county, on the farm which they cleared and improved. Coming to Erie county in 1842, James Parsons lived there until 1849, when he had an acute attack of the gold fever. With a companion, he started on foot for California. His companion died while on the way, but he pushed on across the dreary plains, at the end of several months arriving at his point of destination. Not meeting with the anticipated success in his mining operations, he turned to Erie county, and until his death was engaged in farming in Concord township. In July, 1861, offering his services to his country, Henry Parsons en listed in Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania In fantry, and with his comrades participated in several engagements, one of the more prominent having been that at Cedar Mountain. In 1863 he was honorably discharged on account of disability, returned home, and soon began to learn the carpenter's trade. He followed his trade awhile, after which he engaged in farming for a number of seasons. Locating in Corry in 1895, he resumed his trade, working as a car- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 365 penter until failing health compelled him to give up active labor, and he is now living in this city, retired from business pursuits. The maiden name of his wife was Alartha AlcCray. Of the union of Air. and Mrs. McCray six children have been born, namely: Parke, Webb, Reed, Scott, Miles, and Evelyn, who died, December 4, 1906, aged four years, two months and eleven days. Garrett Smith Henry. The home of Garrett S. Henry is one of the old ancestral places of Erie county, and he is a member of one of its earliest and best known families. Robert Henry, his grand father, came from his native land of Ireland to the United States and located in western Mill Creek township in 1799, buying a farm there, and his mother and her sister lie buried on that old place, now known as the Halderman farm. After a time he sold that land and bought the farm of fifty acres in Harbor Creek township which was the birthplace of his son and grandson, and where he spent the remainder of his life and died in 1847. His son Franklin was born there, but in 1869 he left the farm and during the following sixteen years was the light house keeper on Presque Isle. His home from that time forward was at Wesleyville, but he continued the work of the old farm until his death in October of 1889. Garrett Smith was his only child by his first marriage to Martha Long, who died in October of 1865, and he afterward married Alvira Frasier, who was born in Girard, Trumbull county, Ohio, and they had eight children : Paul and Edith, twins, John Brown, Alary, AIelvin and Mable, twins, Robert and Nellie, twins. Garrett S. Henry was born January 26, 1862, in the old home in Harbor Creek township, where his grandfather had spent so many years of his life, and which was also the birthplace of his father. His mother died in his babyhood, and he was given to his paternal grand mother, who tenderly reared and cared for him. On the 7th of March, 1885, he moved to the farm of seventy-two acres adjoining the old home place on the north, inheriting the land, and in 1892 he began selling milk in the city of Erie. On the 19th of December, 1899, he became one of the charter members of the Erie County Milk Associa tion, and his stock therein allows him to put one hundred and sixteen and two-thirds quarts of milk in the association. He raises on his farm only the crops necessary for his dairy purposes. On the 3d of October, 1881, Mr. Henry was married to Sarah A. Ripley, who was born in Greene township, Erie county, a daughter of David and Mary Ann (Kuhl) Ripley, also from that township, and a granddaughter of David Ripley and Peter and Susan (Fry) Kuhl, all from Lancaster county. The children of this union are Robert H., Clarence and Roy B. Clarence is attending the Pennsylvania State College. Mr. Henry is a Prohibitionist in his political affiliations, and he has served as a school director and is a member of the Protected Home Circle, at Wesleyville. Thomas D. Finch. Among the citizens of Corry that have ac cumulated a competency through their own individual efforts, and are now living retired from active pursuits, is Thomas D. Finch, who has been identified with many industries, in the majority of his varied occupations meeting with success. A son of Thomas D. Finch Sr., he was born, August 27, 1835, at Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer county, New 366 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY York. On the paternal side, he comes of good English ancestry, his great grandfather, Nathaniel Finch, having been one of three brothers that came from England to this country in colonial days. He settled in New York state, and subsequently followed his trade of a tanner and currier at both Horse Lake and Schaghticoke. Lewis Finch, grandfather of Thomas D., was born at Horse Neck, New York. Learning the trade of a tanner and currier, he carried on a substantial business at Schaghticoke, Rensselaer county, during a large part of his active life. He lived to a venerable age, dying at the home of a son, in Warren county, Pennsylvania, at the age of ninety-six years. He married Adelia Daggett, a native of France, being a daughter of Thomas Daggett, who emigrated to this country, settling in New York state. She, too, spent her last days in Warren county, Pennsylvania, passing away at the age of ninety-two years. Born at Glens Falls, New York, Thomas D. Finch Sr., began life as a wage-earner when but eight years of age, working in a cotton factory in Schaghticoke. He continued in this employment a number of years, subsequently working at Hoosick Falls and at Cohoes. Making a decided change of occupation and residence in 1846, he went to Warren county, Pennsylvania, where he lived for nearly twenty years, being employed in mercantile pursuits. Locating in Corry in 1865, he opened a grocery, being a pioneer merchant of the place, and carried on a successful business for some time. The later part of his life he lived retired, in Corry, passing away at the good old age of eighty-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Eliza Slocum, was born in Washington county, New York. Her father, a farmer, spent his closing years in the southern part of Warren county, Pennsylvania. She survived her husband, dying at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. She reared four children, as follows: George H., who served in the Civil war as second lieutenant in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, and his remains are buried in the National Cemetery ; Thomas D., of this brief sketch ; Victoria ; and Alary L. Eleven years of age when he came with the family to Warren county, Thomas D. Finch completed his early education in the com mon schools of the neighborhood. When sixteen years old he began working in a saw mill, and was afterwards steadily employed in the lumber business, in Warren and Elk counties, for fourteen years. Going then to the oil region, he was engaged in drilling wells until 1866, being a part of the time in the employ of PI. H. Rogers. Locat ing in that year in Corry, Mr. Finch was for two years engaged in the grocery business with his father. Selling out in 1868, he subse quently opened a restaurant opposite the railway station, where he continued three years. He next managed the American Hotel until the fire, and the ensuing two years was in the oil business at Keokuk, Iowa. Returning from there to Corry, Mr. Finch built the Phoenix Hotel, which he conducted successfully for nearly four years, when he sold out at an advantage. Building then the European Hotel, he managed it successfully for two years, and then sold out. Going then to Venango borough, Crawford county, Mr. Finch purchased the "Tarr farm," and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits two years. Selling the estate, he returned to Corry, and for two years HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 367 carried on a wholesale liquor business, afterwards being engaged for two years in the manufacture of cigars. Selling his cigar business, Mr. Finch again had the management of the European Hotel for two years, after which he conducted a restaurant in Erie, for eighteen months. Once more taking up his residence, he carried on the har ness business for one and one-half years, and since that time has lived retired from active pursuits, at his pleasant home enjoying all the comforts of life. On February 21, 1865, Mr. Finch married Nancy J. Carle, who was born, November 30, 1837, on a farm that is now included within the limits of the town of Reno, Venango county, Pennsylvania, her father, Columbia Carle, having been born in the same locality. Her great grandfather, James Carle, was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. Emigrating to this country in colonial days, he served seven years in the Revolutionary army, a part of the time being a companion of the noted Indian scout, Brady. He was severely wounded in battle, and died from the effects shortly after the close of the war. He married Mary Stuart, who was born in Scotland, and she survived him many years, passing away at the age of eighty-seven years. Their son, Alexander Carle, Mrs. Finch's grandfather, was one of the early settlers of Venango county. Taking up from the government a tract of timbered land, he cleared from the wilderness a farm, upon which the present village of Reno is built, and there spent the remainder of his life. He married Uretta Holyday, who was born at Oil Creek, her father, a native of Ireland, having been a pioneer settler of that part of Venango county. Columbia Carle was reared to agricultural pursuits, but being a natural mechanic, worked during his earlier years at shoemaking and carpentering. At the time of his marriage, he began housekeeping in the log cabin that his father built. He subsequently bought a tract of wild land, which is now included within the limits of Oil City. A part of it was then covered with a heavy growth of native timber, but it is now entirely built over with burner's blocks and dwelling houses, a wonderful scenic transformation having taken place in a comparatively few years. He passed away in Oil City, in 1868. The maiden name of the wife of Columbia Carle was Lydia Hazen. She was born in Chautauqua county, New York, where her father, Benjamin Hazen, was an early settler. He afterwards removed to Venango county, Pa., bought land above Oil City, and there cleared and improved the estate now known as the "Clapp Farm." In the early forties, Mr. Hazen crossed the country with teams to the territory of Iowa, the greater part of which was then owned by the government. Purchasing upwards of seven hundred acres of land in Jackson county, he improved a home stead, on which he resided until his death, at the age of four score and four years. A man of energy, foresight and good judgment, he was prominent in advancing the growth and prosperity of the new country, living to see the locality in which he settled transformed from its primitive wildness to a populous and wealthy community. He mar ried Nancy Willard, who was born in the northeastern part of New York state,, and died, at the age of eighty-four years, in Iowa. Mrs. Lydia (Hazen) Carle, mother of Mrs. Finch, died at the e.arly age of thirty-one years, and Mr. Carle married for his second wife, Sarah Ranson, who died three years later. 368 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Mr. and Mrs. Finch have one son, Charles Carle Finch. Charles C. Finch has been twice married. He married first, Myra Sweet. She died when but twenty-eight years old, leaving one son, Carle Sweet, who lives with his grandparents. Charles C. Finch married second, Kate Beader, and they have one child, Gustave Finch. Fraternally Mr. Finch is a member of Corry Lodge, No. 470, K. P. John Johnson has resided within the borders of Erie county for many years, prominently , identified with the agricultural interests of AVaterford township, but he is a native son of the Emerald Isle, born February 4, 1846, to Robert and Susannah (Bettles) Johnson. Coming with his parents to America, they located about 1854 in Water ford township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, where Robert Johnson took up farming pursuits, and both he and his wife are now deceased. The public schools of Waterford township afforded John Johnson with his educational training, and farming has been his life occupa tion. His homestead contains one hundred and twenty-five acres of rich and well cultivated land, located near the borough of Waterford. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and voted for Grant first. Mr. Johnson married in 1864 Miss Susannah Lundy, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Shields) Lundy, also from Ireland, and they have had the following children : James, George, David. Frank, Alice, Jessie and Harry, but three of the sons, James, David and Frank, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the United Presby terian church at Waterford. D. W. Hunt. One of the interesting characters which has graced the early and subsequent history of Erie county is D. W. Hunt, who was born on the old Hunt farm on which he now resides at the edge of Waterford, March 12, 1834, a son of Simeon and A'senath (Tracy) Hunt, from Connecticut. The grandfather was Captain John Tracy, one of a family of three children, and on the paternal side the grand father was from Vermont. Simeon Hunt passed through Waterford in the year of 1814 on his way to Meadville, but after two years there he returned to Waterford and bought of General Martin the farm now owned by his son D. W. Captain John Tracy also bought land here of the same man. Mr. Hunt's purchase consisted of one hundred acres, the greater part of which has been platted into Waterford lots. During many years he ooerated a distillery here, the only one ever in Waterford, and his death occurred in April, of 1874. When Mr. Hunt first came to Waterford he was accompanied by two brothers, but after remaining here a year they moved on to the Western Reserve and secured homes there. D. W. Hunt received a good education in the Waterford Academy, and farming has been his life occupation. He now owns and conducts sixty-five acres of the original farm secured by his father in the early days of the county's history. In 1856 he went to Iowa and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, but after two years there he re turned to AVaterford, and remained here until again crossing the plains to Iowa in 1867. During his stay in the west he had many interesting experiences and also endured the many hardships and privations of pioneer life, but these only helped him to appreciate more fully the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 369 trials his ancestors endured in subduing the wilds of this community in its pioneer epoch. During his first trip across the plains in 1856 they very narrowly escaped trouble with the Indians in Hamilton county of that state, and locating in Pocahontas county he secured a claim on the river, eighteen miles from a neighbor. At one time it was reported that he had been killed by the red skins and a searching party was about to be sent out, but one of this party succeeded in making his way to the settlement and informed them of the truth. On his way to the west he traveled two hundred miles in the primitive pioneer manner of those times, and crossed without bridges the vari ous streams which he encountered en route. In- 1867, on his second return from Iowa, Mr. Hunt married Miss Adaline Trask, a daughter of Esquire J. and Sophia (Reed) Trask. The mother came to Erie county from Ohio when seven years of age, and lived with an uncle, George Reed, until her marriage. Her mother was a full blood Indian, and her father was James Maning Reed. Esquire J. Trask was brought by his parents to Erie county when but two years of age, and he became a cabinet-maker and carpenter, also owning a farm two miles from AVaterford. He died in October of 1866, and his wife survived until November of 1883. Reed Tracy Hunt is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, and he now lives in Waterford and farms the old Hunt homestead. He married Miss Elizabeth McArdle, and their only child, Dan Tracy Hunt, is deceased. Lewis Wilson Olds. A man of superior business talents and ability, Lewis W. Olds is intimately associated with one of the most important manufacturing industries of Corry, being president of the Climax Manufacturing Company, builders of geared locomotives, and also interested in timber lands in California and Washington, and in the production of oil in Ohio and Oklahoma. A son of Alason O. Olds, he was born March 30, 1865, at Youngsville, Warren county, Pennsyl vania. He comes of New England stock, his grandfather, Elisha Olds, a lineal descendant of Phineas Olds, who was a son of Ezekiel Old, of Brookfield, Massachusetts, having been born and brought up in Vermont, and who served as corporal and captain in the war of Revolu tion, being in the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1777, also in Battle of Lexington. Ezekiel Old also served in the French and Indian wars, as mentioned in History North Brookfield, Page 214-215 and 697. Ezekiel was the son of Captain William Old who took part in the siege and capture of Louisburg in Queen Anne's war of 1747, and William Old is a son of Dr. Robert Old who settled in Windsor, Con necticut in 1669, having come from England in that year, and settled in Connecticut. The letter S was added to the surname Old as men tioned, Pages 44-45 of History Suffield, Colony Massachusetts 1660- 1749, published by Hezekiel Spencer Sheldon. In company with his half-brothers, Joel Olds and Gilbert Olds, Elisha Olds migrated from the Green Mountain State to Pennsylvania in pioneer days, making the entire journey with teams. Locating in Erie county, he bought a tract of forest covered land on Mill Creek, being one of the earlier settlers of that part of the county. Alaking a clearing, in which he erected a log cabin, he began the improvement of a homestead. After he had well started his farming operations, he took advantage of the water on the place, developed the water power, • erected a saw-mill and a pump shop, and was one of the pioneer lumber Vol. 11—24 370 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY and pump manufacturers of Erie county. Succeeding in his labors, he cleared a goodly portion of his land, erected a substantial set of frame buildings and there resided until his death, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was three times married. He married first Abigail W. Flint, who was born in Arermont, a daughter of James and Jerusha ( .) Flint. He married second Alary A. Deming, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and married for his third wife, Airs. Electa (Chase) Huie. By his first marriage he had thirteen children, of whom twelve grew to mature life, as follows: James P.; George; Oby; Oro ; Mason O. ; Allen; Wel come; Henry; Delight; Moses; Nellie; and Alartha. Of his second mar riage two children were born, Nana E. and Walter R. Alason O. Olds was born, July 21, 1836, at Belle Valley, Mill Creek township, and was there reared on the home farm, receiving education in the pioneer schools of his district. Beginning when young to assist his father in the shop and mill, he became familiar with the business, and on attaining his majority went to Youngsville, AVarren county, Penn sylvania, where he was engaged in the manufacture of pumps until 1870. Coming in that year to Corry, he established a pump factory, which he conducted successfully until his death, two years later, while yet in manhood's prime. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Mead, was born in Youngsville, Pennsylvania, in 1838, a daughter of Joseph Mead, a pioneer farmer of Warren county. She died in 1906, aged sixty-eight years. The only son of his parents, Lewis W. Olds, received a practical education in the public schools of Corry, after which he commenced his business career as a bookkeeper for the Climax Manufacturing Com pany, accepting the position in 1885. After a few years of faithful work in that capacity, he became financially interested in the business as a part owner, and in 1904, when it was incorporated, Air. Olds was elected president of the company, and has since devoted his entire time and energies to its interests. Air. Olds married, in 1885, Nellie Raymond, whose father, Murray Al. Raymond, and grandfather, Francis Raymond, were born in Colum bus township, Warren county, Pennsylvania, where her great-grandfather Seth Sears Raymond, was a pioneer settler, and where her great-great grandfather, Zachariah Raymond, a Revolutionary soldier (mentioned in Book 1298, Alassachusetts, Soldiers & Sailors of the Revolutionary war, page 1013) spent his last years. Seth Sears Raymond came to AA'arren county when the country roundabout was in its primeval wild ness. Buying a tract of timber land in Columbus township, he cleared and improved a homestead on which he lived many years. When ready to give up active labor, he removed to the village, and there lived retired until death. Brought up on the home farm, Francis Raymond early turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and having purchased land in Columbus township was there engaged in general farming during his active life, residing there until his death, at the age of four score years. His wife, whose maiden name was Delia Colgrove, was born in Con cord township, where her parents were early settlers. Murray M. Ray mond was born June 10, 1843, and grew to manhood on the home farm. During the Civil war, he served one year in the Union army, after which he was engaged in the lumber business for a time. Later establishing himself in Corry as a manufacturer, he is now president of the Ray mond Alanufacturing Company. Lie married Seraphina Bishop, who was born in Columbus township, a daughter of Joseph Bishop. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 371 Joseph Bishop's mother's maiden name was Sallie Burk, daughter of Joseph Burk who served in the Revolutionary war at Newberry, Guil ford, and AVestminster, mentioned in Vermont Revolutionary Roll, book 991-12, page 353. She died in 1903, leaving three children, namely: Nellie G, wife of Mr. Olds; Frank M. ; and Harriet. Mr. and Airs. Olds have one son living, born in 1890, Alurray Raymond Olds. Their first son Alason O. was born in 1887 and died 1904. Air. Olds is actively identified with various fraternal organizations, belonging to Corry Lodge, No. 365, F. & A. M. ; to Columbus Chapter No. 200, R. A. Al. ; to Hiram Council No. 45, R. & S. Al. ; to Clarence Commandery No. 51, K. T. ; to Zem Zem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; to Jonathan Lodge No. 685, I. O. O. F.; and to Corry Lodge No. 769, B. P. O. E. S. J. Skinner is a member of one of the first families to estab lish their home in Erie county, and he was born in the township of Waterford in 1830, a son of Benjamin and Susannah (Ulan) Skinner, of the Wyoming Valley. Thomas Skinner, the grandfather, came to the United States from his native land of England, and coming imme diately to Waterford township he established his home here as early as 1797, and here he also cleared a farm from the dense wilderness. His wife, Lena, was from Ireland. Among their children was Benja min, who received his educational training in the early schools of Waterford township, and he was a farmer throughout life. S. J. Skinner, his son, was educated in the public schools of Waterford, and agriculture was also his occupation during the active years of his business life. He also learned and followed the painter's trade, but he is now living retired on his farm. He married in 1856 Miss Mary Jane Ray, a daughter of Hanford H. and Harriet {Briggs) Ray, pioneers of Washington township in Erie county. Their children are : Hanford Benjamin, Harriet, Charles PL, Mary, Aretus and Ray. Hanford Benjamin, the eldest, married in 1877 Miss Margaret Thomas, a daughter of Joseph and Alary (Sedgwick) Thomas, who were also among the pioneers of Erie county. The children of this union are Eva, who died January 8, 1906, Zenn and Zayre, twins, and Hazel. Harriet S. became the wife of Way Thomas, but both are now de ceased, leaving two children, Ruth and Lee. Charles H. married Miss Nellie Goodnough, and their children are Ethel, Lolla and Harry. Mary married John Lee, and they have one child, Lawrence. Aretus married Jessie Triscuit. and their children are Charles, Harold, Louise and Virgil. Ray married Miss Maud Stafford. Mr. Skinner is a Pro hibitionist. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Waterford. Frank A. Howe, the postmaster at Waterford, was born in Sheridan, Chautauqua county, New York, a son of Gustavus Adolphus Hammond and Nancy M. (Brainard) Howe, also from the same county, and a grandson on the paternal side of Jonas Howe, a pipe organ manufacturer and a native of Chautauqua count}-. His mater nal grandfather, Ahimeaz Brainard, was a blacksmith in New York, and he lived and died in that state but two of his sons, Nathaniel and Albert, came to Waterford during an early period in its history. Gus tavus A. H. Howe was a wagon maker in New York, and he continued that occupation after coming to Waterford in 1840 with his wife and 372 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY children, dying here on the 31st of July, 1887. His wife survived until the 23d of November, 1901. Frank A. Howe received his education in the Waterford public schools and the academy here, and learning the trade of wagon- making of his father in his early life, he continued that occupation until a few years after the latter's death. On the 29th of July, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and took part in several of the hard-fought battles of the Civil war. He was in the thickest of the fight at Gaines Mills, being right marker in the regiment, and after the opposing forces had made several un successful attacks they charged the regiment from the right, thus placing Mr. Howe the nearest man to the enemy. A bullet, which shot by the foremost man of the opposing side passed through the left forearm of Air. Howe, lodged in a small Bible just over his heart. To this little book he owes his life, and with the bullet yet embedded among its leaves it is one of his most treasured possessions. The wound left his hand almost entirely useless. About the year of 1890 he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as a justice of the peace, and at the ensuing election he was returned to that office, but be fore the expiration of his term he was made the postmaster of Water ford, and has served in that office since 1901. Some years ago he served two years as an assessor. His politics has always been Republican. In 1868 Mr. Howe was married to Rebecca R. Judson, a daughter of P. E. and Maria D. (Lord) Judson. Both the Judson and Lord families came to America in the Mayflower and located in the east, and the Judsons were numbered among the early residents of Erie county. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have one daughter, Florence, who mar ried Frank W. Agnew, the assistant postmaster at Waterford, and they also have one child, Charles Clifford Agnew. Mrs. Howe has been an Episcopalian, and Mr. Howe was reared in the faith of that denomination, although his mother was a Presbyterian, but during the past few years both he and his wife have been devoted to the Christian Science religion. Velorus C. Barnes, a prominent agriculturist and dairyman re siding in LeBoeuf township, has from an early period in the develop ment of Erie county resided within its borders and been active in its upbuilding and advancement. Born in Ohio on the 29th of December, 1856, he is a son of Marsha and Dolena (Allen) Barnes, who were born in Pennsylvania but early in their married life they moved to Ashtabula county, Ohio, and became identified with its agricultural pursuits. From there they came to Waterford township in Erie county in 1866, when their son Velorus was a lad of ten years. Farming has been the life occupation of A'elorus C. Barnes. He first obtained a good education in the Waterford Academy and the schools of Edinboro, well fitting himself for the active duties of a business life, and he is now the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and forty-two acres in LeBoeuf township, known as "Sunny Summit Farm" where he carries on general farming and dairying. On the 12th of December, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lunger, a daughter of Isaac Lunger, and the children of this union are : Ethel Mae, Emma Jorden, Clarence G, Blanche Elizabeth, Earl E. and Anna Belle. Ethel Mae and Clarence G. are both de- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 373 ceased, and the youngest daughter, Anna B., is the wife of the Rev. W. E. Baker, by whom she has one son, Velorus W. The daughter Emma is a graduate of the Shenango Valley Hospital at New Castle, Pennsylvania, as a professional nurse belonging to the state of Penn sylvania. Mr. Barnes is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are mem bers of the Christian church. Thomas V. Wallis, one of the prominent business men of Erie county, was born near Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1840, a son of Edward and a grandson of Samuel Wallis. The last named came from his home in Maryland to Lycoming county, this state, and later located at Muncie, rearing four sons and three daughters. His wife lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and twenty years, she having been a member of a family noted for its longevity. Edward Wallis was born near Havre de Grace, Maryland, and from there came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. In 1830 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Martin, a native of Lycoming county, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Murphy) Martin, from near Williamsport. They moved from there to Le Boeuf township in Erie county in 1844 and spent the remainder of their lives here. With the exception of four years spent in the mercantile business in New Jersey, Thomas V. Wallis has made his home in Erie county, since locating here in 1871, and he was first identified with its agri cultural pursuits, but since 1866 has been a merchant in Mill Village. He married in 1866, Miss Ellen Rebecca, a daughter of A. E. and Elizabeth (Demling) Ford, from Kittanning, Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandfather, Peter Ford, came to reside in Erie county in an early day in its history, and he took up a large tract of land here and became a large and well known farmer. He married into one of the county's leading families, the Kings. Robert King, the great grandfather of Mrs. Wallis, was given a large tract here by the government for services he had rendered. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Wallis, a Mr. Demling, came to Erie county about the year of 1800. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallis, Blanche and William Guy. The daughter married H. M. Dowler, and their children are Harriet Fay, Josephia, Capatolia and Ellen. Harriet Fay married J. Sherwood, and their children are Theo and Elizabeth. William Guy, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Wallis, married Miss Nellie White, from Philadelphia, and their home is now in Florence, New Jersey. They have four children : Thomas V. Jr., Marion Feber, Neomi and Baird. Mr. Wallis is a true blue Republican and voted first for Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Wallis are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mill Village George L. Walker was born on the farm which he now owns and conducts in LeBoeuf township, Erie county, February 3, 1866, and he is descended from one of the founders and early residents of this county, Joseph Walker. He came to this state from New York and located near Edinboro, where he bought and improved a farm and spent the remainder of his life there, rearing eight sons and two daughters. In this family was Walter Walker, the paternal grand father of George L. He was born in New York, and coming with his 374 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY father to Erie county bought fifty acres where his grandson now lives, clearing and improving his land and erecting thereon his log cabin home. There he reared his children : Chauncy, who married Miss Susan Pratt, and had four children, Clark, Hiram, James and Lucy ; Alaria Cenia, who married Gibson Heart ; Hiram, who also married ; Melinda, who married Chandler Reynolds ; James D., men tioned below; Julian, who married William Lewis, and had Rachel (deceased), Ida and Theola; Perry and Aliranda, both of whom died when young ; and Eunice, who married Francis Reynolds, and their children are Alelinda, Charles, George, John and Reed. James D. AAralker, the father of George L., was born on his father's farm in Le Boeuf township. He married Clarissa A. Hamilton, and they have had the following children : Perry, Alary, Emma, George L., Bertha and Charles, but all are now deceased with the exception of George L. and Charles H. George L. Walker received his educational training in the public schools of Le Boeuf township, and farming has been his life's occu pation. He owns and conducts his father's estate of one hundred acres, and follows a general line of agriculture and dairying. He married on the 22d of September, 1887, Miss Addie E. Boyd, and their only child is a son, Walter L. Mr. Walker is a stanch Republican poli tically. He is a member of I. O. O. F. Charter Oak Lodge, No. 349, of Alill A'illag-e. and has passed all the chairs. He is a member of Charter Oak Encampment No. 3, and Canton at Union City, and he was a delegate to the Grand Lodge and both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs, Lodge No. 178 at Alill Village. His great-grandfather, Joseph Walker, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and grandfather AValker was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. Walker has one of the old flintlock guns his great-grandfather carried in the Revolutionary war. Born i McCray was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, near Titusville, February 27, 1841, a son of Samuel and Eliza (Shelmidina) McCray, who were also born in Crawford county. They subsequently moved from there to Venango county when that political division formed a part of Erie county, and from there in 1865 they came to the farm now owned and occupied by their son in Le Boeuf town ship, purchasing and clearing eighty acres. Of their family of thir teen children two died in infancy and nine are yet living, each being nearly sixty years of age. B. McCray, one of the thirteen children, received a district school education in Venango county, Pennsylvania, and in 1862 he enlisted for the Civil war in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-second Penn sylvania Volunteer Infantry. During his army service he took part in the hard-fought battle of Fredericksburg, where one-half of the One Hundred and Forty-second was killed or wounded. He also participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Hatcher's Run and in various smaller engagements, spending five months in the com missary department, four months as a brigade butcher and during six months was in Finley Hospital at Washington, D. C. He continued to serve his country until the war was over, receiving his discharge on the 2d of May, 1865, and returning then to the old home farm in Erie county, he has lived here ever since with the exception of the two HISTORY'' OF ERIE COUNTY 375 years which he spent in Randolph, New York, to afford his children better educational advantages. On the 29th of May, 1870, Mr. AlcCray was married to Miss Martha C. Range, a daughter of Noah Range Sr., who is mentioned below. To this union have been born the following children : Lulu, who married the Rev. John F. Black, and their children are Virgil, Evert, A'enton and Lois ; Wilma, who died in infancy ; Volney A., who married Miss Delia Burton, and their children are Harley Ells- werth and Lawrence Charles ; Francis Cecil, who died in infancy ; Gail, who married Aliss Lula Edmonds, and their only child is Bernice. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McCray were well educated in the dis trict schools of Le Boeuf township and in the educational institution at Randolph, New York. The eldest son is also a graduate of the Union City Business College, and Gail, the youngest son, is a gradu ate of the Mill Village High School. Mr. McCray and his son Volney are general farmers, apple growers and dairymen on the old McCray homestead, to which they have added forty acres. John Range Sr., the grandfather of Mrs. McCray, was commis sioned first lieutenant of the Fifth Company of the Fourth Battalion of York county militia April 5, 1778, during the Revolutionary war, but he had been in active service some time before receiving his com mission. He also fought in the French and Indian war with Lord Amherst's division of Colonial troops, and marching from Philadelphia through the northern wilderness of Quebec, Canada, he was present at the death of the brave General Wolfe and the defeat of the French General Montcalm on the plains of Abraham. After returning from the war Lieutenant John Range married Mandolin Shallas, a daughter of Debait Shallas, who owned a plantation with a stone grist mill, a stone dwelling and a saw mill on Little Corsewago Creek in Adams county, Pennsylvania, this having been conveyed to him by patent dated January 22, 1767, by Thomas and Richard Penn, one of whom was the governor in chief of the province of Pennsylvania. At his death it was willed to his daughter, Mandolin, wife of Lieutenant John Range, and it was there that the young couple located after the Revo lutionary war. Lieutenant John Range was the first white settler on the Alle gheny river in what is now Forest county, Pennsylvania, where he received a land warrant for services rendered in the war, and that was taken out in the name of Shallas Range, his eldest son. In 1808, with other soldiers, he went over and examined the county and lo cated with his family at what is now Tionesta in 1816. His land war rant was No. 511 and was dated May 17, 1785. He died in the year of 1826, and is the only soldier of the Revolutionary war buried in River side cemetery at Tionesta. When the British government made the war of 1812-14 necessary, John Range Jr., responded to the call, and when the Civil war was inaugurated he was one of the many of the Range family who reported for duty. In' the settlement of the United States from east to west, representatives of this family have inscribed their names as pioneers, and the name is recorded on the pages of the history of this country from the period of its earliest settlement to the present time. 376 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Hiram Beaman. The name of Hiram Beaman was long asso ciated with the business life of Erie county, his life's history forming a connecting link between its primitive past and later day advance ment. Although a native son of Massachusetts, he moved with his parents as a small boy to Jefferson county, New York, where he received his educational training and was reared to the life of an agriculturist. During an early epoch in its history he came to Le Boeuf township, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he bought one hundred acres of land in the wilderness, for this section of the state was then in its primitive state, but with the passing of time he cleared and improved his land and made his homestead one of the valuable ones of the township, residing there until his death. Before leaving Jeffer son county, New York, he married Aliss Polly Mack, who bore him the following children : Cashius, Agnes and Eugene, but the eldest died in infancy. All were born on the homestead farm in Le Boeuf township. Eugene Beaman has throughout his entire business life followed farming and dairying, and he now owns and operates the old place which was his father's home for so many years. On the 10th of Septem ber, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Etta Morey, a daughter of Nelson and Arilla (Range) Morey, from Tionesta, Pennsylvania. Ernest Eugene, the only child of that union, received his educa tional training in the district schools of Le Boeuf township and in the Waterford High School, which he attended until within a few months of his graduation. Since that time he has worked on the old homestead with his father, they together carrying on general farming and dairying. On the 16th of December, 1908, he was married to Miss Waive M. Patten, a daughter of Thomas Patten. She attended the district schools of Le Boeuf, Waterford and Union townships, and after her graduation from the Mill Village High School, she taught for one year in Crawford county. Ernest is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., at Mill Village, No. 349. Andrew H. Frisbee, one of the prominent and well known agri culturists of Le Boeuf township, was born within the borders of this township January 13, 1848, and is of Scotch descent. He is a member of a family that was founded in Erie county in 1795 by Calvin Frisbee, his grandfather, who came from Ballston, New York, to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and bought four hundred acres of land from the Heide Cooper Land Company in Le Boeuf township. This was during the pioneer epoch in the history of this community, when there were but a few families located within the township and when all was new and wild, but in time he improved his land and spent the remainder of his life there, rearing nine children. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Bloomfield, and was the first white child born in Bloom field township, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. The Bloomfields were of Scotch-English blood. Grixon Frisbee, a son of Calvin and Nancy (Bloomfield) Frisbee, was born in Le Boeuf township of Erie county, and he spent his entire life here and was one of the community's most prominent business men. He conducted a farm, general store and post-office, saw mill and oil refinery at Frisbee's Corners, southeast of Mill Village, and his saw mill was the first steam mill in this part of the country, and RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM L. BALDWIN HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 377 in the early days he rafted his lumber to Pittsburg. He lived a life of usefulness and honor and died in the year of 1864. His wife, be fore marriage Nancy Logue, was a member of a pioneer family of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and she was also born there, as were her parents, Robert and Peggie (Bole) Logue, born in the township of Venango. The Boles came originally from Ireland. Grixon Frisbee and wife reared ten children, but only two are now living, the daughter being Mrs. J. S. Ross, of Cambridge Springs. Andrew H. Frisbee, the son, obtained his education in the Le Boeuf township schools, and farming and dairying has been his life's occupation. His homestead farm contains fifty-two acres of rich and fertile land in Le Boeuf township. On the 28th of March, 1865, he •enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Vol unteer Infantry, for the Civil war, and served his country faithfully and well until his discharge June 29, 1865. He is politically a Republi can, and has filled the various offices of the township, and is a member of the fraternal order of Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Frisbee married on the 30th of September, 1879, Miss Jennie A. Catlin, a daughter of P. G. and Marguerite (Edwards) Catlin, natives respectively of London, England, and of Wales. Her paternal grandparents, John and Mary (Page) Catlin, were respectively from Suffolk and London, England, they having spent their entire lives in their native land, and the former died there at the age of ninety-seven years. Her maternal grandparents were Edward and Mary (Jones) Edwards, both from Corwen in North Wales, where they also spent their lives and died. Mrs. Catlin, the mother of Mrs. Frisbee, was but thirteen years of age when she left Wales for London, England, and there she was married to Mr. Catlin in 1848. In 1853 they came to America and located near Corry, Pennsylvania, which was their home until 1860, and from that time on their home was in Cambridge Springs, she dying there in 1890 and he in 1901. They reared four •children and three are now living. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frisbee, a son and a daughter. Roy Grixon, the elder, received a good education in the Mill Village High School and the Curry Commercial College at Pittsburg. He married Miss Matilda Dale, and their home is in Pittsburg, where he is chief clerk in the baggage department of the Union station. The daughter, Florence Marguerite Frisbee, received a musical education at Dana's Alusical Institute in Warren, Ohio, and in Oberlin College, and also at the Bartels College of Music at Mantua, Ohio. Mrs. Frisbee is a member ¦of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church at West Union. William L. Baldwin, a substantial and influential farmer of Amity township, Erie county, was born there April 5, 1847, and is a son of John C. and Marcia (Fields) Baldwin, the former born at Whitehall, New York, May 13, 1816, and the latter in Vermont, May 29, 1820. John C. Baldwin was a son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Towers) Bald win. By his first wife Ebenezer Baldwin had children as follows: John C, Ambrose, George, Hiram W. and Elizabeth. Ebenezer Baldwin married (second) Theresa Alurray, by whom he had three children, David AL, Ebenezer H. and Mrs. Betsey Lawrence. Mr. Baldwin died in 1839 and his widow died in 1863. John C. Baldwin removed to Erie county in 1835, and was married February 22, 1840. His children were : Mary 37 s HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY L., deceased; G. AAV deceased; Airs. Axcie Gross; William L. ; Airs. Amelia AA'ood, deceased; Airs. Sylvia A. Aladison, deceased; John B. ; George F. ; Ettie S. ; Eva E. and Addie L. John C. Baldwin died January 15, 1862, and his widow died November 22, 1902. AA'illiam L. Baldwin received his education in the local district school of his native town, and since that time has devoted himself to the pursuit of agriculture, in which he has been very successful. He owns one hundred and forty acres of fertile land, and makes a specialty of dairying ; of his thirty-five head of cows, thirteen are milch cows. Air. Baldwin makes use of the most modern machinery and appliances in the cultivation of his land. He is held in great confidence and esteem by his neighbors, and has served as township supervisor seven years, and township treasurer three terms. August 17, 1886, Air. Baldwin was married to Marion, daughter of John and Julia (Stowe) Allen, and to them were born children as fol lows : Choice, Alaude, Orville and Calvin ; the eldest daughter is attend ing Edinboro State Normal School, with a view of becoming a teacher and will teach in her home district. Airs. Baldwin was born in Amity township, Erie county, August 7, 1861. Her father, John R. Allen, was born in Delaware county, New York, November 22, 1831, and mar ried Julia Stone, December 30, 1858 ; he died in 1888, and his widow still lives in Union City, Pennsylvania. Air. Allen came to Erie county about 1848, served the township in various offices, and was a faithful, loyal citizen. He was a skilled mechanic, working at the carpenter and blacksmith trade, as well as conducting his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which his son Floyd E. now resides. His children were: Alarion D., Eliza J., Alinnie C. (deceased), Nathaniel J. and Floyd E. Politically Air. Baldwin is a Republican. Allen Ensworth. The Ens worth family was established in Erie county during an early period in its history, and the first of the name here was Tracy Ensworth, who came from near Boston. Among his children was Allen Ensworth, who established his home in Watts burg of Erie county in 1836, and he, with other descendants of Tracy Ensworth, became prominent in the public life of the county. Allen Ensworth learned and followed the blacksmith's trade, and he married and became the father of the following children : Loren, Dexter, James and Porter.Porter Ensworth was for many years a prominent business man in Waterford, and it is an authenticated fact that he at one time drew the largest salary of any traveling salesman that ever went out of Erie county up to that time. His death occurred in the year of 1896. Dexter Ensworth, the second son of Allen, continued his resi dence in Wattsburg until 1890, where he was both a hotel proprietor and a blacksmith, and from the time of his leaving Wattsburg until his death in 1900 he resided with his son, Frank E., in Waterford,. He had the following children: Frank E. ; Emory A., who was drowned when ten years of age ; Clinton D., who died in infancy ; and James Tracy. Frank E. Ensworth came to Waterford in 1867, and has since been engaged in business here as a jobber and merchant. In 1882 he married Aliss Mary A. Roberts, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Hill) Rob erts, who came to the United States from Scotland in 1845 and lo cated in Buffalo, New York. Charles Roberts died when his daughter HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 379 Alary was quite young, and afterward her mother and the remainder of the family came to Waterford in 1859, she following later with her grandmother. Her grandfather had died in New York a short time after their arrival from Scotland. A daughter, Annice Gertrude, has been born to Mr. and Airs. Frank E. Ensworth. Mr. Ensworth is a Mason and Shriner. Rollo AIcCray is the mayor of AVaterford,' the highest office in the power of his fellow townsmen to bestow, and he is also one of the city's leading business men. He was born in AA'arren county, Pennsyl vania, July 27, 1876, a son of William Alexander and Nancy F. (Copeland) McCray. The mother came with her four children to Waterford in 1884, when Rollo was a little lad of eight years, and he afterward attended the grammar school of this city and the AA'aterford Academy. During six years of his early business life he conducted a cheese factory here, and since that time he has been engaged in general mercantile pursuits, although his name did not appear in the present firm of Patten and McCray until 1906. During his residence here he has served as the town treasurer for one year, and as the mayor of AA'aterford elected in 1906, he has served his fellow townsmen well and favorably. He is a member and has for two years served as master of AAraterford Lodge No. 425, F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 974, and of the National Protective Legion, Lodge No. 915. He is liberal in his religious views and attends the services of the Episcopal church. The mother of Rollo McCray is also the mother of four other children, M. A. Patten, the Misses Ida and Lida Patten and Mrs. Stella Taylor. Henry Lytle, a grocery merchant in Waterford, was born in Le Boeuf township, on the 11th of January, 1842, a sou of Andrew Lytle, whose birth is also recorded in Erie county. The latter learned the tanner's trade in his early life, and conducted a tannery on his farm, for he was also a farmer, for about thirty years. He cleared his home stead of one hundred and fifty acres, and died in AVaterford, Pennsyl vania, in the year of 1876. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, in the commissary department, his grandfather served in the Revolu tionary struggle, his son fought for the stars and stripes in the Civil war, and he himself, served his full time in the state militia and rose to the rank of a lieutenant. Another member of this family was Cap tain Lytle, who was captain of Treemans Fort, a small fortress on the west bank of the Susquehanna river, which at that time was considered the far west. This French fort was captured by Captain McDonald, and his English and Indian soldiers, and its twenty-one men, all that were active soldiers, were taken prisoners, the women, children and lhe older men being allowed to go free, and they wandered' back east to New Jersey and New England states. The prisoners were taken to Canada, and four years elapsed ere Captain Lytle was returned to freedom. In the meanwhile his wife, who had received forged letters announcing the death of her husband, had married another, button the Captain's return the second husband fled from the law, he having been guilty of the forgery. Captain Lytle and his wife spent the re mainder of their days in Pennsylvania. 380 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Henry Lytle enlisted in 1862 for the Civil war and was assigned to Company E, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac. He took part in the battles of second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness and Peters burg, he having been wounded in the right leg at the last named engagement September 30, 1864. In July of 1865 he received his honorable discharge. He has been engaged in the grocery business in Waterford since 18.76, being one of the city's oldest and best known merchants. In politics he upholds the principles of the Prohibition party, but votes independently at elections. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church. T. AV. Barton, M. D. The Barton family for many years have been noted physicians and surgeons of Erie county, the name being synonymous with the medical profession here. The late T. W. Barton, M. D., of Waterford, was born in Weston, Windsor county, Vermont, in 1834, and was a son of Ira and Mary (Farrar) Barton, the latter from Vermont. Dr. Ira Barton was born at Hoosick, New York, March 24, 1796, a son of Timothy S. Barton, a Revolutionary soldier. Dr. Ira Barton after his graduation from the medical college at Castleton, Vermont, began practice in the western part of that state, from whence he moved to Massachusetts, and in 1836 came to Erie City, Pennsyl vania, and was in practice there for four years. Coming then to Waterford, he was a member of the medical profession here for forty years or more, gaining in that time a large practice and identifying himself prominently with the early professional history of Erie county. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, enlisting for that service when but a lad of sixteen years. Dr. T. W. Barton, a son of this well known Erie county pioneer, graduated from the Buffalo Medical College in 1862 and began the practice of his profession at Hartstown in Crawford county, Pennsyl vania, but in 1865 he left there and came to Waterford to form a partnership with his father, who retired from the profession in 1872. and his death occurred in 1884. The son continued on in the profession, and previously, in 1882, he had become associated with W. L. Kelly in the drug business, and was thus engaged until 1907, a few months before his death, which resulted from pneumonia. He died on the 15th of November, 1907, after many years of faithful and beneficent labor in the cause of his profession. He was a member of the Erie County Aledical Society, of the Shrine of the Masonic order, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Dr. Barton married on October 4, 1864, Miss Emeline White, a daughter of Dr. James White of Hartstown, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Louie, died at eighteen years, Shirley McLean, Mary G. and J. Lloyd. Dr. T. AA'. Barton resided at one time in Iowa, at Fort Dodge, and afterwards went with a party to lay out AA'ebster City. He was also one of the rescue party who went to Spirit Lake, and was there a few months. He served as one of the county officers when he was a resi dent of Iowa. Dr. J. Lloyd Barton is worthily upholding the family prestige in the professional circles of Waterford. Born in 1876, he received his education in the Waterford Academy and in the University of Pennsyl- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 381 vania, and is also a graduate of the medical department of that institu tion with the class of 1901. Since that time he has been in the practice of medicine in this city except during the school year of 1906-7, when he pursued special courses on the diseases of the eye in Philadelphia. Through his father's able influence, he became examiner for the United States Life Insurance Company within one year after his graduation, which was an exceptional case, for the company de manded five years of experience on the part of their examiners before they were eligible to the office. He practiced with his father until the death of the latter, and he is now filling his place with exceptional skill and ability. During his college life he was a member of the William Pepper Medical Society. Dr. Carl Kirschner is a native of York county, Pennsylvania, born on the 19th of March, 1878, and is the only child of George and Elizabeth (Albreth) Kirschner. His father was of an old Virginia family of German blood, and his mother a native of one of the Rhine provinces, at the time of her birth a part of France. Previous to the commencement of the Civil war, George Kirschner migrated into Penn sylvania, and served throughout that conflict in the Union army. It is somewhat remarkable that, although he passed through it alive, his five brothers who fought in the Confederate ranks were all killed. The father survived until 1878, dying when Carl was only nine days old. Following this bereavement, the widow returned to her old home in Europe with her infant son. But in the meantime, through the fortunes of the Franco-Prussian war, her home had become German soil, and the mother lived there with her own mother until her death, which occurred when the boy was but six years of age. As an orphan, he then became the charge of the German government and received his education at the State Gymnasium located at Eisnach, from which he was graduated in the special course in chemistry in 1896. In that year he returned to the United States and pursued special courses' at the School of Technology and Temple College, Philadelphia, and then became a private in the regular army, seeing service in both Porto Rico and the Philippines. Returning to the United States, he entered the Medico Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, graduating there from in the class of 1903. Dr. Kirschner's first practice was at Erie, as interne at the Hamot Hospital, and after serving for ten months in that capacity engaged in general professional work at the corner of Eighteenth and State streets. In February he completed his residence and office at No. 1821 French street, which have since been the centers of his professional activi ties and his social and domestic life. In 1908 the doctor was elected a member of the city school board, and, as a fraternalist, is affiliated with the Odd Fellows, Elks and Foresters. Dr. Kirschner's wife was formerly Miss Ruth Hausman, who is a daughter of Plenry and Lissetta (Loesel) Hausman and a granddaughter of Michael and Anna (Jacobi) Loesel, all of whom are old and highly respected citizens of Erie, which is the birthplace of Mrs. Kirschner. Dr. and Mrs. Kirschner are the parents of a daughter, Marion, who was born in 1907. Seth D. Feidler, who during many years has been numbered among the business men of Waterford, was born in the city of Erie, Pennsyl- 382 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY vania, April 7, 1851, a son of Samuel D. and Lucinda (Weidle) Feidler, natives respectively of Lancaster and Erie counties, but their families were both from Lancaster county. Samuel D. Feidler was a miller and operated for many years the Erie City Mills, while later he was the proprietor of the Bear's Mills in Fair View township, remaining at the latter place until his death. His wife died in the year of 1883. In their family were three children, two daughters and a son, but of the former the elder is deceased, and the younger resides in Erie county. Seth D. Feidler, the only son in the family, received a good educa tion in the Waterford Academy, and in his early life he learned the brick and stone mason's trade. He is now the local agent for several machinery companies, and has also done some farming, his home being now on a valuable little tract of four acres within the city limits of Water ford. Mr. Feidler wedded Aliss Submit Phelps, July 4, 1872, and ten chil dren, seven sons and three daughters, were born, as follows : Forrest Floyd, resident of Waterford, wedded Miss Lulu Graves and they have two sons — Sidney in high school, and Forrest; Fannie Fern, wife of T. H. Shutters of Dicksonburg, a butter maker and they have one daughter, Reva ; Fayette Ford, city clerk of Danville, Illinois, wedded Miss Force and had two children, Robert and Fayette Garth ; Ferland F.,a boot and shoe salesman in Erie, married Elizabeth Colberg, and has one daugh ter, Helen Louise; Garth Phelps (deceased); Thora Estelle, wedded Elmer D. Maycook of Waterford, who is a farmer, and has two children, Josephine and Seth ; Lawrence, a salesman in Waterford ; Theodore B., at home. Mr. Feidler is a member of I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 964 and Mrs. Feidler is a member of the Maccabees; Mr. Feidler was tax col lector for twenty-two years and constable for the same length of time and chief of the fire department for twenty years. He has been very efficient in the service of his country and town. Albert Lieban, deceased, was for many years identified with the business interests of Erie, and he spent his entire business career as a salesman for the Alower Bakery. He was born in Saxony, Germany, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Frederick and Hannah Lieban, but in 1849 the family came to the United States and estab lished their home in Erie, on Tenth street between French and Hol land. But later Frederick Lieban bought a farm in Mill Creek town ship, and there he spent the remainder of his life. Albert Lieban married in 1874 Miss Wilhelmina Niemyer, a daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina Niemyer, who came from Germany in 1851 and located at the corner of Eighteenth and State streets in Erie, where Mr. Niemyer for a time was a hot house gardener. Later he was located on Parade street, and still later he became an agricultur ist in Greene township. To Air. and Mrs. Albert Lieban were born four children, John and George, both now deceased; AVilliam, a salesman; and Frank, who follows agriculture. John Lieban, the first born son, was during his business life a bookkeeper, and he married Miss Bertha Kisher, who bore him two children, Lenora and Marion. In 1903 Mrs. Albert Lieban and her son Frank moved to their farm of one hundred and sixteen acres in Greene township, where they are now engaged in dairying, gardening and general farming. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 383 Francis J. Kilbane. Among the prominent and successful agri culturists of Erie county is numbered F. J. Kilbane, who was born November 23, 1855, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Turkington) Kil bane, who came in their early lives from Ireland to the United States, and locating in New York they were married there in Erie county. From Brant, New York, they came to Erie county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1856, and locating in what was then McKean township but which later became a part of Waterford township, they purchased one hundred acres of land. Their farm at the time of purchase was covered with timber, but in time they cleared the land and evolved a splendid home from the wilderness. There the wife and mother died in 1891, and in the following year of 1892 Mr. Kilbane left the farm and now lives with a son-in-law, Coyt Seymour. On his parents' old farm homestead in Waterford township, F. J. Kilbane grew to sturdy manhood, receiving meanwhile his education in the nearby schools, and from the period of his school days until his marriage he was variously employed. Then turning his attention to agricultural pursuits in December of 1895 he bought the farm in McKean township where he now resides. His present estate of one hundred and twenty-five acres was formerly the property of a Mr. Whiteman, who purchased it from a Mr. Burnet, and at his death it passed to the White- man heirs and a portion fell to Robt. Hanna, who married a Miss White- man and she died. Mr. Kilbane bought his land from Miss Hannah Smith. He fol lows a general line of farming, and has been very successful in his chosen vocation. He married, January 30, 1883, Miss Emma Iona Osborne, a daughter of Gilbert and Elmira (Thomas) Osborne, who were among the early pioneers of Waterford township. The children of this union are : Charles E., at home with his parents ; Dorothy, who was married in January, 1909, to Frank Woods ; Chauncy D., a student at the Edinboro State Normal ; Bertha, who died when young ; and Homer Leroy and Virgil Dewey. Mr. Kilbane is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Waterford, and of the Protected Home Circle. He is a stanch Republican. Alson M. Butler, who, except for a short period, has been con tinuously engaged in farming in McKean township for more than thirty- two years, is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, born on the 20th of December, 1853. He is a son of Oscar and Hannah (Randall) Butler, both of whom were born in New York state. In 1862 the father enlisted in the One Hundred and Twelfth New York Infantry, and served therein until the close of the war. Ezekiel, the great-grand father, was long a captain on the high seas, and the grandfather, Abel, served in the war of 1812. " The paternal grandmother of Mr. But ler was Polly (Morgan) Butler, and his maternal grandparents were Elisha and Amy (Brown) Randall. After the Civil war Oscar Butler, the father, continued farming in New York till about 1905 when he moved to Conneaut, Ohio. He is the father of the following children : Clarence, who studied art in Paris for several years, is now a successful member of his profession in Boston, and married Mrs. Harriet E. Friat; Emma, who became Mrs. Taylor and the mother of Bertha and Alson ; Eugene, who married Miss Lulu Randall ; Alson M., of this sketch ; 384 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Julia, who married Gaylord Millard and became the mother of Clyde and Carl — the former marrying Mrs. Edith (Ward) Johnson and the latter, Miss Eva Risley, who bore him a daughter, Julia; Ernest, who married Miss Lois Foster — his first wife bearing him Ethel, Gladys, Lois, Oscar and Laverne — and, after her death, he wedded Miss Ada Austin, who became the mother of Eugene, the parents now residing in Madison county, New York; Lilian, who by her marriage to George Wellman has become the mother of Mada, Merle and George ; and Edith, who is the widow of a Mr. Lewis and the mother of Mildred. A. M. Butler, of this biography, has followed farming from his early youth, migrating from his New York home to Conneaut, Ohio, in 1877, when he was twenty-four years of age. He soon located in Erie county, however, and has since confined his agricultural pursuits to this section of the state, with the exception of a short time that he spent in Kansas. Mr. Butler's wife was formerly Miss Jennie L. Drown, daughter of John and Elvira (Grant) Drown (for. mention of whom, see sketch of C. B. Russell). Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Butler have become the parents of the following : Ruby D. and Rollo, who are now students at the Water ford high school, and Hazel, living at home. Mr. Butler is a Republican. Air. Butler's great-grandfather, Capt. Ezekiel Butler, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John W. Veith, a well known farmer of McKean township, is a member of that substantial pioneer family which was established therein by his grandparents in 1843. The ancestors named, John C. and Rachael Veith, were both born in Germany, and in that year settled on a farm of fifty acres, which was partially improved before they finally located in Fairview township. There they passed their last years on a fine country homestead of two hundred acres. The nine children of the family were : Wilhelmina, born in the fatherland in 1833 (all the others being natives. of McKean township) ; Jacob, born in 1835, who became a millwright; Christian, born in 1836, who became the father of John W., and was a farmer and a Union soldier; Mary, born in 1838; Caroline J., in 1840; Gottlieb, a farmer of McKean township, who was born in 1842 ; George, who was born in 1844 and died in infancy ; William, born in 1845, and Louisa, in 1848. Christian Veith married Matilda Lininger, whose par ents, John P. and Christina, established the family homestead in Summit township at a very early day. John W Veith, of this sketch, was born in McKean township, July 30, 1863, and received his education at the Reed school at South Hill. The earlier period of his mature life was spent in farming and threshing, the latter business covering seventeen seasons. He then sold his farm, spent nearly a year in California and in 1900 returned to McKean town ship, where for the succeeding seven years he operated a saw and grist mill and a cider factory. At the conclusion of this business period he purchased the farm of sixty-three acres which he now conducts and is his homestead. On September 26, 1900, Mr. Veith married Miss Millie Blount, and they have one child, Dorothea. Although a member of the I. O. O. F Lodge No. 937, at McKean, Mr. Veith is a man of domestic tastes, and usually finds an outlet for his sociability through the family circle and his individual friends. He is a Republican in politics. Robert James Wade. Noteworthy among the more enterprising and wide-awake business men of Edinboro, Erie county, is Robert James RESIDENCE OF CHARLES D. ALLEN HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 385 Wade, owner and manager of a planing mill, which he is conducting with most excellent results. Industrious and thrifty, honorable in his dealings, he is meeting with unquestioned success in his work, and holds high rank among the citizens of worth and value. A son of William Wade, he was born February 23, 1849, in Canada, where he grew to man's estate. William Wade, born in England, came to America when young, and after his marriage with Margaret McDade, a native of Canada, set tled in that country permanently. At the age of seventeen years, Robert James Wade came with one of his brothers to Erie county in search of work. Locating in Edin boro, both entered the employ of William R. Lewis, with whom they re mained eight years, working in his planing mill. Becoming familiar with the management of the business, they then ' bought out Mr. Lewis, and for a quarter of a century carried on milling under the firm name of Wade Brothers, during that time being, likewise, interested in farm ing. Buying out his brother's share of the business in 1901, Mr. Wade has since conducted it alone, keeping both mills in operation, and carry ing on a very substantial and lucrative business. Mr. Wade has been twice married. He married first, May 21, 1871, Mary J. Reeder, a daughter of J. C. Reeder, of Edinboro. She died in early womanhood, a few years after her marriage. Mr. Wade married second, Mary E. Reeder, a daughter "of Samuel and Lydia (Graham) Reeder, and grand-daughter of Job Reeder, one of the early pioneers of Erie county. Job Reeder, born in New Jersey, came in 1798 to Erie county, locating on the farm formerly occupied by Samuel Reeder, but now the home of Thomas Glitton. On March 1, 1800, he married Nancy Campbell, who was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1783, and came to this part of the state in 1798. Six sons and six daughters were born of their union. Job Reeder cleared and improved a home stead, and at one time had title to five hundred or more acres of land in this vicinity. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a Whig in politics, and in religion was a stanch Presbyterian. He died November 2, 1852, at a ripe old age. His wife survived him, passing away in April, 1870. Samuel G. Reeder, Mrs. Wade's father, was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Washington township, making his home, with the exception of ten years spent in Michigan, in Erie county. He died in Edinboro, September 2, 1901. Air. and Mrs. Wade are the parents of one daughter, Nettie Victoria, who graduated from the Edinboro Normal school in the class of 1904. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. Charles D. Allen is one of the worthy farmers of Venango town ship, and this calling has been his life's occupation. He began for him self as a renter, but it was not long until he was able to own a farm, and since 1885 has been the owner of one of the finest estates in this part of Erie county, a fertile and well improved farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Venango township. The land is well adapted for dairy purposes, and it is improved with substantial and commodious buildings. His life of energy, perseverance and well merited success is worthy of emulation, and his name is an honored one in the business circles of the community. Vol. 11—25 386 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Air. Allen was born in Wattsburg, Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1857, a son of Stephen and Louisa (Smith) Allen, both of whom were from Albany, New York, and they came to Erie county before the birth of any of their children, probably in the year 1835. Their eight children were: Ellen J. Blaksley, Matilda (deceased), Loretta (deceased), Alice James, Louisa (deceased), Stephen (deceased), Charles D. and Polly Potter. The father died in the year of 1868 and the mother survived until 1908. In Alay, 1879, Charles D. Allen was married to Miss Belle May, who was born in Harbor Creek township, Erie county, in 1857, a daugh ter of Wallace May. The eight children of this union are: Lottie, the wife of Charles Morgan; Bertha, Mrs. E. Moore; Myrtle, the wife of Lynn Smith; Dennis, who married Aliss Grace Doolittle January 6, 1909, and she taught school previous to her marriage; Inez, a teacher in the public schools ; Dora and Nora, twins ; and Alinnie, the wife of R. Buch anan. Air. AAllen is a sound Republican. Harry G. Nye. Actively identified with one of the more impor tant factors in aiding the progress, not only of town, county and state, but of the world in general, Harry G. Nye has made a study of electricity, which is destined in time to revolutionize nearly every industry, art, profession and science, but which is now but little known, comparatively speaking. He is a skilful electrician, and has worked in many parts of our country, but is now residing in Edinboro. A native of Erie county, he was born July 2, 1869, in Washington town ship, a son of Prince and Harriet (Crumb) Nye, of New York state, who bought land in this part of the county in 1850. He comes of thrifty New England stock, his paternal grandfather having been born and bred in Massachusetts. Receiving his early education in the Swift District School, Harry G. Nye subsequently fitted himself for electrical work by study and work. Having gained some knowledge and experience while living at home, he subsequently continued his work in various states, traveling through Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, a large part of the time while thus engaged being foreman of either a telephone or telegraph gang of workmen, although for awhile he had supervision of the electrical department of the J. M. Guffy Petroleum Company. Returning to his home county in 1906, Mr. Nye' has since been employed in his particular line of work in Edinboro and vicinity. In the spring of 1909, he bought fifteen acres of land near Edinboro, where, although he continues his electrical work, he resides. He intends to devote himself to the raising of fruit, and the growing of poultry, expecting in these industries to find some profit, and much pleasure. Air. Nye married Mrs. Jessie E. (Covey) Shadduck, a daughter of Charles and Jennie (Eggleston) Covey. Mr. Covey was born and bred in New York state. He married Jennie Eggleston, who was born in Spring Creek, Pennsylvania, and came with her parents, Artemas and Adaline Eggleston, to North East, Erie county, about 1850. Mrs. Nye's great-great-grandmother was a sister of Commodore Perry's father. Mrs. Nye was graduated from the North East Academy with the class of 1886, and then taught school for two years, after her studies at the Edinboro Normal school, which she attended a year and a half. Mr. Nye is a man of prominence and influence in fraternal circles, belonging HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 387 to many of the leading organizations of the county, including the Pro tected Home Circle ; Edinboro Lodge, No. 510, I. O. O. F., of which he is noble grand; the Daughters of Rebekah; and I. B. E. W. Mrs. Meyers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has been, these sixteen years. Earl D. Bates can take a just pride in knowing that his ioo-acre farm in McKean township is one of the most thoroughly cultivated and valuable in this section of the county; for, with the exception of a few years, he has resided upon it for nearly half a century, or since his father sold his woolen mill at Sterrettania, and turned to his forest farm as the chief means of the family support. Earl D., who was then a }roung man of twenty-six years and just married, vigorously swung the axe, as well as actively cultivated the land, and finally had the satis faction of letting in the sunshine to every acre of the fertile soil and of seeing the former wilderness blossom into a comfortable and attractive homestead. His proprietorship in the homestead which his own family has now occupied and loved for so many years therefore carries with it both pride and many pleasant recollections. Mr. Bates is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, born Feb ruary 21, 1834, and is a son of Alpheus and Welsie (Howard) Bates. In September of the following year the family settled at Sterrettania, McKean township, where the father established a carding factory, which was transformed into a woolen mill in 1840. After he had operated it, with fair success, for twenty years, he disposed of plant and business, buying then the 200 acres in the forest which, in the transformed state of a modern country homestead, is now owned by the son, its virtual creator. Earl D. has lived and labored thereon since 1860, with the exception of six years which he spent at McKean and Mill villages. For fourteen years his work was largely devoted to the raising of produce for the Erie market, but since then he has followed general farming and horse raising. In 1860 Mr. Bates wedded Miss Mary J. Marsh, daughter of Wilson and Margaret (Miller) Marsh, who migrated from Nova Scotia in 1829 and settled in Otsego county, New York. In 1837 they came to Mc Kean township, their original homestead of fifty acres being subse quently increased to one hundred and fifty. The journey from Otsego county to Erie county was by no means "smooth sailing;" for when the family reached Buffalo they were detained at that port for a week by the ice, and when they finally arrived at Erie were obliged to use both wagon and sled before they were landed at their destination in McKean township. Once there, they fixed their home in the midst of a forest, and diversified their standing meat diet of wild game by sending some mem ber to Erie, each fall, for the purpose of making a haul of fish. The Marshes were a long-lived family, Wilson Marsh not dying on the farm in McKean township until he had reached the age of eighty-two years ; and he was the son of a mother who did not pass away until she was well into her one hundred and fifth year. Eleven children were born to Air. and Mrs. Wilson Marsh, and of this number eight were school teachers in Erie county, two of the daughters beginning this phase of their life when only fifteen years of age. Mrs. Bates herself, who was educated in the county schools, commenced to teach when she was seventeen ; after three terms finished her mental training in the city of Erie, and then 388 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY taught nine terms before her marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bates at tended the old-fashioned log school house, of which one description ap plies to all, and the former recalls the interesting fact that he has wit nessed the rise of the third structure on the site of the crude building which he first attended about sixty-seven years ago. This venerable and honored couple have not been blessed with children, but have blessed the lives of others by rearing ten little ones who had been left without pro tectors of flesh and blood. It should be one of the most soothing com forts of their old age to realize that in this, as in all else, they have prac tically followed the precepts of their Christian Master, who took little children in his arms and blessed them with such manly pathos. Robert Brogdon. One of the well known business men of McKean is Robert Brogdon, whose birth occurred in the mother country of England on the 14th of May, 1876, and he is a son of William and jane Ann (Hamilton) Brogdon, all of whom were born near the town of Hexham. In 1880 the family came to the United States, and locating first in Erie, Pennsylvania, they lived there for one year and then moved to AA'aterford township in Erie county. There Mr. Brogdon, the father, is yet living, and although by trade a stone mason, he has for some years past followed farming. Robert Brogdon spent his boyhood days in Waterford township, receiving his educational training in its public schools, and in the city of Erie he learned the blacksmith's trade. In March of 1905 he came to AlcKean, and he has since been prominently associated with its business life and interests as a blacksmith. He married in October of 1904, Miss Susan A. AVade, a daughter of Frank and Charlotte Wade, who were numbered among the early settlers of Corry, Penn sylvania, and they are now living in Erie. To the union of Air. and Mrs. Brogdon have been born two children, William AA'ade and Frank Leroy. Air. and Mrs. Brogdon are members of the Alethodist Episcopal church, and he is identified with the fraternal order of Odd Fellows in McKean and with the Brotherhood of St. Paul at Erie, and both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. Mr. Brogdon is a stanch Republican. John O. Baker, formerly a prominent contractor and builder of Erie, established himself in business in 1847, and was actively con nected with same until 1907, since which time he has retired from active life. He was born in Essex county, New York, September 23, 1826, and is the son of Charles and Almira (Hunt) Baker. Charles Baker was also carpenter and builder, and a successful business man; he had eleven children, five of whom are living, namely: Georgia, Lydia, Charles J., Jane and John O. John O. Baker received his education in his native state, and in 1833 removed to Erie, where he learned the trade of boat building, and continued in this business until the substitution of iron and steel as materials for the larger boats made such a decline in his business that he began also to build houses, in connection with his other busi ness. His son Fred AA'. has now succeeded to his business. In 1863 Mr. Baker volunteered in the United States Navy, as ship's carpenter, being first assigned to the gunboat "Osage." Later he was transferred to the monitor "Neosho," which was commanded by HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 389 Capt. Samuel Howard, who had served as volunteer pilot of the Monitor, which defeated the Merrimac, in their historic struggle. Mr. Baker served twenty months, being mustered out in 1864. Some years since, at a military encampment, he had the surprise and pleas ure of meeting the only known living members of the expedition up the Mississippi in which he took part, namely: Bragg, Humphrey and Develing. In this meeting were recalled many conflicts and en gagements in which these veterans had taken their honorable part. Mr. Baker is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic ; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has a large circle of friends. Some years since Mr. Baker served as member of the city council, of Erie, and he also served as assessor for the Fourth ward. Air. Baker married, June 7, 1849, Mary A., daughter of John and Ellen Alay, and to this union have been born children as follows: Ellen A., now Mrs. Henry Leiter; Frank H., deceased; Frank, de ceased; Fred W. ; Lois M., now Mrs. Charles M. Loesel, and John E., a pattern maker. Cassius L. Alexander. Among the representative citizens of Corry, is Mayor Cassius L. Alexander, who has for many years been engaged in business as an undertaker, and who was elected mayor of the city of Corry, in February, 1909, for a term of three years, being then only thirty-four years old. He was born in Wayne township, Erie county, the place in which the birth of his father, Robert Alex ander, occurred, August 11, 1837. His grandfather, James Alexander, was born in Mercer county, where his parents located as pioneers. Learning the carpenter's trade in Mercer county, James .Alex ander went to Erie county when young, and after working there a few years as a carpenter settled in Wayne township, where he was employed as a tiller of the soil until his death, while yet in manhood's vigor, in 1849. He married Clarissa Yeager, who was born in Wayne township, Erie county, a daughter of Daniel Yeager. A native of Chenango county, New York, Mr. Yeager removed from there to Erie county, Pennsylvania, going with teams through the forest, part of the way following the path by means of blazed trees. Buying a tract of land in the timber, he took possession of the cabin built by the former owner, and at once began the Herculean task of redeeming a farm from the forest. Industrious and enterprising, he succeeded well, and in the course of a few years built a commodious frame house on the turnpike leading from AVaterford to Columbus, which, although but a small village, was the nearest market for farm produce. In ad dition to farming, he made shaved shingles, which he sold at prices ranging from $1.121/2 to $2.00 per thousand. He lived on his home stead, esteemed and respected by his neighbors and friends, until his death at the venerable age of ninety years. Mr. Yeager married Polly Cole, a native of Chenango county, New York, and she, too, lived to a good old age. Mrs. Clarissa (Yeager) Alexander died when but fifty- five years of age, leaving six children, as follows : Mary Jane, Rob ert, Daniel, Nancy, Clara, and Alice. Left fatherless when a boy, Robert Alexander began when young to assist his mother in supporting the family, and when twelve years old began working out as a farm hand, receiving at first three dollars 390 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY a month wages, and continued thus employed until twenty-five years of age. Embarking then in business on his own account, he at first rented land for farming purposes. Aleeting with all of the success that he had anticipated, he soon bought a tract of fifty acres of land, nearly one-half of which was under cultivation, and began its further improvement. He erected frame buildings, cleared the greater part of the land, and at the end of fifteen years sold at an advance. He subsequently purchased another farm in AA'ayne township, not far from his first purchase, and there resided twenty-three years, until 1905, when he moved to Corry. During that time he made improve ments of an excellent character, building a brick house and a frame barn, his estate ranking as one of the best and most valuable in the county, his land being unsurpassed for richness and fertility. Air. Robert Alexander married, in 1862. Sarah AI. Dutton, who was born in Otselic, Chenango county, New York, April 5, 1846, a daughter of John Dutton, a native of the same town. Richard Dutton, the great grandfather of Air. Alexander, was born, as far as known, in Otselic, and was there reared and married. Later in life he removed with his family to Chautauqua county, New York, travelling in true pioneer style with teams, taking all of his household effects with him. One of the original settlers of Clymer, he bought a tract of heavily timbered land, and on the farm that he wrested from the wilderness spent his remaining years. In 1847, John Dutton, who was reared and educated in Chenango county, and there took unto himself a wife, came to Erie county, bringing with him his wife and children, and settled in Wayne township. Buying land, on which a small patch had been cleared, and a log house erected, he commenced the arduous task of improving a farm. He began life there with a pair of oxen and one cow, and but little of anything else. Ambitious and courageous, he was prospered in his undertakings, clearing a good farm, and in the course of a few years replacing the humble log buildings with substantial frame ones. After occupying the farm a number of years, he removed to Corry, where he lived retired until his death, at the age of sixty-one years. The maiden name of the wife of John Dutton was Alary Ann Raymond. She was born in Otselic, New York, a daughter of Lewis and Annie (AA'hitford) Raymond, and died at the age of forty-four years. Four of her children grew to mature life, namely : Marcia, Lurancy, Dar win, and Sarah M. Air. and Mrs. Robert Alexander reared seven children, namely: Alary A., John, Daniel J., Florence, AA'ard. Cassius L., and Harry. Cassius L. Alexander received an excellent common school edu cation, and soon after attaining his majority engaged in the under taking business, in which he has met with good success. Air. Alex ander married Alalinda Cody, and they have one child, Alargaret. Public-spirited and progressive, he has always taken much interest in local affairs, and served two terms as a member of the city council. Joseph R. Pope, M. D. A man of marked ability, practical and thorough in his manner of investigating and treating the various diseases to which his attention is called, Joseph R. Pope, AL D.. of Corry, is eminently fitted for the general practice of medicine, and, it is needless to say, has met with well-deserved success in his pro fessional career. He was born, Alay 9, 1849, in Halifax county, North HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 391 Carolina, which was also the birthplace of his father, Jacob R. Pope, and of his grandfather, Jacob Pope, the former having first seen the light of this world on Alay 3, 1821, and the latter in the year 1778. He is of English descent, the emigrant ancestor having come from Eng land to the United States in colonial days, locating in Virginia. An extensive land owner, Jacob Pope was prosperously employed in agricultural pursuits during his life, carrying on his large planta tions with the help of his slaves. He spent his entire life of three score years in his native county, passing away in 1838. His wife, Rosa Bradley, also a life-long resident of North Carolina, attained the remarkable age of ninety-seven years. She reared eight children, as follows: Sarah, Priscilla, Alary, William, Elijah, Jacob R., James, and Joseph. Inheriting a portion of the parental acres, Jacob R. Pope carried on general farming on a somewhat extensive scale for some years, having the assistance of slaves until they were freed. He spent his entire life in his native state, living in Halifax and Edgecombe coun ties, his death occurring in 1887. The maiden name of his wife was Alartha F. Parker. She was born in Edgecombe county, North Caro lina, and died in 1898. Her father, Richard Parker, a contractor, builder and farmer in Edgecombe county, married Mary Turner, also of North Carolina. Nine children blessed the union of Jacob R. and Martha F. Pope, namely : Reboniam, Mary, Joseph R., Samuel, Charles A., Elijah J., Elizabeth, Rosa, and Martha. Obtaining his early education in the school supported by his father and the neighbors, Joseph R. Pope remained beneath the par ental roof until the early part of 1865, then, although not yet seven teen years of age, voluntarily took the place of his father in the South ern army, the Confederate government having called upon the re serves, in which his father's name was enrolled. Going with his com mand to Greensboro, North Carolina, Mr. Pope was stationed in that vicinity, doing guard duty, until after the surrender of Lee, being in that city when President Davis passed through. Shortly after that time, he, with three or four hundred of his comrades, started on foot for home, a distance of two hundred miles, and at the end of two weeks reached his destination. Continuing his studies, Mr. Pope at tended the Horner Classical and Mathematical College, in Oxford, North Carolina. Graduating from that institution, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Charles O. Gregory, of Halifax county, after which he attended a course of lectures at the University of Virginia, and was subsequently graduated from the Bellevue Medical College, in New York City. Beginning the practice of his profession in his native county, Dr. Pope met with undisputed success from the first, remaining there until 1901, when failing health forced him to make a change. In seeking a more congenial climate, the doctor located in Corry, where he has since been in continuous practice, having by his skill met with great success, his patronage now being extensive and remunerative. Dr. Pope married, in 1881, Adelaide Futrell, whose birthplace was not far from his, in Halifax county. Her father, Henry Futrell, was a native of North Carolina, while her mother, whose maiden name was Caroline Amanda Hartcock, was born in Virginia. The doctor and Mrs. Pope are the parents of seven children, namely: Ruth Frances, 392 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY wife of Randolph Turner, of Virginia; Grace Amanda; Eva H. ; Rich ard Hunter; Annie Mary; Joseph M. ; and Jacob Carl. Dr. Pope and his wife were reared in the Missionary Baptist church, and have al ways adhered to that faith. Fraternally the doctor is a member of Corry lodge, No. 365, F. & A. M. ; of Scotlandneck Chapter No. 27, R. A. AI. ; of Clarence Commandery, No. 51, K. T., of Corry; and of Jonathan Lodge, No. 685, I. O. O. F. Jerome B. Kitts, one of Summit township's prominent agricultur ists, was born in Denmark, Lewis county, New York, on the 3d of October, 1848, a son of Nelson and Angelica (Brower) Kitts, both of whom were also born in the Empire state, the father in Denmark and the mother in Herkimer county. In the year of 1860 they came to North East in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and there followed farming until moving to AA'isconsin in 1865. But after nine months in that state they returned to North East, and from there in January of 1868 they came to Summit township and bought the Jay L. Way farm, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Kitts dying there on the 13th of April, 1891, and his wife on the 29th of March, 1883. Their union was blessed by the birth of three children : Delevan, Jacob and Jerome B., but Jacob, the second born, died on March 15, 1896. Jerome B. Kitts completed his educational training in the North East Academy, and his life's work since that time has been farming, his estate at present comprising thirty-nine and a half acres in Summit township. He married in 1880 Miss Helen L. Bean, a daughter of William A. and Hulda (Norris) Bean, the father born at Nashville, Tennessee, June 3, 1814, while the mother was born on the 16th of March, 1824, and they were married on the 11th of September, 1848. Mr. Bean had come to Erie county about 1840, and he secured one hundred acres of timber land on the old French road between Erie and Waterford, and there in addition to his general agricultural pursuits he also followed butchering quite extensively. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Kitts were Co lonel B. F and Roxena (Lee) Norris, who were numbered among the earliest of the pioneers of Summit township. They secured land on the old Waterford pike just midway between Erie and Waterford, and as his house stood upon the natural watershed a part of the rain that fell upon it reached the Gulf of Alexico and a part, the Great Lakes. At that historic old place Colonel Norris conducted a tavern and fol lowed farming. He as well as the grandfather of Mr. Kitts, Jacob F. Kitts, were soldiers in the war of 1812, and the latter was also num bered among the heroes of the Revolutionary struggle. On his mother's side Mr. Kitts' ancestors suffered from the early massacres of the Revolutionary period. The following children were born to Mr. and Airs. Bean: Benjamin B., born December 1, 1849; Erie Anna, who was born Alay 8, 1851, and died June 17, 1894; William Pierce, who was born on August 21, 1853, and died on June 6, 1859; Helen Ellda, born Alarch 21, 1855; Reginald F., born September 3, 1856; Roxa Dean, born January 11, 1858; Wilber R., who was born January 15, 1859, and died June 21, 1868; Esquire C, who was born in May, 1860: Alartin Ellsworth, born August 25, 1862 ; Alfaretta F., born February 8, 1864; and Leo London, born December 18, 1866. Ray S., the only son and child of Mr. and Airs. Kitts, was born on the 5th of May, 1881, and on April 4, 1908, he was united in marriage 'THE ORCHARD FARM," RESIDENCE OF MRS. MILDRED JOHNSON HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 393 to Miss Carrie Volkman, of McKean township. He is engaged in the restaurant business in the town of McKean. He is a Modern Wood man and also a member of the I. O. O. F. in McKean. Air. Kitts is a Democrat and he has been township treasurer, road commissioner and school director. Mrs. Kitts is a member of the Universalist church. Willard C. Johnson, late of Venango township, was one of the most intelligent and prosperous agriculturists of this part of the Western Reserve, and during his active career, which was passed in this vicinity, he won for himself an enviable reputation as an honest man and a good citizen, and as one who contributed his full share toward the ad vancement of one of the finest counties in the state of Pennsylvania. A son of Giles Johnson, he was born, in 1852, in Venango township, and died on his farm in 1908, his death being a cause of general regret. He was of pioneer descent, his grandfather, James Johnson, having been an early settler of Erie county. James Johnson married a Miss Robbins, and they became the parents of five children, Wilton, John, Giles, Betsey, and James. Giles Johnson married Melvina Willard, a native of Venan go township, Erie county, and they reared three children, namely: Wil lard C, Clinton, the first-born child, and Byron. Having received a good common school education, Willard C. John son began farming, and finding the occupation both congenial and profitable made it his life work. He first purchased land in Greenfield township, where he was successfully employed as a tiller of the soil until 1897. Coming then to Venango township, the place of his nativity, he "bought the farm now operated by his widow and sons, and was there successfully employed in his chosen pursuit until his death. The farm •contains one hundred acres of rich and fertile land, capable of support ing thirty cows, the dairy at the present writing, in 1909, consisting of twenty-seven cows. Mr. Johnson diligently improved his property dur ing his active life, his farm, with its substantial buildings, being one of the most valuable and attractive in the neighborhood, giving ample evi dence to the passer-by of his skill and good taste as a practical farmer and a rural householder. He was always interested in local affairs, and served as township treasurer, and as school director. He belonged to the Grange, and was a member of the Protected Home Circle. Mr. Johnson was twice married. He married first, May 7, 1877, Addie Oakley. She died March 31, 1891, leaving six children, namley: Jesse H., who married Alice Siegle and has one little son, Howard C. ; June W. married Maude Cowley; Lois Melvina, wife of S. Cardott, of Greenfield township ; G. D. ; Don C, who married May English ; and L. James. Mr. Johnson married second, December 16, 1891, Mildred Hayward, a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, and of their union four children were born, namely: Jerrold, Ethel, Otis and Addie. Mr. Johnson was a Democrat politically. The Johnson homestead of which ;a view is presented is named "The Orchard Farm." John J. Painter. During many years Mr. John J. Painter has been identified with the business interests of Erie county, and he is now -engaged in farming in McKean township. He was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1851, and his parents, James and Mary (Irvinj Painter, also had their nativity in that county, and there the mother died. The husband and father passed away in Texas. To 394 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY James and Alary (Irvin) Painter were born three sons and one daughter: John L, the eldest; Joseph, resident of Elk county; Arvilla, wife of Edward Hartman, resident of Forest county; and William, a resident of Elk county. John J. Painter spent the first six years of his life in his native county of Clarion, and then moving with the family to Forest county, he was educated there. Later on he went to Elk county, where he taught school, and from there came to McKean township and engaged in the oil business. Some time later he moved to the city of Erie, where for three years he followed the butchering business, and then worked in the Alarket House until he came to AlcKean township and purchased thirty acres of land and has since been identified with agricultural pur suits. On the 9th of August, 1876, Mr. Painter married Aliss Alary Gard ner, whose early home was near Niagara Falls, New York. He is an honored and valued member of Irwin Lodge, No. 1100, I. O. O. F.. of Erie ; a member of Heneosis Adelphon Encampment No. 42 at Erie ; also a member of the Canton at Erie and has been delegate to the grand lodge several times. At present time he holds the office of financial sec retary of his lodge and has been in charge of this office for twenty-two years. Both he and his good wife are active members of the Rebekahs. Henry E. Veith, who was born in McKean township on the farm where he still resides with his widowed mother, is of a good and sub stantial German family which became connected with the agricultural interests of Erie county, sixty-six years ago. His grandparents, John Christian and Rachael (Noadell) Veith, were both natives of the father land, and settled in the township in 1843. There John C. purchased, cleared and improved about fifty acres of land; afterward located in Fairview township and in the latter section of the county became the owner of two hundred acres of fine farming property and otherwise at tained substantial standing as a citizen. To him and his good wife were born the following: Jacob, in November, 1835, who was a well known millwright ; Christian, a farmer, who was born in 1836 and served in the Civil war ; Gottlieb, father of Henry, in 1842 ; George, who was born in 1844 and died in infancy; William (youngest of the sons), who was born in 1845; Wilhelmina, the first child, was born in Ger many in 1833 ; Mary, the second daughter, born in June, 1838 ; Caroline Jane, in January, 1840, and Louisa, in July, 1848. The maternal grand parents were John P. and Christina Lininger, and at an early day they settled in Summit township, Erie county, where they established a family homestead through the usual pioneer methods of clearing the land of the forest, grubbing the stumps, plowing up the stubborn sod and tree roots, and erecting, year by year, the needful buildings and other im provements. Gottlieb Veith, the son, inherited some of the advantages of this hard and faithful work of his sturdy parents, and by added years of labor on his own part finally purchased the ninety-five acre farm to which he gave his constant and skilful care until his death in 1905. In his early manhood he had married Miss Alatilda Lininger, a native of Summit township, and the seven children born to them were Clark, Albert, John, Henry, Alanning, Emma and Cassius Veith. As stated, Henry E. Veith was born on the old farm in AlcKean township, the date of his birth being December 8, 1868, and since the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 395 death of his father has been managing the estate and caring for his mother. He is actively identified with the fraternal and secret work of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 937, in AlcKean, and is highly honored both for his own stable traits of character and as the representative of a substantial pioneer family of Erie county. Both Mr. Veith and his mother are members of the Lutheran church at AlcKean. Henry S. Cutler. Throughout nearly his entire life Mr. Cutler has been identified with the life and interests of Erie county, and since attaining to years of maturity he has been one of its leading business men, well and prominently known as a hotel proprietor, farmer and stockman. He was born in Rutland, Vermont, in 1832, but only six years after his birth, in 1838, the family came to Girard in Erie county, and from here after a time moved to Crawford county of this state. There his parents, Gilbert and Sarah (McConnell) Cutler, spent the remainder of their lives and died. They had been hotel proprietors there for many years. In 1865 Henry S. Cutler came to Edinboro and entered the hotel business, and this city has ever since remained his home. He is variously interested in a business way, owning various farming prop erties near the city, and making a specialty of the breeding of fast horses, of which he has raised many fine specimens, and he has proved a decided success in this line. Mr. Cutler married in 1874 Miss T. T. Spencer, and they have a son and a daughter, Allie and Frank, both of whom are graduates of the Edinboro State Normal. The daughter is the wife of Harry Cooper, and they have one child, Dorothy Ruth. Mr. Cutler is a Re publican and a Mason. Stephen K. Tallmadge is a member of one of the first families to seek a home within the borders of Erie county, and its founder here was his paternal grandfather, Elisha Tallmadge, for many years one of the county's prominent agriculturists and business men. He was born in Connecticut, and it was about the year of 1795 that he came to Erie county. Here he shortly afterward purchased two hundred acres of land in what is now Summit township, but later he traded that prop erty for two hundred acres in McKean township, which he cleared and improved. Among his children was a son James, who became the grand father of Stephen K. He was born in Dutchess county, New York, December 22, 1773, and coming with his parents to Erie county he remained one of its faithful and honored citizens until his death. He had the distinction of bringing the first seed wheat into the county, it having been brought from Buffalo, and he served his country well and faithfully as a soldier of the war of 1812, and he had the honor of help ing to erect the block house in Erie. He married on the 12th of Sep tember, 1797, Rachael Kinsey, a native daughter of Bucks county, New York, and she survived her husband and died on the 24th of January. 1866. Mr. Tallmadge passed away in death on March 24, 1855. Stephen K. Tallmadge was born at the old family homestead in McKean township on June 15, 1814, and on the 12th of December, 1843, he was married to Sallie Gulliford, who was born in Pennsylvania Feb- 396 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ruary 26, 1826, and their union was blessed by the birth of five children. Thomas W., the second child, was born in McKean township on the 3d of November, 1847, received his education in its public schools, and since leaving the school room has been identified with the work of the fields. His estate contains four hundred and eight acres of well cultivated and fertile land, and he follows a general line of farming. He married on the 26th of January, 1871, Aliss Nettie C. Morey, a member of another of the prominent old families of Erie county, and one son was born to them, Myron J. Tallmadge, whose natal day was the 2d of April, 1872. Alyron J. Tallmadge received his educational training in the district schools near his early home and in the Edinboro State Normal, and for four years after the completion of this training he taught school. Pre ferring an agricultural to a professional life, he then turned his attention to farming, and has since been engaged along this line, at the present time owning and operating a valuable estate of one hundred and forty acres in AlcKean township. On the 22d of February, 1897, he was united in marriage to Aliss Helen Peffer, and their children are Alta May and Harry Woods. Air. Tallmadge is a stanch Republican. William Coburn, who is living on his valuable farm near McKean, in retirement and ease, is a son of the Empire state, born on the 5th of January, 1835. He is a son of Hezekiah and Dorcas (Frances) Coburn, also of New York, and when a young boy was brought by his parents to the family farm in AlcKean township. The father cleared the mod est tract of land which was thenceforth to be his homestead, and spent the remaining years of his life in its cultivation and improve ment. AArilliam Coburn, the son, has followed in the paternal foot steps, and has prospered both as a farmer and an honored citizen. Mr. Coburn's wife was, before her marriage, Miss Katherine Ann Caldwell, and the children born to them have been as follows: Ida, who married Harvey Johnson and died as the mother of Clare, Carl and Charles ; Marilla, who is the wife of De Forest Johnson and has borne him Mamie, Ralph, Holden, Ruth, Florence, Perry, Alargaret, Paul and Choice; and Reed Coburn. The last named is engaged in the retail meat trade and in farming at McKean. He was married November 9, 1902, to Miss Rethie Johnson, of Union City, Penn sylvania, who is a daughter of Mark and Rose (Hill) Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Reed Coburn are the parents of Dorothea and Lloyd. Willard F. Pifer was born on the farm in Washington township on which he now resides, and he is a member of two of the oldest families of Erie county. On the paternal side his grandparents came to this country from Germany, and locating in Massachusetts they later drove from there with ox teams to Pennsylvania and established their home in the then wilderness of Washington township, Erie county, while on his mother's side he also represents a family which in an early day made the journey with ox teams from the east to Erie county, and arriving here after a long and adventurous trip they located just south of where the city of Erie now stands. There they built the stone house which is yet standing, but after a time they left that place and moved to a farm in LeBoeuf township. These families were united by the marriage of Davis Pifer and Elizabeth Cline, both of whom were born in Massachusetts and lived HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 397 long and useful lives, dying respectively at the ages of eighty-six and eighty-two years. Davis Pifer bought the farm of one hundred acres in Washington township, near Edinboro, which is now the home and property of his son Willard, but at the time of the purchase this land was in its virgin wildness and he was obliged to clear away its dense growth of timber ere he could cultivate and improve his fields. He lived and labored there for many years, and from there was finally called to his last resting place. He was first married to Elizabeth Culberson, who bore him the following children who reached mature years : John, AA'illiam, Mary, Ellen and James. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Elizabeth (Cline) Lawyer, the widow of Solomon Lawyer, who was drowned in French creek in 1846 while crossing in a skiff. Three of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lawyer, Henry, Alary and Anna, grew to adult age, and two children were born to Air. and Airs. Pifer, Willard and Alma. AVillard F. Pifer, born June 5, 1851, has spent his entire life at his present home. His valuable estate now contains two hundred and fifty acres, all of which are fertile and well improved. Fie married on the 25th of October, 1873, Miss Katherine Rockwell, and they have had three children, Dora, Elvey and Emmet, and they also have an adopted son, Thomas. The elder daughter, Dora, married Burnett Alitchell, of Cambridge township, Crawford county, and they have a son, Kenneth. Elvey married Joe Maxon, a railroad employe in Con neaut, Ohio, and they also have a son, Charles Leslie. Emmet mar ried June Kline, and Thomas is yet at his parents' home. Air. Pifer is a Democrat. He is a member of I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 510, of Edinboro, and he has passed all the chairs and was a delegate to the grand lodge. Mrs. Pifer is a member of the Presbyterian church at Edinboro. Philip Kinter. Both by direct descent and maternal connections, as well as through his wife's family, Philip Kinter, a farmer of sub stantial income and high character in Washington township, is identi fied with the pioneer agriculture and institutions of Erie county. His grandparents, Philip and Susan Kinter, came hither from Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, at a very early day, and first located on a farm in Franklin township. At a somewhat later date the paternal grand father took up twelve hundred acres of land in Washington township, then mostly covered with forest, but since cleared, cultivated to' the modern limit, and divided into several productive and beautiful farms. Philip Kinter, the grandfather, made away with many acres of the huge forest trees himself, working and dying with contentment on his original purchase; his grandson, the Philip Kinter, of this sketch, is the owner and occupant of a portion of the old homestead. The father, John Kinter, owned one hundred and seventy-five acres of the old estate, dying on the farm where he was born. By his marriage to Miss Alvira Crow he became the father of seven children, all of whom were also born and reared on the dear old place. This is the birthplace of Philip Kinter and he was educated in a district school of the neighborhood, having, since his youth, either farmed on the paternal place or on his own property of fifty acres. On January 7, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma McGahen, daughter of Theron and Hannah (McGahen) McGahen, 398 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY both early settlers of Erie county. Her paternal grandparents, George and Elizabeth AIcGahen, were natives respectively of Canada and AA'estmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and located in AArashington township as early pioneers. Her maternal grandfather was also a Canadian and the grandmother a native of Westmoreland county, and likewise became settlers of the township at a very early day. These children have been born to Air. and Mrs. Philip Kinter, as follows : Tunis and Blanche, died when about a year old ; Bertha be came Airs. Roy Simpkins, of Edinboro, and is the mother of Ward Philip Simpkins ; Nellie, a school teacher, educated in Edinboro Nor mal school and three years a teacher ; and Aluriel, graduated in class of 1908, and at home. Air. Kinter is a true blue Republican. Gardner Edward Peck. A retired farmer of Harbor Creek town ship now residing at AAresleyville, Gardner E. Peck comes of unusually patriotic ancestry. His mother's grandfather, Zebelon Bidwell, of East Hartford, was a brave captain in the Revolutionary war and was so severely wounded at Saratoga Springs, New Y^ork, that shortly after that engagement he died of his injuries. Among the heirlooms most treasured by Air. Peck is a silver band worn by this patriot at the time he received his mortal wound. Air. Peck's parents were Zal- mon E. and Mary (Bellows) Peck, both natives of Fairfield, Connecti cut, and the grandfathers on both sides of the family were Edmund Peck and Isaac Bellows. The father, Zalmon E. Peck, was a farmer and school teacher of Harbor Creek township and was thus engaged when he responded to the first call for troops in the Civil war and enlisted in AIcLane's regiment for the three months' service. He only reached Pittsburg on his way to the front before his short term ex pired, then returned to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he joined the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment for the two years' service. At the conclusion of this period he was honorably discharged and after re maining at home for a year, again entered military life by joining the Seventh United States Infantry then stationed at Fort Schuyler, New York. After a year he was transferred with that command to St. Augustine, Florida, where he remained until his final discharge in 1867. The elder Air. Peck became a resident of Harbor Creek town ship in 1834 and with the exception of the few years of his military services continued to farm in that locality until his death in 1878 at the age of sixty-eight years. Llis wife passed awav in 1893, aged eighty-seven years. Gardner' E. Peck, of this sketch, was one in a family of two boys and three girls ; was educated in the district schools of Harbor Creek township ; reared on the old homestead and remained with his parents until his marriage in 1872. Soon afterward he removed to Butler county, where for two years he was employed in various oil develop ing enterprises and then returned home and engaged in farming. To the original sixty acres which he received from his father he has added eighty acres and devoted the entire tract to dairy farming until his retirement in comfortable circumstances in 1905. In that year he rented his farm and removed to AA'esleyville, where he erected one of the finest and most modern residences. Although he is retired from active work, he still takes a deep interest in public affairs and especially in the improvement of the public highways of the locality, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 399 having served as road commissioner since 1902. In politics he is a Re publican and has always thrown his influence toward the best prog ress of the public school system, having served as school director for nine years. On February 6, 1862, Mr. Peck married Miss Sarah Adelaide Shadduck, also a native of Harbor Creek township, born May 1, 1847, daughter of George and Sarah Amanda (Bellows) Shadduck. Her father was a native of Greenfield township, this county, but her mother was born in Cortland county, New York, where her family has been long established. The paternal grandparents were Joseph and Betsy (Willard) Shadduck, the former being a native of Connecticut, and the maternal grandparents, Isaac and Mary (Crowfoot) Bellows, na tives of New York. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner E. Peck were as follows : Zalmon, who died in 1878 before his sixth year; Leslie G, a practicing attorney of Erie, Pennsylvania, wedded Miss Edith J. Bole and has two children, Leslie E. Jr. and Donald B. ; Luella, who became Mrs. Clio King and died in March, 1906, at the age of twenty-seven years ; and Almina, who married Rev. Arthur Sangston, a Baptist clergyman of New Bethlehem. She was educated in instrumental music, especially as a violinist, at Buffalo, Hill's Music School in Jamestown, New York, and Dana's Music School, at Warren, Ohio. William J. Stafford, a well known citizen of McKean township engaged in general farming and dairying, was born in that section of Erie county, September 12, 1858. He is a son of Pliny A. and Polly (Hird) Stafford, the former (deceased) having been born in McKean township and the latter in Chautauqua county, New York. The pa ternal grandfather, Job Stafford, married Phoebe Arthur, both being New Hampshire people who settled in McKean township about 1800. Before coming to that locality they spent a short time in Mill Grove, but finally purchased two hundred acres of land in the wilderness of what is now McKean township, immediately north of the farm now owned and occupied by William J. Stafford. The grandfather spent his active life on the farm, and then retired to McKean, where he became one of the early postmasters and a most respected pioneer citizen. The father was born on the old McKean township farm, but in his manhood purchased one hundred acres near Branchville, dying on that homestead during 1865. At the time of his death he had cleared part of his farm and made other improvements which had already made it quite a valuable property. The maternal grandpar ents of Air. Stafford were David and Betsie (Quigley) Hird, who, at an early date, came from Chautauqua county, New York, and bought the land at Branchville, Erie county, which became the homestead on which they spent the remaining years of their lives. William J. Stafford, of this sketch, received his education in the district schools of McKean township, and has always been engaged in general agricultural pursuits or dairy farming. He now devotes a fine ten-acre tract to these purposes. He is a Republican, and among the local offices which he has held is that of township clerk for sev eral years. His fraternal affiliations are as a member of the Independ ent Order of Odd Fellows, Commodore Perry Lodge No. 937 at Mc Kean, and both he and his wife are Rebekahs. Air. and Mrs. Stafford 400 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church at McKean.. October 3, 1881, Air. Stafford married Miss Ida C. Bayle, daughter of Niram and Phoebe (Tuckey) Bayle. Her father bought the farm, which is now the Stafford homestead, and there followed farming and butchering until he retired to McKean, where he still lives. A daugh ter, Flora, was born to Mr. and Airs. Stafford, and she died in 1901, her decease just at the time when she was developing into the fair promise of young womanhood being a severe blow to them. We ap pend herewith a short biography. Aliss Flora Stafford, the only child of AArilliam J. and Ida C. Stafford, and the only grandchild of Air. and Mrs. N. N. Bayle and Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Stafford, deceased, was born near AlcKean, Erie county, August 28, 1882, and died April 9, 1901, after a protracted ill ness of nearly four months, borne by her without murmuring. Flora was a dutiful, modest and beloved daughter, bringing nothing but comfort to father, mother and grandparents. She was a young lady much beloved in the community by young and old, her Sunday School class especially lamented her death most deeply. To the bereaved . family and friends there is the blessed comfort of her sweet, true life which shall go on influencing for good, and the precious hope of meet ing her again when this life's short day is past. The funeral was held in the Alethodist Episcopal church at AlcKean, Friday, April 12, 1901, and her mortal remains were laid to rest in McKean cemetery. Royal B. Searls. One of the veteran farmers and saw mill oper ators of Erie county, Royal B. Searls, of Harbor Creek township, who is now operating a fine farm on the shores of Lake Erie, also has the honor of faithful service in the United States Navy during the Civil war period. He is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, born on Christmas day of 1837, being a son of Luther P. and Sarah Ann (Ellis) Searls. His father was a son of the Green Mountain state and his mother was born in the pictur esque country near Lake Champlain, New York. His grandparents were- Luther and Chloe (Manly) Searls, the grandfather coming from Ver mont to Erie county, about 1814, driving overland in a wagon and finally settling one half mile south of Harbor Creek station. There he resided until 1836 when he sold his property and removed to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, but he had become so attached to his original farm that one year later he repurchased it and passed the last clays of his life upon it. Affter their marriage the parents of Royal B. located at Erie where the father was first employed at his trade as a tanner. In after years he became connected with the steam boat business and was acting as oiler for the "Erie" when it burned to the water's edge off Silver Creek, caus ing the death of its five hundred emigrant passengers with the exception of twenty-nine who were saved as if by miracle. iAmong the latter was Luther P. Searls himself who clung to his post of danger and was the last man to leave the boat. In 1854 he located at Harbor Creek where he purchased and conducted a farm as well as a saw mill and tannery. The last years of his life were spent in retirement, his home being with Royal B., of this sketch, and his death occurring March 7, 1896. His wife had died at Harbor Creek in 1881. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Luther P Searls were as follows : Royal B., of this sketch ; John died January 25,. 'S^yiJipwiiipii r- — ^/£^^rtz^^e^ S.f fc~JL^j£ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 401 1909, was an inmate of the National Soldiers' Home of eastern Ten nessee; he enlisted in Erie in Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry in 1862, was there over three years and was in a number of battles, and civil en gineer ; and Frank, a resident of Rochester, New York, for fifteen years. Royal B. Searls received his early education at the academy in Erie and resided at home until January 14, 1864, when he went to New York City and enlisted in the United States Navy, being assigned to the steamer "Galatea." In this capacity he served for one year at Cape Hayti, being discharged January 14, 1865, at the navy headquarters of Brooklyn, New York. He remained at home until his marriage Decem ber 25, 1867, and as this was his thirtieth birthday he has always ob served it as a double anniversary. After his marriage Mr. Searls moved to Harbor Creek township and after renting a farm for about a year set tled upon the paternal homestead where he remained for about ten years. He then purchased twenty-eight acres in Greene township, cultivating the land but never making it his residence. Six years later he removed to Crawford county where he purchased a tract of timber land and con ducted a saw mill. This line of business was so congenial to him that upon his removal to Chautauqua county, New York, he continued in that line and conducted saw mills there in various places in that section of the state. In 1892 he purchased sixty-eight acres in the northeast part of Harbor Creek township bordering on the shores of Lake Erie and has since improved this tract into a profitable farm both for the raising of fruit and general crops. Throughout all of these business and agricul tural transactions he has remained a steadfast Republican and been deeply interested in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, being now a member of Post No. 67, of Erie, Pennsylvania. As stated Air. Searls celebrated his first marriage December 25, 1867, his wife, formerly Miss Adelaide Stiveson, being born near Rome, New York. The children of this union were : Myrtie, who became Mrs. Bun- Phillips and died about 1887 ; Ettie, Mrs. Alfred Haynes, a resident of Toledo, Ohio ; Mamie, who married James Messenger, a resident of Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, and is the mother of Royal E. and Florence Alberta Messenger ; and Burr, who is still living at home. Mrs. Adelaide Searls died in March, 1891, and Mrs. Searls' marriage to Miss Emma S. Kinsinger occurred December 25, 1899. His wife is a native of Amity township, Erie county, and a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Bargain) Kinsinger, her father being born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and his wife in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The paternal grand parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Lantz) Kinsinger were natives of Ger many and of the maternal grandparents, John and Susanna (Shaffer) Bargain, the grandfather was a native of Ireland, and the grandmother of Germany. Mrs. Searls was educated in the common schools. Charles F. Rockwell, deceased, was for many years one of the most influential and best loved men of the town in which he lived — Girard, Pennsylvania. He was born at Wilton, Connecticut, February 13, 1826, son of Philander and Elizabeth (Fitch) Rockwell, who were natives of that state, and who died there, leaving a family of nine chil dren, of whom Charles F. was the third in birth. He grew up under the care of his sister. At the age of sixteen he began clerking, and for three years worked for his board and clothes. When he was nineteen he borrowed $13, and went to New York City, where he was employed as clerk in a retail grocery store, at $75 and board for the first year, Vol. 11—26 402 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY and the second year his wages were increased to $10 per month. After ward he worked in a wholesale house, where, in addition to his board, the first year his employer gave him his note for $100 ; the second year, $300, and the third, $350. Also for a time he was employed as book keeper in a wholesale and retail dry goods house. Out of his small salary during these years he managed to save a portion, and in 1852, having accumulated about $500, he came to Girard and engaged in mercantile business, opening up with a $5,000 stock. By good manage ment and careful attention to business, he made a success of his under taking, and conducted his store for many years, up to 1882, when he sold out. After that he became interested in the Girard Wrench Manu factory, one of the largest establishments of its kind in the world, in which he held an interest, and with which he was actively connected as general manager until the time of his death, which occurred at Girard, August 26, 1908. While Air. Rockwell was devoted to his business, and worked early and late to achieve the success which he enjoyed, he found his chief pleasure in his home, surrounded by his family. He married, in New York City, July 29, 1849, Miss Eliza J. Bessey, a native of Connecticut, and the fruits of their union were four children, two of whom are now living. Emma, widow of Carlton G. Luce, resides with her mother and has three children, Fred G, who wedded Miss Helen Hall of Girard, William C, and Ella R. The other daughter, Ida, who married \\r. W. Hart, is also a widow, and she, too, resides in Girard, with her children. Her eldest daughter Eva, is the wife of Frank Peters, of Girard, and has one little son, William Hart Peters ; the other children of Mrs. Llart's are May, Bessey, Rockwell C. and AVilliam Lynn Hart. During the period, covering more than half a century, in which Mr. Rockwell lived in Girard, he was a prominent factor not only in the business life of the town, but also in church and social circles. It was under his directions that the old Universalist church was remodeled and made into an attractive and imposing structure. He was a regular attendant upon church service, and even up to the last Sunday of his life it was his privilege and pleasure to be in his place at church. Like most leaders in a community, he was a man of few words. He was a man of deeds. He avoided display in his acts of kindness and in his deeds of charity, but he gave freely of his means to the poor and needy. His life, crowded with its various activities, was rounded out with the pleasures of travel. At different times he visited many parts of the L'nited States and frequently made trips into Canada. In the death of Charles F Rockwell, Girard lost one of its oldest and best citizens. His widow, who for nearly sixty years traveled life's pathway with him, has long been active in church work, and in various ways has taken a deep interest in the welfare of the community. It was largely through her influence and support that Girard was able to obtain the beautiful library, of which the town can now boast. AA'illiam F Gray, who operates a fine fruit farm about one mile north of Harbor Creek, is a native of the township of that name, and was born December 9, 1858. He is a son of John and Jane (Martin) Gray, both natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. His grandfathers on both sides of the family, Robert Gray and James Alartin, were also both born in that country. His parents married in Ireland and reached Flar- bor Creek township, this county, on the 7th of July, 1847, at once locat- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 403 ing on the timber farm of forty-seven acres which the husband had pur chased. This he cleared, cultivated and improved for the balance of his life, dying April 1, 1883, his wife dying November 20, 1896, the mother of eight children. William F. Gray, of this review, is the youngest of seven sons and he attended the district schools of the neighborhood and resided with his parents as long as they lived, faithfully assisting his father in clearing his land and in the improvement of the family homestead. He is now the proprietor of a fine fruit farm, three acres of which are cultivated to grapes and the balance chiefly to apples, pears and plums. He is un married and is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church and in pol itics, a firm Democrat. Frank Blaine Crawford is one of the best known business men of North East township and a member of one of the county's oldest and most honored families. In company with his brother, William T., he in 1880 took charge of the old Crawford farm of ninety-eight acres, and about five years afterward they set out thereon six acres of vineyard. the nucleus of their present large business. Each year since that time they have added to their vineyard until it now covers one hundred and fifty-five acres, and in addition the brothers are large land owners, own ing ninety-eight acres in one tract, one hundred and forty-eight acres in another and one hundred acres in still another place, and of this large acreage what is not used in their grape culture is devoted to general agricultural purposes. They ship from their farms about 2,000 tons of grapes, every year, and they are both extensive buyers and shippers. In 1893 they built a large warehouse, with a capacity of two cars a day. Frank Blaine Crawford was born in the township of North East June 3, 1865, a son of Thomas Childs and Ruth A. (Wilcox) Crawford, both also from this township, and a grandson of William and Nancy (Blaine) Crawford. Thomas. C. Crawford was a farmer throughout life, and of the family of three sons and two daughters Frank B. was the youngest born. He married on the 15th of September, 1908, Mary Wilcox, the widow of A. W. Connor, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is a Re publican politically and served three years a member of the city council of North East. He is a member of the fraternal order of Masons, Lodge No. 399, and of the Presbyterian church. Andrew Jackson, long an active farmer of Harbor Creek township who retired to Wesleyville during the last few years of his life, was a native of Delaware county, New York, where he was born August 12, 1839. His parents were Luther D. and Martha (Alorrison) Jackson, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York City. The grandfathers on both sides of the family were Meeker Jackson, of an old New England family and Mr. Morrison, a native of Ireland who became acquainted with his future wife on his way to the United States. The later generations of the Jackson family transferred their agricultural labors from Connecticut to Delaware county, New York, where, as stated, Andrew Jackson was born. He received a good education in the home schools of his county finally graduating from the Delhi high school and being the next oldest of the seven children his parents largely depended upon him to assist them in the support of the household. The result was that he resided at 404 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY home until his marriage in 1860. After that event he took up his residence in Delaware county, New York, where he remained for seven years and in 1872 located in Waterford township and purchased a good farm upon which he resided with his, family until 1897. In that year he disposed of his property and settled at Wesleyville where he purchased a com fortable home in which he passed his last days, dying June 17, 1900. To the last he was a faithful member of the Baptist church. On June 5, 1860, Mr. Jackson married Miss Ellen J. Bishop, a native of Ulster county, New York, June 19, 1842, a daughter of John and Jane Eliza (Van Gaasbeek) Bishop. Her parents were also both born in Ulster county, New York, the maternal family being of old Dutch stock. The father was an honest and successful farmer and removed from Ulster county to Greene county, New York, where he died July 6, 1854. He was born August 12, 1810, and had therefore not reached his forty-fourth birthday. His wife, born February 7, 1814, died August 25, 1854, in the forty-first year of her age. The children born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson were as follows: Alary E., born January 12, 1862, who is now Mrs. Frank Barton, residing in Waterford township ; Elmer, Alarch 31, 1863, who lives in Union township; Charles, Alarch 5, 1865, and now residing at Erie City; Harvey D., April 26, 1867, living in Denver, Colorado; Julia Stella, April 16 1869, died as an infant August 12, of that year; Frank L., born February 7, 1874, a resident of Wesleyville; and Fred, who was born Alay 7, 1876, and also resides at that place. Judge J. B. Cessna, a well known member of the Erie county bar and a leading resident of the city of Erie, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1840. His great-grandfather, John Cessna, was a member of the convention which framed the constitution of Pennsyl vania in 1776. He also served for three terms as sheriff of Bedford county, being elected in 1779, 1781 and 1783. At the time the colonists, aroused by the continued encroachments of the British government upon their liberties, took tip arms against the mother country he joined the American forces and served as a major in the Revolutionary war. Later he was with General Washington in suppressing the whisky in surrection of western Pennsylvania. He represented one of the oldest families of that state, his grandfather having arrived in Pennsylvania in 1690 — a Huguenot seeking freedom and liberty. William Cessna, father of Judge Cessna, was born in Pennsylvania in 1800 and died in Bedford county in 1864. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Morgart, was also a native of the Keystone state, born in 1789. She was of German lineage and died in 1860. For a long period she had been a prominent member of the old-school Baptist church and was a fluent writer on church topics, contributing many articles to. the newspapers and magazines of her faith. Unto William and Rachel Cessna were born eleven children, six of whom are yet living. One son, Hon. John Cessna, was for three terms speaker of the Pennsylvania house of representatives and for three terms repre sented the Eighteenth district of the state in Congress. Judge Cessna, the youngest of this family, acquired His early educa tion in the public schools and afterward attended the Allegheny Male and Female Academy at Rainsburg, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he was graduated from the Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 405 Pennsylvania, in July, 1864, and a year afterward was admitted to the bar in Bedford county, having thoroughly qualified for the practice of law. He then followed his profession in Bedford and other counties until April, 1885, when he removed to Hastings, Nebraska. He had been admitted to practice before the supreme court of Pennsyl vania, Alay 15, 1868, and on the 26th of January, 1876, was admitted to practice before the United States supreme court on motion of the Hon. Jeremiah Black. Before his removal to the west Judge Cessna was connected with a number of very important cases, notably that of Noble vs. The Thompson Oil Company. This case was in the courts for fifteen years and the original decision had been reversed by the Pennsyl vania supreme court before Judge Cessna became interested in it. On the third argument a judgment obtained in the court below was unani mously affirmed ; it was then taken to the supreme court of the United States, Judge Cessna being connected with the case as counsel for the plaintiff in the court below and defendant in error. In March, 1879, the case was decided in favor of the defendants in the United States supreme court by a divided court, four judges for affirmation and four against, the court writing no opinion. The case involved fifty thousand dollars and was of great legal importance, as many intricate points were in controversy. Judge Cessna was also concerned in another very important case in the oil regions between Thompson, Noble and Dele- mater, the amount involved being over one hundred thousand dollars. In the west he was employed on a number of cases that attracted wide spread attention, including the Keedle case contest in the United States supreme court of private land claims to recover( a very valuable tract of land in New Mexico worth several million dollars. This suit was in stituted by the heirs of John G. Heath by virtue of a grant of land made to him by the Mexican government in 1821 under the reign of Iturbide and was one of the most important cases in litigation in recent years. Judge Cessna was successful in winning the suit for his clients in the first trial but when it was taken to the higher courts lost. He acted as attorney for C. L. Jones against the railway company jn an important case in Illinois— a case to recover triple damages for illegal charges of freight under the railroad law of Illinois. The case resulted in a judgment in favor of the plaintiff's claim, after which appeal was taken to the supreme court of the United States, but the claim was paid before the case was reached for argument. Some forty or fifty similar cases were commenced in the court below and one or two were tried and ver dicts given the defendants, while others were settled and compromised npon the payment of costs, Mr. Jones being the only party to recover judgment. While in Hastings, Judge Cessna also made a specialty of land and equity suits, yet did not exclude general practice save in the branch of criminal law. Since coming to Erie in 1905 he has engaged in general practice and has secured a fine clientage. He is an independent thinker, deriving his information when practical from original sources, and is widely recognized as a hard working, industrious lawyer, always giving every question thorough and careful investigation and going to the root of every controversy or point involved in the litigation in which he is concerned. He is a sound, careful and reliable counselor and has been very successful in his chosen life work. He convinces by his con cise statements of law and facts rather than by word painting and so 406 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY high is the respect for his legal ability and integrity that his assertions in court are seldom questioned seriously. Judges and clients also re spect him for his careful counsel. Whatever he does is for the best in terests of his clients and for the honor of his profession and no man gives to either a more unqualified allegiance or riper ability. On the 12th of June, 1872, Judge Cessna was married to Miss Kath arine LIrsule Brown, of Erie, Pennsylvania, and they have two living sons, AV Brown and Reon B. The former was for a number of year's with the Barber Asphalt Paving Company at Detroit and now holds a responsible position with the Alonarch Company at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He married Mis,s Ida Smith, of Nebraska. The younger son, who wedded Aliss Alary Edmunds of Hutchinson, Kansas, is also connected with the Alonarch Company of Council Bluffs. While Judge Cessna has been a resident of Erie for but a comparatively brief period, he was at least to some extent known in the city ere he located here and since his arrival his personal qualities and his comprehensive knowledge of the law have carried him into important social and professional rela tions. He stands as a splendid representative of the bar and throughout his practice has been most careful to conform to a high standard of professional ethics. While he gives to his clients the service of great talent, unwearied industry and rare learning, he never forgets that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self respect and, above all, to justice and a righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success permits him to dis regard. F. William Schultz is influentially associated with the commercial life of the city as proprietor of the South Erie Tea Company, his place of business being on the corner of Twenty-fifth and Peach streets. He established the enterprise in 1895, prosperity attending the venture from the outset so that now he owns the block wherein is his trading stand. So honorable and praiseworthy have been his methods of transacting business that he enjoys an extensive patronage and is thereby numbered among the leading and reliable merchants in his commercial department in the city. Close attention to the various details of the business, a firm resolution to succeed reinforced by constant application and the faculty to see opportunities and use them, explain the secret of the steady growth of his enterprise and of the position he occupies in business circles. Mr. Schultz, as the name implies, is of German extraction, the Schultz family having arrived in this country in 1846. In that year his grandparents, Valentine and Alargaretta (Adams) Schultz, repaired to Connecticut and thence, after a few months' residence, or in 1847. settled in Erie. The grandfather possessed considerable means and purchased much property in the neighborhood of Twenty-sixth and Sassafras streets, where he erected his private residence. The old dwelling still stands as one of the city's landmarks. Fie owned the property constituting the site of St. Vincent's Hospital, on Sassafras street, and sold the entire tract to Rt. Rev. Bishop Young for thirty-five hundred dollars. Originally the plot had been utilized for cemetery pur poses but. as the city expanded westward, the cemetery was abandoned and the site chosen as an ideal one for a hospital. This plot of ground which was sold for thirty-five hundred dollars is now valued at one hun- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 407 dred thousand dollars. Mr. Schultz was prominent in business circles, having been a merchant for a number of years and his industry and ag gressiveness played an important part in laying the foundation for the city's present prosperity. \falentine Schultz Jr., the father of F. William, was a native of Germany, who was engaged in the grocery and provision business for over thirty years. His first business location was at the northeast cor ner of Twenty-sixth and Peach streets. In 1860 his father, \ralentine Sr., and his brother, Ferdinand, formed a partnership with him, tinder the firm title of Schultz Brothers. However, the company was dissolved in 1872, when A'alentine Schultz, Jr., purchased the interests of the partners, one year later, or in 1873, removing to the northwest corner of Twenty-sixth and Peach streets, where he had erected a brick build ing, known as the Schultz block. At the new location he conducted the enterprise until his death, which occurred in 1889. His four sons then managed the business until the death of their mother, in 1895, when the business was disposed of and the father's estate divided. F. AVilliam Schultz, a son of Valentine Jr., was born in Erie, Alay 27, 1858. He had the advantage of a splendid education, having pur sued his studies in the German parochial schools of this place, at St. A'incent's College, at Beatty, Pennsylvania, and at the Erie Academy. His education completed, his first step in the commercial world was in his father's establishment, which was known as Schultz Brothers. Upon the dissolution of the firm he spent one year in the employ of his brother Jacob. Meanwhile having gained a practical knowledge of business life and feeling confident that he could conduct an establishment on his own account, he organized the South Erie Tea Company in 1895. Since that year he has successfully continued the enterprise at the north west corner of Twenty-fifth and Peach streets, where he owns what was known as the Fred E. Glott block. The building is a two-story brick structure, twenty by one hundred and thirty-five feet, which he keeps well stocked with a fine line of goods, his store being one of the most popular in the city. From the start Mr. Schultz has concentrated his undivided attention upon the business with the result that he has built up an excellent patronage, his volume of trade being of such pro portions as to make him one of Erie's leading merchants. Mr. Schultz wedded Miss Helen Louise Knoll, the daughter of Alichael and Elizabeth (Schaaf) Knoll, natives of Erie. Mrs. Schultz passed away April 28, 1907, in her forty-seventh year, leaving her hus band and two children: Henrietta, the wife of Charles Gensheimer, of Erie; and Norberd Valentine, a student at the Erie high school. Mr. Schultz is a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and of the Alphonse .Society. Although he is one of the most prominent and pro gressive citizens of South Erie, who is interested in the promotion of all measures designed for the public good, yet he has never held a public office nor does he seek political honors. He rests content with doing what he can for the community in a quiet way, leaving the places of prefer ment for others. In every sense he is valued citizen, whose industry is felt in the city's business life. Edward Heuer. Prominent among the younger business men of Erie is Edward Heuer, who during his connection with the city's in terests has proven himself one of the leaders in business circles, his labors 408 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY being attended by successful accomplishment in the development and management of important commercial and industrial enterprises. He displays much of the spirit of the initiative in forming plans and his in telligent appreciation of opportunities has ever been a salient factor in his success. A native of Switzerland, Mr. Heuer was born at Brugg, Canton Berne, on the 17th of September, 1863, a son of John and Eliza (Siegen- thaler) Heuer, also natives of the same canton. The father was a watch maker by trade and engaged in business for many years at Briigg, where he was widely recognized as a prominent and valued citizen. He served as postmaster and in other official positions and was acting as post master at the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. In the acquirement of an education Edward Heuer attended the public schools of Briigg until he had completed the high school course by graduation with the class of 1880. He afterward pursued a course in bookkeeping at Biel in preparation for a commercial career and oc cupied a position as bookkeeper in his native land previous to his emigra tion to the United States in 1885. In that year he heard and heeded the call of the new world, thinking to enjoy better business opportunities on this side of the Atlantic. Upon arriving in America he established his home in Erie and entered upon his business career here by accepting a clerkship in the confectionery store of John Kalvelage. In 1886 he entered the wholesale grocery and liquor store, owned by H. V. Claus and C. B. Wuenschel, where he continued until September, 1888, when he became bookkeeper for the Eagle brewery, owned by Jackson Koeh- ler. There his ability won recognition and in 1890 he became manager of the brewery and at the same time became proprietor of the Eagle Brewery Bottling Works. Upon the organization of the Erie Brewing Company on the 1st of April, 1899, this organization controlling all the brewing plants in the city, Mr. Heuer became general manager of the extensive enterprise and is still holding this important position, in which connection he devotes his energies to administrative direction and executive control. In addition thereto he is also a director and stockholder in the company, nor has he confined his efforts alone to one line, for he is a man of resourceful business ability, capable of controll ing varied interests. In 1901 he became connected with the Depinet Foundry Company and in connection with James D. Hay purchased the business the following year and reorganized it under the name of the Cascade Foundry Company. In 1907 they abandoned the old plant at the corner of Fifteenth and Cascade streets and removed to their new location, having erected an extensive building at the corner of Nineteenth and Plum streets, where they have one of the most modern and complete buildings and thoroughly equipped plants in the city. Here employment is furnished to more than one hundred mechanics and it is worthy of note that during the recent financial panic the plant ran to the full extent all the time, continuing as one of the important fac tors in the industrial activity of the city. Upon the reorganization of the company Mr. Heuer was made president and thus continues as the chief officer in an enterprise of large value to the city. In addition to his other interests Mr. Heuer purchased a block of stock in the Colby Piano Company when it was reorganized in 1900 and was chosen a director and vice president of that corporation. He is also a director of the St. Alary's (Pennsylvania) Brewing Company w-eio^^O % (S^-f HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 409 .and as a stockholder is identified with numerous other enterprises which indicate the wisdom of his investments. Fie is a man of sound judgment and keen discernment in commercial affairs and his ability has carried him into important business relations. On the 4th of September, 1888, Mr. Heuer was married to Minnie Coyle, a daughter of Charles D. Coyle, a retired farmer of McKean township, Erie county, now residing at Miles Grove. Unto this mar riage has been born a son, Charles E. S., who is now a student in the Chamberlain Military Institute at Randolph, New York, preparing for matriculation in Cornell University. In fraternal circles Mr. Heuer is very prominent. He is a member •of all the Masonic bodies of the city and is a director and secretary of the Elks' Building Association, which has just completed the handsome new home of the Elks, at the corner of Eighth and Peach streets. This is one of the finest buildings of Erie, creditable alike to the city and the organi zation by which it was erected. Mr. Heuer's fraternal relations also connect him with the Odd Fellows, the Eagles, the Maccabees and the Moose Lodge. He is likewise a member of the Shrine Club, the Country Club and the Maennerchor. He is also a member of the board of trade and chamber of commerce. In no public relation is he found want ing. His interest in the welfare of the city is deep and abiding and is manifest in cooperation and support of many measures for the pub lic good. His life has been one of intense and well directed activity, resulting in the attainment of substantial success. Dr. Adriel G.Ely, a leading physician of Girard, was born in Clarks- ville, Otsego county, New York, in 1820, and was a son of Sumner and Hannah K. (Gilbert) Ely, the former a native of Lyme, Connecticut, and the latter of Middlefield, Otsego county, New York. Sumner, the father, was educated at Yale College where, at the early age of seventeen years, he graduated in the class of 1804, and in which he has as class mates J. Fenimore Cooper, John C. Calhoun, Ezra Stiles Ely and Royal R. Hinman. He studied medicine and then located at Clarksville where he became a prominent physician. In 1836 he was elected a member of the New York State Medical Society, in 1840 was made its president, and in 1852 its delegate to the American Medical Association. He also was made a brigadier general of the militia. His popularity was such that he was annually elected supervisor of his town for thirteen years, eleven of which were consecutive ; was also made a member of the state assembly for one year, and of the state senate for the term of four years, which body was, at that time, a part of the court for the correc tion of errors, then the highest legal tribunal in the state. At his death, which occurred February 3, 1857, the New York State Medical Society honored him by directing that a biographical address on his life and character be prepared by one of its members, and be read at its next annual meeting in the city of Albany. Adriel G, the son, received his education at Hamilton College, New York, and was a graduate of Geneva Medical College. He studied medi cine with his father and Dr. R. G. Frary, of Hudson, New York, and after acting one year as assistant physician in Bellevue Hospital, New \ork City, began the practice of his profession in his native county. In 1845 he located in Girard, Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he acquired ¦a large practice, and was frequently called in consultation and his ad- 410 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY vice sought by other physicians far and near, and he amassed a fortune. He never married and died in Girard, March 27, 1887. Sumner Stow Ely, Girard, lawyer, a son of the above named Sumner and Hannah K. Ely and a younger brother of Adriel, was born at Clarksville, New York, April 12, 1823. He graduated at Hamilton College, Oneida county, New York, ranking the highest in his class in point of scholarship, and in due course received the degree of A. M. from the college. He studied law in the office of Judge Jabez D. Ham mond, of Cherry Valley, New York, attended Fowler's law school, and was admitted to the bar at a general term of the supreme court held at Albany, New York, September 11, 1848. Soon afterward he was taken into partnership by Hon. Thomas B. Alitchell of Canajoharie, New York, (then the most important lawyer in that part of the state) and practiced his profession there until January, 1855, when he removed to the city of New York and formed a law partnership with Winchester Britton, formerly of Troy, New York. The firm of Britton and Ely maintained law offices both in New York and Brooklyn. Mr. Britton resided in the latter city and during their partnership was twice elected district attorney of Kings county. Mr. Ely himself had a large and varied practice, becoming very proficient in those branches of law and practice relating to contracts, conveyancing, wills, trusts and titles to real estate, and very skillful in the preparation of all instruments required in those branches of legal business and in the investigation of titles to land. When the lands now forming Prospect Park in the city of Brook lyn, were taken by the city for public purposes, he was employed by the commissioners of estimate and assessment to examine the title and ownership claims to each parcel of land taken, and the encumbrances on it. This was a large undertaking, the greatest of the kind that had been given to any one lawyer in either New York or Brooklyn, and which required more than a year, with the aid of a number of sub ordinates, for its completion. It involved the determination of many difficult and intricate questions, especially as to the ownership of old and abandoned highways running through the land. These had be come thoroughfares, not by any legal condemnation, but had developed from Indian trails or footpaths leading from various localities on Long Island to the New York ferry, before Brooklyn became a city, and the claimants to various parts of these abandoned roads, now that the land had become very valuable, were numerous, and were represented by many able attorneys who contested his decisions when against them, as they were in many instances. The accuracy of his work and the cor rectness of his decisions were attested by the fact that the supreme court confirmed, in every particular, the report of said commissioners, which was based on his report to them; and it has never been disturbed. He continued the practice of law in New York City until 1887, when he retired from the practice of his profession, and located in Girard, Penn sylvania, where he has since resided, now occupying a large part of his time with agricultural pursuits. Pie never sought or would accept public office, though residing at Canajoharie, his party would have made him a judge if he would have consented to become a candidate. The quiet walks of private life were more congenial to his tastes and retiring disposition, and he kept them in the belief that more solid happiness was there to be found than in any public position. He has remained a bachelor, but nevertheless maintains an establishment at "Elyhurst," the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 411 name he has given his residence on Alain street. His home is one of the finest in Girard, and, though, eighty-six years old, its owner con tinues very active both mentally and bodily. » Dr. Benjamin C. Ely, the well known Girard physician, son of the above named Sumner and Hannah K. Ely, and a younger brother of Adriel and Sumner S. Ely, was born at Clarksville, New York, Decem ber 22, 1825. He also was educated at Hamilton College, New York, studied medicine with his father, and attended medical colleges in the cities of Albany and New York, and at Castleton, A'ermont, by which last named institution he was made an AI. D., in June, 1850. He prac ticed his profession for four years at AlcKean, Erie county, Pennsyl vania, and in 1857 located in Girard, where he attained a high rank as a physician ; where, also, he established and maintained a first class drug store, and died July 17, 1904. He married Elizabeth Crippen Caryl, of AA'orcester, Otsego county, New York, by whom he had eight children, seven of whom and his wife survive him, and one of whom (Theodore J.) established and is the head of the widely known "Theo. J. Ely Alanufacturing Company," of Girard. Otto George Hitchcock, secretary of the Hays Manufacturing Company with which he has been identified since boyhood, is a native of Erie, this county, born October 14, 1874. His parents are Andrew J. and Katrina (Wuertz) Hitchcock, natives respectively of the state of Connecticut and of Germany, the former being born in 1850 and the latter in 1845. The parents were married at Titusville, Pennsylvania, where for many years the father was engaged in railroad work. He re moved to Erie in 1874 and has been for some time a foreman for the Hays Manufacturing Company. Both are active and faithful members of the Presbyterian church. Otto G, of this sketch, received his elementary education in the public schools of Erie and completed it under various private tutors. In 1893 he entered the employ of what was then and is now the Hays Manufacturing Company, as an office boy and advanced gradually but surely to his present responsible position as vice president and secretary, to which he was elected when the business was reorganized in 1900, under its present name of the Hays Manufacturing Company. Air. Hitchcock is widely known in connection with the work of the Chestnut street Presbyterian church, having been organist of the choir for twenty" years and long an active member of its board of trustees. He is also deeply interested in the social and reformatory work of the Y. AL C. A., being a director of the local organization. Married, in 1901, to Miss Henrietta Van Cleve, daughter of Rev. R. S. Van Cleve, a dis tinguished divine of Erie, he has become the father of two children, namely, Frances, aged six and Katrina Hitchcock, three years of age. The Doll Family. Many of the more thrifty and prosperous pioneer settlers of Pennsylvania were born across the seas, and brought with them to this country those habits of industry, honesty and perse verance that soon placed them on a plane of success far beyond that to be attained in their native land, even by the most rigid economy. Prom inent among these hardy pioneers was the Doll Family, whose native 412 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY home was in Germany, and which is now represented by two brothers, Dr. John Doll, and Conrad M. Doll, retired business men of Erie. The senior member of the Doll family in America was Caspar Doll, who was born in Neuengronan, province of Hesse-Nassau, Germany, the home of his ancestors for many generations. He spent the earlier part of his life in the Fatherland, and was there twice married. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Mary Scheidamantel, he had three sons, John, Conrad and Martin. She died January 29, 1814, aged forty-two years. Caspar Doll subsequently married Anna M. Fell, who bore him one son, George Doll. John Doll, his eldest son, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1832, locating on a farm in AlcKean township, Erie county. Two years later Conrad Doll, the second son of Caspar, came to Erie county, settling as a shoemaker in the city of Erie. In 1837 Caspar Doll, following in the footsteps of his two older sons, set sail, with his wife, and his sons Martin and George, for the United States, landing, after a voyage of ten weeks, at Baltimore, Mary land. Hiring there a wagon in which to transport the baggage, he and his family started on foot for Erie county, and' at the end of three weeks arrived at their point of destination, footsore and weary, but happy and contented. Locating on a farm in Mill Creek township, he there spent the remainder of his life, dying February 22, 1866, aged ninety-one years, ten months and thirteen days. His widow survived him, passing away February 3, 1891, at the venerable age of ninety- seven years, and ten days. His son John died, in Erie, November 27, 1882, aged eighty years, eleven months and six days. His second son, Conrad Doll, died December 27, 1867, aged sixty-two years, nine months, and five days. Martin Doll, the third son, died December 29, 1900, aged eighty-eight years, seven months, and two days. George Doll, the only son of Caspar Doll by his second marriage, and the only sur vivor of the family resides in Lima, Indiana. Martin Doll, third son of Caspar Doll, was born in Hesse-Nassau, Germany, May 27, 1812, and was in his twenty-fifth year when he came with the family to this country. He was educated in the Father land, and there learned the shoemaker's trade. On coming to Erie, he began working at his chosen occupation for his brother Conrad, with whom he formed .a co-partnership in 1851. Three years later Conrad Doll withdrew from the firm on account of failing health, and Martin succeeded to the entire business, which he managed most successfully until 1883, when he sold his shoe store. He subsequently lived retired from active pursuits until his death, as above mentioned. When he first located in Erie, Mr. Doll leased a plot of ground on Peach street, between Seventh and Eighth streets, and there built him a home. In 1845 he purchased the third lot south of Fourteenth street, on the east side of State street, removed his house to his new lot, and there spent his remaining years, in the meantime purchasing the lot adjoining on the north. For these lots he paid $10 per front foot, and his estate, in 1907, sold the ground for $425 per front foot. When he assumed possession of his State street property, it was outside of the city limits, and he was elected, and served a full term, as school director of the Mill Creek township schools. Among the passengers aboard the vessel in which Alartin Doll crossed the ocean was Anna M. Frichkoon, who was born in Hesse- Nassau, March 19, 1813, and to whom his troth was plighted, and the HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 413 following year, on July 29, 1838, their niarriage was solemnized in Erie. Four children were born of their union, namely: Anna Alargaret, born July 21, 1839, married John A. Schabacker, of Erie; John, born May 30, 1841 ; Conrad Martin, born October 23, 1844; and Elizabeth, born Decem ber 3, 1847, is the widow of the late Martin Schabacker, of Erie. John Doll, the oldest son of Martin Doll, was educated in the public schools of Erie, and began life for himself in 1857 as clerk in a dry goods establishment, in Erie. In 1866 he embarked in the drug business at No. 1512 Peach street, as a partner of his father-in-law, the late Dr. H. L. Wilkins, whose death occured in 1881. Dr. Doll then succeeded to the business, and conducted it skillfully and successfully until 1907, when he sold out, and retired from active business, having accumulated a competency. Dr. Doll is a man of much enterprise, and .ability, and since 1897 has been much interested in the projection and construction of interurban street car lines. In that year, in company with the late Hon. P. A. Gibson, he projected and built the line from Erie to Cam bridge Springs, with the exception of one mile, the work being done under the name of the Erie Transit Company, of which the doctor was secretary. This line, which was disposed of by Dr. Doll and his asso ciates, is now one of the most successful and important interurban roads in the country. In 1901 Dr. Doll, Mr. Gibson, and F. L. Hoskins, pro jected the interurban line known as the Erie, Cambridge and Corry Railway, the doctor being made secretary of the company. The grading of this new line has been completed for a distance of twenty-two miles, and when it is entirely completed, as it soon will be, it will be one of the most valuable roads in the state. In 1884 Dr. Doll was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Erie School Board, and was subsequently elected to serve for a term of three years. In 1873 he was made a Mason, and is now a member of the blue lodge, the chapter, commandery, consis tory, and the Shrine, being very prominent in that organization. ' On September 4, 1866, Dr. John Doll married Margaret C. E. Wil kins, daughter of the late Dr. H. L. Wilkins, of Erie. The Doctor and Mrs. Doll are not affiliated by membership with any religious de nomination, but attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Conrad Martin Doll, the youngest son of the late Martin Doll, ob tained a good common school education, and when fourteen years old began working with his father in the State street shoe shop. Becoming familiar with the details of management, he subsequently had sole charge of the business from 1865 until it was closed out, in 1883, when he gave up that line of industry, having never had any particular taste for shoemaking. The following three years he was employed in a coal office, after which he spent two years in railroading and for fifteen years there after had charge of a steam hammer in the Jarecki Manufactory. In 1903 he retired from active pursuits, and is now enjoying the reward of his former years of toil. Air. Conrad M. Doll married, in 1865, Wilhelmina Diehl, who was born in Germany, January 30, 1842, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hinkle) Diehl, life-long residents of Germany. Mrs. Doll came to the United States in 1859, to Join her brother, Frederick Diehl, who located in Erie in 1851, and is now one of the prominent residents of the city. Mrs. Doll died November 6, 1900, leaving two children, namely: Albert Alartin and Henry John. Albert Martin Doll, secretary and treasurer of the Lovell Manufacturing Company, of Erie, married Wilhelmina 414 HISTORY' OF ERIE COUNTY Schabacker. Henry John Doll, bookkeeper for the Lovell Manufactur ing Company, married Elmina Otto. A. AIatthew Hess, a leading member of the Select Council of Erie and one of the largest manufacturers of cigars in the city, is a native of its second ward and was born on the 12th of July, 1876. He is the fifth child and the third son born to Conrad and Elizabeth (Schellong) Hess, both natives of Germany, where they were married. Soon after ward they emigrated to Erie, accompanied by the bride's mother. The coming of Conrad Hess to that city was accompanied by anything but bright prospects ; for sickness had detained the party several weeks in New York City, and he has been obliged to borrow money, so that he was in debt to the extent of eighty-five dollars ; his hat had blown from the train at Dunkirk, New York, so that he arrived bare-headed; and, to cap all, all the members of the family were total strangers in Erie. But the father did not sit down to think how forlorn was his outlook; he bought a new hat and was soon at work at his trade as a cigar maker, and in 1870 had saved a little capital with which he established himself in business. The thirty succeeding years of industry and sobriety brought him into a position of independence, and in 1900, when he retired from active business, he visited his old home in the fatherland fully prepared to defend the superior advantages of his adopted country for those who "mind their own business." He is still a resident of Erie, and, in every respect, one of its substantial citizens. The eight children of his family were as follows: John C, now a cigar manufacturer of Erie; Conrad, Jr., also of that city ; Matilda, who married Frank Sieder, and Catherine, now Airs. William Goulett, all of Erie; A. AIatthew, of this biography: Anthony J., who resides at Latrobe, Pennsylvania ; Emma, Mrs. Ray Zuck, and James A. Hess, also residents of Erie. A. AIatthew Hess was a pupil in the public schools until he reached the age of thirteen years, when he began to learn the cjgar maker's trade under his father. He thus continued as an employee until 1900, when he opened a shop of his own, known to the union as factory No. 513. His business, which employs twelve skilled workmen, is now the second in Erie, and places Mr. Hess among the leaders in the trade. His sound qualities as a business man and his fairly-earned popularity with the industrial classes have brought him an influence which was generally recognized in February, 1908, when he was elected to Erie's Select Council. In that year he served as a member of the finance com mittee, and in 1909 was placed on the committees on streets, gas and public grounds, and printing, health, water and markets and city hall, being chairman of the printing and city hall committees. Air. Hess is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masons, as well as being identified with the Erie Maen nerchor and other local societies. Albert Perry Howard, who is an able member of the Erie bar with offices at 702 State street, is a native of Erie county, and represents, in his private capacity, a well known pioneer family which was established in Franklin township by his grandfather, Henry Levi Howard. The family was transplanted from A^ermont, the paternal great-grandfather having been a native of that state and quite prominent in its military annals. During the War of 1812 he was a member of the Vermont HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 415 Regulars, and it was near Plattsburg, at the combined naval and land battle in which the Americans gained such a decisive victory, September 11, 1814, that this patriotic and brave ancestor lost his life in the thick of the infantry engagement. His son, Levi Howard, married Miss Han nah Taylor, and in 1830 the couple settled in Franklin township, Erie county. The husband died in 1890 and his wife in 1887, parents of the following children : Henry ; Clara ; George T., father of Albert P. ; Ann, Albert E., Nora and Rush Howard. The father mentioned was born in Franklin township, and for many years owned and operated the old Howard quarry in that section of the county, besides engaging in farm ing. He made both of these avocations profitable and died as a suc cessful man who had earned his position through honorable means. He married Miss Ellen Louisa Perry, descended on the paternal side from the old Ohio family by that name, and, maternally, from the Crains, pioneers of Mentor and Painsville, Ohio. Albert P. Howard was born on the old farm near the Howard stone quarries, on the 18th of August, 1866, and after pursuing various pre liminary courses in the district schools became a student in the more advanced school at Miles Grove (now North Girard) and at the State Normal, Edinboro. For the succeeding eight years he farmed in the seasonable months and taught in winter, his ultimate aim to enter the legal profession having been fixed quite early in his youth. In 1893 Air. Howard located in Erie for the more systematic study Of the law, but after a time returned to his farming and teaching, in order to provide himself with the means to realize his final ambition. Mr. Howard re sumed his legal studies at Erie in 1895 ; was admitted to the bar Alarch 1, 1897 ; and has since earned substantial success as a general practi tioner. Air. Floward is a lawyer of quick perception, logical mind and forcible diction, and the many years which he has spent in the educa tional field have taught him the necessity of precision and of basing the conduct of his cases on solid facts skilfully marshalled. The result is that he is never caught unprepared by the opposition, and never con ducts his cases in the flurry caused by surprises by the enemy. He is cool, sagacious, methodical and aggressive, having both facts and prin ciples firmly in hand; he has therefore made a decided success of his profession and is, further, highly honored for his straightforward man hood, and his broad and even life. In politics, he is a Republican, while his fraternal and social relations are indicated by membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Press Club. His domestic life is centered in his wife, son and daughter. Mrs. Howard was form erly Aliss Lizzie L. Pieper, a native of Franklin township and a daughter of Christopher and Hannah Pieper, and she is the mother of George Carlisle and Nellie Grace Howard. Dayton L. McDonald, who has been engaged in farming near Platea, Girard township, since 1907, was for a number of years identi fied with the car repairing shops of the Bessemer Railway at Albion, and both his father and his grandfather were prominent in the saw mill and lumbering industries of Crawford county. He is a native of that county himself, born June 19, 1876, to William B. and Elizabeth (Alor ris) AlcDonald. The father was born May 20, 1832, at Jamestown, New York; came with his parents at the age of eleven to Crawford 416 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY county, and when fourteen was working in the Pennsylvania oil fields ;. later, was engaged in the lumber camps and rafting lumber down the river to Pittsburg. For many years he was engaged in farming in Craw ford county; located at West Springfield, this county, in 1898, but, on account of a severe case of blood poisoning retired to Conneaut, Ohio, where he died in Alarch, 1907. The deceased was an active member of the Alethodist church and a Republican. William AIcDonald, the grand father already mentioned, was engaged in milling, lumbering or the saw mill business all his life. Mr. and Mrs. William B. McDonald be came the parents of three sons : Dayton L., of this sketch ; David W., a farmer of Conneaut, Ohio ; and Wilson, an oil-well superintendent of Casey, Illinois. Air. AIcDonald, of this sketch, completed his schooling at the age of eighteen, and soon afterward entered the lumber camps of Pennsyl vania, but after being thus employed for a year became a saw mill oper ator at West Springfield. After a year of this work he became con nected with the oil fields, and in 1898 with the car-repairing shops of the Bessemer Railroad at Albion. Eventually he reached the foreman- ship of the air brake department and a car inspectorship, but in 1907 abandoned his fair prospects in the railroad line for the more indepen dent career of a farmer, purchasing his present homestead near Platea, in 1907. Air. McDonald wields a good and a strong influence in his home community, through his stalwart character and his earnest so cial, charitable and religious work. He is a faithful member of the Methodist church, being steward of the Platea organization ; is presi dent of the Epworth League; has been nobl'e grand of Lodge 1141, I. O. O. F., and a useful and conscientious member of the city council. In 1899 Mr. McDonald married Miss Grace Lenora Connolly, daugh ter of John C. and Amanda (Kinney) Connolly, born at Ripley, New York, June 14, 1876. After she left school and until her marriage, she was engaged in teaching at Ripley. While a resident of Platea she has become much interested in the work of the Order of Rebekahs, having served as grand commander of Platea Lodge, No. 330. The family is of Irish origin, Martin Connolly, the grandfather, being a native of that country, who settled in New York at an early day. After being a boatman on North river for many years the father, John C, engaged in farming at Ripley, and continued thus until his death in 1891, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife died in 1882, aged sixty-nine years. D. M. Connolly, one of the sons, engaged in farming until his father's death and for several years thereafter, until 1898, was a mer chant at West Springfield. In that year he moved to Albion, where he also opened a store, but after two years disposed of it and became con nected with the Barnes Alercantile Stores, at Albion. In 1874 he married Miss Emma J. Rice, of Ripley, New York, born November 3, 1851. John F. Bigler, A. B., A. Al. During many years the name of John F. Bigler has been inseparably interwoven with the history of the educational interests of Edinboro. In all that tends to the intellectual and moral advancement of the race he takes a deep aud abiding interest, and as an educator he stands in the front ranks. He was born in Barkey- ville, A'enango county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1862, a son of S. S and Mary A. Bigler, and he was reared in the county of his nativity and received his elementary educational training in its district schools. He later graduated from the Barkeyville Academy, and then taught school SAMUEL BLAIR HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 417 for a few terms, but wishing to more thoroughly identify himself with the principles of the profession which he had chosen as a life work he became a student in the ancient classical course at Grove City College and in four years was graduated from that college with the degree of A. B. He later studied for four terms at Harvard and one term in the Pennsylvania University, doing special work in psychology and sociology. After returning home from the Grove City College, Air. Bigler became a teacher in the Barkeyville Academy, and later was its prin cipal for two years. At the close of that period he was made the super intendent of public instruction for Venango county, but after serving six months of his third term in that office he resigned to become the principal of the Edinboro State Normal. He is numbered among the ablest educators who have promoted the interests of this institution, and he is now serving it for his tenth year. Air. Bigler married on December 31, 1890, Miss Emma Irene John son, and they have three children, Victor L., Helen R., and John Emer son. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. Samuel Blair, for many years identified with the agricultural in terests of Erie county, was born in what is now Girard township May 6, 1821, his life's span thus covering eighty-eight years, and during all that time he has resided in Erie county. He is a son of James and Alary (Wallace) Blair, born respectively in York and Chester counties, Pennsylvania, and both crossed the mountains to Pennsylvania when they were young, and they were there married. Coming to Girard township in Erie county in 1803, James Blair secured a piece of land, and in the following year brought his family here. This farm was located about three miles south of Girard, and the initial purchase con sisted of one hundred and one acres, heavily covered with timber, but in time he succeeded in clearing and placing it under cultivation, and he lived and died in the little log house which he erected thereon. Both he and his wife now lie buried in the Girard cemetery, he having died in 1855, aged eighty-two years, and she in 1873, at the age of ninety- three. James Blair during his life time was a Whig, active in politics and he served as an assessor and as a township collector. Both he and his wife were earnest members of the Presbyterian church, and he helped to organize the church of that denomination in Girard and was one of its first elders. Samuel Blair, the youngest born of his eight children, obtained his educational training in the pioneer schools of Girard township, and he continued to live on the old Blair homestead until moving in 1878 to a farm he had purchased, and there he lived until he was eighty years of age, improving his land and erecting its buildings. About eight years ago he bought the beautiful home on Main street in Girard in which he is spending the evening of his long and useful life, retired from the active cares of a business life. He yet owns his old homestead farm. He is a Republican politically, and the local offices are all that he has desired to fill. Mr. Blair married on the 22d of June, 1865, Miss Harriet Wells, a daughter of Samuel H. and Hannah (Culbertson) Wells. Samuel Wells was born in Connelsville, Pennsylvania, in 1781, on the 15th of March, a son of Benjamin Wells, who took an active part in the sup pression of the whiskey insurrection under Washington. He came to Vol. 11—27 418 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and was a store keeper there for many years. Samuel Wells served as an orderly under General Harri son in the war of 1812, and he was one of the old-time school teachers. Airs. AVells was born January 22, 1800, and died on the 6th of May, 1848. Three children blessed the union of Mr. and Airs. Blair, all yet living: Frederick W., whose home is in Girard township; Mary Ellen, born Alay 24, 1873, and living with her father; and James Dana, born June 15, 1878, a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Phila delphia and a successful practicing physician at Franklin, Pennsylvania. Frederick W. Blair was born on the 21st of December, 1869, and by his marriage to Helen Sayre he had five children, Elizabeth F., James Sayre, Caroline L., Frederick Samuel and Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blair are honored and revered wherever known, and are earnest and valued members of the Presbyterian church in Girard, in which Mr. Blair has long served as an elder. On the maternal side, the Wallaces, Airs. Blair's mother's broth ers, were engaged in conflict at the battle of Brandywine and this entitles Air. and Mrs. Blair and their children to become members of the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. Mrs. Blair's brother, Samuel H., was a soldier in Company A, 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry and served over four years, being killed in battle near the end of the Civil war. Alden Stancliff is the representative of a family which has left its impress for good upon the history of Erie county from the days of its founding to the present time. Lemuel, Comfort and Samuel Stan cliff, great-uncles of Alden, served in the Revolutionary war, and in 1799 located at McKean, this county. John Stancliff, the grandfather, also established his homestead within the borders of Erie county in the early days, and there he lived the balance of the ninety-two years al lotted to him. Thomas Stancliff, the father, moved with other members of the family from Connecticut to Erie county, New York, and thence to Sharp's Corners, Erie county, Pennsylvania. They arrived at the latter point February 28, 1835, but finally located four and a half miles west of AA'aterford. At that time the locality was considered on the very frontier of civilization and the nearest neighbor to the Stancliffs was more than a mile distant. Thomas Stancliff, with his brother Timo thy, secured one hundred acres of land near Sharp's Corners and there founded the Stancliff settlement, the road which passed the place being named in his honor. The brothers cleared and improved their land, Thomas dying there at the age of fifty-one years, honored as one of the earliest pioneers of Erie county. He became the father of eight chil dren, of whom two died in infancy, ¦ and six reached maturity, viz. : Lavinia, Alden (of this sketch), Ellsworth, Thomas, Lorinda and Joseph. Alden Stancliff was born in 1823, in Collins, New York, but was educated in the school at Sharp's Corners, his first teacher being David Stancliff, a son of Lemuel, mentioned above and one of his paternal uncles. Alden Stancliff has been engaged in agriculture from his early boyhood. His wife (nee Amelia Brooks) was born April 30, 1846, a daughter of Enoch and Hannah (Smith) Brooks, and died August 26, 1901, the mother of the following: Mrs. Emma Van Sise; George, who died at the age of two years and three months ; A. J., and Mrs. Minnie Stackhouse. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 419 aA. J. Stancliff obtained a public school education, and throughout his business career has been chiefly engaged in the oil business. In May, 1874, he married Aliss Jane Williams, and their son Clayton was educated in Cornell University, after graduating from the Titusville High School. Since leaving college he has been a civil engineer con nected with a Pittsburg company. Alvah William Covell. A son of the late Clarence Lewis Covell, for many years one of the leading citizens of Corry, Alvah William Covell is an excellent representative of the native born residents of this city, his birth having occurred, June 14, 1874, in Corry. He comes from honored colonial ancestry, his great-great-grandfather on the pa ternal side, a Baptist minister, having emigrated from New England. his place of nativity, to New York state, becoming a pioneer farmer and preacher of Onondaga county, where he spent the last years of his life. Jonathan Covell, the next in line of descent, was the youngest of a family of fourteen stalwart sons, his birth occurring in Marcellus, Onondaga county, New York, in the latter part of the eighteenth cen tury. As a young man he learned the trade of a carpenter, and after his marriage he moved to Chautauqua county, which was at that time a heavily timbered country, with but few settlers. Looking for beech and maple timber, he found what he desired on the ridge lying just east of Chautaqua Lake in what is now Ellery township, and there he bought a large tract of land from the Holland Land Com pany. In the midst of the dense wilderness, through which deer, bears, antelopes and other animals native to that section of the country roamed at will, he cleared a space in which to erect a log cabin, and began the improvement of a homestead. Several years later, he sold that property, and having purchased a farm in Concord township, Erie county, Penn sylvania, resided there for awhile, and then settled in Westfield, New York, where he lived until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He married Ann Copp, who was born in Marcellus township, a daughter of Esquire Copp. Her father was born in Ireland, and at the age of nineteen years, having accepted a challenge, fought a duel in the city of Dublin. Emigrating then to America, he lived for awhile in Nova Scotia, remaining there until after his marriage. Coming then by one of the steamship lines to Nev/ York City, he subsequently sailed up the Hudson river to Albany, and from there he and his young wife walked to Syracuse, Onondaga county, having with them all of the:r earthly effects. Esquire Copp invested his money in land, buying from the Holland Purchase Company a tract of wild land in Alarcellus town ship. Laboring with characteristic energy and courage, he cleared and improved a fine farm, upon which he spent his remaining days. Well educated for his time, he became prominent and influential in public affairs, and for forty consecutive years served as justice of the peace. Llis wife survived him, residing during her last years in Westfield, New Yrork. William W. Covell, grandfather of Alvah W., was born, October 8, 1818, on the home farm, in Marcellus, New York. Serving an ap prenticeship at the carpenter's trade, he subsequently built many of the first frame houses in Chautauqua county. In 1855, accompanied by his father, he started westward in search of a good location, driving through Erie county, Pennsylvania, to Ashtabula county, Ohio, thence 420 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY through Trumbull county, Ohio, and back by way of Mercer and Craw ford counties, Pennsylvania, to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a farm, a few acres of which had been cleared, and a log house had been built, these constituting the improvements on the place. Locating on that farm the following year, he continued its improvement, and at the same time worked at his trade, erecting the first building on the present site of Corry, it being a school house built before the time of railroads in this vicinity. After Corry was platted, he built, for Dr. Burroughs, the first frame house of any size in the city, and continued his occupation of farmer and carpenter until late in life, when he re tired from active pursuits, afterwards making his home with his son, Clarence L., in Corry, his death occurring at the venerable age of eighty- seven years. He married Ellen E. Barber, who was born in Marcellus,, Onondaga county, New York, and died in 1893, in Erie county, Penn sylvania, on the home farm. They reared seven children, as follows : Alphonso W., Clarence L., Amorette, Alton G, .Francis M., Maude E., and Edith L. Born in Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York, May 3, 1849, Clarence Lewis Covell was a boy not yet in his teens when the family removed to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where, in the schools of Corry, he completed his early education. Beginning the study of law in 1871, with C. O. Bowman, he was admitted to the bar in 1873, and in the practice of his profession met with eminent success, practicing not only in the lower courts, but in the superior and federal. courts, being one of the foremost lawyers of Corry. He died while yet in the prime of life, his death occurring in Corry, December 20, 1904. He married Sarah Louisa Rathbun. She was born in Eden, Erie county, New York, where her father, Charles S. Rathbun, settled when a young man, re moving there from Chemung county, his native place. Mr. Rathbun worked as a carpenter in younger life, and afterwards was for five years superintendent of the Erie county, New York, County Home. Upon resigning from that position, he bought a farm in Eden, New York, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1886. Mr. Rathbun was twice married. He married first Harriet Newell, who was born in Eden, New York, a daughter of Myron and Nancy (Beards- ley) Newell. She died in 1851, leaving three children, namely: Flora; Sarah Louisa, now Mrs. Covell ; and Charles N. Mr. Rathbun married second, Ann Dean, by whom he had two children : Everett S. and Jessie B. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence L. Covell became the parents of two chil dren, namely: Alvah W., the subject of this sketch, and Flora E., both of whom reside with their widowed mother, in Corry. After completing his studies in the Corry High School, Alvah W. Covell took the United States Civil Service examination, and at the age of twenty-one years was appointed railway mail clerk, a position which he has since filled ably and acceptably to all concerned. He is a man of sterling integrity and worth, and a prominent member of various fra ternal organizations, belonging to the following named societies : to Corry Lodge, No. 365, F & A. M. ; to Columbus Chapter, No. 200, R. A. Al. ; to Hiram Council, No. 45, R. & S. M. ; to Clarence Commandery, No. 51, K. T. ; to Zem Zem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; and to Corry Lodge, No. 769, B. P. O. E. Captain W. W. Wilkins. The world-wide saying that poets are born, not made, applies with equal force to mariners ; for not all men HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 421 who follow the sea are great sailors. Yet greatness is as much an achieve ment as an inheritance. Capt. W. W. Wilkins has won distinction in nautical realms both through his own special efforts, and as a birthright sailor. His father, Capt. Benjamin Wilkins, and his grandfather, Capt. Thomas Wilkins, were mariners of high rank, and to their descendants imparted some of their love for seafaring pursuits. Capt. W. W. Wil kins was born, September 22, 1859, in Erie City, Pennsylvania, where he acquired his knowledge of books, taking the courses of the grammar and high schools. Capt. Thomas Wilkins was born in Wales, in March, 1794, and when but eleven years old began his seafaring life, shipping first in a small sloop, and later in a larger vessel. Gaining experience as a sailor and greatly desirous of seeing more of the world, he made a voyage to the West Indies. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment of Infantry, known as the Brunswickers, receiving as a bounty the sum of twelve guineas. Continuing with his regiment during the War of 1812, he was made captain of a schooner plying between Saint Johns and Fredericktown. When, a little later, his regiment was ordered to Quebec, the captain was forced to leave his schooner and march with his comrades to that city. He remained with his regiment six years, during which time he was promoted to the rank of corporal of his company. After his discharge from the army, he settled in Canada, where he bought one hundred acres of land. Migrat ing to the United States in 1816, he shipped on the schooner "Niagara," later becoming mate of the "Superior," and afterwards sailed on the "Diligence," and "Decatur." Subsequently, after serving for a time as mate on the "General Wayne," he shipped on the "Porcupine," a revenue -cutter, that had previously belonged to Commodore Perry's fleet. For six years thereafter, he was master of the schooner "Green Bay," sub sequently sailing the "Pontiac," "William Penn," "Prudence," "Colum bus," "William Peacock," and the "S. B. Peacock." From 1835 until 1840, Capt. Thomas Wilkins was master of the steamboat "Thomas Jefferson," and the ensuing seven years had command of the "Missouri." About that time, he became financially interested in the "Troy," which he -commanded until 1852. For thirty years he sailed the Lakes, and with the time he was engaged in service on the ocean, spent forty-seven years of his long life on the water. He was appointed collector of the port of Erie, July 22, 1861, and served until 1869. The farm which he had -previously purchased in Erie county, is now included within the limits of the city of Erie. Capt. Thomas Wilkins married, May 4, 1821, Anna Henton, who died October 30, 1833, aged thirty years, leaving two children, Benjamin and Jane. The Captain married second, December 5, 1834, Mary Backus, by whom he had two children, George and Anna. Captain Benjamin Wilkins was born at Gospel Hill, near Erie, Oc tober 7, 1821. Finding his greatest pleasure on the water, he engaged in seafaring pursuits from his boyhood, in course of time becoming one of the most successful and popular ship masters on the Great Lakes. Be ginning his career with his father, he subsequently entered the employ of General Reed as master of the steamer "Missouri." He next com manded the steamer "Illinois" and "Sandusky," and the first propeller which he commanded as master was the "Ontonego." Associating himself at a later period with the Spencer line, whose headquarters were in 422 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Chicago, he had command of the steamers "Ironside," "Planet," and others of that line. In the winter of 1867 Capt. Benjamin Wilkins superintended the transfer of the machinery and cabin of the "Planet" to the steamer "Northwest." In 1869 he purchased an interest in the steamer "Cuyahoga," which he sailed two seasons. Entering the service of the Anchor line in 1871, he was made pilot of the steamer "Wilson." In 1873 he was made master of that vessel, and held the position until 1877. Being made master, in 1878, of the "India," which was owned by the Superior Transit Company, he retained its command until his death, October 6, 1880. He married Anna Backus, and to them seven children were born, namely : Joseph H., Thomas E., Park C, W. W., Clara L., Jennie M., and Sarah P. While still a school boy, W. W. Wilkins spent all of his vacations on the water, going on lake trips with his father, thus gaining a prac tical knowledge of science, art and laws of navigation as well as of the common branches of study. In 1877 he shipped on board the steamer "AA'ilson," of the Anchor line, his father being in command of the vessel, and in 1878 he shipped on the "Indian" as lookout, and was soon pro moted to the berth of wheelman. In 1880, having successfully passed his examination, and received his license as second mate, Mr. Wilkins shipped on the "Arizona." In 1881, he served as mate of the "Wilson," under Captain Al. H. Alurch, and in 1882 was second mate of the "Annie Young." In 1883 he was mate of the "China," and the following year was mate of the "Idaho," belonging to the Lake Superior Transit Com pany. In 1886 he entered the employ of the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Transit Company as mate of the steamer "City of Fremont," and at the end of that season left the lakes for a time. In 1889 he re sumed his duties with the same company, shipping as mate on the steamer "Samuel F. Hedge," and in 1890 became mate of the "Badger State," but was subsequently transferred to the "William H. Stevens." In 1897 Capt. W. W. Wilkins entered the service of James AIcBrier as master of the steamer "Nyanza," which he commanded until 1903. The follow ing five years he had command of the steamer "Uganda." Since 1906 Captain Wilkins has commanded the "Luzon," a stanch vessel, in which he has made many successful trips. Captain Wilkins has been twice married. He married first, August 22, 1891, Hattie, daughter of Schuyler and Miranda (Force) Saulsbury. She died July 29, 1901, leaving two children, Anna L. and Cameron M. The Captain married second, February 6, 1906, Clara Gertrude Banis ter. Fraternally Captain Wilkins is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A. A. Wetmore, the well known farmer and dairyman of the town ship of Wayne, Erie county, was born in that place Alarch 13. 1887. His father, Arthur H. Wetmore, a native of Concord township, this county, was the son of Clifford and Lavinia AVetmore, the former of whom rendered the Union faithful service in the Civil war. Verna (Alden) Wetmore, mother of A. A., died in the year 1890, the mother of two children — Roy, now deceased, and A. A. Wetmore. Some time after her demise, the husband married as his second wife, Edith Schooley, by whom he has had four children — Earl, Alabel, Kenneth and Gladys. Arthur H. has been in the employ of the Standard Oil Company for some vears. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 423 A. A. Wetmore of this sketch, was reared and received his educa tion in his native town, upon the completion of which he pursued various callings before finally fixing upon the agricultural specialty, which he now follows. Today he resides on his productive farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres, which is principally given to dairying. He takes deep interest in his vocation and is one of Wayne's most enthusiastic and successful dairymen. James M. Shadduck. Possessing excellent business and financial ability, James M. Shadduck, a general contractor and builder of Erie City, located at No. 1102 East Twenty-fifth street, has won well de served success by a thorough mastery of his calling, and gained a note worthy position among the leaders in industrial circles. Coming from honored pioneer ancestry, his grandfather, Joseph Shadduck, having been one of the original settlers of Erie county, he was born, in 1871, in North East, this county, a son of Henry Shadduck. Coming to Erie county in 1783, Joseph Shadduck was one of the first men to settle in Greenfield township. Buying from the government four hundred and sixty acres of land, at $1.25 an acre, he began the improvement of a farm from the wilderness. A man of stout heart and unlimited courage, he dared all the dangers and privations of frontier life, in order to pave the way for those who should follow, and to estab lish a home where his children and their descendants might enjoy the comforts, and even the luxuries of life, without the labor and toil in which his years were spent. He was successful in his operations, ac cumulating money, and subsequently bought one hundred acres of land in North East. He continued in agricultural labor during his active years, and passed away, in 1849, at a good old age. He came from hon ored New England ancestry, his father, Joseph Shadduck Sr., who served as a gallant soldier in the Revolutionary war, having been born and bred in A'ermont. Joseph Shadduck was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Cass, bore him eighteen children, of whom nine grew to years of maturity, as follows : George ; Henry, father of James M. ; Esther ; Nancy ; Hannah ; Polly ; Ann ; Lester ; and Hiram. By his last wife he had four children, Ira, Betsey, David and Mati'lda. Joseph Shadduck was the father of twenty-two children, a truly patri archal family, and had 306 grandchildren. Born on a farm in Erie county in 1818, Henry Shadduck was a suc cessful agriculturist, becoming the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred acres, located in that part of North East known as Shadd tick's Corners. He was a man of prominence, influential in public affairs, and his death, which occurred in 1905, was deemed a loss to the community. He married first, Lucy Boutwell, who bore him six children, as follows : Sarah; Clinton, deceased; Clarence, deceased; Frank; Emma, deceased; and Joseph. Lie married second, Lucy Davis, who was born in Erie county in 1838, and is still living here. She is the mother of three chil dren, namely: Rev. Burt Shadduck, a minister in the Alethodist Epis copal denomination; James M., the subject of this sketch; and Isabelle. Receiving his education and training in North East, James M. Shadduck assisted his father in the care of the home farm until eighteen years of age. Beginning the struggle of life for himself, he came, in 1889, to Erie, where he has since been actively employed, since 1905 having been engaged as a contractor and builder. His reputation in this 424 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY line of work has become firmly established, and he is well patronized throughout this section of the county. Air. Shadduck married, in 1892, Lillian Chapin, who was born in Lowville, this county, March 13, 1871, a daughter of Melville and Civilla Chapin. Air. and Airs. Shadduck have had four children, one of whom has passed to the higher life, while three are living, namely: .Arthur, Blanche and Hazel. AA'illiam H. Sprague, a retired farmer of Albion, Pennsylvania, was born June 5, 1838, in Sheffield, Ohio, and is a son of Heman Sprague, a native of Vermont, who died April 1, 1857, aged fifty-three years. Heman Sprague came to Ohio and settled in Sheffield, where for several years he was a distiller ; in 1848 he removed to Erie county, where he owned several farms, and there followed farming the re mainder of his life. He was a Whig, and at the organization of the Republican party, espoused their cause. He married Melissa Williams, who died in 1881, at the age of sixty-eight years. Their children were : Alary J . widow of J. Marsh, of Chicago; Addie, wife of H. Brook, of Bowling Green, Ohio; Hattie, wife of J. Pike, of Muskegon, Michigan; AA'illiam IT., and four sons and one daughter, deceased. Heman Sprague was a son of Seth Sprague, a farmer of Vermont, who died when AA'illiam H. Sprague was a young boy. AVilliam H. Sprague received his education in the public schools, and followed farming until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he went to work on the Erie Canal, becoming a steersman, and worked at that until twenty-five years old. He settled on a farm and con ducted same with good success until a few years ago, when he retired from active life. Air. Sprague married, December 31, 1859, Eleanor Pike, daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Lowe) Pike, born February 14, 1844, in Gallia county, Ohio. Daniel Pike died in 1872, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife died in 1857, aged thirty-eight. His father was a sailor on Lake Erie, and was drowned in the lake. Daniel Pike and his wife had children as follows: Alice, who was drowned at Meadville, Pennsylvania ; Eleanor ; Joseph, living in Michigan ; Charles, deceased ; Elmira, deceased ; Lottie, wife of E. McClintock, of Oil City, ; Rachel, deceased ; and Laura, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pike came to Crawford county in 1855 and he removed to Erie county after the death of his wife; for seventeen years he resided with his daughter, Mrs. Sprague. He was an industrious and useful citizen, and worked to the end of his life. Lie was a member of the Free Will Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague became parents of children as follows: Elsie Dora, wife of H. V. Ball, mentioned elsewhere in this work ; George Alfred, born in 1865, carpenter at Girard, married Adelpha Ward and has one adopted child; Lewis (deceased) born in 1867, married AAlice Conger and had three children, Charles Clifford, Lottie Elinor, and Lewis AA'alter ; Joseph L., born in 1872, employed in the car repair shops at Albion ; Ella May, born in 1875, married E. Smith Beckwith, and has two children, Louise May and William Henry ; Minnie Belle, born in 1882, wife of Arthur Potter, a merchant of Cleveland, has four chil dren, Lila Belle, Howard A., Erma and Eveline ; Eva Pearl, born in 1881, wife of O. McMillen, has two children, Eva Elinor and Blanch Gladys. Air. Sprague is the proud possessor of one great-grandchild, grandchild of H. V. Ball and his wife, namel Mabel. Jd W w H dwz 0 0 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 425 Edward E. Wheeler, of AA'aterford, Erie county, who for many years has been a leading figure in the development of the oil and lumber industries of this section of the state, is especially identified with the latter as general manager of the Wheeler Lumber Company. He is a native of LeBoeuf township, this county, born on the 13th of January, 1857, and is a son of Charles Al. and Sarah J. (Clark) Wheeler. The family of which he is a representative is of early New Hampshire origin, his grandfather, Stephen Wheeler (of good Scotch descent), being a man of much public influence in the Granite state ; besides holding all the local offices, he was honored with such higher preferments as dele gate to the constitutional convention and member of the legislature. He died in 1860, and his wife (nee Hannah Syratton) passed away about ten years later. The father, Charles M., was born in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, on the 29th of January, 1826 ; was educated in his native town, and continued to reside there, engaged in farming, until 1852, when he removed to LeBoeuf township, where he has ever since resided. In addition to developing large farming interests in the county, the elder Air. Wheeler operated a sawmill and a cheese factory for a number of years ; had large lumber interests in Forest county, Penn sylvania, and valuable agricultural property in Minnesota. He has been honored with nearly all the township offices and in 1891-3 served as a member of the state legislature. Air. Wheeler received a thorough education both in the higher and commercial branches before he entered practical business life. The Waterford Academy, Edinboro State Normal and the Commercial Col lege of Pittsburg, all contributed to his mental equipment, so that he was thoroughly prepared to assume business enterprises with a broad understanding of commercial principles. The natural result has been an advance both rapid and steady. Mr. Wheeler was one of the leaders in the founding and promotion of the oil business in the Bradford fields, and afterward obtained control of large lumber interests in McKean, Warren and Forest counties, Pennsylvania. Some years ago he became general manager of the Baker- Wheeler Company, lumber manufacturers and dealers of Forest county, and has long held the general superintend- •ence of the large and expanding interests of the Wheeler Lumber Com pany. Besides himself, the members of the firm are Fred C. Wheeler, Dr. A. C. Wheeler and C. L. Baker. Mr. Wheeler's lumber interests have even expanded to West Virginia, and at the present time he is serving as president of the West Virginia Sawmill Association. On June 29, 1882, Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Imogene L. Davis, daughter of T. S. Davis, of Union City, Pennsylvania, and there have been four children by this union, as follows : Grace Lillian, Mable Florence, Margaretta Marie and Edward Everett. The oldest child and daughter was born October 22, 1883, and married June 30, 1906, to Fred W. Moore, of Union City. Their son, Marshall Edward Moore, was born September 19, 1908. The family resides at Gladys, West Virginia, where Mr. Moore is identified with the Wheeler Lumber Com pany. Mable Florence, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Wheeler, was born January 27, 1886. Margaretta Alarie, who was born February 22, 1888, is at present a student at the National Park Semi nary, Forest Glen, Maryland. Edward Everett, the youngest, was born in April, 1890, and. with his elder sister, Mable, resides with his parents. Mr. Wheeler is a thirty-two degree Mason. Mr. Wheeler's county seat is called "Wheeler Place." 426 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Calvin J. Hinds. It has not been the portion of the honored sub ject of this review to endure the stifling atmosphere of mediocrity, for he has been decisively a man of action, strong in initiative power, fertile in resource, and animated by the spirit which makes for impregnable integrity of purpose. It has been to attain to distinction as one of the able and successful members of the bar of the old Keystone state, and he is now one of the oldest members of his profession in Erie county, being still engaged in active practice and maintaining his home in the beautiful little city of Girard, to whose civic and material advancement he has contributed in generous measure. His life has been one of worthy achievement and his career has had many and varied phases the while he has ever stood as one of the world's noble army of workers, appre ciating well that only through labor, whether in the field of mental ap plication or the domain of physical industrialism, can man make prog ress, which is his distinctive mark alone. Air. Hinds has played a large part in the history of his native county and is a scion of one of its honored pioneer families, so that there is no dearth of interesting data from which to draw in offering even so neces sarily brief a review of his career as the province of this publication ren ders possible. Calvin Jennison Hinds was born on the parental homestead farm in Girard township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th day of De cember, 1832, and is the son of Perley and Sarah (Lawrence) Hinds. His father was born in Barre, Massachusetts, on the 3d of October, 1803, and was a member of a family of stanch English lineage, that was founded in America in the early colonial epoch of our national history. He was a son of Jesse and Sarah (Stanford) Hinds, the former of whom was born in Barre, Alassachusetts, in 1764, and died in 1823, and the latter of whom was born in 1773, and died in 1864. Jesse Hinds was a son of Corlis and Janet (McMaster) Hinds, the former born in Brookfield, Alassachtisetts, in 1724 and died in 1821, and the latter a native of England and a member of one of the pioneer families of Chesterfield, New Hampshire. Perley Hinds was reared and educated in Cheshire county, New Hampshire, to which his father moved when he was a small child, and his main vocation throughout his entire active career was that of farm ing ; in connection with which he so applied his energies as to gain a clue measure of success, though his enterprising spirit led him to iden tify himself also with other lines of business. He came with his wife and two children from West Swanzey, New Hampshire to Erie county, Pennsylvania, in the year of 1831, and purchased a farm in Girard town ship of H. J. Huidekoper which was covered with primitive forest. Here he had for neighbor Captain Rufus Thompson, whose son Denman Thompson has attained to so much of distinction on the American stage, especially in the presentation of his idyllic rural drama, "The Old Home stead," which is held in pleasing memory by all who have witnessed its exploitation by this veteran actor and sterling gentleman. A number of years after locating in Erie county Perley Hinds, in addition to farming, engaged in transporting coal and other freight on the Erie and Pitts burg canal, and later purchased a hotel known as the Martin House in Girard ; and in connection with this he was also an interested principal in the firm of "Hinds, Battles, and Wright," engaged in the operation of a line of stages between Girard and Sharon, Pennsylvania. With this HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 427 enterprise he was identified from 1858 to 1860 ; but he always resided on his farm until his death, which occurred in 1868. He was a man of strong individuality, was liberal and public spirited and he so ordered his course as to gain and retain the inviolable confidence of his fellow men. In his early life as a young man he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lawrence, who was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, in February, 1803, and whose death occurred in 1840. She became the mother of five children, all of whom are now deceased except Calvin J. She was a daughter of Edmund Lawrence, and her paternal grandfather was Nathaniel Lawrence, of Winchester, New Hampshire. After the demise of his first wife Perley Hinds wedded, at Ellington, New York, Airs. Polly (Kent) Smith, who was born the 16th of Sep tember, 1806, and whose death occurred in 1874. Of this union five children were born, and two are now living: Clarissa, who is the widow of AA'illiam H. Palmer and maintains her home in Girard, and Helen Mar ian, who is the wife of James A. Cooper, a representative manufacturer and influential citizen of the city of Owosso, Michigan. Perley Hinds originally gave his allegiance to the Whig party, but he became a mem ber of the Republican party at the time of its organization and ever after wards continued a stanch advocate of its principles and policies. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as were also both his first and second wives. Calvin J. Hinds, of this review, gained his preliminary educational discipline in the common schools of Erie county, where during all those early years his school mate and special chum was Denman Thompson who was born and lived on the adjoining farm. As a youth our subject rendered his quota of aid in the work and management of the home farm and in transporting freight on the Erie canal. In the autumn of 1849 he became a student in the Academy then con ducted at Kingsville, Ohio. In the spring of 1851 he entered the em ployment of his brother-in-law, Asa Battles, who was conducting a dry goods store in Girard borough under the name of A. Battles & Com pany, having Henry Cadwell, of Erie, as a partner. Asa Battles was also postmaster, express agent, and telegraph agent and operator, in con nection with the store. Calvin J. Hinds soon became proficient in these various lines of busi ness. In the fall of 1851, when the Girard Academy opened, he became a student there and continued for two years, at the same time continuing his employment with Asa Battles & Company, and spending his time when not in school, in their store ; and in this way, and later by teaching in the public schools, mainly defrayed the expense of his higher educa tional training. Finally he entered the well ordered Commercial Col lege of Bryant, Lusk & Stratton, in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, where he effectively supplemented his more purely academic education. Here he still had his old school mate and chum for a companion — "Den" being then playing with a stock company at the old Atheneum theater on Superior street, and boarding at the same place. It may be said that they have been together frequently since that time, and have ever maintained their friendship inviolable, and that both have been re ciprocally appreciative of the same. In 1854 while attending school in Cleveland Mr. Hinds was offered a position as bookkeeper and cashier in an insurance company in Phila delphia, which he accepted and retained for two years. Among the 428 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Erie county young men in Philadelphia during that time was the late justice of the Supreme Court, Samuel Gustine Thompson, who occa sionally accompanied our subject on visits to Erie county during his residence in Philadelphia. In the fall of 1855, while holding this office, having saved a few hundred dollars, Air. Hinds went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where the land office was about to open, to invest his money in government lands and purchased about 1,000 acres. This land he held for several years and in the end realized a handsome profit. On this trip to Fort Dodge Mr. , Hinds drove a team with carriage from Girard, passing through Cleve land, Detroit, Chicago, Dubuque, etc., there being no railroad at that time west of the Mississippi. Chicago then appeared to be all swamp. It had plank streets and side walks, and was just commencing to lay the first stone pavement. His frequent visits to Chicago since that time have shown him the mistake he made by not investing there, in or near the city which looked so forbidding to him then. Mr. Hinds returned to Philadelphia, and in the spring of 1856 became general superintendent of the Philipsburg Coal & Lumber Company, in Center county, Pennsyl vania, which was largely owned by the gentlemen with whom he had been associated in Philadelphia. He continued in this position for about three years, during which time he became joint owner of a large tract of coal and timber land on the Mushannon creek near Philipsburg, and built a fine residence in that place, which after more than fifty years is still an ornament to that thriving town. In the spring of 1859 he resigned his position, sold out his holdings, and returned to Girard to pursue the study of law in the law office of the Hon. George H. Cutler who had entered his name as a student at law prior to his going to Philadelphia ; and under whose directions he had been pursuing the study of the law during all the intervening years, the delay in completing the study being caused by the necessity of earn ing a living and getting a start. In Alay, 1860, Mr. Hinds was admitted to the bar and entered into a professional partnership with his former preceptor, Mr. Cutler, under the firm name of Cutler & Hinds, which firm continued for more than a quarter of a century. From 1860 to the present time he has been con tinuously engaged in the general practice of the law in Erie county. He has been a close and appreciative student of the science of jurisprudence, and within this period of nearly half a century he has been identified with much of the important litigation in the courts of this section of the state. His fine private law library has been selected with marked discretion and scrupulous care, and is one of the largest and best in this section of the state. In 1861 during the administration of President Lincoln, Mr. Hinds received appointment to the office of postmaster of Girard, and inciden tally assumed control of the local express and telegraph offices. He held the office of postmaster for four years, and his administration of the same gave universal satisfaction. This office he resigned at the ex piration of his commission in favor of Calvin L. Randall who received the appointment. In addition to his large and representative law business, Air. Hinds has made large and judicious investments in real estate, and through his able handling of various local properties, he has done much to advance the progress and upbuilding of his home town, to which his loyalty is HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 409 of the most insistent type. He was the prime factor in promoting and opening Rice Avenue — a beautiful street eighty feet wide — from Girard to North Girard ; and in the purchase by Carl Jones of the beautiful old homestead of Dan Rice ; and in the purchase by James Murphy of the elegant "AA'urzbach" mansion; two of the largest and most notable resi dences in Girard. He was a personal friend, and attorney and counsellor, for over a quarter of a century, of the veteran circus man, Dan Rice, whose name is held in pleasing memory by the older generation throughout the most diverse sections of the Union, and who was one of the most loved and loyal citizens of Girard until a short time before his death. Air. Hinds may be said to be a birth right member of the Republican party, of whose principles he has been a stalwart supporter from the time of attaining to his legal majority, and in whose cause he has ren dered yeoman service in the campaigns of many years. His first vote was cast for General John C. Freemont, the first presidential candidate of the Republican party. When his partner, Mr. Cutler, became a candidate for the State Senate, Air. Hinds assumed the management of . his campaign, and he marshalled his forces with consummate skill and ability, showing well his power of leadership in the domain of practical politics ; though he, himself, has never been ambitious for the honors or emoluments of political office, and never was a candidate. Air. Hinds has never joined any church, or fraternal body. He says he only belongs to one society — the human family — and was born into that. He is a man of strong religious convictions — the religion of being good and doing good — but cares nothing for the dogmas of the churches, and has little, if any, respect for their creeds. He has reflected a great deal upon religious subjects, and is what may be properly called a free thinker. He believes there is nothing infallible but the truth, and has but little faith in the popular religion of the times based on the assumed infallibility of men, and their writings, however hoary headed with age. He has a broad conception of the goodness and power of the Eternal, and feels sure that the author of our being whether called God or Nature will deal mercifully with poor erring humanity in the future world. He says, while he pins his faith to no man, ancient or modern, he derives some satisfaction in knowing that his conclusions harmonize with those of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and other like men who have done the most to promote human liberty, and the general welfare of mankind. On the 20th of October, 1856, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hinds to Aliss Elvira AI. Cutler, who was born on the 29th of December, 1833, a daughter of Hon. George H. Cutler. Concerning the children of this union the following brief data are entered: Lawrence C, who is superintendent of the Central Power Com pany at Kremmling, Colorado, married Miss Clara Hay of Girard, Penn sylvania. They have no children. Bertha E., is the wife of Francis J. French, of Collinwood, Ohio. They have three children, Mabel, who is the wife of Ray Cross, of Collinwood, Ohio; Vira, now deceased; and Clara who remains at the parental home. A'ira, the third child of Air. Hinds, is the wife of William H. Wallace, of Cincinnati, Ohio, general southern agent for the Nickel Plate Railroad, and they have two chil- 430 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY dren, George Cutler and Bruce Hinds. Mr. Hinds has one great-grand child — Charlotte Louise — daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Cross. Airs. Hinds died on the 6th day of February, 1864; and on the 27th of Alay, 1868, Mr. Hinds was united in marriage to Miss Frank Stewart, a cousin of his deceased wife, who was born in Syracuse, New York, on the 12th of August, 1849, a daughter of Henry and Maria Stewart, who were long residents of the city of Syracuse. The children of the second marriage of Mr. Hinds are: Fannie is the wife of Dr. H. M. Soult, of Philadelphia, and they have one child, Calvin Hinds Soult : Harry S. Hinds, who resides in Vicksburg, Mississippi, is identified with the government department touching the navigation of the Mississippi river and its tributaries. Belle Stewart Hinds is now the wife of Andrew J. Aiken, Naval Inspector of Engineering Material for the Lmited States government. They reside at Beaver Falls, Pennsyl vania, and have one child, Lawrence Stewart Aiken ; Calvin J. Hinds, Jr., is an attorney at law of Ardmore, Oklahoma; John Donald Hinds resides at Trenton, state of New Jersey. He is a graduate of the School of Industrial Art of Philadelphia, and has been professionally employed by the Trenton Potteries Company for the past tour years ; and for two years has been one of the faculty of the Trenton Art School. Stewart Cutler Hinds graduated last June at the School of Industrial Art ot Philadelphia ; and expects soon to locate in Trenton, New Jersey. It is with a sense of appreciation and gratification that the publishers of this work present even so brief a review of the career of one of the honored and venerable citizens of Erie county and one whose name well merits a place of distinction in the perpetuating here of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon the county to which this history is dedicated. No citizen of Erie county has a more secure place in popular confidence and esteem than Calvin J. Hinds, a vet eran and distinguished member of its bar. Earl T. Bogart. One of the prominent and progressive citizens of Elk Creek township is Earl T. Bogart, who was born on the 22d of March, 1874, a son of Malen Bogart, who was long numbered among the business men and farmers of this community, his death occurring here in 187 7, when forty years of age. Before taking up the vocation of a farmer ne was a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi river, but abandoning the fascinating life of a steamboat officer he was from that time on a resident of Elk Creek township, one of its substantial and well known farmers and business men. He had married in his early life Rhetta Fuller, who survives her husband and is living in Platea, an honored and revered lady of seventy years. After the death of his father Earl T. Bogart was reared by an uncle, with whom he remained until he had attained the age of twenty- one, and after the completion of his school days he worked at the car penter's trade, covering a period of five years. Since then he has been employed in the capacity of a yardman at present time by the Bessemer Railway Company. He married October 31, 1897, Miss Stella Payne, who was born on the 3d of September, 1877, and their union has been without issue. Air. Bogart is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Platea, Lodge No. 1146, and he is also a member of the B. of R. T. at Albion. A Democrat in his political affiliations, he has served as judge of elections. HIS'lORY OF ERIE COUNTY 431 Air. and Mrs. Bogart are young people who are held in high esteem by all who know them. Airs. Bogart was a student at the Edinboro State Normal in Scientific Department in the year of 1895. She is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of R. R. Train men, and is pianist of the order. Archie Addison Armes. A tried and trusted employe of the United State Government, Archie Addison Armes, of Albion, Erie county, Pennsylvania, has been associated with the Rural Free Delivery service of this vicinity for the past six years, and has performed the duties devolving upon him in this capacity with commendable prompt ness and fidelity. A son of the late Orris Armes, he was born, March 21, 1883, in Elk Creek township, Erie county. His grandparents, Mat- teson and Sarah Jane (AVait) Armes, migrated from New York state to Pennsylvania about 1858, settling on a farm near Wellsburg, Pennsyl vania, Erie county, where both spent their remaining years, his death occurring August 16, 1873, when sixty-five years old, while her death occurred in 1859, at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years, Born in New York state, August 18, 1851, Orris Armes was a young boy when the family came to Erie county. He remained at home, assisting his father on the homestead until seventeen years old, when he began working for wages, for four years being employed in the old Sears Creamery, after which he carried on general farming until 1888. Going then to Erie, Pennsylvania, he was there employed in the produce business as a salesman until his death, August 12, 1901. He was a man of sterling integrity and worth, and an esteemed member of Albion Lodge, No. 416, I. O. 0. F He married, in 1875, Lovina Castle, who was born September 21, 1858, in Ashtabula, Ohio, a daughter of Sanford Castle. Her father, a native of New York state, followed his trade of shoe maker in Ashtabula, Ohio, for a number of years, residing there until his death, in 1895, at the venerable age of eighty-five years. Mr. Castle married Hannah Boyd, who was born, in 1815, in Vermont, and died, in Ohio, in 1891. Three children were born to Mr. and Airs. Orris Armes, namely: Sadie, born in 1877, married E. D. Chapin, a machinist in Erie, and has two children, Isla and Alildred ; Arthur, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this volume, was born in 1880, married Aliss Iva Boyce, and lives in Albion ; and Archie Addison, of this brief biography. After completing his early education, Archie A. Armes was for four years in the employ of the F. R. Simmons Cold Storage, in the city of Erie. In 1903 he was appointed a mail carrier on one of the Rural Free Delivery routes leading from the Albion Post Office, and is filling the position most satisfactorily. Air. Armes married, May 21, 1902, Agnes Abel, who was born in Erie, and they are the parents of four children, namely: Lillian, de ceased ; Elmer, Ronald, and Dorothy. Fraternally Mr. Armes is a mem ber of Moose Lodge, No. 66, of Erie. Hugh V. Ball. A natural mechanic, and a man of unquestioned ability and energy, Hugh V. Ball is prominently identified with the in dustrial interests of Erie county, and as one of the leading blacksmiths of Albion is carrying on a substantial business. A son of George H. 432 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Ball, he was born, May 9, 1869, in Elk Creek township, this county, and there received a practical common school education. From the time he was seventeen years old until becoming of age, Hugh V Ball was employed as a farm laborer receiving in return for his labor the munificent sum of six dollars per month. The ensuing five years he worked for the Bessemer Railway Company, after which he was with the Nickel Plate Railroad Company for two years, being then lo cated at Conneaut, Ohio, in the company's machine shops. Returning then to Bessemer, he was again with the Bessemer Railway Company for a year, giving up his position there to go to Conneaut, Ohio, where he spent three years with E. G. Smith, learning from him the trade of a blacksmith. Becoming proficient in his chosen trade, Mr. Ball opened his present smithy in Albion, and as a general blacksmith and a skilful horse-shoer has established an excellent and remunerative patronage, his- work coming to him from all parts of the town, and from business men of all classes. Mr. Ball married, in 1887, Dora A. Sprague, who was born Jan uary 3, 1863, in Albion, a daughter of William Henry and Ellen (Pike) Sprague, natives of Sheffield, Ohio, where for many years her father, now living retired from active work in Albion, was an engineer. Five children have blessed the union of Air. and Mrs. Ball, namely: Mabel, wife of Luther Story, of Conneaut, Ohio, and has one child, Mabel; Tessie ; Floyd ; Edward.; and Velma. Politically Mr. Ball uniformly casts his vote in favor of the Republican party, but he has never had a desire for public office. Mr. Ball has three brothers and one sister, as follows : George, en gaged in farming in Elk Creek township ; Roscoe, a stone mason in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania ; Sprinkle, a machinist in Albion ; and Alartha, wife of R. Taylor, who is in the employ of the Bessemer Rail way Company. Frank E. Hurst. Among the younger generation of Erie county's successful business men is Frank E. Hurst, proprietor of a well-estab lished meat market in Albion, where he has already built up a substantial trade. He is a man of good financial ability, and in his business trans actions pays strict regard to veracity and honor. A son of Thomas Hurst, he was born, December 18, 1879, in Cranesville, Erie county, of English ancestry. His great grandfather, Daniel Hurst, born near Man chester, England, was a farmer by occupation. Samuel Hurst, grandfather of Frank E.. was born in England in 1815. Emigrating to America in 1845, he settled in Conneaut township, where he at first worked at his trade of a carpenter. He subsequently bought land near Cranesville, purchasing it in 1859, and was there en gaged in agricultural pursuits the remainder of his active life. He mar ried, Ann Beaumont, who was born in England, April 1, 1816, a daughter of Thomas and Alice (Goddard) Beaumont. She died on the old home stead, near Cranesville, March 24, 1887. The only surviving child of the parental household, Thomas Hurst was born, May 22, 1847, in Conneaut township, Erie county. He was early initiated into the various duties and labors that fall upon a farmer's son. his help when out of school being needed by his father. On at taining his majority, he learned the carpenter's trade, after which he spent two years in the oil region. Locating then in Cranesville, he was HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 433 there engaged in business for fourteen years as a manufacturer of sashes, doors, and blinds, subsequently carrying on a substantial business as a general merchant for ten years. Assuming possession then of his pres ent home, near Albion, he has since lived retired from active pursuits, an honored and respected citizen. Politically he affiliates with the Republi can party, and has served ably and acceptably as a member of the local school board, and as township auditor. Fraternally he is a member of the Elk Creek Grange; of Lundy's Lane Lodge, No. 497, K. of P.; of the Knights of the Alaccabees ; and of State Police, No. 57. On December 22, 1870, Thomas Hurst married Mary A. Alartin. She was born January 27, 1848, a daughter of Franklin and Anna (Alor ris) Martin, members of the farming community of Elk Creek township. Seven children have been born of their union, namely : Anna Alay. born in 1871, married M. D. Thrasher, a farmer in Cranesville: Eugene W., born in 1873, is a barber in Albion ; Clyde L., born in 1877, resides in Pittsburg; Frank E., the special subject of this sketch; Earl T., born in 1881, salesman in a meat market in Lorain, Ohio; Alice, born in 1884, and Grace L., born in 1888, are telephones operators in Albion. After his graduation from the high school Frank E. Hurst was for awhile employed as clerk in a grocery store in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, afterward being similarly employed in Albion. When ready to start in business on his own account, he bought his present market, and has since won an excellent and lucrative patronage as a meat dealer, the clean, neat appearance of his establishment, and his upright dealings with all, attracting a good line of customers, and gaining their con fidence. Mr. Hurst is yet single, mayhap imagining that he enjoys the freedom from domestic care and tribulations. Major Isaac B. Brown. A man of public spirit, integrity and worth, Major Isaac B. Brown, of Corry, comes from distinguished an cestry on both sides of the house, and during the Civil war fought in defense of his country. For many years he has been actively identified with the best interests of city, county and state, and holds a position of prominence among the best known and most influential citizens of his community. Well informed on the leading questions of the day, his views being practical and thorough, and his actions independent and energetic, he has been a conspicuous figure in state and national poli tics, as a public official rendering valuable service to his constituents. A native of Elk county, Pennsylvania, he was born at Rasselas, February 20, 1848, a son of Rasselas Wilcox and Mary Potter Brownell Brown, both of whom were descendants of Thomas Brownell, the emigrant, who settled at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, about 1630. At the age of sixteen years, relinquishing his studies for a time, Isaac B. Brown enlisted, in 1864, in the Union army as a private, and served until the close of the war in the Third Division, Ninth Corps, which formed a part of the Army of the Potomac. Returning home, he studied a year at the Smethport Academy and three years at Alfred Uni versity, from which he was graduated in 1869. Subsequently, while employed as a school teacher in Ridgway, he began the study of law, and in i876, at Corry, was admitted to practice at the bar of Erie county. Eminently fitted to become a leader among men, Mr. Brown soon entered, at the request of his fellow citizens, upon a public career, in 1880 being elected, on the Republican ticket, to represent Erie county Vol. 11—28 434 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY in the lower house of the state legislature, a position to which he was re-elected in 1882, and again in 1884. During the three terms in which he served as Representative, he easily held a leading position among his co-workers, and won distinction as an earnest laborer and a reliable man. In 1887 he was appointed deputy Secretary of Internal Affairs, and in 1891 was reappointed to the same office. In January, 1895, Mr. Brown was appointed by Governor Hastings Secretary of Internal Af fairs to fill the unexpired term of Thomas J. Stewart, who was then appointed Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, and the following May was appointed to the same position. In 1897 he was made president of the National Convention of Railway Commissioners at St. Louis, Missouri, and has since taken great interest in everything connected with the transportation service of the United States. In 1902 Mr. Brown was the Republican state nominee for Secretary of Internal Affairs, and was elected by a majority of more than two hundred and four thousand votes over his Democratic opponent, while he received sixty-three thou sand more votes than did Samuel W. Pennypacker, the Republican candidate for governor on the same ticket. In 1906 he was again a candidate for the same high position, but having publicly condemned the powers that controlled state legislation and had the management of affairs relating to the erection and furnishing of the new capitol build ing, he was defeated through the influence of United States Senator Penrose and his followers. From the time of its organization until 1904, he was a member of the State Forestry Reservation Commission, and assisted in the purchase of nearly a million acres of land for forestry reservation. Two of Alajor Brown's brothers, the late Hon. J. L. Brown, of Elk county, and Hon. AV. W. Brown, of McKean county, now Assistant Attorney General of the United States, served in the Civil war, and all were Representatives in the state legislature. In 1881 and 1883, the former Hon. J. L. Brown and the subject of this sketch were colleagues in the House, while the latter Hon. W. AV. Brown represented the Williamsport District in Congress. During the legislative session of 1885 the Alajor introduced and secured the passage of the bill for the establish ment of the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Erie, and during the same session was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs. Since its organization, Alajor Brown has been an active and promi nent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has served on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, and many times has been a dele gate to the National Encampment. Flis military career has been long and honorable. For thirteen years he served in the National Guards of Pennsylvania, being second lieutenant and captain in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth regiments, and was brigade judge advocate, with the rank of major, on the staff of General James A. Beaver, commanding officer of the Second Brigade of the National Guard of Pennsylvania. During the memorable riots of 1877, he was commander of a company in the National Guards, and rendered excellent service to the state in that capacity. By virtue of the services of four of his ancestors, Col. William Pendleton of Westerly, Rhode Island, Capt. AA'illiam Pendleton of Isle- boro. Alaine, Capt. Isaac Brown of Stonington, Connecticut, and Isaiah AA'ilcox of Westerly, Rhode Island, Alajor Brown is a member of the Pittsburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 435 was a member of the Battlefield Commission, authorized by Act of As sembly for the erection of a monument in Cumberland county, Pennsyl vania, to the memory of soldiers of the Revolutionary war. He was likewise a member of the Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' and Sail ors' Home at Erie ; and of the Soldiers' Plome at Brookville ; and was president of the Battlefield Commission of the Third Division, Ninth Corps, Army of the Potomac, for the erection of the monument at Fort Alahone, Petersburg, Pennsylvania, commemorating the services of that division of Pennsylvania volunteers in the Civil war. The unveiling of this monument occurred on the 19th of May, 1909, in the presence of Hon. AVilliam H. Taft, the governors of several states and a great concourse of people, and the oration was delivered by Major Brown. Taking much interest in state and national transportation, Major Brown was for ten years chairman of the executive committee of the National Association of Inter-State and State Railway Commissions, and for some time was superintendent of the Bureau of Railways for Pennsylvania. During the time thus employed, he prepared and read many papers relating to "Common Carrier Corporations" among others being the following named : "The Introduction of Electrical Power on Steam Railways," read before the National Convention of Railway Com missioners at Washington, D. C. ; "Federal and State Supervision of Transportation Companies," published in the Executive Documents of Pennsylvania ; one read before the Denver Convention of Railway Com missioners relating to the agreements between Railways and traffic ar rangements under the "Sherman Act" ; one relating to "Railways and Prosperity," published in the Pennsylvania Railway Report; and one on "Government Control or Government Ownership," read before the alumni of Alfred University at its commencement in 1907, the institution, which, ir June, 1900, conferred upon Major Brown the degree of Doctor of Laws. Alajor Brown has filled many positions of trust and responsibility in a manner reflecting credit upon himself, in fulfilling of the duties of his many offices showing discretion, sound sense and good judgment. In addition to the positions above mentioned he has served as president of the Aledical Council of Pennsylvania ; as secretary of the Pennsylvania Forestry Commission ; president of the Wilcox Manufacturing Com pany ; president of his Alumni Association ; trustee of the Pennsylvania State College, and of the State Normal School at Edinboro; as chair man of the Committee on Legislation, National Association of Railway Commissioners ; as a member of the Board of Pardons of Pennsylvania ; and as president of the Board of Property of Pennsylvania. For twenty years, from 1887 until 1907, he edited the "Annual Pennsylvania Report on Railroads." Through John and Priscilla (Alullins) Alden, Major Brown is a Alayflower descendant, his lineage being traced through the Cheese- brough, Dennison, Palmer, Pendleton and Wilcox families. On June 25, 1870, he married Aliss Hannah Partington, of Providence, Rhode Island, and to them three children have been born, namely : Lillian, born at Rasselas, April 16, 1871, was graduated from the Harrisburg high school on June 26, 1891, and died, in Llarrisburg, September 28, 1891 ; Sara Alary, born at Corry, November 24, 1881, was graduated from Wellesley College in 1902, and married, October 25, 1905, Harold Arthur Gilbert, of Williamsport; Rasselas AVilcox, born in Harrisburg, De cember 15, 1887, was graduated from Bordentown Military Institute, 436 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY' in 1906, as Senior Captain of its Corps of Cadets. The Alajor, and his wife and children, are members of the Episcopal church. Since the expiration of his last term of public service, in 1907, Alajor Brown has resided in Corry, where, in addition to the management of his business affairs, he has devoted himself to the practice of his profession, making a specialty of corporation law, in which he is well versed. AA'illiam Forbes. The Forbes family of Erie county has long been connected with its agricultural and business development, the old home stead in which its activities centered for so many years being just south of Albion. AA'illiam Forbes, of this review, was born in that locality on the 5th of October, 1885. His grandparents were Merritt Forbes, who died in 1899, aged eighty years, and Alary (Cornell) Forbes, who passed away in 1887, at the age of fifty-seven. Joel R. Forbes, the father, was born in Conneaut township, this county, in 1858, worked on the homestead near Albion until his marriage, and since then has been engaged there both in lumbering- and agricultural pursuits. His living brothers and sisters are as follows : Giles, a farmer of Conneaut town ship ; A'iola, who married J. B. Wickwire, and Alelinda, who became the wife of R. S. Randall, both agriculturists of that township. In 1882 Joel Forbes married Aliss Eunice Pelton, who was born in Conneaut township, August 29, 1860, daughter of Christopher C. Pelton and Alatilda (Randall) Pelton. The husband is still living at the age of eighty-seven years, the wife and mother dying in 1893, aged sixty-eight. Besides AA'illiam, there is one child living — Flossie, who was born Jan uary 30, 1889, married Carl Chaffee and is the mother of Alerle, Mil dred and La A'one. Joel R. Forbes and his wife are members of Elk Creek Grange, No. 997, located in AA'ellsburg, Pennsylvania, and Air. Forbes is a member of the State Police, No. 66. AA'illiam Forbes, who is unmarried, is one of the most respected business men of Albion. After leaving school he engaged in plumbing for some three years and was then in the service of the Bessemer Rail road for two years, after which he established his present business as a dealer in meats, in iAlbion. Charles Ford. Well known for his identification with the Bes semer Railway, Charles Ford, of Albion, is a native of Corry and has always been connected with the development of Erie county. He was born in that place, November 7, 1876, and is a son of Judd and Kate (Brewer) Ford, his father coming from Alassachusetts and settling in the oil fields of Pennsylvania as a driller in the early days of the industry. Besides Charles, the children of the Ford family were Jennie, now the wife of Edward Spencer of AA'estfield, New York; Nellie, Airs. George King, of that place ; AA'illiam, a carpenter residing there ; Ed, a railroad man, also in Westfield ; and Bert, a resident of Cambridge Springs. Pennsylvania, in garage work. Air. Ford's school days were finished when he was fifteen years of age and he continued to engage in farm ing until he was twenty, when he became a lumberman, getting out timber and working in a mill for some seven years. In 1901 Air. Ford located in Albion as a brakeman for the Bes semer Railway and thus continued until 1904, when he was promoted to the position of conductor, which he has since held. He is a member of the Society of Railway Conductors and an earnest Odd Fellow — a HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 437 man who has made friends amongst his co-workers, by his genial and cordial life, and who has done his full share in advancing the interests of the brotherhood — and all interests akin to his co-workers. In 1900 Air. Ford was united in marriage with Miss Jessie L. Park, born at Panama, New York, July 29, 1881, daughter of Oscar and Jen nie (AlcGower) Park, the former dying in 1899 at the age of fifty- three years and the latter residing at Jamestown, that state. The other children of the Park family were as follows: Daisy, who is now Mrs. George AVilson, of Greenville, Pennsylvania; Inez, wife of E. Stearns, of Panama, New York; Elva and Bernice, at home; Helen, who lives at Brockton, New York; and Myer and L. J., who are residents of Jamestown, New York. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford are as follows : Loy G., born in 1900 ; Gladys Fern, in 1904 ; Ena May. in 1906; Helen L, in 1907; and Lyle Whitford, born September 25, 1909. Emma (McNeil) Miles, widow of the late Samuel R. Miles, one of the best known locomotive engineers of Erie county, is a resident of Albion, with whose educational and religious progress her husband was so long identified. She herself is a native of Clearfield county, Pennsyl vania, born October 19, 1869, daughter of Isaac and Mary J. (Davis) AIcNeil. Both her parents are living, residents of Ansonville, Pennsyl vania, her father having been a farmer most of his life, and, at the age of sixty-five, still engaged in that calling. His early manhood, until 1866, was spent in the lumber business, and the six following years were passed as proprietor of a hotel at Madera, Pennsylvania. Mr. McNeil is an active Republican and a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife, aged sixty-three, is the daughter of an old stone mason of Utah- ville, Pennsylvania. The other members of the McNeil family are as follows : Galitson, a farmer who is operating the old home farm ; Grant, who is a merchant of Ramey, Pennsylvania; Ross, engaged as a clerk at Ansonville; Araminta, wife of Charles Lewis, a contractor of Madera; and John, a railroad man stationed at Utahville. The founder of the McNeil family in the United States was the paternal grandfather, Squire McNeil, who was a native of Ireland, came to Erie county and farmed at an early day. He was long a justice of the peace; a stanch Presbyterian and a sturdy pioneer in every relation of life. He died at the age of eighty-four years and his wife passed away when seventy- two. Mrs. Miles received her education in the public schools of Clear field, Pennsylvania, and on March 15, 1887, was married to Samuel R. Miles. He was also a native of Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, born February 13, 1864, son of Robert L. and Elizabeth (Curran) Miles. His father was a contractor, who served as a lieutenant in the Union army for three years, and died in 1906, a life-long member of the Bap tist church. The grandfather, Samuel Miles, was a soldier in the war of 1812. After completing a common school education, Samuel R. Miles pursued a business course at a commercial college, and at the age of seventeen entered the railway service and was identified with it for the balance of his life. In 1899 he was promoted to be a locomotive engineer on the Bessemer Railway. After his marriage he moved to Pittsburg and later to Albion, where he died March 28, 1909, after an Illness of three years. He bore his trials with the fortitude and cheer- 438 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY fulness of a true Christian, being at the last a firm Methodist and a trustee of the Albion church. As long as his health permitted, he was an active Republican, serving on the school board for some three years. He was identified with the Knights of Pythias and for six years was secretary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of Albion, his lodge passing the following resolutions of respect at the time of his death : "Resolved, That Division No. 282, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, deplore the death of our brother; that to the bereaved wife and sorrowing relatives we tender our prof oundest sympathies ; that in this hour of measureless grief, when our hearts swell with emotion, our tears mingle with theirs and our hearts bow in sorrow and sadness under this great bereavement, there comes to us a ray of hope, a gleam of consolation — Tis God's way; let His, not ours, be done! "Resolved, That as a token of our respect for our deceased brother, our charter be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days ; a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the records of this lodge ; a copy be forwarded to the bereaved family, and a copy be published in the Albion Arcivs and the Greenville Evening Record." To Air. and Airs. Samuel R. Miles was born one child — Alary Elizabeth, born June 10, 1888. Their beloved daughter is a graduate both of the Albion high school and the Davis Business College, of Erie, and is the stenographer and bookkeeper for the Flower Electric Power and Milling Company of Albion. Besides the widow and daughter, five sisters survive the deceased — Alesdames Fannie Reynolds, Mollie Hughes and Julia Marshall, and Alisses Ida and Dosia Miles. Smith Douglass Sawdey, a leading insurance man of Albion and an active and public spirited citizen generally, was born in Conneaut township, on one of the oldest and finest homesteads in Erie county, on the 14th of June, 1843. He is an adopted son of Captain David Sawdey and comes of a substantial Rhode Island family. His father was a na tive of Providence ; at the age of sixteen moved to New Bedford, Alass achusetts ; was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, but preferred life on the high seas. Becoming identified with the seamanship of the East India trade, he finally became captain and owner of a vessel, but his ship was captured by the English during their war with France and he himself was thrown into prison. Not long after his release he became a merchant of Paris, New York, and in 1821 disposed of his interests in that place and came to Erie county. Purchasing a large tract of land in Conneaut township, he located on his farm in 1822 and estab lished the family in northwestern Pennsylvania. The "Sawdey farm" of three hundred acres comprised the town site of Lexington, which had been laid out in 1797, and in 1821 was quite a settlement gone some what to seed. Several buildings were included in Captain Sawdey's purchase, and in 1823, besides improving his broad acres, he engaged in merchandise at Lexington and received the appointment of post master. The Sawdey farm also became a favorite military training ground. The farm as it stands today is one of the finest pieces of country property in northwestern Pennsylvania. It now embraces five hundred acres and, besides being a valuable estate, has an historical interest, as among the buildings included in its improvements are several which were erected by Captain Sawdey three quarters of a century ago. Its HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 439 present proprietor and operator is David A. Sawdey, one of the sons of the original owner. Captain Sawdey was a public character, as well as a successful promoter of his own interests. Fie served as one of the first commissioners of Conneaut township and Erie county and in 1837 was elected a member of the state house of representatives. His death occurred December 5, 1857, and thereby was taken away from earth a successful, kindly, generous and honorable pioneer, whose memory will always be cherished by the later generations of Erie county. After exhausting the resources of the district schools, Smith D. Sawdey became a pupil at the State Normal, Edinboro, which he at tended for three terms, after which he followed the carpenter's trade, in connection with farming, for sixteen years. At this period of his life he conducted a farm adjoining the old homestead. In 1880 Mr. Sawdey engaged in the insurance business at Albion, and has thus con tinued, representing the following companies at present : Delaware In surance Company, Philadelphia Underwriters, Michigan Commercial, Georgia Home, Sun of London, England, Providence, Washington, Crawford County Alutual in Western Erie County. He is also pres ident of the .Albion Alutual Telephone Company ; was an active member of the city council for many years (president five years), and is in every respect a progressive and honored citizen. He is an old Mason, being now chaplain of the Western Star Lodge, No. 304, of Albion, of which he has also been master. Since 1866 he has been an untiring and in fluential worker in the Alethodist church, having served almost con tinuously as trustee or steward. On September 28, 1864, Mr. Sawdey married Miss Mindwell Abbey, daughter of Harry and Sally (Jaycox) Abbey, both of whom are de ceased. The father was a well known carpenter of the early days, and was born December 14, 1795, in Burlington, New York, and died in 1856, while the mother, Sally Jaycox, was born November 8, 1802. Their marriage occurred on the 15th of November, 1821. Mrs. Sawdey died January 22, 1908, the devoted mother of two sons, a faithful wife and a gentle lady of unaffected piety. She was a devout Methodist, an active member of the Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society, and a steady in fluence for good in whatever circle she moved. Two sons survive the lamented mother and departed Christian lady. Alerton H., who was born in 1866, married Aliss Ida M. Maynard and is the father of Harry, Hazel and Raymond. He is engaged in the real estate business at Erie. The younger son, Frank D., was born in 1876 ; married Miss Nelly Wait ; has one child, Roy, and is a resident of Conneaut, Ohio. Mr. Sawdey is a true Democrat and has always upheld those ster ling principles of Democracy, which represent the principles of Jeffer son, the "Sage of Monticello." September 1, 1909, Mr. Sawdey wedded Miss Hattie Wiley, a daughter of AVilliam and Harriett (Langdon) Wiley. Mrs. Sawdey graduated at the Edinboro State Normal Col lege and taught in Erie county for a number of years. She is a mem ber of the Presbyterian church at Edinboro. Roy A. MacCartney, a prosperous druggist and pharmacist of Albion, this county, is a native of Blair county, Pennsylvania, born Alarch 6, 1877. He is a son of John C. and Anna M. (Rose) Mac Cartney, and his father, who died in 1880, was a leading merchant at1 Altoona, Pennsylvania. The widow who is a resident of Altoona is 440 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY also the mother of Benjamin F., and John F., both engaged in the real estate business at Altoona. .At the age of sixteen Roy A. entered the department of pharmacy of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and after completing his course located at Butler, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the drug business for five years. He then sold his stock and business and, after acting as a traveling salesman for two years, opened a drug store at Conneaut Lake. Mr. MacCartney remained thus engaged for two years, when he moved his stock and business to .Albion. There he has since prospered in business and established his position in the community as a useful and enterprising citizen. He belongs to the Protective and Benevolent Order of Elks at Erie, No. 67, and votes the Republican ticket, although he has never entered the field of politics, not even locally Herbert AL DeWolf, a widely known miller and farmer of Albion, Erie county, is a native of Conneaut township, born on the 4th of Alay, 1861. His family was early established at Plattsburg, New York, whence the paternal grandfather migrated in 1825 to Springfield town ship, this county, his mode of transportation being by ox-team, the com mon carriers of those days. He married Aliss Eliza Freeman, daughter of Alfred Freeman, a pioneer shoemaker and worthy citizen of Craw ford county. The grandfather died in 1881, aged seventy-five years, his widow surviving him until 1906, having reached the remarkable age of ninety-nine. Loren DeWolf, the father, taught school for three years before he located in Conneaut township, and later was employed in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. Notwithstanding the advanced age reached by his father and the phenomenal longevity of his mother, he passed awav in September, 1865, when only thirty-two. His wife, who was formerly Aliss Alary Jane Graves, daughter of William Graves, died in 1870, aged forty-five. At the age of seventeen Herbert M., after completing his common school course, and upon leaving school permanently, entered the oil fields at Bradford, Pennsylvania. He was thus engaged for four years ; then learned photography at New Castle, that state, and established a gallery at that place. Disposing of his business, Mr. DeWolf became a weigher for the Allegheny Coal Company, and after being employed four years in that capacity entered the employ of J. M. Strong, whose old and well known plant is located north of Springfield. He was thus engaged at that point for some thirteen years, returning to Albion, in 1905, and connecting himself with the Flower Milling Company. Be sides being widely known in that line, Mr. DeWolf is owner and oper ator of a farm west of Albion, which is also his homestead. He is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lake Erie Lodge No. 416, and the Grand Lodge of the State, to which he was elected in 1907. He is also identified with the P. H. C. of E. Springfield, and politically is a Republican, without political aspir ations. In completing the information of a family nature, it may be added that Air. DeWolf has a sister and two brothers living: Mabel, who is now the wife of L. R. Hotchkiss, a farmer of AA'est Springfield ; E. J.. a farmer of Conneaut township, and Harley J. DeWolf, a miller of Noblesville, Indiana. Herbert DeWolf married Aliss Mary A. Callag han, who was born December 17, 1864, and is a daughter of James Cal- WILLIAM BURNLEY HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 441 laghan, a retired engineer, now deceased. The two children of this tmion are Frances, born in 1898, and James L., who died in infancy. AA'illiam Burnley. Among those who stand as distinguished types of the world's workers and who have introduced new eras of thought by inventions of great utility is recorded the name of William Burnley, the proprietor of a large establishment at North East for the manu facture of the articles of his invention. Lie is a native of old England, born at Echelshill, Bradford, December 22, 1845, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Snowden) Burnley and a grandson of Joseph and Alary (Jennings) Burnley. Coming to the United States, Benjamin and Elizabeth Burnley established their home in the city of Erie in July of 1848, and there he followed his trade of a woolen manufacturer for about three years. Later buying a farm in Greenfield township, Erie county, he spent the remainder of his life there and died in 1896. His wife followed him to the home beyond in the following year. William was the fourth born of their ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and continuing in business with his father until he had reached his twenty-fourth year he then began farming for himself on rented land, continuing as a renter from 1870 until 1887. In the latter year he engaged in the manu facture of electrical materials at Miamisburg, Ohio, but four years later went from there to Painesville, Ohio, where for eleven years he was engaged in business for himself, and in the meantime he secured a number of patents on the articles which he had invented. In 1907 he came to North East, moving his business here, and he is now at the head of a large establishment on Wall street, on the Lake Shore Rail road, where he compounds his inventions. He is also the president of the Burnley Battery and Manufacturing Company, incorporated under the laws of Ohio at Painesville, and of which the treasurer is Clifford N. Graul and the secretary and manager F. B. Hess, with main offices in North East. Mr. Burnley married January 1, 1869, Annie C. Hitchcock, from the state of New York, a daughter of Myron D. and Sarah (Wright) Hitchcock, of Oswego, that state. Their children are: Elizabeth, who died in 1896, at the age of twenty-six years ; Nellie, who died at the age of twenty-five in 1895 ; Jennie, wife of F. B. Heath, of North East ; Nettie B., wife of John Kline, of Miamisburg, Ohio ; Myron W., whose home is in Kansas City, Missouri ; Grace, the wife of C. M. Graul, the manager of the Painesville Telephone Company at Painesville, Ohio. Mr. Burnley endorses the principles of the Republican party, and he is a member of the order of Masons No. 399, of North East, and of the Knights of Pythias order at Erie, Lodge No. 327. Mrs. Ada A. Fortune, who was born on her present homestead in Conneaut township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1858, is a daughter of Anson Parson, during many years one of the most prom inent residents of the county, and whose death occurred on the 25th of January, 1903. Coming to Erie county in 1840, he followed the car penter's trade for some time, and also buying twenty-five acres of land he cleared the tract and added thereto until he owned a farm of eighty- five acres. During the Civil war he enlisted with the One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company K, at Albion, and during "his entire service of four years he was a hospital steward stationed at 442 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the U. S. National Hospital in Baltimore. After his discharge from the army on the 1st of July, 1865, he entered and later graduated from the old medical university at Baltimore, and returning then to the old home stead south of Albion, he engaged in both farming and the practice of medicine, his office being in the north wing of the old home. In 1872 Dr. Parson moved to Springboro and built a residence and a sanitarium near the spring, where patients came to him for treatment from all parts of the country. He was a member of the American Institute of Homeo pathy, of the Pennsylvania State Homeopathic Aledical Society, and also of the fraternal orders of Alasons and Workmen and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Dr. Parson married first Delora Al. Brainard on July 5, 1851. She was a sister of the Hon. Samuel AL Brainard, and a daughter of Samuel and Olive (Nickelson) Brainard, the former a native of the state of New York, Ada was the last born of the doctor's seven children, and she has a sister and brother living, Frances P., the wife of AA'illiam Jamison, of Pittsburg, and Herbert Parson, a salesman in Springboro. Airs. Parson died in 1861, and later the doctor wedded Catherine Darlington, who died on the 26th of Alarch, 1888. She was a daughter of William Darlington, Al. D., LL. D., of Westchester, Penn sylvania, and a granddaughter of General Lacy of Revolutionary war fame. Airs. Ada Fortune attended school until eighteen years of age, and she then taught for three 'years, one term at the old Bumpus school near her present home. She married on the 28th of Alay, 1881, Alark Fortune, who was born February 9, 1838, in Lynchburg, Virginia, a son of Darius and Elizabeth (Hartwick) Fortune, the father a planter and timber land operator. The mother was a descendant of Lord Hart wick, a ship captain of Revolutionary war fame. He was also an ex pert horseman, and was killed on a wild ride by being caught by a grape vine. Alark Fortune during his service as Colonel in the Confederate army was captured by a Mr. Rumsey, who was later his partner in Chi cago in a grain business. He lost his estate and one hundred slaves in A'irginia through the Civil war, and going to the state of Iowa, he spent one year at Clinton and five years in Ames, buying and shipping grain along the Chicago & Alilwaukee Railroad. Aloving then to Des Aloines he was engaged in real estate operations there until 1887, and in 1890 he came to Springboro, Pennsylvania, and organized a company to sell mineral water from the spring owned by his wife's father. He later moved to AA'ashington Court House in Ohio, and was the proprietor of the Arlington House there for five years. Returning then to the old homestead he retired from an active business life and died on the 14th of April, 1907, a member of the Southern Baptist church and a Thirty- second degree Alason of Pittsburg. Four children blessed the marriage union of Alark and Ada Fortune, and Delora Ada, the first born, is at home with her mother. Rudolph Frances, the second born, was named by R. AlcCullough, the general manager of the Chicago & Northwest ern Railroad Company and a personal friend of the family, who exacted a promi?e from the parents that if a boy he should be called Rudolph and if a girl, Rudolph Frances. She was born February 11, 1884, and after leaving school at the age of eighteen she took up bookkeeping at AA'ashington Court House. She married on September 27, 1904, AV alter R. AIcLean, who was also born in the year of 1884, a son of AA'arren HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 443 and Lucretia (Garlinger) McLean, who were farming people. AA'alter R. AIcLean after leaving school was engaged in farming and dairying for a time, and he is now with the Washington Milling Company. There is one son of this union, Richard Harold, born Alarch 2, 1905. Alark Anson, the third child of Mrs. Fortune, was born in 1887, and is now managing the farm for his mother. He was four years in the U. S. navy, on the battleship Maryland in its cruise around the world. Ruth Elizabeth, the fourth and youngest child born to Mrs. Fortune, is also at home with her mother. She was born in 1892. Mrs. Fortune is a member of the Baptist church, and a prominent worker in its Ladies' Aid Society. George Newton Boyd, a farmer of Elk Creek township, was born Alarch 14, 1864, to Robert and Hannah A. (Clark) Boyd; the former was born Alay 25, 1835, and died June 23, 1903, and his wife who was born on September 15, 1836, died December 24, 1885. William Boyd, father of Robert, was born August 25, 1808, and died November 23, 1890, while his wife, Catharine Caldwell, was born March 10, 1804, and died April 27, 1887. He was a farmer, and settled at Enon A'alley. Pennsylvania, a short time before his death. Robert Boyd was born at Encn Valley, and received an education to fit him for the ministry in the Presbyterian church, following that profession until his death, which occurred in Tipton, Indiana. He had children as follows: William C, of Los AAngeles, California ; George N. ; and Sarah Alice, wife of Dr. Burkhart, of Tipton, Indiana. Robert Boyd had a brother, Joseph, who starved to death in the Andersonville prison at the time of the Civil war. George N. Boyd attended school until seventeen years of age and then learned the trade of painter, at Carnegie, Pennsylvania, following same two years, and then became brakeman on the Pittsburg, Chartiers, Youghiogheny Railroad, which position he held three years ; he spent another three years as fireman, and for fourteen years acted as engineer. In 1877 he settled at Albion, Pennsylvania, and in 1909 purchased the old Gregory farm of sixty-five acres ; this farm is known for many miles around, as the "Sunnyside Farm," which he has been conducting suc cessfully since. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder. He belongs to Western Star, Blue Lodge of Masons, No. 304, of Albion ; Oriental Chapter No. 187, of Conneautville ; Mount Calvary Commandery No. 67, of Greenville ; and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, E. Richardson Division No. 282, at Albion. He is an enterprising, ambitious man, and has the respect of the entire com munity. Mr. Boyd married, June 5, 1888, Sadie M., daughter of Amos Eise- man, born at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1866, and died Alay 30, 1902; they had one daughter, Minnie J., deceased. Mr. Boyd mar ried (second) Miss Agnes K. Irvine, June 10, 1903. She was born February 24, 1881, in Ayrshire, Scotland, and is a daughter of Thomas Irvine, a miner of Scotland, who died in 1890, aged thirty-eight years. His wife, Anna Toward, born February 8, 1854, was a daughter of George Toward, a native of England, and Elizabeth Smith ; the former died in 1892, aged eighty-five, and the latter in 1892, aged seventy-three years. They came to the United States and settled in Alleghanv county in 1879. Thomas Irvine and his wife followed a year later. Their children were: Elizabeth, wife of John Dill, of Oblong, Illinois, a ma- 444 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY chinery manufacturer; Richard; Mary Ann, wife of J. Albright, of Pitts burg; George, deceased; Anna, living with Airs. Boyd, and Agnes K., who is Airs. Boyd. Thomas Irvine's widow married (second) William Coltman, now deceased, bv whom she had children as follows : Alargaret AL, born in 1896; Thomas AL, born in 1897; and John AL, in 1898. Airs. Boyd is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Home Alissionary Society. Captain Daniel Elliott, a patriotic and public-spirited citizen of Erie, was born in Canada, in 1864, and is the son of William and Annie Elliott, both natives of Canada, and both now deceased. Their chil dren were: Trasco, Fred, Alollie (now Airs. Alume), and Daniel. AVil liam Elliott was cousin to Thomas Edison, the great electrical inventor; George Elliott, brother of William, served as private in an Ohio Regi ment, in the Civil war. The great-grandfather of Daniel Elliott served as a member of General AA'ashington's body-guard, in the Revolution. Thus, though a native of Canada, Captain Elliott is of a family who have served the United States in her times of need. Captain Elliott received his education in Canada, and there began his career on the lake ; in 1883 he removed to Erie, and has since made his home in that city. He has been employed on the lake for thirty years, and for fourteen years has held a certificate as master mariner ; he is now (1909) owner and master of the fishing tug "Elma." For the first few years Captain Boyd was on board a sailing vessel, engaged in freight trade, but for the last twenty-five years has followed fishing business exclusively, and has been very successful. The noble and sterling qualities of heart and mind of Captain Elliott have often been severely tried in his vocation, and he has always shown himself to be a man of bravery and determination. In the fall of 1888, at the close of the fishing season, a belated vessel, with a crew of seven on board, was wrecked on the Canadian side ; four of the crew succeeded in reaching shore safely, while the others clung to the wrecked vessel. Captain Elliott, with others, took a yawl on wheels, overland, a distance of several miles, hastily launched it, and rescued the captain and mate, while the cook (a woman) was found frozen in the rigging. In the present time this act of bravery would probably receive a medal from the Carnegie Association, but those taking part in it had no thought other than to be of the quickest possible assistance to their fel lows, and did not stop to consider the danger they necessarily passed through themselves. Captain Elliott is a member of the Licensed Tug- men's Association, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1902 Captain Elliott visited his early home, and there met his future wife, Edmire Laramie, also a native of Canada. They were mar ried soon after, but have not been blessed with children. Mrs. Elliott is of French descent, born in 1878, and is an amiable and estimable lady ; her maternal grandfather, whose surname was Knapp, served in the war of 1812, thus showing that her family have been of service, also, to the United States. Robert H. Chinnock, a prominent member of the Erie bar, was born in the First ward of the city on February 22. 1873, the son of Robert H. and Elizabeth AL (Redner) Chinnock. The father was born HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 445 in Plymouth, England, in 1845 ; was liberally educated, and when sixteen years of age first visited the United States in company with his tutor. A few years before the Civil war, he returned to this country and lo cated at Charleston, South Carolina. After the war, at the solicitation of the late General Huydenkooper, he came north and engaged with that gentleman in connection with the Meadville (Pennsylvania) Agricultural Works. In 1871, he settled in Erie as general superintendent of the Stearns Alanufacturing Company, later becoming its confidential travel ing representative. He resigned that position to engage in the manu facture of stationary pumps, tools, etc., which enterprise he conducted until the panic of 1875, which caused the shutting down of his plant. The elder Air. Chinnock then founded his present business, that of general blacksmithing. The maternal grandfather is Freeman Redner, a native of Geneva, New York, born in 1819, and now in his old age, spending his last days in Erie with his daughter. In the years of his prime, this venerable gentleman, was one of the striking builders of the country, and he was known from ocean to ocean. As general manager of the Keystone Bridge Works of Pittsburg, he prepared the material for the great Brooklyn bridge, as well as for the famous Eads structure at St. Louis, Alissouri. In company with General Huydenkooper and Samuel B. Dick, he also built the Bessemer Railroad, acting as its first general manager. In addition, he erected and owned the Kellogg Bridge Works of Buffalo, New York, and was at one time general manager of the Rogers Locomotive Works of Patterson, New Jersey. Robert H. Chinnock of this biography, was educated in the public and high schools of Erie. He learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, and while thus engaged, was preparing himself for the legal profession. He registered as a student of law with the Honorable S. M. Brainard, with whom he finished the course, acting in the meantime as that gentleman's stenographer. Being admitted to the bar Alarch 27, 1897, he has since become qualified to practice in the state and United States courts. He has also held the office of United States deputy mar shal for the last seven years, promptly and ably discharging the duties of that office in addition to his practice. Mr. Chinnock is an active member of the I. O. O. F., being one of the founders of Fraternal Lodge No. 188. He is also a member of the Moose lodge. Almost since a child he has been an earnest Baptist, and has been identified with the First Church of Erie for many years. Christoph William Boettiger, one of the leading citizens and business men of South Erie and senior member of the firm of Boettiger and Company, a widely known firm of plumbers and dealers in steam fixtures, was born in the first ward of Erie, February 12, 1874. His parents were William and Martha (Eisenhaut) Boettiger, both natives of Germany who came to the United States when young and were mar ried in Erie county. The father was employed by the well known Frederick Koehler Brewing Company for twenty years and afterward engaged in business on his own account until the time of his death, Feb ruary 7, 1905. The mother had passed away nearly twenty-one years before on December 27, 1884. Both parents were devoted members of the German Reformed Lutheran church. The children of this union were: Christoph W., of this sketch; George, engaged in the plumbing business on Peach street, South Erie; Lena and Charles, both deceased; John, a resident of South Erie, and an infant unnamed. 446 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Christoph W., of this review, was reared in Erie, obtained his edu cation in its public schools and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to the plumbers' trade under John Porsch and after completing his term he continued with him, his total service covering eleven years. He was thereafter employed at his trade until 1901 when he opened an estab lishment of his own at 2310 Peach street in association with his brother, George S. In 1904 he formed a partnership with E. W. Henderson, former city plumbing inspector, under the firm name of Boettiger and Company and in Alarch, 1905, they removed to their present place of business, 2310 Peach street, which property Mr. Boettiger bought at that time. As a boy Mr. Boettiger joined St. Paul's German Lutheran church but after his marriage became identified with St. John's. For the past two years he has served as trustee of that church, his term ex piring January 1, 1909, and in addition to this office he also holds the position of treasurer of the church. His fraternal connections are with the I. O. O. F. and St. John's Benefit Society. Mr. Boettiger's wife was formerly Louise Webber, a native of McKean township, Erie county, and their son Frederick was born October 12, 1900. Jacob C. Steinfurth. The foreman of the Cascade foundry of Erie, Jacob C. Steinfurth, is not only a thorough and faithful master of his trade, as a true German should be, but is also an active member of the city board of education, public-spirited and liberal-minded, as befits a typical German-American. Born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Novem ber 26, 1858, he is the son of Fredrick and Sophia (Heine) Steinfurth. The family came to the United States in 1872, locating at once in the Fourth ward of Erie, where the father still resides in his eighty-second year. The mother died in 1903. Jacob C. Steinfurth went through the schools in the old country and was confirmed before coming to the United States in his fifteenth year. In Erie he attended No. 10 public school and night, school, and as a youth drove the milk wagon for die Frontier dairy farm. He next entered the employ of General Walker, taking care of his place for three years, and in 1880, began an apprenticeship at the molder's trade with the Stearns Alanufacturing Company. After learning his trade and spending one year at the National foundry, he became a molder at the Griswold Alanufacturing Company, where for eighteen years he was continuously employed. In 1901, he took charge of the molding depart ment of the Cascade foundry. Air. Steinfurth was elected a member of the school board from the Fourth ward in 1907, which was a merited recognition of the long and deep interest he had manifested in educational affairs of the city. In 1895 he was chosen a trustee of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church and served for six years. In 1905, he was again elected a trustee, and at the same time chosen chairman of the board, a position he holds at present. Air. Steinfurth is a prominent Odd Fellow, having filled all the chairs in his lodge and served as representative of the Grand lodge. Lie is also a member of the AA'est Erie German Flarti Gari Society and the AA'est Erie Beneficial Society. In 1883 Air. Steinfurth was united in marriage to Aliss Minnie Schulte, daughter of Frederick Schulte, the old councilman and con stable from the Fourth ward. To them have been born three children. Clara the eldest, was born in 1884 and died in 1891 ; Alyrtle was a HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 447 teacher in the public schools and married C. W. Coppersmith of Erie, now residing in Collinwood, Ohio, where her husband is a mechanical engineer ; Edward, the youngest, graduated from the Erie high school and from the Davis Business College; was for two years with the Sus quehanna Coal Company and a like period with the Bury Compressor Company, and then entered the Pennsylvania State College at Gettys burg, where he is taking a course in electrical engineering. Lewis Bush, who has been among the foremost citizens of Erie for more than thirty-three years, is one of those rare characters who has always possessed the keen foresight to originate enterprises at the proper time and place, and the determination and practical ability to demonstrate their value. It is seldom in the business world that one finds in com bination both the originator of a good scheme and the hard-working and successful promoter of its practical details. Mr. Bush is one of the rare exceptions, and he has therefore obtained financial substance and attained a wide name in Pennsylvania and the middle west as a pioneer in various fields of business which are now well cultivated and the sources of employment to thousands of men and women. Such men are far greater public benefactors than they themselves realize. Alir. Bush, who is now the head of the Penn Carbon Company, is a native of Wachenheim, Germany; was born September 4, 1824, and em igrated to the United States in September, 1847. After residing in Ash land and Philadelphia for some time, in 1865 he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty-two acres in Venango county, Pennsylvania. It hap pened that he made the purchase at the proper time and place, for the excitement was then high over the "striking of oil" in that part of the state and the well which he sunk on his farm proved a good producer from the first. He also drilled two gas wells to a depth of two thousand feet, and he still owns and develops this original property which was the means of giving him his first decisive start in the United States. In 1876 Mr. Bush removed to Erie, subsequently engaging in the meat business, and then for years conducted an extensive business as a wholesale and retail packer under the name of the Bush Provision Co. This latter plant had a daily capacity of three hundred hogs and one hundred head of cattle and he manufactured every day twenty-five hun dred pounds of sausage. Before establishing his packing house, he had been the pioneer shipper of beef from Chicago to Erie, and later sold the business to his son Aaron F., who was at the time engaged in the fish business, and was the pioneer merchant in this line and was the first to employ a steam vessel in the fishing business, as he was the first to ship fresh and frozen fish from Erie to the eastern markets. Since 1893 Mi. Bush has turned his energy, capital and ability in the direction of the ¦carbon industry, his interests being now actively represented by his son, H. Astor. He first erected six houses for the manufacture of carbon. later adding two, and has altogether placed in operation 17,472 lights, with five foot burners, which when running at full capacity consume two million feet of gas per day of twenty-four hours. It is almost needless to add that the market for this product extends over the civilized world, and that Air. Bush is therefore a leading figure in a cosmopolitan in dustry. In 1851 Mr. Bush was united in marriage with Miss Katherine Snyder, who was born in Mahantango, Northumberland county, Peni> 448 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY sylvania, October 2, 1823, and died at Erie, Alay 6, 1905. The children of this union were Charles F., Aaron F., PI. Astor, Elmer L., Alary, Helene and Katherine, now Airs. Edward A. Phillips of Buffalo, New York. The father of the family, although in his eighty-sixth year, is in the enjoyment of good health, his daughters Helene and Mary being the light and comfort of his home — even in a more marked degree since the departure from his side of his beloved wife. Harry S. Childs stands at the head of some of the most important industrial institutions of the city of Erie, but although he has been long and prominently identified with the life and interests of Erie county he is a native son of the Empire state, born in Salamanca, Cattaraugus county, New York, August 28, 1865. The Childs, however, are a Alas sachusetts family, but David Childs, the grandfather of the Erie mer chant, moved from Salem in his native state to Canandaigua, New York,. which became the birthplace of his son, Afarvin A. During a number of years Alarvin A. Childs was engaged in the leather business in 'that city, but he moved to Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, in 1904, and there he is now living. He married Mary C. Boardman, who was born in western New York, a daughter of John Boardman, and she is also living. Their son, Harry S. Childs, was reared in Randolph, near James town, receiving in the meantime a public school education, and for a short time he also clerked in a store there. But in 1882 he left there for Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he was a salesman for several years, and from that time until coming to Erie he was engaged along the same line in the oil regions. He was still employed in the capacity of a sales man when he came to Erie, but here he embarked in the tea business with R. AI. Johnson, forming what was known as the Great Eastern Tea- Bank, their place of business being at 1005 State street, in the Harold building, but Air. Johnson died within a few months after the organi zation of the business and he was succeeded by George B. Kimberly, the firm name then becoming Kimberly and Childs. About a year and a half later, however, Air. Childs sold his interest to his partner and then embarked in the flour and feed business at the corner of Tenth and State streets, but after a short time there he resumed his former vocation of clerking, and for about a year filled a clerkship at New Castle, Penn sylvania. On the 2d of July, 1898, Mr. Childs formed a partnership with Charles Waxelbaum and David Jones, and tinder the firm name of Childs, AA'axelbaum and Company opened a clothing store at 1206 State street, but about a year and a half later Air. Jones retired from the bus iness, and the firm name then became Childs and AVaxelbaum, while on the 20th of September, 1907, Air. Childs purchased the interest of his partner, and has since owned and conducted the business alone. His has been truly a successful life, and being a man of forceful individuality he has placed his name at the head of a number of the industries which has helped to make Erie a commercial center. On the 20th of October, 1907, and in company with other leading business men of this city, T. O. Andrews, Samuel Glenn, A. P. Johnson and John Strueber, he formed and incorporated the Erie Baking Company, the largest establishment of its kind in the city, and of which Air. Andrews is the president and Mr. Childs the treasurer and general manager. The plant is a three story lt^e^iy^-i rL£^facJ. 9*u&. &3.7M* HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 489 a short time came again to Fairview and he spent the remainder of his life here. Jeremiah Sturgeon, his son, was born in this village in February of 1817, and throughout his entire life he continued one of its most earnest supporters and leading citizens, honored and revered wher ever known. Pie married Aliss Catherine McCreary, a member of another of the well known families of Erie county. She was born in Millcreek township of this county in November, 1818, a daughter of Thomas McCreary, who came to Erie county from Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and located in Millcreek. They became the parents of Jeremiah Albert, a well known farmer who died in 1904, and Anna E., who lives with her sister, Jane M., and resides in Fairview. Air. Sturgeon was a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian church, as well as of all moral, educational and social interests, an earnest worker for the benefit of humanity. He was a Democrat. Air. George R. McCreary, who is a resident of Michigan, was born in Erie county January 18, 1839. He was educated in the com mon schools and is a farmer. He served two years and nine months and twenty-one days in the One hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsyl vania Volunteers, and was in twenty battles. He is independent in politics. Phineas Dunham. Miles represents one of the very earliest families of Erie county, and the name which he bears is indelibly traced on the his tory of its pages from early colonial days to the present. William Miles, his grandfather, was both a farmer and surveyor, and it was as a member of a surveying party under David Watts that he first came to Erie county. In 1795 he brought his family here, the family making the journey on horseback, and his son James, a babe of two and a half years, and his little daughter Marion were each put in large bags and thus suspended one on each side of a horse. To Mrs. Miles belonged the honor of being the first white woman in the county. The family located in what is now Union City, where William Aliles farmed and followed surveying, and also with pack horses brought in provisions from Pittsburg to the early settlers. In those early days he built mills to grind their corn and on one occasion with two or three others he walked the entire distance to Pitts- Durg to vote for one of the early governors. Both he and his wife now lie buried at Girard Cemetery. James Miles, a son of this honored early pioneer of Erie county, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and his wife, nee Eliza Dunham, was born possibly in Crawford county. In 1828 he left his parents' home and located on a farm at the mouth of Elk creek in Girard township, and there he spent the remainder of his life as an agriculturist, his death occurring in March of 1868. His political affiliations were with the Whig party, and he at one time served as one of the commissioners •of Erie county. He was also associate judge of his county, and held -many of the township offices. Mrs. Aliles preceded her husband a few years to the home beyond, and both lie buried in Girard Cemetery. In their family were the following children: Mary J., deceased; Phineas Dunham, mentioned below ; Julia Maria, who married John H. Hall and resides in North Girard; AA'illiam W., who was killed in the Civil war; .Zeruah M., who is deceased ; John F., whose home is in Springfield town- 490 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ship. Erie county; and Eliza R., the wife of A. S. AL Alorgan, of Pitts burg, Pennsylvania. Phineas' D. Aliles was born February 17, 1X33, in the frame house which sheltered the family for many years, and his educational training was received in the primitive log school houses which marked the be ginning of the splendid educational system of Erie county, and this train ing was later continued in the academy at Girard. Farming has been his life occupation, but in 1893 he retired from the work and has since made his home in North Girard. He married a native daughter of Spring field township, Aliss Nancy Dixon, January 19, 1859, and their three children are Charles AA'., Clara and Henry Dixon, all at home with their parents excepting the son Henry D., whose home is in Buffalo, New York, and who married Alice Dunbar and has two children : Alildred D. and James D. Air. Aliles votes with the Republican party, and his wife and daughter Clara are members of the Episcopal church in Nprth Girard. Durward AA'. Tanner is one of the most progressive and successful of the Venango township agriculturists, and he is also one of its native born sons, his birth occurring iAugust 28, 1858. In its schools he received his educational training, and early in life he took up the work of a teacher, but his principal occupation has been the tilling of the soil, in which he has been more than ordinarily successful and he now owns and occupies a valuable estate of one hundred and thirty acres, which is de voted mainly to dairy purposes. He has a fine herd of eighteen cows. Air. Tanner is the son of Alorgan B. Tanner and a grandson on the paternal side of William and Lydia .(Foster) Tanner. AVilliam Tanner in his day was a large land owner, owning an estate of about two hun dred acres, and he was a man of considerable means and importance in his community. His children were, James, Alorgan, Amos, Lydia, Jane and Alary. Morgan B. Tanner was born in AA'ashington county,, New York, in August, 1824, and he was married in New York state to Electa Whitney, who was born in September, 1S24. They came to Erie county about the year of 1839, and their home was thereafter in A'enango town ship. Air. Tanner was one of the early school teachers of this township, and he was a man of learning and influence, and was also a mechanic and farmer. He served nine months in the Civil war in the 168th Pennsyl vania Regiment, Company T, and six months in Company E, 118th Penn sylvania Calvary. He was an enthusiastic member of Gen. H. L. Brown Post, G. A. R., department of Pennsylvania. He was very patriotic and some of the most pleasant hours of his life were spent with his war com rades. He was sixty-seven years at the time of his death and was buried by the members of the Grand Army post. He died on the 8th of July, 1891, at at his home in A'enango township, which place had been his home for fifty years. His wife, Electa (AA'hitney) Tanner, was born in the town of Alina, Chautauqua county, New York, September 7, 1824. She was one of twelve children and was wedded to Alorgan B. Tanner on her twentieth birthday, September 7, 1844, and they began housekeeping in a small house which used to stand near where Cassius Turner now lives. Air. Tanner being called to the war when it first broke out and again toward the close, this placed the arduous duties of caring for a family of six young children wholly upon Airs. Tanner, but she bore the burden faith fully. She was a dutiful mother, a Christian who consistently and thoughtfully read her Bible, a neighbor respected by all. She survived HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 491 until the 5th of August, 1903. Their family numbered the following children: Emma, Ellen, Matilda, Lucinda, Lydia, Durward AA'. and Alice; but Lucinda, Lydia and Alice are deceased. Durward W. Tanner married December 1, 1892, Aliss Carrie, a daughter of Thomas AIcDowell, and they have a daughter, Alary E. She is a student in Wattsburg high school. Airs. Tanner was born in Vermont January 1857. During six years Air. Tanner has been honored with the office of school director. He is a member of the Grange, and he and his family are worthy members of the Alethodist Episcopal church at AVattsburg, Pennsylvania. Air. Tanner is a Republican. Sheridan T. Hamilton. A man of mechanical ingenuity and tal ent, Sheridan T. Hamilton has wisely taken every offered opportunity for developing his natural tastes, and in his special line of work has achieved deserved success, as a contractor for the Shreve Chair Company, in Union City, holding a responsible position. A son of Leroy Hamilton, he was born in Belmont, Allegany county, New York, July 29, 1874, and was there brought up and educated. Leroy Hamilton married Isa belle Mickle, whose father, G. Mickle, served as a soldier in the Civil war, and it is said, though it is a doubtful fact, that he likewise took part in the War of 1812. Three children were born of their union, namely: J. L., who served in the Spanish-American war, and is now engaged in business in Union City; Jessie B., wife of T. L. Manley; and Sheridan T., of this biographical sketch. Beginning the battle of life for himself when a lad of fifteen years, Sheridan T. Hamilton put forth his best endeavors, laboring diligently and perseveringly to obtain such a knowledge of mechanics as should enable him to develop his latent talents, and for the past seventeen years he has been employed as a chair maker. For six years he has occupied his present position as a contractor for the Shreve Chair Company, in Union City, his special work being to get the chair ready for the filler. His original contract called for more work than he is now doing, but finding it too laborious for him it has since been diminished about one half. Mr. Hamilton has eleven men under his supervision, and they turn out eighteen hundred chairs each day while the mill turns out thirty-five hundred chairs in ten hours, a seemingly immense supply for one firm. On August 1, 1893, Mr. Hamilton married Bertha E., daughter of John and Susan Cupples, prominent residents of Union township, where her birth occurred September 27, 1875. Further ancestral history of her family may be found elsewhere in this volume, in connection with the sketch of Curt Cupples. Two children have been born to Air. and Mrs. Hamilton, namely: Marjorie AL, deceased; and Leon L. Air. Hamilton belongs to the Coleman Hose Company, and is also a member of the patriotic society known as the Sons of A'eterans. Air. and Airs. Hamil ton are both connected by membership with the Baptist church of Union City. They have a beautiful and attractive home on South street, and there delight to entertain their large circle of friends and acquaintances, greeting each and every one with hearty hospitality. Curt Cupples. A young man of mechanical ability and skill, Curt Cupples, of Union City, is actively identified with its manufacturing industry as a contractor for the Shreve Chair Company, with which he has been associated since 1906. A son of John Cupples, he was born on a farm in Union township, Erie county, in 1873, and was there bred, 492 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY receiving his education in the district schools. John Cupples was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his active life, being a resident of Erie county until his death. He married Susan Middleton, who was born in Erie county, while he was a native of Ireland. Six children blessed their union, as follows: Verna, now Mrs. Hatch; Jennie; Middle- ton; Iris, with whom Mrs. Cupples resides, married C. C. Rice; Bertha E., wife of S. T. Hamilton, of whom a brief sketch appears on another page of this work ; and Curt. When ready to begin life as a wage-earner, Curt Cupples entered the Hatch Broom Factory, in which he worked steadily for four years. He was subsequently engaged in the livery business for a short time, but not finding the occupation congenial to his tastes, he accepted his present position with the Shreve Chair Company in 1906, and, with the assistance of the eight men in his employ, assumes the charge of getting the arms of the chairs ready for the finisher. Mr. Cupples married Emma Duncombe, a daughter of John T. Dun- combe, and they have one child, Alildred Cupples, born in 1908. The Duncombe family was prominent in the early annals of Erie county, the first of the name to settle in this section of the state having been Dr. Duncombe, a pioneer physician. Dr. Duncombe married Mary Bennett, and they became the parents of five children, as follows : Mary, Eliza beth, Wilbur F., John T., and Charles. John T. Duncombe bore arms in defense of the Union during the Civil war, enlisting first in Company C, Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment re-enlisted, and served until the cessation of hostilities. Dur ing one of the later engagements of the war, he was taken by the enemy, and confined for many months in either Libby or Andersonville, the pris oners in both places suffering untold horrors. When finally released, and honorably discharged from the service, he was so broken in health that for a time his recovery was doubtful. But he lived for many years an honored and respected citizen. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Grant, two chil dren were born, Charles W. and Emma, wife of Mr. Cupples. Eliza Grant was a daughter of Charles Grant, who served in the War of 1812, and her grandfather, great-grandfather of Mrs. Cupples, was Rev. Isaac Grant, a Alethodist minister, who fought bravely in the Revolutionary war, doing his duty as faithfully and willingly on the field of conflict as in the pulpit. He belonged to a family noted for its patriotism, being a son of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the soldier-president of the United States for eight years. G. A. Auer. Prominently identified with the industrial resources of Union City, is G. A. Auer, an experienced and skilful engineer, now in charge of the power house of the Union City Chair Company. He is a man of more than average ability and intelligence, a close student of both books and men, and is well endowed with the energy, enterprise and push that invariably command success in any line of business. A son of the late C. A. Auer, he was born, January 13, 1858, in Licking county, Ohio, but was brought up and educated in Corry, Pennsylvania. C. A. Auer was born in Germany, and died, in 1899, in Corry. A thorough-going German business man, his capacity to grasp an idea, and then to develop it into a practical and tangible reality was striking. He was a tanner by trade, thoroughly versed in its arts in every department. After spending some years in Ohio, he came, in 1863, to Pennsylvania, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 493 locating in Corry, where, in 1864, he built a tannery, the capacity of which was one thousand sides per week. He subsequently enlarged his plant, increasing its capacity to fifteen hundred sides a week, and continued its operations until 1871, when he sold out at an advantage. With character istic enterprise, he soon erected another tannery, with a capacity for six hundred sides per week, in this tanning upper and harness leather, only. This he managed with success and profit until 1889, when he met with a great disaster, being entirely burned out, and sustaining a complete loss of $35,000. This misfortune falling upon him when he was well advanced in years, so crippled him financially that he never rebuilt, but lived retired the remainder of his years. An intelligent observer of men and events, he accumulated a vast fund of general information and useful knowledge, from which he could at any time draw for his own gratification, or for the enlightenment of others, making him a most congenial companion and friend. Liberal and charitable, he was one of the originators, and heavy stockholders, of the organization that purchased the Corry Cemetery, not for profit, but that it might be resold to would-be purchasers at a nominal price. He was influential in local affairs, and was elected at least five times as council man. He was a consistent and worthy member of the German Lutheran church, and belonged to various social organizations, including the Knights of Honor, the Independent Order of Foresters, and the Haru- gari, a German society. He married Christine Ratis, a native of Ger many, and they became the parents of eight children, as follows : C. A., a currier in Corry; Harry, of Corry, an insurance agent; Mrs. Clara AL Osborne and Airs. Emma Dean, both of Corry; Mrs. Rose Horn, of Bal timore; G. A., of this sketch; F. P., of Buffalo, New York; and W. R., of Erie. After the burning of his father's tannery, in 1889, G. A. Auer found himself thrown upon his own resources, but his previous experience in the tannery made him comparatively independent, his acquired mechan ical knowledge having fitted him for positions of trust and responsibil ity. Immediately beginning his career as an engineer, he remained for a number of years in Warren county, first having charge for two years of a stationary engine for the Torpedo Lumber Company, and being sim ilarly employed another two years with L. B. Wood, in Grand Valley. Subsequently returning to Corry, Mr. Auer was for five years engineer in the plant of AA'eisser Brothers. Removing to Union City in 1903, he has since had full charge of the power house of the Union City Chair Company. His engine is three hundred and fifty horse-power, with an electric generator of three hundred and forty-five horse-power. The engine, constructed in Erie, is of the Skinner make, and the electric out fit is of the Crooker & Wheeler design, both standard manufactures. Air. Auer married Aliss Emma De Etta Mclntire, and to them three children have been born, namely: Boyd, Maud, and Ethel. E. B. Smith, M. D. One of the most successful of the practicing physicians and surgeons of Union City is Dr. E. B. Smith, who has been identified with its professional life since 1883, the year following his graduation from the Cleveland Homeopathic College. Since the year of 1896 he has practiced in partnership with Dr. H. L. Stem, a graduate of the same institution and another of the successful physicians of Union City. 494 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Dr. Smith was born in Spartansburg, Crawford county, Pennsylva nia, in 1858, but he was reared and educated in Townsville of that county, and there laid the foundation for his future successful professional career. He is identified with both the State and County Homeopathic Medical associations, and is a member of the fraternal order of Knights of Pythias. Harry J. Seaman is an electrical engineer in Union City, and since 1905 has been in entire charge of the Union City Electric Light, Heat and Power plant. This plant, installed in 1890, is equipped with a two hun dred horse-power Skinner automatic engine, a one eighty horse-power Skinner automatic engine, two sixty K. W. eleven hundred volt Warren alternators, one sixty K. W. Westinghouse alternator, and the output of the plant is one hundred K. W. And besides his superintendency of this large plant Mr. Seaman is an electrical contractor and installs and equips electrical plants, a skilled mechanic and an experienced electri cian and thoroughly competent for his responsible position. Born at North East in Erie county, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1872, he is a son of AIelvin J. and Hattie A. (Graham) Seaman, both of whom were also born at North East, and his grandfather on the maternal side was in his day one of the most prominent residents of that commun ity, a very wealthy man and a large lender of money. In the family of Melvin J. and Hattie A. Seaman were three sons, Fred AL, B. F. and Harry J., all electrical engineers of prominence. Harry J. Seaman received his educational training in Buffalo, New York, where he was also reared, and by his marriage to Aliss Alabel O. Ferguson he has two children, Arville V. and Melvin J. He is a member of Eureka Lodge No. 66 F. & A. AT, and he is also a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. G. AV. Clayton. The proprietor of the Ideal Cigar Store on Main street, G AV. Clayton, is a well known business man in Union City. He has been at this location during the past four years, and in that time has built up a large patronage, while at the same time his store has increased in popularity and value and now contains a stock amounting to three thousand dollars, including six billiard tables. His stock of cigars and tobacco is of the choicest and finest brands, and the establishment is all that its name implies, an "Ideal Store." Air. Clayton was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1875, a son of Joseph R. and Ann Clayton. Joseph R. Clayton carried on his trade of shoemaking in Union City until the time of his death on the 13th of January, 1908, and of his family of nine children seven grew to years of maturity, namely: J. R., J. W., B. R., Airs. Sarah Palmer and G. W., all of whom reside in Union City; Airs. Etta Davis and Mrs. Christine Riley, of Youngstown, Ohio. G. W. Clayton came with his parents to Union City in 1887, and here completed the educational training which had been begun in his native town of Warren. Going from here to Youngs town, Ohio, he was a motorman on one of the lines running out of that city and also oh a line from Niles, that state, and by close application to business and by strict economy he was soon able to return to Union City and start in business for himself. Besides his costly and well appointed store he owns a splendid home on Alain street, surrounded by nine acres of land. On February, 22, 1900, Air. Clayton was married to Miss Lillian HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 495 Sessions, of this city, and their only child is George Myron born June 7, 1909. Frank W. Beemer. One of the most valuable and attractive of the farm homesteads of Le Boeuf township in Erie county is owned and operated by Frank W. Beemer. This is a fertile and highly improved dairy farm of one hundred and seventy acres, and was formerly the pro perty of George W. Brooks. In his pastures Mr. Beemer keeps a large herd of finely graded stock, and the milk is converted into cheese, for which he finds a ready sale at the highest market value. Born in Detroit, Alichigan, on the 18th of April, 1879, Air. Beemer was educated there, but his young life was spent on a farm near that city, up to the year of 1899, when he moved to Erie county, Pennsylvania, the former home of his mother. His parents were Sylvanus and Rose (Anderson) Beemer, natives respectively of the state of Michigan and of Erie county, Pennsylvania. In 1890 Frank W. Beemer was united in marriage to Ruth H., a daughter of Stephen B. and Eliza J. (Carroll) Brooks, of Le Bceuf township, and the children of this union are Lyle F. and Lula. Airs. Beemer was born in Le Bceuf township in 1880, and on the maternal side she is descended from one of the first settlers of Union township in Erie county, and she was one of the following chil dren: Ashley, Cassius, Charles S., Phebe A., Archibald W., Elverdo C, William W., George G. and Ruth. Ferdinand Carroll, her maternal great-grandfather, was born in the north of Ireland in 1751, and on attaining the age of twenty-four he was united in marriage to Aliss Isabella Johnston, to whom twelve children were born, but three of the number died when young. In the spring of 1801 the family bade adieu to home and native land, embarking from Dublin for New York, and at that time Samuel, the eldest of the children, was twenty-five years of age, and Isabella, the youngest, was but a babe of two years, and she died on the voyage. They were eight weeks in making their way across the ocean, and finally landing at New Castle, Delaware, instead of their intended port of New York. They soon set out for Chillicothe, Ohio, but during their westward journey they were told that that location was not healthful, and they accordingly headed for Meadville in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and thence to Union township, where Ferdinand Carroll finally purchased from Andrew Hal- sey the right of settlement and improvements on tract one hundred and fifty-nine, the consideration being thirty dollars in gold. The family with all their earthly possessions were moved from Pittsburg to their new home in Union township on horseback, and their first little cabin he built of poles and christened the home "Castle Halsey." Not long after this he procured a clear title to one hundred acres, and this he subsequently deeded to his son William, who became the grandfather of Airs. Beemer. This purchase was made in the year of 1801, when Ferdinand was fifty years of age, and his family then consisted of nine living children : Sam uel, George, Phoebe, Jane, Betsey, Mary, James, Thomas and William. Ferdinand, the father, died on February 1, 1831, at the good old age of eighty years, and his wife died in September of 183 — , aged seventy. Samuel the first born of his children, died on the 28th of January, 1836, leaving no issue. George Carroll, the second born, purchased a farm ten miles below Union City, and he became the father of these children: John, James, Mary, Isabella, Margaret and Hannah. John, of this family, lived near 496 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY his father's old homestead, and had eight children, Frank, Sophia, John,, Charles, Maria, Albert and Alfred, twins, and Emma. James Carroll, the third son of Ferdinand and Isabella Carroll, located near the west line of Union township, and there he died at the age of fifty-four, the father of fifteen children. Thomas Carroll, the fourth born son of Ferdinand, also settled near the west line of Union township, and he became the father of nine chil dren and died at the age of sixty-four years. Wesley, his eldest son,, located on a farm which his father had given him, and in his family were seven children. Lie died at the age of sixty-four years in 1879. Jonathan AI. Carroll, the fourth born of the seven children of Wesley and Phoebe (Organ) Carroll, was born at the old homestead October 2, 1855, and he married Olive, a daughter of Levi and Alary (Shelmandine) Barns, who bore him two children, Clarence E. and Winnifred. Fletcher S. Carroll, the next born of the children of Wesley and Phoebe Carroll, was born November 27, 1858, and married Alice, a daughter of Levi C. and Mary (Shelmandine) Barns, and they had three children, Wayne, Alta M. and Mabel. O. W. Carroll, the next son of Wesley, was born July 6, 1860, and he married Jennie, a daughter of David Carroll, of Cleveland, Ohio,. on September 15, 1886. The children of this union are Elsie, Rees and Clifford and Clifton, twins. Jonathan G. Carroll, another of the nine children of Thomas, lives on a part of the old Carroll homestead, and is the father of two sons, Solomon and Rees, and three daughters, Jane, Isa bella and Alargaret. William Carroll, the youngest son of Ferdinand and Isabella Carroll, married Hannah Slauson in 1820, and their ten children were: James, Lucy, Mary A., Lucille, Esther, Charles S., David, George W., Esther and Eliza Jane. Esther married G. W. Brooks, and had two sons, Glennie and George C, deceased. Eliza Jane married S. B. Brooks, and the names of their seven children are given above with the brothers and sis ters of Airs. Beemer. Of the daughters of Ferdinand and Isabella Carroll : Phebe married Daniel Middleton, of Waterford township, Erie county; Jane married Jonathan Carroll, of Alercer county, Pennsylvania ; Betsey married John Richards, of Brady's Bend, this state ; and Alary never married. Mr. Beemer is a Republican and he and wife are members of Union City Grange No. 89. _ The Coleman Hose Company, of Union City, organized for the saving and protection of life and property, is an organization of which that city may well be proud. This company was organized in 1883, with charter members as follows : F. A. Deming, F. E. AIcLean, E. B. Lands- rath, J. Macock, G. W. Brakeman, Joseph Kaufman. W. Alandonsa, George Eason, G. D. Alden, Harry Laive. Harry Cheney. Edward Waters, Samuel Gordon, George Smith, Lewis Clark, A. E. Mallory, E. Ford, Ed Kaufman, George Palmer, Glen Pratt, Omer Alden, Al. E. Bean, Dick AA'oods, Ernest Caflish, C. Al. Johnson, E. B. Alackay, F. Woodcock, Alott Allen, Lewis Palmer, and John France; of this number, F. E. McLean, George Palmer, and Alott Allen are still (1909) members. In 1908 the company was incorporated, with officers as follows: Presi dent, F. M. Carle; vice president, D. A. Post; recording secretary, K. N. Pier ; financial secretary, C. Z. Smiley ; treasurer, George LeFever ; and foreman, C. Z. Smiley. Their board of directors comprised the follow ing: George H. Palmer, C. Z. Smiley, C. R. McLean, F. E. Waters, M. C. Brown, and George LeFever. The company now consists of one hundred ^^ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 497 and nine active members, and holds the world's record in two hundred fifty yard hose race, having in 1904, at the Fireman's Tournament held at Erie, made the run, unlimbered their hose and attached same to the hydrant ready for the play of water, in thirty-two seconds. Their run ning team of fifteen members keeps in excellent condition and training. At the tournament above mentioned, which was attended from all parts of Pennsylvania, this company took prizes amounting to more than $700. The Coleman Hose Company not only furnish training for their members, but have commodious quarters on Main street, where their rooms are furnished with unusual elegance and taste for an organization of the kind. Their parlor is a very large and comfortable room, elegantly furnished, their office and meeting rooms clean and neat, and furnished with cabinets in which are displayed relics, trophies and curios from dif ferent parts of the world ; the kitchen and dining room are furnished with the most modern and sanitary appliances and furnishings, and fur nish the members of the society a place of refreshment which is greatly appreciated after a fight with fire, especially when the weather is cold and inclement. The society has a code of laws for its government, which is strictly adhered to by all the members, making an organization which is formed on sure foundations, and giving an example of harmony and unity of which the members may well feel proud. The property owned by the company amounts to some twenty-five hundred dollars, and their uniform is pale blue with white trimmings. During the year 1906 their headquar ters were visited by 662 persons. Harrison F. Watson. A publication of this nature exercises its most important function when it gives recognition, through proper mem orial tribute, to the life and labors of such honored and useful citizens as was the late Harrison F. AA'atson. An enormous amount of vital strength has been used in building up the city of Erie, and this dynamic or en ergizing force has been applied by men of energy, acumen and progres sive ideas, with the result that the industrial prestige of the city has reached splendid proportions. Among the citizens of this character Air. AA'atson occupied a conspicuous position, and upon the civic and commer cial life of this section of the state he left a beneficent and lasting im press. Air. Watson was a representative of one of the old and sterling fami lies of the Keystone state and was born on a farm near the city of Alercer, Alercer county, this state, December 5, 1853. He was a son of Robert W. and Amanda (Painter) AA'atson, both of whcm were likewise natives of Pennsylvania, where the respective families were founded in an early period. Air. Watson was afforded excellent educational advantages in his youth, as, after completing the curriculum of the public schools, he continued his studies under the direction of able private instructors, in the city of Pittsburg. In 1874. soon after attaining to his legal majority, Mr. Watson took up his residence in the citv of Erie, where he engaged in the manufacture of coal-tar products. Three years later, while still continuing in the line of enterprise noted, he also turned his attention to the manufacture of paper, in which connection his first mill was located in Fairview township, not far distant from the city of Erie. This mill was destroyed by fire in 1883 and was not rebuilt. In the meanwhile, however, in 1881, he had erected a paper mill in Erie, and this he operated in con nection with his distillery and chemical works, devoted to the manufacture Vol. 11—32 498 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of coal-tar products. Under his effective direction the dual enterprise was developed into one of the most extensive industries in this section of the state, and at the time of his death the plant of the concern was one of the largest and best equipped in the county, where it occupied the entire block on Sixteenth street between French and Holland streets, with a depth of two hundred and thirty feet. About 1903 the chemical depart ment was removed to a new plant at the foot of Sassafras street, on the Lake front, and is now one of the largest in the county. In 1894 Air. AA'atson effected the organization of the Erie Dock & Transportation Company, of which he was thereafter president until his death, which occurred on the 10th of November, 1904. In all that makes for worthy citizenship and for productive usefulness in connection with the practical activities of life, Air. Watson stood as a high type, and to him should ever be given a tribute of honor for what he accomplished. Aleasured by its beneficence, its rectitude, its pro ductiveness, its unconscious altruism and its material success, his life counted for good in all its relations, and it is but due that this brief memoir be entered in a work that has to do with the city and county to whose civic and industrial advancement he so liberally contributed. He never sought the great white light of publicity, but was ready to encourage and aid ail worthy movements and enterprises. He gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, and was identified with various social and fraternal organizations. On the 25th of October, 1877, was recorded the marriage of Air. AA'atson to Aliss Carrie T. Tracy, daughter of the late J. Avery Tracy, one of Erie's most honored and influential citizens. Air. AA'atson is sur vived by one daughter AA'inefred T. and his widow who still maintains her home in the beautiful residence in Erie, where practically her entire life has been passed and where she has been prominent in the best social life of the community. One daughter Gertrude L. died aged eight years and nine months. Air. AA'atson was a man who read much, was unusually well informed, a devoted lover of literature, music and the arts in general, and was a capable judge of the same. Dr. Charles L. AIead has the distinction of being one of the oldest dental practitioners m Union City and the acknowledged leader in the ranks of the fraternity here. The doctor was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1873, a son of L. C. and Elizabeth AIead. The father, a man highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, was a manufacturer of cheese and followed other lines of dairying. The son was reared and received his elementary education in the county of his birth, and later entering the Cambridge Springs School he was graduated from that insti tution in 1892. Next he matriculated in the State University of Iowa, and graduating from its dental department with the degree of D. D. S. in 1896 he at once came to Union City and prominently identified himself with its professional life. He is a member of the Lake Erie, the Erie and the Pennsylvania State Dental societies, and he also has fraternal rela tions with the Knights of Pythias. On the 27th of October, 1898, Dr. AIead was happily married to Aliss AVilma AA'., a daughter of Solomon and Alargaret Coup. . AIcLean Brothers, owners, proprietors and publishers of the Union City Times, have a paper which has gained wide circulation. The mem- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 499 bers of this firm, F. E. and J. C. McLean, are sons of Lewis H. and Mary E. (Lamphier) AIcLean; Mary Lamphier was born in Steuben county, New Y'ork. F. E. AIcLean was born in Le Bceuf township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1850, and J. C. AIcLean was born in Union township, Erie county, January 6, 1861. They were of Scotch-Irish extraction ; their grandfather, George McLean, married Elizabeth Sebring, of Dutch descent, in 1847, and the following year they removed to Le Boeuf township from Steuben county, New York. George and Elizabeth AIcLean had eleven children, namely : Daniel, Edwin, Lewis, Chandler, John, Ansel, Joan, Deborah, Darzilla and Jane. The father was a well-to-do and industrious farmer, and owned a farm of three hun dred acres. All the children lived to become parents themselves. John was a soldier in the Civil war. Lewis AIcLean was born in 1848, and learned the'trade of blacksmith, at which he worked for many years. In 1870, he removed to Union City, where he held several offices, among them, assessor, street commissioner, and constable. His children were : Charles A., George H., deceased, the two brothers previously mentioned, and others who died young. In 1S71 F E. AIcLean was nominee of the Democratic party in Erie county for assembly, being defeated by a small majority, although run ning ahead of the ticket. He served five times as chairman of the Erie County Democratic committee, and was also member of the State Execu tive committee. In July, 1887, he was delegate to the Democratic conven tion, in Chicago. He also served as mercantile appraiser for the county. In August, 1887, he was one of the delegates from Pennsylvania to the National Editorial Association, which met at Detroit, Alichigan. He has also served as chief burgess, and as councilman. He was private secre tary to the member of congress from this, the twenty-sixth district, during the years 1900 and 1901. He was also delegate again in 1909 and this convention was held at Seattle, Washington. He is a member of the fol lowing organizations : Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Protected Home Circle, Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Royal Arcanum and Patrons of Husbandry. F. E. AIcLean mar ried, in 1870, Lucinda, daughter of John and Alary Cottrell, and to them have been born three children, only one of whom is living, Bessie W. J. C. McLean served as postmaster under Cleveland's Administra tion, and is now serving his second term as justice of the peace. He served his borough several years as secretary. He has also served as mer cantile appraiser of the county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Independent Order of Red Men, Knights of Pyth ias and Royal Arcanum. He married Flora O., daughter of Calvin and Orphia Starrett, and they had four children, of whom two are living, Cal vin R. and Mabel G. The Union City Times is the outgrowth of the Union Mills Bulletin, started in 1865, by William C. Jackson. The following year the paper was purchased by Pratt & Burrington, who changed the name to the Star, and published same for two years, after which they moved to Corry, and the Star was merged with the Republican. In 1870, the Times appeared, printed for about two years in the Despatch office, at Erie, by Robert Troup, who then took into partnership J. E. Locke, and in 1872 the paper began to be issued at Union City. IT. D. Pearsons and L. B. Thompson purchased the office in 1873. Six months later Mr. Thompson retired from the firm and in 1874 Air. Pearsons and AV. F Richards formed a partnership, though they soon dissolved this partnership, and 500 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Mr. Pearsons continued editing the paper until the spring of 1875. In 1875 the Times, of Union City, was removed to Erie, and merged into the Argus, which, however, soon failed, and August 12, 1875, the Times was again established in Union City. In 1877 the enterprise was pur chased by Dr. D. P. Robbins, who the next year sold it to F. E. McLean. In 1879 Mr. AIcLean took into partnership W. A. Moore, who sold his interest the following yean to A. F. Moses, who in turn sold it a year later, to J. C. AIcLean and W. G. LeFevre. The firm was then known as the Times Publishing Company. In May, 1882, F. E. and J. C. McLean became sole proprietors, and now have a semi-weekly circulation of sev enteen hundred copies, and by their industry and untiring energy have improved their methods and plant to a great extent, and now put into circulation a paper that is a credit to themselves and to the city. The pro prietors are both men of good education and business acumen, and are enterprising and progressive, striving to give the people of Union City a paper that is first-class in all respects. The J. F. Kamerer Company. One of the most important of the industrial interests of Union City as well as of Erie county is the J. F. Kamerer Company, which has gained a wide reputation as lumber manu facturers and owners of a large saw mill and turning mill in Union City. The plant was established by J. F. Kamerer in 1890, and just recently, in 1908, the mill was remodeled by the present owners, M. H., Fred J. and S. E. Kamerer, wife and sons of the founder. It is now one of the finest shops of its size in Union City, and covering three-fourths of an acre of ground it is operated by two sixty-five horse-power engines and furnishes employment to fifteen operatives. The founder of the company, J. F. Kamerer, was a native son of Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was born on the 4th of April, 1839, to John and Dorothy ( Breakley) Kamerer. In 1847 the family came from their native Fatherland to the United States, and choosing McKean county, Pennsylvania, as their place of settlement, they became useful and well known residents there, and there also Jacob F. received the edu cational training which fitted him for his future life of usefulness. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1861, when the oil excitement in Can- anda caused him to migrate in that direction and for two years he was an oil operator there. Returning to the States in 1861, when the clash of arms was being distinctly heard from north to south, he cheerfully responded to the call of the federal government and enlisted as a mem ber of Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volun teer Infantry, and served in his command well and faithfully until the expiration of his term of service. Then again taking up the peaceful walks of life, he in 1864 resumed his speculation in oil, this time at Oil Creek, Pennsylvania, and in 1865 he went to Fayette county, this state, and engaged in drilling oil wells. But this proving an unsatisfactory venture he returned north and locating in Union City became identified with the contracting and building business, while in 1872 he began the manufacture of lumber, shingles and broom handles, and soon turned his attention exclusively to the latter industry. Jacob F. Kamerer was twice married, first to Miss Eliza M. John son on August 4, 1864, but she died in 1874, leaving two children, Fred J. and Addie. For his second wife he married Miss Margaret H. Mc- Intire, to whom one son, S. E., was born. These two sons and their mother took up the father's mantle where he laid it down on the 8th of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 501 January, 1901. He was a good man and worthy citizen, and was an honorable member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and its encamp ment, and at one time served his order as a noble grand, and also as D. D. G. M. Officially he was chief burgess of his borough two terms, and also a member of the school board. Fred J. Kamerer married Aliss Addie Hodges on October 26, 1887, and their two children are Donald and Herold. S. E. Kamerer married on the 25th of January, 1898, Etta, a daughter of H. M. McLallen. Both brothers are members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Fred J. Kamerer has served his city as a councilman and in other offices. The families are members respectively of the Baptist and Pres byterian churches. G. L. Sunderlin is numbered among the rising young business men of Union City, and is the efficient manager of the large dry goods store of Oliver and Milne, being in full control of their entire establishment and looking after both the buying and selling. The firm consists of A. Oliver, the president, J. S. Milne, the vice president, and C. L. Carr, the secretary and treasurer. The business was established on the 4th of April, 1908, and in addition to their Union City store they have another establishment in Batavia, New York, and Mr. Oliver also has a store under his own personal supervision in Buffalo, that state. Mr. Sunderlin was born in Wayne, Steuben county, New York, in 1876, a son of D. J. and Emma L. Sunderlin, also from Steuben county. After receiving his education in the schools of Keuka and in the Dundee high school, New York, he entered upon his business career as a clerk in a country grocery store at Keuka, receiving two dollars and a half a week, and from there he went to West Tyrone, New York, and received employment at twelve dollars a month. Returning in the following summer to Dundee, New York, he entered upon a more responsible position at a larger salary, but still ambitious he became an employe of C. P. McLean with nearly a double increase in wages, and during his three years connection with Mr. McLean his salary was raised from $26 to $32.50 a month. Moving from there to Watkins, New York, he entered upon his connection with the dry goods merchant, J. B. Morris, but he had been with that gentleman but a short time when one of his competitors, recognizing in Mr. Sunderlin a good and reliable salesman, offered him a position with an increase in salary. But before accepting Mr. Sunderlin in a straightforward manner related to his employer the entire transaction with the result that Air. Alorris retained his services at an increase of salary, offering him $600 a year. Mr. Sunderlin continued in that position for three years, and then going to Elmira, New York, he entered the store of Danks and Eastgate at a salary of $13 a week, and during his connection with that establishment had charge of its linen department. His next location was at Penn Yan, New York, where he was employed by T. O. Hamlin and Company, dealers in dry goods, crockery and wall paper, at his former salary, he having made that move to be near his wife's home, and he remained in that establishment for five years in charge of their linen, knit goods and waists. Coming at the close of that period to Union City he has since been the efficient manager of Oliver and Milne's large dry goods store. 502 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY On the 8th of May, 1902, Mr. Sunderlin was united in marriage to Miss Edith Mae, a daughter of Edmond Crosby, of Crosby, New York, and their two children are Dorothea C. and Ruth L. Mr. and Mrs. Sunderlin are members of the Baptist church. Charles W. Hayes, an enterprising and progressive business man of Union City, is senior partner of the Hayes Carriage and Hardware Company, Limited, dealers in hardware and carriages. Mr. Hayes was born in 1861 at Waterford, Erie county, and is a son of Sylvester M. Hayes, who was formerly a hardware merchant associated with his sons, F. L. and Charles W. Hayes. F. L. Hayes subsequently with drew from the business, of which Charles W. and H. P. Hayes became sole proprietors. Mr. Hayes, of this sketch, received his education in Union City and was employed as a skilled mechanic before embarking in his business career. Among the several firms by whom he was em ployed may be mentioned the American Rocker Company. The origin of the present business of the Hayes Carriage and Hard ware Company, Limited, was the stock carried by Mr. Culbeson, of Waterford. This was purchased and business was inaugurated under the firm name of Boland and Hayes, this partnership continuing for a year. On May 15, 1888, the establishment was bought by S. AI. Hayes and Sons, and the business was conducted by them until January, 1894, when, by the destruction of the store by fire, the firm suffered a loss of seven thousand dollars. In April, 1895, the remaining stock was purchased by J. Canfield, the proceeds of its sale being applied to satisfy the outstanding debts of the company. Air. Canfield carried on the busi ness about a year, when it was purchased by the present firm, which has since successfully conducted it with a capital stock of more than twenty- five thousand dollars. Air. Hayes, the head of the company, is highly respected wherever he is known and has spent a large portion of his life in active business. It is true he has served one term as an officer of the city board of health, but his close application to mercantile matters has debarred him from activity in political or public matters. In December, 1888, he married Aliss Helen P. Canfield, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and to them have been born three daughters, Lu- cile, Kitty and Imogene Hayes. Mr. Hayes is a Democrat politically and also a member of Clement Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 220 ; Ninevah Encampment, No. 248; Canton Union No. 10; and he is past captain of the Canton. C. J. Mahoney, a prominent and well-known insurance broker, of Union City, was born August 18, 1865, in AlcKean county, Pennsyl vania, and is the son of James and Ellen (Doyle) Mahoney, the former a farmer, living at Mercer county, Pennsylvania. C. J. Mahoney re ceived his education in his native county, supplemented by study in more advanced institutions. Much of his life was spent in the lumber manu facturing business. In 1906 he removed to Erie, where he established himself in the insurance line, covering fire, accident, liability, plate glass and bonding, and he represents twenty companies of the highest standing in the United States. By his careful attention to the interests of his customers, and his honest and straightforward methods, he has built up a large and prosperous business. He is a man of considerable natural ability, and is an agreeable person to deal with, one who has HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 503 made a careful study of his vocation, and thoroughly understands busi ness principles. Air. Mahoney is an earnest member of the Baptist church of Union City. He belongs to the Masonic orders of the city, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Encampment. He is a stock holder in the First National Bank of Union City, and takes an active interest in the improvement of the city. Mr. Alahoney married, in 1883, Harriet Minnick, and they were blessed with four children, of whom three are living, namely : Guy C, Ruth J. and Grant W. L. J. Treat, now living retired in Union City, is one of the city's reliable and stanch residents who by his own industry and economy has hewed out for himself an enviable reputation and an independent fortune. From a small beginning in his youth and without the many advantages of the present twentieth century young man, he has achieved almost phenomenal success and at the same time has been of inestimable value to his city and community. Air. Treat was born in Oneida county, New York, April 12, 1828, where he received a common-school training, and from there in 1871 he came to Union City, Pennsylvania, and embarked in the gentlemen's furnishing business. Thus for many years he was identified with the city's business interests, each year adding to his experience and extend ing his interests until his establshment became one of the leading stores of its kind in Union City. But in 1902 he sold his interests therein to his two sons, G. H. and A. B. Treat, who are following in the footsteps of their father as progressive business men. L. J. Treat during twelve successive years has been honored with the office of school director. He was happily married in 1866 to Miss Adelia R. Broadwell, and their children are as follows : George H., A. B., W. B., H. L., J. P., Ruth L. and Alyra L. Only three of the sons are living in Union City, two who have succeeded their father in business and George H., who is a member of the Union City chair factory. The family are worthy mem bers of the Baptist church. Air. Treat having joined that church in 1871, during thirty-seven years he has served it faithfully and well being a trustee and treasurer. Burton W. AIiddleton is prominently identified with the busi ness interests of Union City as a member of the firm of the Universal Chair Company. He is a member of a family that traces its history back to the earliest settlement of Erie county. Andrew Middleton, his great-grandfather, came with his wife and children from their native land of Ireland to the United States in the year of 1827, establishing their home on French creek in Erie county, and there he purchased one hundred acres of land. His children, named as follows, William, Samuel, John, Andrew, George, James, Hugh, Jane, Charlotte and Eleanor, were all born in Ireland with the exception of the youngest, whose birth occurred after their settlement in Erie county. Of this number Andrew II became the grandfather of Burton W. Middleton. He was born in Ireland in 1815, and was a boy of twelve at the time of the emigration of his parents. He married Mary Ormsby, from Vermont, and their union resulted in the birth of five children: Charles, P. A., J. W., Truelon and Sophia, but one of the number, Charles, is deceased. Charles Middleton, who died in the year of 1881, 504 HISTORY' OF ERIE COUNTY was the father of Burton AA"., and he was born in AA'aterford township of Erie county. His wife, before marriage Rachel Kemmerer, was a native daughter of Germany, and their children were as follows : Leon G, Dorothy, Frank (deceased), James; Burton AA'., Frederick C. and Floyd P. Burton AA'. Aliddleton was born in AA'aterford township, Erie county, on Alay 22, 1873, and he was reared and received his educational training there. Coming to Union City in the year of 1889, he has since been prominently identified with its interests, and he is well known in its business circles through his connection with the Universal Chair Com pany, one of the most important of its industries. This company was organized in the year of 1908 with E. B. Landsrath and Burton W. Alid dleton as owners, and their works now cover one-fourth an acre with a capacity of thirty dozen chairs daily, and they furnish constant employ ment to sixty men. The chief characteristic of this large factory is that it manufactures only the best quality of genuine guaranteed quartered oak. Air. Aliddleton is a practical chair maker, having been identified with this line of work throughout his entire business career, and he is building up the industry to large and important proportions. In the year of 1897 he was united in marriage to Aliss AAnnell Par sons, who was born in Union township in 1876, a daughter of John and Catherine (Lilly) _ Parsons. Two children have been born of their union, Paul F., in "1900, and Catherine L.. in 1903. Air. Aliddleton is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Royal Arcanum, and at one time he served his city well and honorably as a member of its council. AA'illiam L. Fuller is one of the most prominent of the business men of Union City and of Erie county. He was born in this city in 1866 to Rulaf Fuller, who came to Erie county in 1863 and here during many years he was well known as a cooper. In the public schools of Union City AA'illiam L. Fuller fitted himself for the prominent place he was destined to fill in industrial circles, and ten years of his early life were spent in the hardware business and a similar period as a grocery merchant. In 1884 his present industry, the Novelty AA'ood AArork Com pany, was organized, and in 190() it was incorporated. C. H. Fuller is president and AA'illiam L. Fuller is secretary and treasurer. Their plant covers an area of five acres and is operated by an engine of eighty horse-power, the plant being valued at eighty thousand dollars. This extensive concern furnishes employment to one hundred operatives and turns out a splendid line of folding desks, cabinets and other articles of a similar nature. But besides attending to the many pressing duties of this mammoth enterprise Air. Fuller is also a director in the First National Bank of Union City, and a director and the treasurer of the Union City Electric Light Company. He married Aliss Anna Hippie,' and a son, George R., has been born to bless their union. Air. Fuller is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 366 F. &, A. AL, in which he is a past master, and he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Union City. His religious home is in the Presbyterian church, and he is serving at present as one of its trustees. Charles 1L Eastman is one of the most prominent of the manu facturers of Lmon City and is the sole owner of the Variety AAV>od w <0uC/3 s O W (J X >b^ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 537 elections. He is a member of the United Brethren church, to which his wife likewise belongs, and both are members of the Grange. Dr. Edward Cranch, one of the leading homeopaths of Pennsyl vania, has been prominent as a physician and surgeon of Erie for the past third of a century. A native of New York City, born October 16, 1851, the commencement of his genealogy rests in one Richard Cranch, a rigid Puritan of Dartsmouth, Devonshire, England. Pie represented one of several generations of woolen manufacturers. Richard Cranch, his great-grandson, was the first of the family to come to America, set tling at Salem, Alassachusetts, in 1746, and there following his trade as a watchmaker and in the later period of his life becoming postmaster, judge, colonial senator and a citizen generally of marked public influence. This American ancestor was born in Kingsbridge, Devonshire, October 26, 1726 ; married Alary, daughter of Rev. William Smith, and of their union was one son, William, born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, July 17, 1769. The William mentioned last was educated in the law ; went to the national capital in 1794; was one of the first Commissioners of the District of Columbia and served for five years as associate justice of the supreme court of the District of Columbia, under appointment of his uncle, President John Adams, after which, at the unanimous request of the Washington bar, President Thomas Jefferson elevated him to the chief justiceship, which he retained until his death, September 1, 1855. His wife Nancy was a daughter of William Greenleaf, who was sheriff of Boston during the Revolutionary war and first read the Declaration of Independence in that city. William and Nancy Cranch, the grand parents of Dr. Cranch, had thirteen children born to them — the seventh, John, at Washington, District of Columbia, on the 2nd of February, 1807. This son, after graduating from Columbian University, in 1826, studied art in Paris, Rome and Florence for some four years, and then located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he painted the portraits of many cele brated men of his time. On April 15, 1845, he married Charlotte, daugh ter of Charles H. Appleton, of Baltimore, Maryland, and after their marriage they moved to Boston, where three children were born to them: — 'Hannah who married Thomas F. Moses, president of Urbana (Ohio) University, and Richard and John, who died in infancy. From Boston the family moved to New York City, where the father became a member of the National Academy of Design and had his studio in the old University building. Three years later they went to Washington. The father died at Urbana, Ohio, on the 6th of January, 1891. One of the brothers of the deceased (uncle of the doctor) was Christopher P. Cranch, the poet and artist. It was while the family resided in New York, as stated, that Edward Cranch was born. In 1866 he was placed under the tutelage of his brother-in-law, Dr. T. F. Aloses, pursuing his studies for two years in Hamilton county, Ohio, and afterward .entering Columbian University, Washington. He graduated from that institution in 1871 with the degree Ph. B., leading his class in scholarship. Although he completed a clas sical course, he had already commenced the study of medicine in 1871, enlisting the same year in the United States army. He was at once ap pointed hospital steward and served in the surgeon general's office for three years, completing his medical course in the New York Homeopathic College from which he graduated in 1875. The following year he was deputy superintendent and resident physician in the New York Homeo pathic Surgical Hospital (now known as Hahnemann Hospital). 538 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY In 1876, thoroughly equipped for both the medical and surgical prac tice of his profession, Dr. Cranch located at Erie, Pennsylvania, where he soon gained a position in the front ranks of his associates and has since continuously advanced. For years he has made a special and thorough study of materia medica, and many of his papers are recorded in the transactions of the various societies of which he is a member. Among these is the national association of his school, the American In stitute of Homeopathy. By appointment of successive governors, the doctor has served for fourteen years on the State Board of Aledical Examiners, and is a member of the State and County Homeopathic Medical associations. He was one of the original members of tbe In ternational Hahnemannian Association, an influential organization still existing. In 1875 Dr. Cranch married Aliss Rouette F. Hunt, daughter of Professor J. W. Hunt, of Washington, District of Columbia, where the ceremony occurred. Mrs. Cranch, who is a native of Boston, is the mother of Charles E., Arthur G, Raymond G, Walter A., Eliot G, Edith R. and Eugene T. Cranch. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the New Church (Swedenborgian), with which they united November 18, 1888. Rev. Adolph L. Benze. Pure, constant and noble was the spiritual flame that burned in and illumined the mortal tenement of Adolph Leo pold Benze, late pastor of St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran church, in the city of Erie, where he labored with all of consecrated zeal and gave of the best of his strong and exalted nature for the uplifting of his fellow men. His strength was as the number of his days, and now that he rests from his labors there yet remain the definite results of his labors and influence, whose angle of beneficence must continue to widen through the further endeavors of those whose characters and lives he aided in moulding. His memory is revered in the city which so long represented his home, and it is most consonant that in this publication a tribute of honor be accorded him. Adolph Leopold Benze was born in the historic old Fortress of Thorn, Prussia, on the 18th of September, 1833, and was a son of Frederick and Eva Alaria (dePomalianski) Benze, the latter of whom was a represen tative of a prominent family of the ancient Polish nobility. At the time of the birth of the subject of this memoir his father was a cavalry officer in the Prussian army. Later the father received his honorable discharge, with the rank of captain, and was then appointed prison inspector of a large district. He was the descendant and one of the heirs of an old and influential Brunswick family, whose history is authentically traced back to 1650, near the close of the thirty-years' war. The family seat was at Velpke, Brunswick, and there the venerable manse, of the typical Saxon architecture, is still standing, in an excellent state of preservation, though it was erected in 1725. As proprietors of extensive and noted sandstone quarries the male ancestors all became artisans with the chisel, and from their hands came the finest of ornamental stone carvings, many examples of which are still extant. The vicissitudes of military life caused Frederick Benze to become forever separated from the vocation followed by his ancestors for many generations, and he continued in official government service in his native land until within a few years of his death. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 539 Adolph L. Benze secured his early educational discipline at Neustadt, Prussia, and after two years of travel in Hungary and Germany he came to America in 1854, at which time he was twenty-one years of age. He located at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and thereafter completed his classical education in Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, where he was gradu ated. Having decided to prepare himself for the ministry of the Ger man Evangelical Lutheran church, he was soon afterward matriculated in the theological seminary connected with the same college, and here he was graduated as a member of the class of 1864, in which year he was duly ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran ministerium of Pennsylvania. His first call was to the pastorate of the Lutheran church at Warren, this state, where he remained for eight years and where he well proved his fitness for the holy calling in which he was destined to attain so much of success and prestige. In Alay, 1X72, Air. Benze received a call to the pastoral charge of St. John's Lutheran Church in Erie, and here it was his lot to continue his labors until he .was summoned to the life eternal, on the 18th of Jan uary, 1891. Not only did he accomplish a splendid work in the advancing of the spiritual welfare of his parish, but he proved equally masterful ih forwarding the material prosperity of his church, which, through his earnest and devoted efforts, came to represent the largest Protestant con gregation in the city of Erie. The correlation of the spiritual and tem poral affairs of the church was thoroughly appreciated by him, and well did he employ the talents committed to his keeping. He was a man of fine intellectuality, a natural student and one of contemplative mind, but this did not cause him to lose sight of the value of the practical side of religious work, in which his power of accomplishment was signally great. He was a most effective pulpit orator, eloquent, persuasive and dignified, and his every statement rang true of sincerity and well for tified faith. His reputation as a speaker far transcended mere local bounds, and he became known as one of the leading clergymen of his church in Pennsylvania. His literary taste was chaste and refined, his diction pure and fluent, and in his various contributions to secular and church papers he showed not only a distinctive power in didactic writ ing but also a deep sense of the relative values in the scheme of human existence. There was no obliquity of vision, and his view point was ever one of broad angle and clear definition. His ability as a writer on general topics led on more than one occasion to his being importuned to assume the editorship of one of the best known German papers in the United States, but he never wavered in his allegiance to the sacred voca tion in which he felt lay his greatest opportunity for the accomplishment of good for his fellow men. His heart was attuned to sympathy, and he was tolerant in his judgment, as must be every man with so wide mental ken and so mature judgment. The versatility of his talents was further shown by his publication of a volume of songs, for which he wrote both the music and the words. He was most happy in metrical composition, and his poems and songs bear the impress of lofty thought and emo tional power. His musical scores also have definite value from a critical standpoint and from the appealing beauty of their lyric quality. A man so admirably equipped for leadership naturally would show his loyalty by a definite interest in public affairs, and this was significantly true in the case of Mr. Benze, who gave his aid and influence in support of all measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the 540 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY community and who kept in close touch with the vital questions and issues of the hour. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party. When he was called from the scene of life's endeavors the city of Erie manifested its sense of bereavement and personal loss, and the church over whose destinies he had so long presided acknowledged by reverent grief the deprivation that fell to its portion. A gentle, noble, godly man passed to his reward and the compensation for his loss lies in the gracious memories of his labors, his winning personality and the fact that in all truth "his works do follow him." On the 8th of September, 1864, was solemnized the marriage of Air. Benze to Aliss Elizabeth Kiehl, who was born in Erlenbach, Hessen, Ger many, on the 26th of October, 1839, a daughter of Jacob and Saloma Kiehl. She survives her honored husband, to whom she was ever a devoted companion and helpmeet, and the seven children of this union also survive the father, their names in order of birth being as follows : Charles Theodore, Gustav Adolphus, Leopold Otto, Alarie Louise, Albert Louis, Emma C, and Frederick W. Rev. Charles Theodore Benze, eldest of the children of the dis tinguished subject of above memoir, has followed in his father's footsteps and has thus shown himself fully appreciative of the precept and example of the late pastor of St. John's Lutheran church, to whom it must have been most gratifying that two of his sons should enter the minist^- and carry forward the vigilant labor in the vineyard of the divine Alaster. Rev. Charles T. Benze is now incumbent of the pastorate of St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran church of Erie, and in his personality and sacerdotal offices is well upholding the honors of the name which he bears. He was born at AA'arren, this state, on the 19th of September, 1865, and his early educational advantages were those afforded by the public schools. He was graduated in the Erie high school as a member of the class of 1883, and thereafter he was for a number of years a teacher of the German language, first in the Erie grammar schools and later in the high school. In the field of pedagogy he was popular and successful, but he heeded the summons to a higher vocation and began the work of preparing himself for the ministry. In 1897 he was graduated in the Chicago Theological Seminary, and in the same year received the orders of ordination, after which he assumed the pastorate of Christ Evangeli cal Lutheran church at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. In 1898 he became his brother's coadjutor in St. John's church, in Erie, where he served as associate pastor until 1906, when he accepted the call to St. Stephen's, a mission which had been established by Rev. Gustav A. Benze, his brother. Of this pastoral charge he has since remained incumbent, and his labors have not been denied a goodly fruitage, both spiritual and temporal. On the 15th of October, 1908, Air. Benze started on a tour of inspection of the missions of the Evangelical Lutheran churches in India, and he remained abroad in this work until April, 1909, gaining valuable experience and many pertinent data relative to the work in the field mentioned. His investigations cannot but have potent influence in forwarding the interests of the church in India, as his reports and suggestions have been given forth to the various synods of his church in the United States. He is president of the Pittsburg synod, and is one of the prominent and influential clergymen of his church in Pennsylvania. He has inherited much of his father's gift of effective pulpit oratory as HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 541 well as administrative ability, and his pastorate of St. Stephen's has been one marked by most successful work. Pie is a member of the Pennsylvania German Society, the Pennsylvania Prison Society, and the Erie County Historical Society. Rev. Charles T. Benze was united in marriage to Miss Hermenia Ohl, of Alilwaukee, Wisconsin, who was born at Quakertown Pennsyl vania, and they have one son, Winifred Theodore. Rev. Gustav Adolphus Benze, second son of Rev. Adolph L., whose memorial tribute precedes, succeeded his father in the pastorate of St. John's church, where he is proving himself altogether faithful and zealous in advancing the work so long entrusted to his loved father. He was born at Warren, this state, on the 11th of January, 1867, and, like his elder brother, is indebted to the public schools of Erie for his early educational discipline. He was graduated in the high school as a member of the class of 1884, and in 1886 he was graduated in Thiel Col lege, Greenville, Pennsylvania, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Thereafter he was for two years a student in the theological seminary at Gettysburg, this state, and in 1889 he was graduated in the theologi cal seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran church in the city of Phila delphia. Flis ordination occurred in 1889, and his first charge was that of Drake's Alills and Corry, Pennsylvania, where he remained until Feb ruary 18, 1891, when, upon the death of his father, he succeeded to the pastorate of St. John's church in Erie, where he has since labored earn estly and effectively and with a deep appreciation of his stewardship. He is president of the Erie Conference and has held this office for the past decade ; is president of the Lutheran Home for the Aged, at Erie ; and a member of the Church Extension Society of Erie and vicinity. He also holds membership in the Erie County Historical Society and the Erie Chamber of Commerce. In 1903 was celebrated the marriage of Rev. Gustav A. Benze to Aliss Alice L. Fourspring, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a daughter of John H. Fourspring, now a resident of Erie. The Jackman Family, which has been identified with the agri cultural and civic progress of Wayne township for more than half a century, is of English origin, its American progenitor being James Jackman, of Exeter, who located in Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1635. Richard, the youngest of his six sons, was born February 6, 1859, and on June 10, 1682, married Miss Elizabeth Plummer. Of this union were three children of whom Tames, the youngest (also a direct ancestor of the Jackson family in Wayne township, was born September 5, 1686. His wife (nee Alary French) bore him four children and the third, Daniel, was born on January 9, 1725. Daniel married Eleanor Merrill, February 28, 1753, and they had seven children, of whom Aloses, the fifth, was born June 16, 1759. This son, in turn, wedded Aliss Eliza beth Carr, June 1, 1789, and the fruits of their union were five sons, of whom Daniel was born Tanuary 11, 1791; Moses F.. Tune 28, 1792; James, April 7, 1793 ; William, January 23, 1795 ; and Levi, July 28, 1797. Daniel, Jr., who was the grandfather of Corrin D., a representative of the present generation, married Jerusha Humphrey, the husband dying June 26, 1860, and the wife, July 4, 1873. To this couple were born the following children: Betsey, August 28, 1814; Nancy, January 2, 1816; 542 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Roxey, June 10, 1818; Selinda, Alay 14, 1821; AVarren, July 19, 1823; Orsemus, Alay 24, 1827; Joseph, August 29, 1830; James and Gracia J. (twins), February 1, 1833; Darius, November 11, 1834, and Lucinda, November 10, 1840. Aloses F. Jackman, an uncle of these children, married Phoebe Alallison, born July 30, 1790, and they became the parents of Jeremiah, born November 20, 1814; Sarah, August 9, 1819; Julia, February 18, 1823, and Lydia, January, 10, 1826. James Jackman, a brother of the above named Aloses F., married Miss Gracia Beardsley, who was born April 28, 1803 and gave birth to the following children: Augustus, February 26, 1819; Warren, March 20, 1822; Rachael, July 11, 1824; Rachel, February 12, 1827; Louise, August 28, 1832, and Wil liam, August 17, 1835. James Jackman, an uncle of Corrin D., married Miss Betsey A. Parsons, who was born September 28, 1838. Their union occurred Alarch 5, 1860, and their children were as follows: Addie C, born De cember 9, 1801; Frank, in 1864 (deceased); Fannie, in 1866; Charles N., in 1867; George, in 1875 (deceased), and Edna L, in 1877. The mother of this family died on the 16th of November, 1900. James Jack- man moved from Columbus township, AVarren county, Pennsylvania, to Erie county, in the year 1857. He first purchased and improved a tract of thirty-two acres, sold that property and then bought a farm of one hundred and three acres in Wayne township, which he has cleared, cultivated, improved and transformed into his comfortable and valuable homestead as it stands today. For forty years of this period he also worked at his trade as a carpenter and joiner, and as he has given a generous share of his time to the discharge of the duties connected with the offices of assessor, auditor, school director and road commissioner, it is evident that both his hands and his mind have been full of useful work. Joseph S. Jackman, the father, was born August 29, 1830, and in 1851 married Aliss Zylphia L. Doane, They became the parents of the following children: APrcy A., born Jun. 9, 1853; Arthu- D., October 16, 1854'; Afton L, February 1, 1857; Lee J., October 22, 1859, and died February 17, 1900 ; Kate L, born July 16, 1861 ; Byron D., May 14, 1863 ; Florence E., December 20, 1868 and Corrin D., born January 21, 1875. The father diedsome years ago, but his widow, born at Bear Lake, Penn sylvania, November 8, 1832, is still living (1909) at the age of seventy- seven years. Charles N. Jackman, the fourth child and second son of James Jackman married Aliss Nettie Alunn, and they became the parents of Jessie, born Alay 31, 1895; Alabel, in September, 1897, and Hazel AL, Alarch 19, 1907. Edna L., the youngest daughter of James and Betsey (Parsons) Jackman, became the wife of L. York, of AA'arren county, Pennsylvania, in November, 1904. Corrin D. Jackman, son of Joseph and Zylphia Jackman, was born in Columbus township, January 21, 1875, AVarren county, Pennsylvania, but was reared and educated in AA'ayne township, and became a per manent resident of Erie county in 1898. He is a practical and success ful farmer. He has owned the fine dairy farm of one hundred and forty acres which he now occupies since 1900, his product being obtained from a select herd of Holsteins and his operations including the manufacture of a first-class grade of butter. In 1897 Air. Jackman wedded Aliss Alabel Raymond, daughter of Jack and Eva Raymond, and to this union were HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 543 born the following: Vinora, September 15, 1900; Nina, September 17, 1902, and Joseph, September 21, 1903. Mrs. Jackman herself is a na tive of Wayne township, born in 1877. Mr. Jackman is a Republican and a member of the Alaccabees of Clymer, New York. Rock Asbestos Roofing Company, one of the important concerns of Erie with headquarters at 1227 State street, was established by H. A. Wilbur, of that city, in 1900. At that time the plant was located at 1120 Peach street and was a small affair with a very limited capital. On February 3, 1906, the business was moved to its present location and the facilities of the plant were greatly increased. The company manu factures the paints used in its roofing, the material for which is made according to its specifications, with the exception of the asbestos which is imported. Under the energetic and able promotion of Air. AA'ilbur the house has reached the point where it has absorbed the bulk of Erie's business in the line of modern roofing, and also carries out large con tracts in other cities. Recently, the company fulfilled a contract in Pittsburg which required the services of sixty-seven men in that city, as well as those of seventeen men in the home plant. One of the new and strong features of the business is a guarantee on work and ma terial, which has run as high as ten years. In mechanical execution and business methods everything is so up-to-date and confidence-inspiring that the establishment is a recognized leader among the industries of Erie and is progressing both rapidly and substantially. H. A. Wilbur, head of the Rock Asbestos Roofing Company, is a native of Ohio, born at Saybrook, six miles west of Ashtabula, Ohio. on July 8, 1877. The family came originally from New York state, the father, Abner, settling first in Franklin, Pennsylvania. From Frank lin he moved to Saybrook and is now principal of the high school at Binghamton, New York, having been an educator since his early manhood. The son was reared in Ashtabula from the ag'e of two years. After re ceiving a high school education, he entered business as a collector for the E. G. Alaynard Coal Company of that city, obtaining his first experience in the roofing business when he was eighteen years of age. He was employed in that line for some time by Willis Good and also conducted a business of his own. Realizing the need of more capital to place such an enterprise on a broad basis, he continued in salaried positions for several years before he located in Erie to successfully launch the Rock Asbestos Roofing Company, in 1890. Mr. Wilbur is a married man, his wife's maiden name being Kate Rose Herman and Baltimore her native city. They have one son, Herman Abner Wilbur. Aside from his busi ness prominence, Air. Wilbur is a well known member of the orders of Ben Hur and Odd Fellows, in the latter fraternity having been identified with New Castle (Pennsylvania) Lodge, No. 1118 and Canton Lodge, No. 12, of Erie. Dr. David N. Dennis, a practicing physician of Erie and a special ist in the treatment of diseases of the eye and ear, is a native of Alas sachusetts, born in Grafton, December 25, 1858. His family, coming from England, established in New England in 1630, is one of the oldest in that section of the United States. The doctor's parents, Edward Par ker and Jessie (Moore) Dennis, were natives respectively of Somers and Oxford, Massachusetts. For a number of years his father was 544 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY engaged in merchandise at Alilledgeville, Georgia, but during the later portion of his life engaged in farming at Grafton, Massachusetts. He entered into rest in 1866, his wife having passed away six years prior to that time. Dr. Dennis secured his preliminary education through the public schools of Grafton and Westboro, Alassachusettts, a private school in Augusta, Georgia, and AA'orcester Academy, Worcester, Massachusetts. He read medicine with Dr. Lemuel Hammond of Worcester, entering at Jefferson Aledical College, Philadelphia, in the autumn of 1878, from which he graduated in 1881. He served in the out-patient departments of Pennsylvania and Jefferson Hospitals, the Catherine Street Dispensary, and for three years he served as assistant to Professor William Thomson in the ophthalmic department of the Jefferson College Hospital. After practicing for a brief period at Worcester, Alassachusetts and Killingly, Connecticut, in 1885 he located in Erie. Since that time Dr. Dennis has confined his professional labors to the treatment of affections of the eye and ear. From 1886 to 1906 he was attending ophthalmic surgeon to Hamot Hospital of Erie, and in the latter year was made consulting surgeon to that institution. Through his efforts an eye and ear division was established, the only hospital in northern Pennsylvania to have a distinct division of this kind. At present he is president of the Board of Managers of the hospital. The doctor is also a member of the Erie County Aledical Society, where he has served as secretary and was twice elected president. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the American Aledical Association, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology. He is in affiliation with all the Alasonic bodies of the city and belongs to the Erie Club and the Erie Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a director. Dr. Dennis' wife was formerly Aliss Camilla, daughter of Alex ander and Alary (Yeager) Loder of Philadelphia. The father was born at Bellefont, New Jersey, and the mother at Allentown, Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed by three children : Edward Parker, Dorothy Aloore and Camilla Elizabeth Dennis. Abner C. Joslin, the retired farmer and veteran citizen of Lundy's Lane, Erie county, has not only earned high honor as a faithful and able servant of the public, but has an especial claim to distinction in that he is the oldest living member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the state of Pennsylvania. For fifty-seven years he was identified with the order at Albion, and for two decades has been an honored Alason. Mr. Joslin was born in Bennington, Genesee county, New York, on the 12th of December, 1821, and is a son of AVilliam and Hannah (Gelpin) Joslin. The father was a native of Oneida county, that state, who was born in 1797 and died August 7. 1870. His wife, who was the daughter of Caleb Gelpin, a Revolutionary soldier, was born September 8, 1801, and died April 5, 1891. The grandparents of Air. Joslin were Nehemiah and Alartha (Chase) Joslin, both born in the Empire state. In 1830 AA'illiam Joslin, the father, settled in Erie county south of AA'ellsburg and spent the re mainder of his life as a farmer of that vicinity. He was either an ardent Whig or Republican all his life ; a citizen who gave his honest and able assistance to the conduct of the various township offices to HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 545 which he was called, and who was steadfast in his adherence to the faith of Methodism. During the war of 1812 he performed a good service by hauling government supplies for the support and relief of American soldiers. He died as the good father of seven sons and two daughters, the former of whom are all deceased with the exception of Abner C, who also has two sisters living — Martha, who resides at Wellsburg, and Laura, also a resident of that place and the wife of AA'illiam Kelsey, retired. The first marriage of Abner C. Joslin was to Aliss Olive H. Scott, March 22, 1825, and at her death December 20, 1868, she had become the mother of Cynthia (deceased), AA'illiam (living at home) ; Lauren, who is a resident of Conneaut, Ohio; Fred, also deceased; Frank, who is a manufacturer located at Aurora, Ohio ; and Flora Bell, now Airs. J. Lydell. Air. Joslin wedded for his second wife Miss Jane Harts horn Godfrey, who was born November 27, 1863, and died November 29, 1906, an admirable and a beloved wife and mother. The deceased was the daughter of A. P. and Thursday (Bailey) Hartshorn, her father being a skilled cooper and a pioneer of Girard, Pennsylvania. The two children of this second marriage were Earl, who died in infancy, and Clare De Forest Joslin. Abner Joslin is a Republican and he cast his first presidential vote for AA'illiam H. Harrison. Clare D. Joslin was born near Wellsburg, September 29, 1878, and after leaving school, at the age of seventeen, engaged in farm ing for three years. He then entered the employ of the Bessemer Railway and remained in its service for eight years. In 1907 he accepted the agency for Erie county of the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, and at the same time entered into the management of the paternal farm. Of both ventures he has made the most pronounced success. He is an active member of the I. O. O. F. lodge of Albion and the Knights of Pythias, of AVel]sburg, and is also closely identi fied with Grange No. 997. On June 28, 1906, Mr. Joslin was married to Aliss Florence Bryan, who was born June 29, 1880, and is a daughter of Cyrus J. and Lucinda (Ester) Bryan. Her maternal grandparents were George A. and Hannah (AVilcox) Ester, the former holding the office of assessor of Erie for a period of twenty-two years. The Ester family originated in Germany, where was born the great grandfather, George L. Ester. Mrs. Joslin is a graduate of the Edin boro Normal School, and after completing the two years' course therein was a teacher for six years in AlcKean township, two years in the Wellsburg high school and one year assistant principal of the high school at Cochranton, Pennsylvania. She has a brother, Clar ence F., who is a teacher in the Northeastern College, at Wellsburg, and a sister, Daisy, who is the wife of Frank Bayle, of AA'aterford, Pennsylvania. One child was born to Air. and Airs. Joslin, Paul Bryan, June 13, 1907. Charles Hamot Strong has been an important factor in the in dustrial development of Erie, and he is recognized as one of the thorough ly representative citizens of his ntaive city, where his business interests are of wide scope and varied order, besides which he has the distinction of being a scion of one of the old and honored families of Erie county, with whose annals the name has been identified for fully a century. Air. Strong was born in the city of Erie, on the 14th of Alarch, 1X53, and is Vol. 11—35 546 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the only son of Dr. Landaff and Catharine Cecilia (Hamot) Strong. The Strong family genealogy as represented in the branch which was founded in Erie county, Pennsylvania, near the end of the eighteenth century, by immigration from East Windsor, Connecticut, is briefly traced in paragraphs following : The founder of the family in Erie county was Martin Strong, who came from Connecticut, and, after traversing the mountains and making his way through the dense forests of northwestern Pennsylvania, finally made permanent location in what is now Waterford township, Erie county. Here he eventually became the owner of about one thousand acres of land, which he secured from the government and a very con siderable portion of which he reclaimed from the primeval forest. The major portion of this extensive landed estate is still held in the posses sion of his immediate descendants, — resident farmers near the old home stead. Martin Strong was born in East Windsor, Connecticut, on the 20th of November, 1770, and died in Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1858. He was the son of Timothy and Abi (Gowdy) Strong, of East Windsor, Connecticut. Timothy Strong was a son of Jacob and Abigail (Bissell) Strong, the former of whom was a son of John and Elizabeth (Warrener) Strong. John Strong, the great-grandfather, was a son of Elder John and Abigail (Ford) Strong, and Elder John Strong was, in turn, a son of Richard Strong, who was born in county Caernarvon, Wales, in 1561, and who died in Taunton, Somerset county, England, in 1613. The marriage of Elder John Strong and Abigail Ford was sol emnized in 1630, and on Alarch 20th of that year they set sail from Ply mouth, England, with the Warham company comprising one hundred and forty persons, for America. They arrived at Nantucket, Massa chusetts, on the 30th of the following May, and Elder Strong and his bride took up their abode soon thereafter in Dorchester, Massachusetts. In 1635 they removed to Hingham, and in the following year they took up their residence in Boston, where they remained until 1638, when they removed to Taunton, Alassachusetts. Subsequently to 1644 they be came residents of Windsor, Connecticut, where Elder John Strong had been appointed to bring about a settlement, in company with four others, — Captain John Mason, Roger Ludlow, Israel Stoughton, and Henry Wal- cott. From authentic data it appears that Elder Strong finally estab lished his home in Northampton, Alassachusetts. Martin Strong, grandfather of Charles H. Strong, and familiarly known in Erie county by the courtesy title of captain, was twice mar ried. In East Windsor, Connecticut, he wedded Hannah Trask, and they had one daughter, who died early in life. After the death of his first wife he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Drake, in East Wind sor, Connecticut, where she was born on the 10th of September, 1778. She died in Erie county, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1866. She was a daughter of Amasa and Lydia (Webb) Drake, of East Windsor, and in the paternal line was a direct descendant from John Drake who came with his wife Elizabeth (Rogers) Drake, from England to Boston in 1630. lie purchased land at Taunton, Alassachusetts, but prior to 1639 established his home at AA'indsor, Connecticut. The genealogy is further traced back in a direct line, through a number of generations in England, to a John Drake of Ashe, Devonshire, who married Christian Billett, in 1360. Captain Alartin Strong and his second wife, Sarah (Drake) Strcng, became the parents of seven children, of whom five attained to ls*4-~dL^£^rc=7/ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 547 years _of maturity: Sarah, the wife of the late Bethuel B. Vincent; Alajor Alartin Strong, of Summit township ; Frank Strong, of the same town ship ; Lydia, wife of the late Thomas B. Vincent ; and Dr. Landaff Strong, who was the youngest of the children, all now deceased. All were born in Summit township, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Dr. Landaff Strong, son of Captain Martin and Sarah (Drake) Strong, was born on the old homestead in Summit township, this county, on the 30th of December, 1821, and he died in the city of Erie on. the 13th of July, 1869. He was a graduate of Washington (now Trinity) College, in Hartford, Connecticut, in which institution he was a member of the class of 1842 and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the medical department of the University of the City of New A'ork he was graduated in 1846, with the degree of Doctor of Aledicine. For several years he was engaged in the successful practice of his profession in Erie, but finally retired from active labors as a phy sician and surgeon, after which he was associated with his brother-in-law, George AA'. Starr, in the ownership and 'conducting of the Reed House drug store, until the hotel and adjoining buildings were destroyed by fire. Thereafter he lived virtually retired until his death. He was a man of high intellectual attainments and was a citizen of prominence and in fluence in his native county, where he ever held the unqualified con fidence and esteem of all who knew him. Though never manifesting aught of ambition for public office, he was deeply interested in all that tended to conserve the welfare of his native county and home city, and his political support was given to the Democratic party, from the time of its organization until his death. In St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church, on the 8th of May, 1849, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Catharine Cecilia Hamot, of Erie, and they became the parents of two children, Charles Hamot Strong, whose name initiates this article, and Kate, who was born in Erie, July 5, 1856, and who is now the wife of Edward Higginson, a representative member of the bar of Fall River, Massachusetts. Catharine Cecilia (Hamot) Strong was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of April, 1829, and here her death occurred on the 12th of August, 1856. She was a daughter of Pierre Simon Vincent Hamot, who was born in Paris, France, November 28, 1784, and her mother, Eliza beth (Keefer) Hamot, who was born in Thorold, province of Ontario, Canada, November 18, 1797, died in Erie, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1866 ; at the time of her marriage to Mr. Plamot, she was the widow of Dr. Asa Coltrin, of the United States Army. Pierre Simon Vincent Hamot, was a son of Marie Simon Hamot and Cecilia (Vandeperre) Hamot, of Paris, France. He came to America rn 1802, as private secretary to the French consul at Philadelphia. The first years of his residence in the United States were spent in eastern cities, including Philadelphia, New York and Newport, Rhode Island. He finally took up his permanent residence in Erie, Pennsylvania, which he had first visited while en route to Detroit, Alichigan. Pie became one of the honored and influential citizens of Erie, where his activities were many and varied, and a noble and enduring monument to his memory is the Hamot Hospital in this city. By his second marriage five children were born, and concerning them the following brief data are incorpo rated : Eugene Charles, who was born in Erie, September 15, 1826, died on the 3rd of October, 1827; Emily Elizabeth died in infancy; Catharine Cecilia (deceased) became the wife of Dr. Landaff Strong, as already 548 HLVfORY OF ERIE COUNTY noted; Alary Adeline (deceased), widow of George AA'. Starr; Aliss Hortense Louise, also deceased, the youngest of the children. Air. Hamot had one daughter bv his first marriage to Adeline AA'oodruff. Her name was Josephine Alary, and she was the wife of Stephen C. Walker of New York City, both deceased. Elizabeth (Keefer) Hamot, the second wife of Pierre S. A'. Hamot, was a daughter of George and Catharine (Lampman) Keefer, of Thor old, ( mtaria, Canada. PTer father was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, November 8, 1773, and died at his home in Thorold, Canada, June 25, 1858 ; there his wife died July 14, 1813, her birth having oc curred in Niagara township, province of Ontario, Canada, April 26, 1778. George Keefer was a son of George and Alary (Couck) Keefer, whose marriage was solemnized in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1767. George Keefer ( 1st) was a son of Samuel and Ann (AA'aldruff) Keefer, who were married in the province of Alsace, France, now a part of Germany. Samuel Keefer was born on the banks of the river 111, in a valley of the province of Alsace and near the historic old city of Stras burg. After his death his widow, a native of AA'estervallen, Germany, be came the wife of Frederick Savarien, and they came from the south of France to America in 1749. George Keefer, the son of the first marriage, was two years of age at this time, and the family settled in Paulinskill, on Peppercorn creek, near Newton, province of New Jersey, where he was reared to maturity. As indicated in the foregoing paragraphs Charles Hamot Strong has a lineage in which he may well take pride giving due meed of honor to those who have lived worthy lives and achieved worthy deeds in the past. He secured his preliminary educational discipline in the private schools of Erie, including the old Erie Academy, and in 1X72 he went to New Haven, Connecticut, where for one year he pursued his studies under the tutorship of Thomas Thacher, who later became a prominent member of the bar of New York City. In Tune, 1X73, he was matricu lated in Yale University, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1877 and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then returned to Erie, where he devoted about three months to reading law under the preceptorship of Judge Frank Gunnison. His intention at the time was to prepare himself for the legal profession, but he was soon drawn into another field of endeavor, and one in which he has attained to distinctive success and prestige. Flis business career was initiated by his assuming the position of shipping clerk in the rolling- mill department of the Mount Hickory Iron AA'orks, in Erie, where he was thus employed about one year. At the expiration of this period a diametrical change was made in his position with this concern, as he then became president of the corporation operating the plant in Erie. Fie continued incumbent of this position until the mill was destroyed by fire, and a short time later he became president of the L'nion Coal Com pany, which operated mines at Shamokin, Pennsylvania, under leasehold from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. The major portion of the output of these extensive mines was shipped from Erie to the various important ports on the Great Lakes. Lie continued president of this company until its dissolution, occasioned by the final adjustment of the affairs of the AA'. L. Scott Company, in which latter he had been a di rector and vice-president. Lie was also vice-president of the Spring A'al- ley Coal Company, of Illinois, and has been interested as trustee and HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 549 executive officer in various other important corporations in which the late William L. Scott was interested. At the present time Mr. Strong is president of the Erie & Pittsburg Railroad Company Corporation, whose lines are operated tinder lease by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com pany. He is also president of the Erie County Electric Company, which supplies the city of Erie with street lighting and power, and he is presi dent of the Erie Dispatch-News Company, publishers of the city's only morning daily newspaper. The interests of his native city and county are ever of paramount importance to him, and his influence and zealous co-operations are given in support of all enterprises and measures advanced for the material, civic or moral benefit of the community. He is a member of the Erie Board of Trade, and holds membership in the Erie Club, the Kahkwa Club and the Country Club, representative social institutions of his home city, besides which he is a member of the Alanhattan, University and Yale clubs, of New York City, and the Alumni Association of his alma mater, Yale University. He and his wife are communicants of St. Paul's church, Protestant Episcopal, in which he was baptized as an infant and in which his confirmation vows were given, so that the church and parish represent the associations particularly dear to him. On the 8th of September, 1881, Mr. Strong was united in marriage to Aliss Annie AA'ainwright Scott, daughter of the late AVilliam L. Scott, one of Erie's most honored and influential citizens and one to whom a mem oir is dedicated on other pages of this publication. Air. and Mrs. Strong have one daughter, Matilda Thora Wainwright Strong, who was born June 24, 1882. On the 24th of February, 1906, she became the wife of Reginald Ronalds, of New York City, and they have one daughter, Thora Scott Ronalds, born December 14, 1907. Mrs. Mary Jane (Spires) Grace. Possessing the mental vigor of heart and mind that characterized her earlier years, Airs. Alary J. Grace, widow of the late Patrick Grace, is held in high respect as a woman whose kindness of heart manifests itself in her every day life. She was born on the parental homestead, in AA'ashington town ship, June 18. 1834, a daughter of John and Margaret (Alorrison, Spires, natives of Ireland, and a sister of Hannibal L. Spires, in whose sketch, which appears elsewhere in this volume, further ancestral history may be found. As a girl Mary Jane Spires attended the district school, and in assisting her mother in the many duties that come to a woman on the farm became familiar with the domestic arts. Becoming fitted for the responsibilities of a home maker, she married Patrick Grace, who was born March 17, 1830, in Ireland, and came as a young man to Pennsylvania, settling in Erie county. Wishing to further advance his knowledge of books, Mr. Grace attended the Erie Academy for a time, paying his expenses in the meantime by working evenings as a book-keeper. He subsequently bought the packet boat "Mayflower," which carried passengers and freight, on the canal, between Erie and Meadville, for four years living in AVellsburg, then called Cranes ville. Going from there to Michigan, he was foreman and book keeper at Stoney Island for a while, remaining there until his death, which occurred after a brief illness, his body being brought back to Erie for burial. While a resident of Cranesville, Mr. Grace had a 550 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY grocery store on the canal towpath, on the present site of the Bes semer Depot, and carried on a substantial trade. Four children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Grace, namely: John E., a telegraph operator on the Pennsylvania Railroad, married, and has one child Walter E., who is a veterinary surgeon in Aleridian, Mississippi; Margaret Ellen, wife of W. W. Swalley, has two chil dren, Grace and Harry; Plarry, a locomotive engineer, married Mary Backus, and they have two children, William C. and Margaret E. ; Grace married Martin Grote, of Kinzua ; William, engaged in farming in Iowa, married Ida Wilson, by whom he has four children ; Frank, a twin brother of AVilliam, now a jeweler in St. Paul, Minnesota, married Gussie Shutinger, and they have one child, George ; and Josephine, wife of William Peterson, of Cleveland, Ohio. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Grace, being left with a large family of children to support and educate, bravely turned her shoulder to the wheel, opening and managing a boarding house for a number of years, laboring cheerfully until her little ones were grown to years of maturity, and were willing and glad to contribute towards her support and comfort. She now resides with her widowed brother, Hannibal L., on the old homestead, being his housekeeper and com panion. William P. Hayes. As proprietor of the leading creamery of Elk Creek township, and an extensive manufacturer of cheese, Wil liam P. Playes is actively associated with the agricultural, industrial and manufacturing interests of Erie county, and is contributing his full share towards their advancement. A son of William M. Hayes, he was born December 1, 1858, in Crawford county, where his pater nal grandparents, Heman and Mary (Hogle) Hayes, were early set tlers, migrating there from New York state. William M. Hayes was also born in Crawford county. A farmer from choice, he bought land in Erie county, on Hammett lake, and as a tiller of the soil met with good success. He married Harriett Ann Lake, a native of Pennsylvania, and they reared four children, namely: AVilliam P., of this brief sketch; Mary, wife of Martin Standlift, a farmer in Wilmington, Delaw-are ; Frank, engaged in agricultural pursuits in Franklin township ; and John, residing in Santa Rosa, California. Having completed the course of study in the district schools, W. P. Hayes received a practical training in the various branches of agriculture on the parental homestead, and when old enough to choose an occupation selected that of a farmer. After farming for a while, he entered the employ of an uncle in Erie county, becoming foreman of a saw mill. Resuming his original occupation in 1881, Air. Hayes bought his present farm in Elk Creek township, and has since car ried on a most remunerative business, keeping in his dairy twenty- five cows. In 1906 he bought his present factory, known as the Ivory Ray Cheese Factory and Creamery, and is managing it with satisfactory pecuniary results, in the manufacture of cheese, hand ling on an average seven thousand pounds of milk a day. His creamery is up-to-date in every respect, equipped with the most modern machin ery, and forms one of the leading industries of this vicinity. PIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 551 Mr. Hayes has been twice married. He married first Alary Payne, a daughter of James Payne, a farmer. She died in 1889, when but twenty-eight years of age. She bore him three children, namely : Clarence a farmer in Franklin township, married Emma Davis, and they have one child, Clarence Alerle ; Seldon M., living in Los Angeles, California, married Aliss Alae Gick ; and Lydia, deceased, aged six teen years. Mr. Hayes married second, on January 1, 1890. Viola Payne, a sister of his first wife, and to them ten children have been born, eight of whom are living, as follows: Alartin; Beaulah, a graduate of the Edinboro Normal School ; Elmer ; Mildred ; Aaron ; Harold; Stella, and Deura. Two have passed to the life beyond, Howard, a twin brother of Harold, and Robert. Politically Air. Hayes is a Republican; fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and religiously he is a member of the Baptist church. James Payne, father-in-law of Mr. Hayes, was born in 1838, a son of AA'ashington Payne, who died in Crawford county, in 1894, aged eighty-five years, while his wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Preeman, survived him three years, passing away in 1897, at the age of eighty-five years. James Payne moved from Crawford county to Franklin township, where he bought land, and improved a good farm, on which he is still successfully engaged in tilling the soil. He married Sarah Long, who was born in Crawford county, in 1842, a daughter of Nathan and Eva (Evans) Long, and they became the parents of these children, eight of whom are living, namely : Jane, wife of C. Hutchinson, of Crawford county; Burton, a farmer, living at Girard; A^an Buren, engaged in farming in Franklin town ship ; Gus, a farmer in Spring township ; Dolly, wife of D. Long, of McKean township ; Stella, wife of E. Bogart, of Cranesville ; Myrtle, wife of C. Goodnow, of Girard ; and Frank, a resident of Cranesville. Mary has passed to the higher life and Charles died when six months old. Amy Al. Collins. Both by birth and marriage Airs. Collins is connected with some of the prominent old families of Erie county, and she was born in Franklin township January 19, 1847, to the mar riage union of John C. and Rosetta (Perkins) Jenkins, the father born in 1817, and the mother in 1827 in Cattaraugus county, New York. Coming to Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1843, they located on its heav ily timbered land, erecting a little log cabin home, and here they lived and farmed during many years. Airs. Jenkins is yet living, but her husband died in 1893. He was a son of Ransom Jenkins, who died in 1865 in Pennsylvania and was born in A'ermont ; the wife of Ransom Jenkins, in her maidenhood Deborah Cass, died January 17. 1865. In the family of John C. and Rosetta Jenkins were the following children : Porter, who is a farmer in Missouri and a veteran of the Civil war; Mrs. Collins; Hunnewell, a Franklin township agricul turist; John M., who has retired from a business life in Franklin town ship ; Charles E., living in Fairview township ; Adelle, the wife of G. W. Crandell. a government officer in Washington; Martha Jane, the wife of H. H. Stafford, of Sterrettania; Aleredith, a baker in Erie; Agnes, the wife of E. Le Suer, of Oil City, this state ; and Flora, the wife of J. W. Lewis, of Erie county. 552 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY After the completion of her school days Amy M. Jenkins was united in marriage to Alonzo J. AlcCombs, who was born in the state of New York in 1844, and died from the effects. of smallpox contracted in the Civil war, in which he served with Battery H, Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Company A, and he died in Alarch of 1865. The one son of this union is Alonzo J. McCombs, who mar ried Nellie Bishop, and they have a son, James aA In 1871 Airs. AlcCombs gave her hand in marriage to Harrison Collins, who was born April 19, 1837, and died on the 9th of April, 1905. He, too, was a Civil war soldier, serving with Company H, Ninety-eighth Penn sylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was a son of William and Sallie (Brown) Collins, prominent old pioneer residents of Erie county. To this second union was born Clarence E. Collins, a well known agriculturist in Elk Creek township. He married Victoria Eaton, a daughter of Scott and Alary Eaton, also Erie county pioneers, and their two children are Gladys P. and C. Everett. Hetta Collins, the daughter born to Harrison and Amy Collins, is at home with her mother, and during the past ten years she has taught in the public schools of Erie county. Airs. Collins during her many years' resi dence in Erie county has witnessed much of its wonderful trans formation and participated in both the hardships and pleasures of pioneer life. Her name is honored and revered in her community, for her life has been well spent and her personal characteristics have gained for her many friends and associates. Frederick Christian Wimersberger. Holding a position of prominence and influence among the more enterprising and progres sive agriculturists of Elk Creek township, Erie county, are Frederick C. AA'imersberger and his brother, Frank AA'imersberger, who are carrying on general farming in partnership, and in their undertakings are meeting with marked success. They are sons of the late George AA'imersberger, and come from honored German ancestry. Carl Gottfried Wimersberger, grandfather of Alessrs. AA'imers berger, served as a soldier tinder Napoleon, accompanying him on his famous march to Moscow, and for his faithful services in Novem ber, 1X13, was awarded a medal of honor. This medal was issued January 1, 1840, at Stuttgart, Germany, and was signed by A^on Hugie, minister of war, of the Kingdom of AA'urtemberg. George AA'imersberger was born in Germany, August 26, 1825, and emigrated from AA'urtemberg to the United States in 1848, and settled in Erie county. He took up land in Elk Creek township, and worked in the old tannery at AA'ellsburg, having learned the trade of a tanner in Germany. He subsequently lived for tv,-o years in Con neaut, Ohio, and from 1865 until 1892 was employed in a tannery in AA'ellsburg. He died in 1899, an esteemed and respected citizen. Plis wife, whose maiden name was Frederika Burkhart, was born Novem ber 14, 1X27, in Germany, near the Neckar river and died in Lundy's Lane May 13, 1891. They became the parents of five children, name ly: Fred Christian; Caroline, wife of E. Strotit, a railroad station agent, living in Poland township, Alaine ; Mary, living in Lundy's Lane; Charles H., of AA'ellsburg, is employed by Bessemer Railroad freight department ; and Frank, in partnership with his oldest brother, as above mentioned. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 553 Frederick C. Wimersberger, born in Girard, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1858, was educated at the Edinboro Academy, attending two terms and the township schools, after which he worked in the Wellsburg Tannery for eighteen or. twenty years. In 1892, forming a partnership with his brother, he embarked in agricultural pursuits in Elk Creek township, beginning upon a modest scale, with a few acres of land. By the purchase at different times of more land the farm now contains two hundred acres of highly productive land, and with its fine improvements and equipments ranks among the most attractive and valuable estates in the township. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican, and has filled many township offices, having been treasurer and clerk, and a member of the school board, of which he was president one term. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; to the Order of the East ern Star ; and to the Patrons of Husbandry, of which he is secretary. On November 14, 1894, Fred C. Wimersberger married Eliza Foster, who was born in Girard, January 14, 1864. Her father, Ly man Foster, born in New York state, in 1832, died in 1904, aged seventy-two years. His wife, whose maiden name was Alary Blair, was born in 1835, in Pennsylvania, and died in 1891. They reared three children, namely: Eliza, wife of Mr. Wimersberger; Charles, living on the homestead in Girard; and John C, deceased. This homestead, it is said, was formerly owned by Denman Thompson, the noted actor, who immortalized some of his neighbors in the char acters of his famous play, "The Old Homestead." Frank Wimersberger was born October 2, 1859, in Girard, and like his brother, was educated partially in the Edinboro Academy, attend ing there one term. He subsequently taught school one term, and then learned the trade of a broom maker in the Wellsburg Broom Factory, in which he worked until 1883. Subsequently forming a partnership with his brother, he has since been prosperously engaged in agricultural labors, their farm being one of the best improved in the vicinity. Frank Wimersberger married March 8, 1893. Miss Kitt Palmer, who was born July 21, 1860, a daughter of Garner Palmer, of Albion. Politically Mr. Wimersberger has been identified with the Democratic party since casting his first vote, and for the past twelve years has served as justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a member of Albion Lodge, No. 304, A. F. & A. M. ; of Albion Chapter, No. 22, O. E. S. ; of the Patrons of Husbandry ; Elk Creek Grange, No. 997. Religiously both of the brothers are members of the Lutheran church. Nicola Gigliotti, A. M., M. D., LL. D. Citizens of the United States inspired with true American liberalism have always warmly wel comed from the old world representatives of the nobility whose titles were not only originally bestowed because of some gallant service in the cause of democratic progress, but whose members of the successive gen erations have not failed to remember the nature of the ancestral great ness and maintain it by brave and noble deeds for humanity. Thus tested, the Gigliotti family, represented in Erie by the able and great hearted Dr. Nicola, has become a noble source of inspiration for American democracy and republicanism, since, for nearly two hundred and eighty years it has never failed to contribute its best strength (and often its life 554 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY blood) to the progress of the people and the alleviation of their suffer ings. For many generations, the seat of its noble works was Italy. Dr. Gigliotti's lineal ancestor, iAngelo, was secretary of the famous Council of Ten which administered the affairs of the republic of A'enice for many years, and in 1627, while holding that position, as well as during subsequent years, gave his entire fortune to his country to uphold its fierce wars with the Turks. Angelo Gigliotti was rewarded for his dis tinguished patriotism by being placed in the highest grade of nobility, and from his time to the present the family has been of ducal rank, the doctor himself being a "duke" in his own right. Until the downfall of the A'enetian republic before the ambition of Napoleon in the last years of the eighteenth century, the Gigliotti family bore a gallant part; and in the stirring times of the great patriot, Garibaldi, Nicola's father bore a conspicuous part as a champion of the Italian people against the op pressions of the Bourbon king. A distinguished physician, Dr. Felix Gigliotti rendered brave services, both in action and fortune, until his leader's exile in 1834, and in 1848 when Garibaldi had returned from the South American republics he organized and equipped at his own ex pense a body of insurgents to fight Bourbonism. In 1863 he participated in Poland's fight for freedom against Russia, and during his lifetime re ceived many marks of popular gratitude and numerous decorations, as an evidence of the value of his patriotic services. Nicola Gigliotti, the son, was born in Naples on the 22nd of No vember, 1867, and, through his completed courses at the Universities of his native city and of Turin, he holds the degrees of A. AL, Al. D. and LL. D. He was a professor at Naples, Turin and Padua, and also prac ticed medicine, but never for pay. As was characteristic of his family, he was active in politics, and became prominent in the local governments of Naples and in the Italian parliament. In the municipal government he served as a member of the city council and as superintendent of public education, and was also commissioner of his county. He entered the parliamentary contest from the first district of Naples in order to defeat Signor Billi, who for years had held a seat in that body as a champion of the Camorra and (using the AAmerican phrase) of "machine politics." The result was quite unexpected, but none the less welcome, for his opponent was defeated and Dr. Gigliotti became the leader of the Republican Federalists of Italy. In the great movement for a republic, commencing in 1894, Dr. Gigliotti sacrificed his entire fortune, and in 1895, then only twenty-eight years of age, emigrated to the United States. First locating in New York City, he became editor of the Progrcsso. the leading morning Italian newspaper in the United States. and later became the first editor of the Italian Herald, which, under the stimulus of his brilliant pen, was pushed into the front ranks of the journals of its class in the country. The doctor personally obtained so high a standing that at the convention of the AA'estern Editorial Federa tion — an organization of the press clubs covering the territory from Chi cago to San Francisco — held at Omaha, Nebraska, in 1x98 he was chosen president of the association named. In 1902 Dr. Gigliotti located in Erie and entered actively into the practice of his profession, his success having been decided and his former character for disinterested work as a physician and a man being main tained by his voluntary participation in movements of relief for widely extended suffering. He was one of the first to respond to the call of distress when Galveston was crushed under a tidal wave, freely donating PIISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 555 his services to the stricken city; when cholera so terribly scourged Ham burg, Germany, he was among the first to arrive on the scene of suffering, and the tremors of the awful Italian earthquake of 1908 had scarcely ceased their vibration before he was on his way to his afflicted country men. He is said to have been the first of his profession to leave the United States on this errand of mercy and for six weeks he labored in cessantly in the ruined and desolated district. It was but characteristic of the man, who, as one of the bitterest foes of the Mafias and the Black Hands, carries his life in his own hands — this instinctive rushing to the , relief of the suffering poor — and it is very likely that in his indiscriminate ministrations he was the means of bringing relief to more than one who would not scruple to plunge the stiletto into his warm heart. Dr. Gig liotti is married to Delphina de San Martino, a native of Piedmont, Italy, and a countess by birth. The children of their union are William, Louise and Franklin. Clayton B. Heidler, the owner of a beautiful estate in Fairview township and one of the county's most prominent farmers, was born in the old ancestral home here September 1, 1849, a son of Levi and a grandson of Curtis Heidler. Levi Pleidler was born in the year of 1825, and remaining at home until his marriage he then bought the farm on which he spent the remainder of his life. In politics he was a Republican. He married in 1847 Miss Fanny M. Bear, whose birth occurred in Fairview town ship, a daughter of Daniel and Leah (Stotler) Bear. Daniel Bear was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1792, and died in 1862, at the age of three score years and ten. He came to Erie county before his marriage and was one of the first millers of Fairview township, own ing and operating two grist mills in addition to carrying on the work of his farm. He was very prominent in the early history of this com munity, was a faithful and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he now lies buried in Fairview cemetery. In his family were the following children : Fanny, who became the wife of Levi Heidler; Eliza, the wife of Joel Heidler of Fairview township; Reu ben, whose home is also in Erie ; Alary, who became the wife of Syl vester Nason, but is now deceased ; Levi, also deceased, and his widow resides in Erie; Harriet, who married Samuel AA'eidler, of Fairview township ; Joseph ; and Martin, also of Fairview township. Four children were born to Levi and Fanny Heidler, but the first born, Albert D., is deceased. Clayton B., the second, is mentioned below. Flarriet A. married Jacob Hinkle, but she died after becom ing the mother of two children, Wilbur, who married Ella Cool and has children Elmer, Bernice and Ralph, and Burns, deceased. Wal lace Monroe, who lives on the old Heidler homestead, married Emma Mankel, and has three children: Harry Albert, at home with his parents ; Irene Louisa, who married Fred Brown, of Mill Creek town ship, and they have two children, Walter and infant; and Lola A., whp married Ralph Oliver and resides in AlcKean township. Mrs. Levi Heidler passed the remaining years of her life in the home which has been hers for many years, dying there March 23, 1909, and is interred in Fairview. Clayton B. Heidler laid the foundation for his future life work in the common schools of Fairview township, and he has been a 556 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY farmer throughout his entire business career. Immediately follow ing his marriage he bought the old Abram AIiller farm in Fairview township, and this he has since greatly improved by cultivation and the erection of substantial and modern buildings until he is now the owner of one of the most beautiful and valuable estates in Erie county. He married a native daughter of this township, Alary B. AA'agner. Her father, George AA'agner, was born in Germany and came to America at the age of thirty-five, and locating first in AlcKean township of Erie county, he married there Barbara Hosteller. He then located in the northwestern part of Fairview township, where he spent the remainder of his life. Two children, Alary B. and George AA'.. blessed their marriage union, and the son is a resident of Summit township in Erie county. Air. and Airs. AA'agner lie buried side by side in the Salem church cemetery. Four children have been born to Clayton B. and Mary Heidler, but the first born, Bertha M., is deceased. Hattie, the second daughter, married Harvey AA'eidler, of the village of Fairview, and they have one child, Jeannette. Ora is at home with her parents, and the last born, Alertie, is deceased. Air. Heidler gives his political support to the Republican party, and he has held the minor offices of his township. Julius Busch, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Fairview, Erie county, Pennsylvania, was born in Saxony, Germany, August 25, 1831, son of Charles and Alary (Fisher) Busch. At the age of nineteen years young Busch emigrated to America, accom panied by his mother, and his grandmother Fisher, his father having died. They made the voyage to this country in a small sail vessel, being thirty days at sea, and, upon their arrival, directed their course to Erie, Pennsylvania, where they established their home, and where Julius served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade. About 1860 he came to the village of Fairview, where he built a shop and went to work at the anvil. This shop has ever since been in the Busch family. In 1865 Air. Busch was drafted into the Union Army; entered the service as a private in Company P of the Sixth Corps, and re mained with his command until the close of his term, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Fairview, he resumed work at his trade, which he followed continuously until about 1890, when he retired from active duties. Pie owns a farm near the village, the superintendence of which occupies his time and attention. Air. Busch has been twice married and has a family of ten chil dren. His first wife, Elizabeth Zumstine, whom he married at Fair- view, died in 1867, and is buried beside his mother in the Fairview cemetery. The children of this union are as follows : Lena, who is the wife of Alorgan Anderson, of North Girard, Pennsylvania, has one child. Harvey N. J. ; Elizabeth, with her parents ; Alary, wife of Edward Shoemaker, of Fairview, has one child, Olivia ; Charles, his father's successor in the shop, married Alary Kromer, bv whom he has two children. Ralph and Lois. Air. Busch's present wife was Aliss Augusta Albright. She was born in Saxony, Germany, and came with her parents to this country in 1851, their voyage "being a long and tedious one and covering a period of nine weeks. They settled first in Erie, afterward lived in Swantown, and on the Lake Road, and finally moved to the farm south of the village of Fairview, where HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 557 the parents passed the rest of their lives and died. By his second wife Mr. Busch has six children, namely : Julius, a barber at North Girard, married Miss Mary Schutz, and they have two children, Lynn and Lawrence ; Otto, at home ; Ida, who married William Smithlan of Townsville, has one child, Helen; Munroe, a barber at Fairview, married Olie Lloland, and they have two children, Vera and Geraldine ; Anna, who married Perry Turner of Townsville ; Carrie, at home. Mr. Busch is a member of Lewis Post, G. A. R., at Fairview. He cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, and has ever since given his allegiance to the Republican party. Religiously, he has long- been identified with the Evangelical church and Sunday school, hav ing been a teacher in the latter for about forty years. Edgar A. Raymond. Standing prominent among the intelligent and progressive agriculturists of Erie county is Edgar A. Raymond, of Elk Creek township, who by sturdy industry, and wise manage ment, is continually adding to the value and improvement of his large estate, which is one of the most attractive in the vicinity, giving ample evidence to. the passer-by of his skill as a practical farmer and rural householder. A son of Alfred Raymond, he was born July 16, 1870, in Erie county, of substantial New England ancestry. His grandfather, Nehemiah Raymond, was born in 1797, near Boston, Massachusetts, and was there bred and educated. At the age of seventeen years he migrated to Pennsylvania, settling in Erie county, and was first employed in a grist mill, afterwards working on the old Sawdey farm. He subsequently bought forty acres of land, began its improvement, and lived on it three years. Going then with a brother to Ohio, he bought a tract of wild land containing forty acres, lying near the present site of Oberlin, and there resumed his agricultural labors. Subsequently returning to Pennsylvania, he lived on the old home farm until his death, September 16, 1860. He married Lucina Harmon, who was born in 1807, and died .in 1886. Seven daughters and two sons were born to them, and of these the following named are living : Ellen, wife of F. AA'est, a farmer in Elk Creek township ; Ruth, wife of Jesse Sherman, of East Spring field ; Louisa, wife of D. Mills, of Tacoma, Washington ; and Alfred. A native of Ohio, Alfred Raymond was born April 14, 1830, in Conneaut township. Leaving school at the age of seventeen years, he subsequently engaged in farming for thirteen years, obtaining an excellent knowledge of the many branches of that industry. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Sixty- ninth Pennsylvania Atolunteer Infantry, and after serving for nine months under Gen. Keyes was honorably discharged, being mustered out July 27, 1863. Locating then in Pont, he was there employed in the lumber business for five years, after which he settled in Wells burg, now called Lundy's Lane, where he lives retired from active pursuits. A stanch Republican in politics, he has held many offices of trust and responsibility, and is a member of Albion Post, No. 240, G. A. R. He married, in 1869, Julia Sherman, who was born April 26, 1840, a daughter of Harley and Achsa (Wilson) Sherman, and into their household six children have been born, as follows : Edgar A., of this sketch; Edna, teaching school in Athens, Pennsylvania; Llawley, living with his parents; Fred, a salesman in Cleveland, Ohio; 558 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Henry B., living with his parents, is a stone cutter; and Myrtle, wife of John Kochs, of Warren, Ohio. Ambitious to acquire a good education, Edgar A. Raymond at tended school until twenty years of age, after which he was in the employ of the Bessemer Railway Company for ten years. Having by prudence and economy accumulated quite a sum of money while thus engaged, Mr. Raymond wisely invested in land, buying two hun dred acres that are now included in his present farm, in Elk Creek township. Here he is carrying on general farming, including dairy ing and stock raising and dealing, with satisfactory results, and has added to the size of his original farm by the purchase of fifty more acres of productive land, his property now being. one of the most desirable in the neighborhood. Air. Raymond married in 1900, Edna Evans, who was born in Girard, July 24, 1878, being the only child of the late Prof. Milton and Celesta (Randall) Evans. Her father, at one time professor of German in the Girard Academy, was born in 1856, and died on his farm, in Michigan and was interred in Girard, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, Joshua Evans, was for many years widely known as proprietor of a hotel in Girard. Airs. Raymond is well educated, hav ing for four years studied at a noted seminary near Hudson, New York, from which she was graduated with the class of 1896. She subsequently taught school in Elk Creek township for three years prior to her marriage. Air. and Airs. Raymond are the parents of four children, namely: E. Ronald, born in 1901; Arthur C, born in 1902 ; Ardys Lucile, born in 1903 ; and Alfred AA'ilton. born in 1907. Politically Mr. Raymond is a stanch Republican, but has never aspired to public office. AVilliam Wiley. A venerable and highly respected citizen of Elk Creek township William Wiley has for many years been asso ciated with the agricultural development and advancement of this part of Erie county, and has been an interested witness of the many changes that have here taken place. A man of sound sense, energetic and capable, he has placed his homestead property tinder a good state of cultivation, and is now living practically retired from active pursuits, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil and labor. A native of Maine, he was born, October 25, 1825, in Fryeburg. which was likewise the birthplace of his parents, Llamilton and Melvina (Butterfield) Wiley, the birth of his father having occurred Alay 22, 1806, and that of his mother on July 25, 1806. His grandfather, Ben jamin Wiley, was born in 1773, in Fryeburg, as was his wife, Mary Bryant. Mr. Wiley has one brother living, Calvin AA'iley, a farmer in Elk Creek township. One brother and two sisters have passed to the life beyond. AA'illiam AA'iley left his New England home in 1853, coming from there to Pennsylvania. He lived first in Summit, Cambria county, but subsequently settled in Crawford county, where he followed his trade of a cooper for three years. Returning then to Fryeburg, he remained in his old home town three years, working as a cooper. He then made another trip to this state, locating- in Erie county this time, and very soon after his arrival bought his present farm in Elk Creek town ship, paying for the land by making oil barrels during the great oil HISTORY' OF ERIE COUNTY 559 boom in this vicinty, while at the same time he was filling a contract for making oil barrels for use in Canada during the oil excitement in that region. After making the last payment on his property, Air. Wiley began farming in earnest for many years carrying on an ex tensive dairy and stock business, both of which he found very profit able branches of industry. He met with success from the start, by industry, keen foresight, and wise management accumulating a com petency. Mr. Wiley married, October 14, 1854, Harriet A. Langdon, who was born in Cortland county, New York, March 1, 1833, a daughter of Augustus and Alary Ann (Segar) Langdon, pioneer settlers of Crawford county, where her father was a farmer and engineer. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Langdon, four are living, as fol lows: Roland W., engaged in farming in Erie county; Rosetta, wife of W. H. Donihi, of New York state; Charles V., a farmer in Elk Creek township; and Mrs. Wiley. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley are the par ents of three children, namely: A. Hamilton, Mary Melvina, and Harriett Olive. A. Hamilton AViley, of Montrose, Missouri, married Eva McCammon, and they have five children, Ethel, William, Emma, Birdie, and Harriett. Melvina, wife of Frank Allwood, a farmer in Crawford county, has one daughter, Harriett Emeline, who married B. Freeman, and has two children, Lottie and Dorothy. Harriett Olive, born in 1S59, was educated at the Edinboro School, and for eight years taught school in Elk Creek township, meeting with good success. Owing to ill health she was obliged to give up her position, and now lives at home with her parents. Fraternally Air. Wiley is a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 304, F. & A. M., of Albion, and his daughter Harriett is a member of the Eastern Star. George D. Gates. A man of good business qualifications and training, George D. Gates is actively identified with the mercantile prosperity of Erie county as a well-known and prosperous merchant of Pont. A son of the late Robert B. Gates, he was born, July 3, 1873, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. His grandparents, George D. and Elmira (Ward) Gates, natives of New York, died at a com paratively early age, his dea'th occurring in 1862, and hers in 1864, in Pennsylvania. Born in Crawford county, in 1838, Robert B. Gates was brought up on the home farm, and during his active life was engaged in mer cantile pursuits, living for many years in Elk Creek township. He was very patriotic and public-spirited, and during the Civil war en listed, in 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Penn sylvania Volunteer Infantry, and during the three years in which he served took part in several engagements of importance, among others being that of the Battle of Fredericksburg. He was a Prohibitionist in politics, and served for some time as postmaster at Pont, and he established the postoffice. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, being a prominent member of his post, and his death, which occurred in 1895, was a loss to the community. Pie married Alary Jane Pool, who was born April 4, 1847, a daughter of Ezra and Amelia (Loring) Pool, neither of whom are now living, her father having passed away in 1893, at the age of seventy-six years, and her mother in 1898, aged seventy-two years. 560 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY After leaving school George D. Gates entered his father's store as a clerk, while thus employed obtaining such a knowledge of the business as to continue it for four years after his father's death. Changing his occupation then, Mr. Gates carried on farming in Craw ford county for four years. Disposing then of his farm, he was for a year employed in the wholesale grocery of Jacob Haller, in Erie. Going back at the end of that time to Crawford county, he carried on farming for two years. Returning to Erie county about three years ago, Air. Gates bought back the old store in Pont, and has here continued in business since, in connection with his store operating a cigar factory, which is located in the same building. Mr. Gates married, in 1893, Emma Godfrey, who was born Jan uary 28, 1875, a daughter of Norris Godfrey, a farmer in Crawford county. Mr. and Mrs. Gates have one child, Mary E., born in 1897. Nationally Mr. Gates is a Republican, but on local affairs he supports the man. R. Lyle Joslin. An enterprising and well-to-do agriculturist of Elk Creek township, Erie county, R. L. Joslin is a worthy represen tative of the native born citizens of this section of the state, his birth having occurred September 5, 1861, on the Joslin homestead. His father, Levi Joslin, born in New York state in 1804, was a pioneer of Elk Creek township. Taking up government land, he erected a log cabin for himself and family, building it near a lone pine tree, and for many years his estate was called the "Pine Tree farm." It was afterwards sold to Samuel Clark, and by the next generation of people was known as the "Clark farm." Levi Joslin married Alargaret Palmer, who was born in 1804, in Watertown, New York, a daughter of AA'yatt and Kaziah Palmer, the former of whom was born in 1765, and the latter in 1770. Of the four children born of their union, three, Lucy D., Lester, and Lestina, have passed to the higher life, R. L., the subject of this sketch, being the only one living. Receiving excellent educational advantages, R. L. Joslin attended school until twenty years old, in the meantime assisting his father in the work of the farm during seed time and harvest. After the death of his father, he remained at home, caring for his mother during her remaining years, and afterwards continuing his residence on the family estate for many years. He subsequently moved to Lundy's Lane, where he engaged in the feed mill business, which he operated a year. Returning then to Elk Creek township, he purchased the homestead property, and has since been engaged in general farming with noteworthy success. He has also other interests of value, own ing and operating a grist mill, and being connected with the Bessemer Railway. Air. Joslin has been twice married. He married first, November 13, 1881, Alay B. Godfrey, who was born in 1865. Her father, Norris Godfrey, for many years engaged in farming in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, died in 1897. and his widow, whose maiden name was Emeline Hartshorn, still lives on the Crawford county homestead. Mrs. Alay B. Joslin died July 23, 1897. Six children were born of their union, namely: Alfreda, of Conneaut, Ohio; Dacy E., wife of George Taylor, of Albion, Pennsylvania, has four children ; Gleed F., of Albion; Emma, living in Conneaut, Ohio; Floy L., deceased; and ANDREW P. MCARTHUR HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 561 Kenneth. Mr. Joslin married second, in 1902, Airs. Rosetta (Van Camp) Clark, daughter of Thomas and Mathilda (Loper) Van Camp, the former of whom was born in 1812, and died in 1897, while the latter was born in 1826, and died in 1908. Mrs. Joslin has three sis ters living, namely : Elizabeth, wife of L. Burr, of Pierpont, Ohio ; Stella, wife of C. B. Scribner, of Monroe, Ohio ; and Maggie, wife of Chester Sweet, of Monroe, Ohio. Mrs. Joslin is a woman of culture, and for several terms prior to her marriage taught school, being both successful and popular as a teacher. She married first Ransom Clark, a son of Samuel and Hannah (Stewart) Clark, pioneer settlers of Elk Creek Township. Mr. Clark was born in 1851, and died May 30, 1893, leaving four children, namely: Samuel Irvin, born in 1878, now a railway employe in Albion, is married, and has one child ; Josiah S. Clark, born in 1880, is a lineman in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Clar ence J. Clark, born in 1884, is a farmer; and Ina B., wife of Thomas E. Spires, has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin have in their home many interesting and valuable heirlooms that once belonged to their immediate ancestors, among others being an old fashioned clock, one hundred and twenty-five years old ; home spun and woven linens, and samples of threads carded and spun by Mr. Clark's grandmother, who, in common with her neighbors, dresed her family in garments which she made from cloth that she had herself spun and woven. Mr. Joslin has advanced ideas on the subject of Socialism. Andrew Pearl McArthur, of Albion, is a popular and able mer chant and a live stock dealer of Erie county, as well as deputy sheriff and chief of police; a citizen of substantial character and fine pioneer con nections, and one of enterprise and honorable activities. He is a native of Westford, Crawford county. Pennsylvania, born on the 4th of Feb ruary, 1878. John McArthur, his grandfather, emigrated from Ireland somewhat early in life and settled on the land at that place which in after years became known as the old McArthur homestead. At the age of thirty he married Miss Abigail Allen, daughter of Stephen Allen, who came to Crawford county from Scotland as one of the pioneers of that section of the state. There his daughter was born, and died in 1862 at the age of sixty-six, as a resident of Erie county and wife of John McArthur. The McArthurs constitute one of the oldest Irish-American famil ies whose genealogy has been traced through authentic records. As registered in Heralds College, London, it dates back to. the year 560, and during the first four centuries thereafter the family name appears in Gaelic, the English spelling (McArthur) having been used since 950. In the genealogical records of subsequent date appear many names famous in Irish history. Donal McArthur, earl of Clanmore, who was born in 1621 and died in 1680, was the owner of Blarney Castle and the lakes of Killarney, his estates being confiscated and the title broken by Oliver Cromwell. Eventually, however, his property was restored to him. In the list, also, is Curmac McArthur, Lord Mountchashal, whose estates were confiscated and title broken by William the Third. This scion of the family likewise was reinstated as head of the ancestral estates. About the year 1798 four brothers — John, William, Andrew and Robert Mc Arthur — emigrated to the United States and located in Crawford county, the first named being the grandfather of Andrew P., already mentioned. William, who located at Meadville, was the first representative of this Vol. 11—36 562 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY district in the state senate and was for many years prothonotary of Crawford county. Of his three sons and three daughters, all died unmarried except William and Moses M. The former left three daugh ters — now Mrs. Rebecca Lord, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Emma Wegefarth, of Chicago, and Mrs. Mary Wegefarth, of Baltimore. Moses M. left the following: — Martin McArthur, of Youngstown, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Reaugh, Cleveland, and John and James McArthur of Robin son, Illinois. Of the four brothers who were the original emigrants to the United States, John, AAndrew and Robert settled in western Crawford county. Andrew left one son who died at Saegertown, Pennsylvania, in 1865, all of the children of the latter surviving, as follows: Andrew, of Thomasville, Georgia; Nancy, of Meadville, Pennsylvania; Julia, of Lafayette, Indiana, and Jenny, of Oil City, Pennsylvania. Robert McArthur was at one time commissioner of Crawford county, and three sons and three daughters survive him. John, the first-born, died in Storey county, Iowa, and left several children. AVilliam and Alargar et were never married. Alexander is survived by one son and one daughter, Mary and Cassius, both living in South Shenango township, Crawford county, and Euphamy Martin, who is survived by the following children: J. S. Martin, of Westford, Pennsylvaina; Hon. Nelson Martin, of Jamestown, Pennsylvania, ex-member of the state legislature; and Alargaret Frizzle, also of that place. John AlcArthur, the grandfather, left sons and daughters, as follows: Rev. Kosciuszko, John, William, Dr. Moses, Mrs. Margaret Collins, Rebecca Ellis, Mrs. Sarah Free, An drew (father of Andrew P.) and Jeremiah P. McArthur, all being dead with the exception of the last named. When the four brothers before mentioned emigrated to Crawford county, they left residing upon an estate near Londonderry, Ireland, their brother, James. Surviving the latter were his children, William and Margaret. William became the father of three sons and three daugh ters, as follows: John P., a wholesale tea merchant of Belfast, with a small family; Joseph (also the father of a small family) and James, both of whom reside on the old homestead in county Donegal ; Margaret, Mary and Elizabeth. James, Margaret and Mary are unmarried and live to gether, while Elizabeth resides in Liverpool, England. Margaret, the daughter of James McArthur, married James Scott of Bonnie Main Burt. Londonberry. and is survived by three daughters — Jane, Margaret and Mary — none of whom are married and all of whom reside in Lon donderry. AAndrew McArthur, the father, was born on the old homestead near Westford, Crawford county, and was by trade a shoemaker, but spent most of his life as a farmer. In 1879 he located in Conneaut township, where, in connection with his agricultural pursuits, he followed veterin ary surgery for some twelve years. The last period of his life he spent in total darkness, his blindness being the result of a severe fever. His death occurred in 1904, at the age of seventy-five years. He was postmaster of Westford for some time, and his politics were Democratic. By his marriage to Aliss Sally Thompson, daughter of William Thomp son, he became the father of the following, besides Arthur P. : Nannie R, wife of Dr. G N. Lewis, of Pierpont, Ohio; Abigail, wife of Tohn Myers, of Albion, this county ; Alary Louise, who married William Campbell, of Conneaut township; Professor James F.. of the Edinboro (Pennsylvania) Normal School; Samuel R., a salesman of Conneaut township and Eliza Jane, wife of Willis O. Keep, a conductor of Albion. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 563 Andrew Pearl McArthur, of this biography, received an education in both the common and high schools, and at the age of sixteen com menced work on a Lake Erie freighter, but after a year of this em ployment decided that he preferred to be a landsman. He next became a lineman with the Bell Telephone Company at AAlbion ; then was em ployed as a conductor with the Bessemer Railway, resigning that posi tion to engage in the interurban service between Conneaut, Ohio, and Jefferson, Pennsylvania. A year afterward Mr. McArthur identified himself with the Nickel Plate Railway, continuing in its employ until 1906, when he established his present meat business at Albion. He is also interested in a billiard and pool room at that place, and is the owner of a fine farm in Conneaut township, being quite a large buyer of live stock. Altho-'gh thus active in business, he has also obtained strong in fluence as a Democrat, and is now serving as chief of police of Albion, deputy sheriff of Erie county, tax collector of his borough, health officer, truant officer and street superintendent. In his fraternal connections he belongs to Albion Lodge, No. 435, I. O. O. F., and to Albion Lodge No. 103, Cherry Hill Encampment No. 66, Knights of Pythias, at Albion. On December 1, 1899, Air. McArthur married Aliss Floy Griffey, bcrn October 10, 1882, daughter of Herbert L. and Emma (Joslin) Griffey. Their two children are Herbert, born in 1901, and M. Naomi, born in 1903. Airs. AlcArthtir herself has two brothers living — Ralph, a farmer residing in Conneaut township, and A'orice K, who lives in Springfield township. The Griffey family is one of the oldest and most prominent of Conneaut township, and the whole of Erie county numbers no more honored pioneers than George Griffey, and his industrious, intelligent and hardy family, who, in the early portion of the past century, were developing a fertile tract along the Conneaut creek near Cherry Hill. The father and founder of the family in this section of the United States came from Wales in 1797 and settled on the land which is still held by his descendants and has long been known as the William Griffey farm. Plis estate embraced several hundred acres of land which, at his advent to the country, was mostly covered by dense forest. For nearly half a century he labored with his axe, his plow and his sturdy brain, and, with the assistance of his sons, eventually fashioned productive and valuable farms and homesteads from the original wilderness. George Griffey, who died January 19, 1849, at the age of seventy-nine, married Miss Catherine Hook, one of his county-women, who followed him to her rest December 30th, of the same year, at seventy-six. She was the daughter of Matthias Hook, who occupied eight hundred acres of land near Pittsburg and gave the name Hooksburg to the settlement which sprung up on and around his property. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George Griffey, the father being not only a good, thrifty farmer and an honorable father and husband, but one of the Erie county patriots who, as a soldier of the war of 1812, assisted in putting Perry's fleet where "it would do the most good." The eight children sired by that worthy pioneer were George, Benjamin, John, William, Alatthias, Sarah, James and Susan. In the division of the paternal estate George located on the northwest and Benjamin on the northeast of what is known as Griffey's Corners ; John settled a little north of these brothers, and William M. selected his homestead near the creek on the old home stead. The last named was the grandfather of Mrs. AlcArthtir, and when he retired to Cherry Hill in his old age was one of the wealthiest 564 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY and most respected citizens in the township. He was one of the pioneer Alasons of that section of Erie county, and was a charter member of Evergreen Lodge of Conneaut, Ohio. ¦ AA'illiam Griffey was twice mar ried. By his union with Alaria Sartwell, to whom he was wedded Feb ruary 13, 1843, he had two children — Sarah L., who married Aloses J. Brown, a farmer and a stock man of Conneaut, and Elvira AL, who became the wife of George Putney, of Wahoo, Nebraska. Airs. Alaria Griffey was a Vermont lady, daughter of Regil and Elvira Sartwell, and died Alarch 7, 1X45. On Alay 24, 1846, Air. Griffey married Aliss Ann AI. Baird, who was born in 1825 and was a daughter of Steven G. and Betsey (Baker) Baird, also of Green Alountain stock. Seven child ren were born of this marriage, the mother dying in 1881 and the father, in 1883. Of the children, AA'illiam H., the eldest, is deceased. Ida O. is a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. The third-born, Herbert L., is Airs. AIc.Arthur's father. His birth occurred April 26, 1852, on the old homestead, and he remained with his parents engaged in farming until his marriage in 1876. He then moved to Cherry Hill and in 1893 ex changed his property for the AA'. Harrington farm, now operated by his son Ralph. In 1908 Air. AIcA-Arthur moved to the fine farm of one hun dred and sixty acres which he now occupies in Springfield township and which he devotes to general operations and stock raising. He is a scientific agriculturist and a progressive citizen — active in the work of the Cherry Hill Grange, of which he is treasurer; a member of the State Police, Camp No. 66 ; has served both as township commissioner and a member of the school board, and is a Democrat of high standing and strong influence. In the death of Airs. Herbert L. Griffey. February 5, 1905, those whose lives had been nearest to the departed keenly realized the loss of a fine womanly influence based upon a tender and loving nature. The community at large, which had been more distantly blessed with that influence, sincerely mourned her death as the taking from the home, social and religious circles of the place, of an active and strong factor in their elevation and purification. Airs. Griffey was not only a devout and active member of the Alethodist church, being especially identified with the work of the Ladies' Aid Society, but, as a loving and faithful wife, also gave much of her time to Grange matters, in which her husband was so deeply concerned. Her marriage in 1876 had been a life consecration to his interests and their marriage had been ideal in illustrating the charms of mutual affection, mutual charity and mutual helpfulness. Airs. Griffey was a native of Conneaut township, Erie count}-, and was born Nevember 29, 1854, daughter of John J. and Catherine (Doty) Joslin. Her father was a sailor on the great lakes for twenty-four years, but passed his last years as a farmer of Conneaut township, where he died in 1887, aged sixty-six years. The fourth child of AA'illiam AI. AlcArthtir. by his second marriage, was John J. ; the fifth, Elmer, and the sixth, Alorton B. — the first named, a farmer of Conneaut township, Pennsylvania, and the last two agri culturists of Conneaut, Ohio. Two children died in infancy, Joy and George. Two children were born to Air. and Airs. Herbert L. Griffey. Ralph, who is an able and one of the rapidly rising citizens of Conneaut town ship, was born November 27. 1877. He has been thoroughly educated in the schools of Albion and at Edinboro Normal College and has taught school for three years. After operating his father's farm for some HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 565 time, in 1905- he bought an interest in it, and is now actively engaged in agricultural and dairying operations. For two years he has been treas urer of the State Police of Conneaut township, and has served for one year as master of the Cherry Plill Grange, as well as captain of the State Police (Camp 66). On February 13, 1900, he was married to Aliss Rachel AI. Swap. Israel Heidler, deceased, honored and revered in Erie county as one whose name is ineffaceably traced on the pages of its history from the early days, was born on the old Heidler farm in the south eastern part of Fairview township September 9, 1827, a son of Curtis Heidler. He studied in the old district schools and in the Erie Acad emy, and remained at home with his parents until his marriage. He then bought the old Bird farm on the Ridge road, one mile southeast of the village of Fairview, and there he spent his life as a tiller of the soil, dying on the 25th of November, 1896, and he was laid to rest in Fairview cemetery with others of the brave and early pioneers of Erie county. In politics he was a Republican, and he was an earnest and valued member of the Presbyterian church. Air. Heidler married Miss Josephine Fernbaugh. Her parents, Benedict and Mary (Erhart) Fernbaugh, were married in Erie county. He was a cabinet maker and came to this community in the early '20's, and she was a maiden of eighteen when she came here in 1829. Both were originally from Germany. The early years of their resi dence here were fraught with the dangers and privations incident to life on the frontier, and for many years their only means of travel was over the paths made by blazed trees. Here the wife and mother died in 1883, after passing the seventy-second milestone on life's journey. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Heidler was blessed by the birth of four children. The eldest, William Heidler, lives on the old home stead with his mother, as does also the elder daughter, Alary E. Sophronia married William G. Kline, of Erie, and their children are Edna E., Ruth G, and Vera H- John F., of Fairview township, mar ried Gertrude M. Greenlee, and their children are Ralph G, Edith E. and Florence G. Mrs. Heidler is spending the remaining years of her life in the old home which has sheltered her family for many years, loved and honored by all who know her. George Myron Sawdy. An industrious, practical, thorough-going agriculturist, having an excellent knowledge of the business in which he is occupied and showing good judgment in its management, George Myron Sawdy, of Elk Creek township, is proving himself a useful and worthy member of the community in which he resides. A son of Hi ram and Hannah (King) Sawdy, he was born, February 10, 1879, on the homestead which his father assisted in redeeming from the wilder ness, having cleared a part of it from its original condition, making it among the best in Erie county. Brought up on the home farm, George Myron Sawdy attended the district schools of Elk Creek township until sixteen years of age, ac quiring a substantial knowledge of the common branches of study. Subsequently working a few years with his father, he became familiar with the various branches of agriculture. Not content at that time to 566 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY continue life as a farmer, he entered the employ of the Bessemer Rail way Company, in that capacity living for a year in Albion. Returning to his old home, Mr. Sawdy married, and the same year assumed the management of his father-in-law's farm, the old Carpenter homestead, on which he has since resided. This farm contains one hundred and thirty acres of land, which he is carrying on in an intelligent and skil ful manner, his labors being rewarded by the fine crops produced in his fertile fields, while from his large and well-kept dairy he receives an excellent income. In 1899 Mr. Sawdy married Ethel Carpenter, who was born August 25, 1881, in Elk Creek township, on the homestead where she now lives, being the only child of Charles A. and Elizabeth (Harris) Carpenter. Her grandfather, Asahel Carpenter, was a pioneer of Erie county, coming to Pennsylvania from New York state, while her great grandfather, Silas Carpenter, was a life-long resident of the Empire state, and the son of a Revolutionary soldier. The emigrant ancestor of the Carpenter family came from England to this country in 1765, being accompanied by a brother and sister. They were orphans, and came to this country to obtain freedom from religious persecution, and relief from burdensome taxes as well as from the restraint of mon archical government. Having heard glowing descriptions of the new world and its opportunities, these two brothers and sister had crossed the ocean to cast their lot with the few daring spirits that had set tled along the Atlantic coast, locating first on Long Island. Subse quently one of the brothers married, and settled in Wayne county, New York, near Sodus Point, on Lake Ontario. He proved himself most loyal to his adopted country, and on the breaking out of the Revolutionary war enlisted in the army, and was still serving in the army at the close of the conflict, but whether he served during the entire period of the war or not is unknown, although it is more than likely that he served in several short engagements. To him and his wife a large number of children were born, among them being a son named Silas. Silas Carpenter was born in Wayne county, New York, and after his marriage with Phoebe Penny settled on a farm near Sodus. Many stories connected with their early life have been handed down to the present generation, furnishing material for many an evening's enter tainment. Indians were then plentiful in that part of New York, the Iroquois and Algonquin tribes being at times particularly troublesome, barbarous and inhuman, terrorizing the people, who fled to the fort, or blockhouse as it was called in those days, whenever word was cir culated that any large body of savages was in the neighborhood. One day while Mrs. Sawdy's great-grandmother, Phoebe (Penny) Carpen ter, was alone five huge Indians walked unexpectedly into her house, their moccasined feet giving no warning of their approach. She spoke kindly to them, responded to their request for something to eat by placing some bread on the table for them, and bringing them a pan of milk from an adjoining room, her heart and hands so trembling with fear that she spilled the milk at every step. The red skins ate and drank ravenously, when through saying in broken English that they were glad she was so kind, for they were very hungry. Then, taking up a stick to which were fastened several scalps reeking with blood, they left the house without molesting her, although she had expected HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 567 instant death when she saw the scalps. Her husband returned in a short time, and very soon after his arrival came a messenger ordering them to flee to the blockhouse, as a band of Indians was near by, plundering the settlements, and massacreing the people. In the early days of the pioneer settlements, said Silas Carpenter to one of his descendants, prior to the Revolution, the people were very kindly disposed one to another, their common danger drawing them together. AA'hen war was declared, some adhered to the cause of the king, and some stood stanchly for the colonists, forming two parties, the tories and the whigs. Villages were hostile to villages, neighbors to neighbors, every town containing some of each party. AA'hen, therefore, the soldiers of the Colonial army had an opportunity to visit his family, as Silas Carpenter sometimes did, he had to take many precautions to escape the observing eyes of his tory neighbors. On one occasion, being discovered while visiting his loved ones, he went out one door while an enemy came in at another, and escaped their notice by hiding in a bin of wheat, that being but one of many incidents of interest that he used to relate. To him and his wife seven children were born. Asahel Carpenter was born in Wayne county, New York, in 1809. As a boy he lived in the eastern part of New York state, being adopted by one of his mother's brothers, who had no sons of his own, and with whom he was a great favorite. He made frequent visits home, however, always keeping in close touch with his immediate family. AA'hen he was twenty-four years old, a young man named Maxon Ran dall visited Pittstown, Rensselaer county, where he lived with his uncle, and among the friends that he made was Asahel Carpenter, who learned from Mr. Randall much about Pennsylvania, and decided that it was an especially fine place for a young man of industry and enterprise about to begin life. While in Pittstown, Mr. Randall mar ried Elizabeth Boomer, and took her to his home in Erie county, her parents going there, also, to live. Three years later, about 1836, Asa hel Carpenter married Elizabeth Townsend, of Pittstown, New York, and with quite a sum of money, some of which he earned, and some given him by his uncle, he migrated to Pennsylvania, going by way of the lakes to Erie City. Buying a tract of land lying just north of his friend's, Maxon Randall's, he cleared and improved a good farm, both he and his wife spending their remaining days on their homestead. They became the parents of seven children, four of whom survive, one living still on the old Carpenter homestead, the others residing in the AA'est. Although Asahel Carpenter corresponded with his brothers and sisters in the early part of his residence in Erie county, but little is now known of their descendants. Some of them visited when they were young. Two sisters married and moved to Michigan, where they died while yet young, and one brother, a gifted young man, served tinder General Scott during the Alexican war, and died, among stran gers, while on his way home. Mr. and Mrs. Sawdy have two children, namely: Gladys Eliza beth, born February 2, 1905; and Merl Burton, born August 13, 1906. Politically Mr. Sawdy is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has rendered service as judge of elections. Fra ternally he is a member, and present vice commander, of Platea Lodge, No. 1141, I. O. O. F., of Platea; and both he and his wife belong to the 568 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Daughters of Rebekah, in which she holds an official position. Relig iously Airs. Sawdy is a member of the United Brethren church. Airs. Sawdy is eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, being descended from a Revolutionary soldier. John Henry Hall, a retired farmer and an honored citizen residing at North Girard, Erie county, was born in Springfield township, Erie county, on the 14th of February, 1835, and is a son of John and Alary (Kelly) Hall. The Hall family originated in Scotland, but the grand father, Benjamin, resided in the United States in east Pennsylvania. The father, John, was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania; in 1S04 removed to Erie county, buying a farm in Springfield township ; and afterward returned to Mifflin county, where he married Mary Kelley, daughter of George Kelley, a farmer of that section of the state. AA'ith the exception of the period during which he served in the war of 1812, John Hall's life was spent as a farmer, and both parents died in Spring field township — the father December 28, 1848, at the age of sixty-four, and the mother, in April, 1843, forty-eight years old. Their five chil dren were as follows : Catherine C, who married M. A. Lawrence, and is now deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. Sawyer and a resident of AA'ashington, District of Columbia ; George K., a retired farmer of North Girard, Pennsylvania ; and John Henry Hall, of this biography. The parents of this family were faithful Presbyterians, Mr. Hall adher ing firmly to the Whig party in his politics. John H. received a thorough education, both high-school and com mercial, his .first business experience being as a bookkeeper for an Evansville (Indiana) house. Deciding then that he preferred the avocation, which is both the oldest and most important of the world, he returned to Springfield township and followed agriculture until his retirement, in comfortable circumstances, in 1897. He is not only one of the most substantial residents of this section of the county, but one of the most widely known and deservedly popular. In politics, he is a Republican, but has never figured in the campaigns of his party or in public affairs. He is an Episcopalian in his religious faith, a supporter of deserving charities, and a man of unswerving morality. In 1860 Air. Hall was married to Aliss Julia Al. Aliles, daughter of the widely known Judge Aliles, of Erie county, and a representative of the family which numbers among its members the pioneers who first settled in this section of the state. In June, 1795, AVilliam Miles (grandfather of Airs. Hall) and AA'illiam Cook came with their wives, who were sisters, and settled in what is now Concord township, Erie county, but in 1801 removed to Union, where Air. Aliles erected both saw and grist mills. This noted father of the county had already- passed through a romantic experience. As a child playing near his home near the junction of the Susquehanna branches he had been made prisoner in the French and Indian war and carried to Canada, where he was detained for some time. During this period of his cap tivity he had been well educated, and upon his return to his Pennsyl vania home he was well fitted to play his part in any station of life. He first came to the AA'estern Reserve in company with his brother- in-law, David Watts, and participated in the original surveys and al lotments of this part of the northwestern country. Alessrs. Miles and Watts were especially identified with the survey of what was known as fjff wyrj JOHN MORGAN'S OLD HOME RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. EDGAR W. HEWITT HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 569 the Tenth Donation district and the laying out of the village of Watts burg. Mr. Miles himself became the owner of a vast tract of land in Union township; built roads and bridges, and erected mills at what was long known as Miles Mills and afterward became Union City. Among the children of William Miles was James, who purchased 1,600 acres of land around the mouth of Elk creek ; attempted the plat ting of a large city on his estate ; was one of the organizers of the Ag ricultural College of Pennsylvania and of the railroad from Erie to the Ohio line which is now part of the Lake Shore System ; was long a di rector of the Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula Railroad; served as associate judge of Erie county from 1851 to 1856, and from 1850 to 1864 was pre-eminently the leading citizen of this section of the state. Toward the close of his life Judge Miles built a princely home on his estate lying along Elk creek, Miles Grove was made a near-by station on the Lake Shore road, and it was on this homestead that he died in 1868. Of the judge's family, William Miles made a brilliant record as a cavalry officer and sacrificed his life in the Union cause. James Miles, Jr., died in the early nineties, and John F. Miles, and two daughters (one of the Mrs. John H. Hall) still survive. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, viz. : J. Miles Hall, a farmer of Springfield township, who married Miss Louise Devore and is the father of Gertrude and James ; and Eliza B., wife of John Holliday, a resident of New Jersey, and mother of Donald (who lives with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Hall), Sidney, Belle, Louise, John Hall and Ethel. Mr. Hall is a true blue Republican. Both he and wife are mem bers of the Episcopal church as well as their children. Edgar W. Hewitt, a well known farmer of Springfield township, this county, was born in North Springfield, August 7, 1866. He is a son of Capt. E. M. and Jeanette (Clark) Hewitt, his father dying in 1904, aged seventy-six years, and his mother in 1900, sixty-nine years old. The family is of Scottish origin, Joseph Hewitt, the great-grand father, emigrating from the mother country and settling first in Can ada and then in Vermont. The grandfather, Joseph Hewitt, married Mary Miller, a native of Niagara Falls, and when a young man started from Vermont with a yoke of oxen, bound, with his family, for the Western Reserve of Ohio. At the time he passed over the present site of Buffalo it was still little more than an Indian village. He entered the country of the Western Reserve when it was but a wilderness, and con tinued to farm near the Ohio state line the remainder of his life. Grand father Hewitt died August 12, 1893, at the age of ninety-four. The father of Edgar W. left school when he was seventeen years of age, and for the succeeding three decades sailed the great lakes. Dur ing a considerable portion of this period he was captain of a passenger and mail vessel plying between Buffalo and Chicago. Later, he built the "Golden Gate," a vessel which was wrecked and burned on the lakes. This completed his marine service. In the early seventies he purchased the old farm in Springfield town ship on which was born the famous Confederate cavalry officer, John Morean. It comprised two hundred acres of fine fruit lands, besides the buildings connected with the early life of Morgan. The family residence was mainly of brick, made from clay taken from the home grounds. In the rear was a sixty-foot extension of wood, which was the scene of Gen- 570 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY eral Alorgan's birth. This structure was afterward used for a poultry house. The main brick building had the typical large chimney rising through the center of the house, with three generous fire places, which, with the old fashioned kettles and irons, are still intact. On the grounds is also the massive barn in which Morgan's mother hanged herself when she learned of the failure of her son's famous raid north of the Ohio and of his capture by the Unionists. The woodwork of the Morgan residence was of heavy black walnut, with twelve-inch walls, and in the fire-place of the living room is an alcove, in which stood the old family clock, and a large cupboard, which answered the purposes of a safe for the storage of valuable papers by the head of the house. As stated, this historic, interesting and valuable homestead was purchased by the elder Mr. Hewitt, and for several years he operated the place with profitable results. Among his agricultural enterprises in this connection were a nursery of five thousand trees, a large vineyard and seven orch ards. The elder Air. Hewitt was also associated in the coal business with the late Alark Hanna and" in the lumber trade with Rhodes and Com pany. He was one of the builders of the Bessemer Railway, Hewitt station being named after him, and is now one of the most active busi ness men of Springfield township. All-in-all he was a most active factor in the development of many enterprises which have influenced the pro gress of Erie county. He stands high in Masonry, being one of the charter members of the Conneaut Lodge, and is a stanch member of the Baptist church. After completing his common school education, Edgar AA'. attended the academy at Springfield for four terms ; was a pupil at the Conneaut (Ohio) Business College for two terms and then assumed charge of the old farm for a time. After his marriage in 1898 he lived for a year in Conneaut, Ohio, and then returned to his present homestead. On December 23, 1898, Mr. Hewitt married Aliss Alargaret Blanton, who was born in Drummondville, Canada, July 6, 1871, daughter of Thomas and Alargaret (Brown) Blanton. Her father was born June 20, 1834, in Cheltenham, England ; came, as a boy, to Rhode Island, where he worked at the cabinet maker's and joiner's trade; and subsequently re sided at St. Catherines, Canada, and Drummondville, Canada. He mar ried Aliss Margaret Brown, who was born in Scotland, April 7, 1842, and died in 1895. His wife was the daughter of Thomas and Alargaret (Horn) Brown, her father having; been born near Chapel Hall, that country. The grandparents were Thomas and Alargaret Brown. Airs. Hewitt has a brother living, Dr. T. W. Blanton, and is the mother of one child, Alargaret Jeanette. The daughter, who was born January 14, 1902, is the ninth Alargaret to represent successive generations of the family. Air. Hewitt is a true Republican and is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 416. John AL Taggart. The name of Taggart has been associated with the history of Erie county from the days of its earliest settlement until the present time, and the name is one honored and revered through out this part of the state. Its founder here was Cardiff Taggart, who came across the country on foot from Maryland in about the year of 1804 and located on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his grandson, AA'illiam Taggart. He was a man of unusually hardy con stitution, a typical frontiersman, and he made the journey to and from his old home in Alaryland on foot, thus having covered the distance HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 571 three times in that manner. In the early days he served as a member of the militia and took part in the war of 1812. He was an old-line Whig politically and for thirty years served as a justice of the peace, having been one of the first justices in Erie county. By his wile Polly McCreary he had the following children : John and Joseph, both of whom died in infancy, Cardiff, AVilliam and Alexander, and three daughters, Anna, who married William McClelland; Rebecca, who married David McCreary ; and Alartha, who never married. Both Air. and Mrs. Taggart were old school Presbyterians, and they were laid to rest in the Girard cemetery. AA'illiam Taggart was born in the old home in Erie county which sheltered his parents for so many years, and farming was his life occu pation, death finally ending his useful labors on the 11th of December, 1859. His birth had occurred on the 10th of October, 1806, and his life's span thus covered but fifty-three years. He married Susannah Higbee, born at Pike, Allegany county, New York, and they became the parents of four children : John M., mentioned below ; AVilliam D., whose history is recorded on other pages of this work ; Peter E., who died in 1867; and Enos Jackson, whose home is in Franklin township, Erie county. Mr. Taggart, the father, was a Republican in his political views, and he and his wife were members respectively of the Metho dist Episcopal and of the Baptist churches. John M. Taggart was born in the log cabin home which sheltered the family, born March 18, 1838, and his home was in the vicinity of this old farm until he retired and moved to North Girard in 1889. In March of 1865 he enlisted as a private in Company H, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, for service in the Civil war, and he remained with his command until the close of the conflict. He is a member of the H. F. Lewis Post No. 359, G. A. R., at Fairview, and he is also a mem ber of Nickle Plate Lodge No. 1125 at Girard. Lie votes with the Re publican party, and during seven years he served in the office of asses sor, was a constable for eleven years and for nine years was a member of the school board in Fairview township. He is a man well and fa vorably known in his county, honored alike for his true worth and sterling characteristics. Frank Willis. During many years Frank Willis was prominently identified with the farming interests of Erie county, and his name is recorded on the pages of its history from the period of its early de velopment to latter day progress and prosperity. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, near Birdinhand, February 29, 1821, but at an early age he came with his parents, Thomas and Mary (Weidle) Willis to Erie county, and the home was established in the western part of Alill Creek township, where for many years Thomas Willis kept the old historic tavern known as the Half Way House, so named because of its half way position on the old stage road between the state line of Ohio and New York. It was at that old Pennsylvania tavern that Frank Willis spent his boyhood's days, and after reaching mature years he engaged in the business for himself and for one year was the proprietor of the old "Bradshaw House," a log building, after which he conducted a hotel at Swanville. But after a time he gave up the hotel business, and mov ing to Fairview township began farming on a tract of two hundred 572 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY and eighty-seven acres, his home for forty-nine years, and from there he moved to the village of Fairview. It was there that his beneficent and useful life was ended in death on the 27th of February, 1901, and he was laid to rest in the Fairview cemetery. He attended the Pres byterian church and voted with the Republican party, holding many of the important offices of his township. On the 2d of March, 1847, Frank Willis was married- to Miss Sarah Heidler, and they became the parents of five children. Rufus, the eldest, born on the 5th of June, 1849, died on the 2d of June, 1908. He had married Alattie Bell, of Eaton, and their three children are: Edith, who married Dr. Lloyd of Erie county; Elizabeth, the wife of Pearl Richardson, of Fairview; and Rufus Linn. Mary L., born on the 28th of February, 1850, married Charles T. Waldo, of Erie, and their two children are Bertha, the wife of William Long, and Nellie, the wife of William Otto. Charles, born April 2, 1854, married Margaret Smith, and they had three children: Thomas (deceased), Charles Dana and infant. Charles Willis died on December 27, 1895. Nettie married Theo. J. Ely, of Girard, and they have four children, AAdnor, Theodore, DeWitt and Fred. Minnie, born September 2, 1800, died March 31, 1876. Throughout his life Frank Willis took a deep and abiding interest in the welfare of his community, and at his death the community mourned the loss of one of its truest and best citizens. AIichael Stolz was for many years one of the prominent and well known agriculturists of Erie county, but he was born in the common wealth of New York, a son of the John Stolz who is mentioned in the review of John A. Stolz elsewhere in this work. Michael Stolz mar ried on the 27th of September, 1870, Thecla Pistner, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wamp) Pistner who came from their native land of Germany when young and lived in New A'ork until their death. John Pistner was a carpenter. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stolz: Michael John, on Julv 27. 1871 ; Albert Pontaleon, on August 24, 1872; Denis Adam, October 31, 1873; Leander Fred erick. December 31, 1874; Matilda Elizabeth, January 14. 1876; Charles Dennis, April 19, 1877; William Eugene, January 21, 1879; Frank Nicholas, October 10, 1880; Elizabeth Teressa, November 14, 1881; Joseph, January 23, 1883; Plenry Leonard, Alarch 23, 1885; Thomas Daniel, March 7, 1887; and Elizabeth Leona, January 6, 1889. Alichael Stolz died on the 27th of February, 1890. and on the 9th of October, 1901, Mrs. Stolz married Benjamin Haibach. His father, John Haibach, came from the fatherland of Germany to the L/nited States and located in Erie county during an early period in its history. Benjamin Haibach died October 1, 1908. Mrs. Haibach is a member of St. Boniface's parish, of Greene township. Daniel Steen. For many years engaged as a farmer, dairy man and saw mill proprietor, in AA'aterford township, this county. Daniel Steen is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, born August 28, 1842. He is also a veteran of the Civil war and in connection with the agri cultural and business interests of the locality has served in many local public offices. His parents were William and Jane (Conley) Steen, who came from Ireland in 1831 and located in New York state. There the father established himself in the milling business and later re- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 573 moved to Pittsburg and to Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he continued in the same trade and business. His parents. accompanied him to Butler county and both died in that section of the state. Daniel Steen, of this sketch, received his early education in But ler county and in 1870, when twenty-eight years of age, located in Waterford township where he purchased a portion of the farm which he now operates and owns. He has not only been successful as a farmer and dairy man during all these years but has profitably oper ated a saw mill, it being located on his homestead. He also enjoys a record of faithful and valiant service in the Civil war, his enlistment in 1864, being as a member of Company D, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served in that command until the end of the war, being engaged in the battles of Cedar Creek, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and various minor engagements to the total number of twenty-three. He has the additional honor of being one of Sheridan's historical band on its famous ride to save the day at Winchester and during his entire mil itary career saw much action and exciting service as a scout. At the conclusion of the war he returned to his farm in AA'aterford township and has since been engaged in operating and developing it in various ways. He has also been honored with most of the township offices and his life has been broadly useful both in his civic and private re lations. On January" 7, 1869, Mr. Steen married Miss Elizabeth M. King, daughter of John G. and Jane (Stewart) King, her parents coming from Ireland about 1844 and settling near Buffalo, New York. There the husband worked on a farm for a number of years and later came to Waterford township where he was engaged in similar pursuits until his death. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Steen were Wil liam K., now a miller of Erie county, who married Miss May Reynolds and is the father of James D., Francis and Ernest; Iona Leverne, who married Vernal G. Fritz, and resides in Erie, and Reed W., who mar ried Jeanette Lenkner, (deceased), and is the father of one child also named Jeanette, Air. Steen is a Republican and also a member of the John F. Rice Post, G. A. R. at Waterford. Mr. and Mrs. Steen are members of the United Presbyterian church at Waterford. Alfred J. Cross, proprietor of a good farm of one hundred and ten acres in Waterford township, is a native of that section of Erie county, born May 14, 1858. His parents, John R. and Ann (Hayes) Cross, were both natives of county Tyrone, Ireland, coming to Water ford township in 1843, in that year purchasing one hundred acres of land which was then in the wilderness. The husband was a stone mason by trade which he followed to some extent in connection with the clearing of his land and its cultivation. He died in 1900, his wife having passed away in 1895. Alfred Cross, of this sketch, was educated in the Waterford town ship schools and has always been a farmer in that township. In 1884 Mr. Cross married Miss Sarah Blackmer, daughter of Hiram and Alary (Smith) Blackmer, the father being a native of Montreal, Canada, and the mother of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The following are the chil dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Cross : Shirley Anna, born Decem ber 17, 1884, now deceased; Steen Richard, born April 27, 1889, and Mary Elizabeth, September 4, 1895. The family are earnest members 574 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cross is identified with the Protected Home Circle and until the last election he consistently- voted the Democratic ticket but at that time changed his allegiance to the Republican party. John Lock Way has for many years been numbered among the agriculturists of AA'aterford. He was born in Summit township of Erie county in 1849, a son of Esquire John and Celia (Phelps) Way. The paternal grandfather was also named Esquire John, and he came from the east and was one of the first to locate in Erie county, Penn sylvania, Celia (Phelps) Way, born June 13, 1X11, in Connecticut, was a daughter of Jason and Submit Phelps, from the New England states. Jason Phelps made the journey to AVaterford township, Erie county, in 1815, with his wife and two children, and they journeyed in true pioneer style with oxen and wagon, and he led a horse the entire dis tance. He reared a family of three children, and he died in the year of 1858. To Esquire John L. and Celia AA'ay were born eight children, but only five of the number lived to manhood and womanhood, namely : Mariette, Jason P., Annette C, John Lock and True D. The father, who served his community many years as a justice of the peace, died here on the 22d of June, 1880, and on February 6, 1895, his wife joined him in the home beyond. In his native township of Summit John Lock Way received the initial part of his educational training, and coming with his parents to the borough of AA'aterford when seventeen he completed his education in the AA'aterford Academy tinder the able instructions of Professor Walters. His home was in the borough for fifteen years, but farming has been his life occupation, and he now owns and operates fifty acres of rich and fertile land near the town. He married on the 10th of Sep tember, 1878, Aliss Emma Colvin, a daughter of John and Alary (Hayes) Colvin, natives of Erie county. Her paternal grandfather was from Rutland, Vermont, and her maternal grandfather from Nev/ York, but both were numbered among the pioneers of Erie county. The only child of Air. and Airs. AA'ay is a daughter, Carrie, the wife of Samuel Aliddleton, a farmer of Amity township, and they have three children, Alarjorie, Emma and Paul. Adam B. Bittles, who conducts a profitable and valuable farm of two hundred and twenty acres in AA'aterford township, represents a substantial Irish family whose members for generations have been en gaged in agriculture. He was born in AA'aterford township. February 20, 1870. and is a son of John and Alary J. (Edmonds) Bittles, his father being a native of Ireland and his mother's birthplace being in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents, Adam and Mary Bittles, and the maternal grandparents, John Edmond and Isabelle (Nesbit) Edmonds, were also natives of the Emerald Isle and first lo cated in the Empire state. Some years afterward the maternal grand parents migrated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1842 located in Crawford county, that state, which remained their permanent home. The paternal grandparents located in AA'aterford township on a one hundred acre farm which became the nucleus of the old family home stead. Adam Bittles, the grandfather, cleared the timbered portions of the land and with the assistance of his son in after years made many HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 575 valuable improvements. The father also followed farming until his death in 1905. The children of Mr. and Airs. John Bittles were as follows : Ed mond E., wdio married Belle Himrod, daughter of Aaron Himrod, and is now a veterinary surgeon at New Castle, Pennsylvania ; Lizzie, a school teacher who resides at home ; Lina, who married Frank Him rod, a son of Aaron Himrod ; Adam B., of this sketch ; and Alary Alabel and Anna Aiaud (twins). The former became the wife of John Aler- ritt, and their child is Lyle B., the mother being now deceased. A.nna Alaud who became the wife of AAr. L. Gourley is the mother of James Paul Gourley. Air. Bittles has never married but lives with his sister Lizzie and mother on the old farm now consisting of two hundred and twenty acres applying themselves to its conduct and improvement and to the filial duty of making pleasant the last days of their wid owed mother. Noah AA'. Porter, who has been a life-long resident of Erie county and one of its prominent agriculturists, was born in its township of AA'aterford October 8, 1832, a son of Joel and Hannah Porter, from Vermont. Joel Porter was a farmer throughout his entire business ca reer, and he died at the age of sixty-four years. After completing his education in the district schools of AVater ford township Noah W. Porter became a brick maker and followed that occupation for nine years, after which he was a drover for two years, and then during a similar period worked on the Allegheny river. In 1861 he organized the first three months' men to go into service in the army, but he did not go at that time. He beat the drum at the Presbyterian church door to rally the men. On the 26th of Decem ber, 1863, when thirty years of age, he enlisted in Company G, Sixty- third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and took part in many of the hard-fought battles of the Civil war. His first engagement was at Devil's Gorge, which lasted for fifteen days, while his next prominent battle was that of the Wilderness, where with thirty-three of his company he was captured and incarcerated in Libby prison from the 7th of May, 1864, until the 11th of August, following, and he was the only one of the thirty-three who lived through the terrible ordeal of imprisonment. .After his release Air. Porter returned home to his wife and son, who was a babe of eight months at the time of his en listment, but it was six months before he was able to do any work, so great had been his suffering while in prison. AA'hen able he took up farming, first on a small tract of twenty-five acres, but in time he accu mulated an estate of one hundred and fourteen acres, although he aft erwards disposed of his farm and invested the proceeds chiefly in Waterford property, now living retired in the pleasant home which he has erected on an eight acre lot. Air. Porter married in 1861 Aliss Tentann Smith, a daughter of John and Sallie Smith, of AA'aterford township, whither they had moved from New York. Nelson Porter, the eldest child of Air. and Airs. Porter, lives in Erie and is in the employ of the Skinner Iron Works Company. He married Emma Holbrook, and their children are Blanche and Ruth. Hattie, the second child of Air. and Airs. Por ter, married Ally Owens, and their children are Eva, Iva, Hazel and Anna Bell. The family reside in AA'aterford. Delia, the third child, 576 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY married Bruce Owens, and they reside with Mr. Porter. Their only child is a daughter Inez. Mr. Porter is a stanch Republican and a member of John F. Rice Post 345, and he has been an officer of the day for thirty-five years, and attended the Grand Encampment at Buffalo, N. Y. Air. Porter is a member of the M. E. church. Harrison Gray Otis Gillett, during many years one of the business men of Waterford, was born in Massachusetts April 12, 1830, a son of Sardis and Ursula (Wright) Gillett, natives respectively of Alassa chusetts and of Connecticut. Sardis Gillett was a prominent man in his home community in Massachusetts, and he gave to his son Harri son a good academic education. The latter became a traveling sales man for the American AVhip Company, and later coming to Waterford he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business here. He mar ried on the 15th of October, 1867, Miss Estelle Phelps, a daughter of Lucius and Roxanna (Webster) Phelps. Lucius Phelps was born in Massachusetts, although the family came originally from Connecticut, and he was a son of Jason and Sub mit (Thrall) Phelps. Jason Phelps came to Waterford township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, when his son Lucius was two years old, and se curing a farm a mile and a half from Waterford, he cleared the land and farmed there until his death. His wife died at the age of ninety- four years. The life labors of Harrison G. O. Gillett were ended in death on the 23d of June, 1891. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: Harrison Phelps Gillett; Wright Clark Gillett, deceased; and Cornelia Estelle, the wife of William E. Briggs, a miller in Water ford, and they have two children, Edward Gillett and Virginia Estelle. AA'illiam E. Briggs was born in Waterford township July 22, 1876, a son of Edward and Melinda Briggs, who were born in Erie county, Pennsylvania. The maternal family was established in this county by the great-grandfather of William E. Briggs, he having come from Ireland, and his son was John Patterson, who was born in Erie county. The paternal grandfather of William E. Briggs was Benjamin, who was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, and came to Erie county, Pennsylvania, at the age of fifteen years, in 1823. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of land near Waterford, and he cleared the tract and made it his home. His wife came to this county from Ver mont in her early girlhood, making the journey with her parents in an ox cart. Harrison Phelps Gillett, the eldest son of Harrison G. O. Gillett, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1868, but was educated in the AA'ater ford Academy. He married on June 18, 1892, Miss Flora G. Phelps, a daughter of John and Sarah (Moore) Phelps, and she was a nurse before her marriage, a graduate of the Shenandoah Valley Hospital at New Castle. Air. Gillett is one of the prominent business men of Waterford, and has held many of the public offices of his borough. On the 4th of January, 1909, he became the incumbent of the office of clerk of the court of Erie county. Joseph Reid. A representative of a prominent Irish family, Joseph Reid. of Waterford, has progressed to a substantial position in this country chiefly as a farmer and dairy man. AVith the exception of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 577 about eleven years profitably spent in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, he has faithfully and wisely confined himself to these callings. He is a native of Ireland, born in 1839 and a son of Andrew and Mary (Pat terson) Reid. The parents came to Waterford township in its pioneer period after the husband had spent some time prospecting in Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and New York. He was well qualified to make a wise selection in the choice of a new home since in Ireland he had been thoroughly educated as a surveyor and was in every way a re markably intelligent man. Lie had also been a school teacher for a number of years before locating in Erie county, but after purchasing his fifty acres of land in Waterford township he steadfastly applied himself to its improvement both as a farm and homestead. In this lo cality he reared his six children, those now living being Mr. Reid, of this sketch, and his sister, Katherine, who now resides in Massachu setts. Joseph Reid was educated in the district schools of AVaterford township and with the exception of the decade which he passed in the Pennsylvania oil fields he has remained in this locality as a hard work ing and progressive farmer and an honored citizen. At the present time he owns a fine homestead of two hundred and forty acres upon which he conducts general farming and dairying. In 1872 Air. Reid married Miss Mattie McWilliams, daughter of William and Alary Anna (Lytle) McWilliams, both of Waterford township. (Airs. Mc Williams is aunt of Henry Lytle whose biography appears elsewhere in this work.) The children born to Mrs. and Mrs. Joseph Reid are as follows : Mary, who married Burton Morrison, and is the mother of Blanche and Clarence ; Maggie, who married Royal Briggs, and is the mother of Carl, Mary and Reid ; Charles, who married Eva Don- nell, and has a daughter, Katherine ; Katherine, who is a school teacher in Waterford township; and Mattie, deceased. Mr. Reid is a stanch Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reid are members of the United Presbyterian church at Waterford. Henry E. Wilson. A man who is an ardent lover of beautiful paintings and beautiful horses is not going to be crushed by business reverses. He has 'means of recreation and re-invigoration at his com mand which makes him rebound from such temporary backsets, like a rubber ball which comes up against a stone wall. Mr. AVilson, the re markable oil operator and general promoter of Albion, and now propri etor of one of the leading hotels of Erie county, has lost and regained several fortunes, largely through his generosity to associated friends, but is now not only on the top wave of his old-time business, but pro prietor of the "Albion Hotel." the famous French Creek Valley Stock Farm for horses (at Venango) and the largest and the most select private gallery of paintings in northern Pennsylvania. Admirer of beautiful landscapes and artistic representations of the "human form divine," he is an equally ardent lover of the horse which to him, in common with thousands, stands for the "animal form divine." But while a deep pleasure to him, the Valley Stock Farm is conducted on such business principles that it is also a financial satisfaction and one of the chief sources of his large income. French Creek Valley Stock Farm has been retained by its able and enthusiastic proprietor throughout all the exigencies of his career, and although he commenced the breeding of standard horses more than Vr,l. 11—37 578 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY twenty-three years ago, it is the Venango enterprise which has always been the apple of his eye. It was while busy in this line on the other side of the mountains that he obtained a half interest in the noted stal lion Baron Bell, for which he paid $7,500. It was placed at the head of his Pennsylvania farm and was not only a remarkably fine animal on all general points, but was especially noted from the fact that, up to that time, it was the only 2 :10 trotter which had ever been produced or owned in AA'est A'irginia. Oakland Baron, Jr., now at the head, is also remarkable for breeding, individuality and speed, having been pur chased at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1907, and valued at five thousand dollars. His registered number is 36,941. The already famous black beauty is a son of Oakland Baron (2:09 1-4), who, in turn, was sired by the great Baron Wilkes (sire of eleven in 2:10). Oakland Baron is himself founding a high-class family, having sired such grand cir cuit stars as Lady Gail Llamilton 2 :06 1-4, Rhythmis 2 :06 3-4 and Baron de Shay 2 :08 1-2. With Oakland Baron, Jr., Air. AVilson has the noted Percheron, Zulu (No. 29, 338-44, 905), weighing 1,950 pounds and import ed by the Dunhams of AA'ayne, Illinois; also Brilliant H., by Brilliant, of Black Percheron stock and weighing 1,900 pounds. He is the owner of other sires who are fine specimens of horse flesh, but these are the most famous and are giving his French Creek A'alley Stock Farm a special and an extended reputation. Air. AA'ilson has all the characteristic sociability, elasticity and versa tility of his race; for, although born in Plamilton, Canada (June 2, 1856), his parents were natives of Armagh, Ireland, who settled in the Domin ion in 1842. Samuel and Nancy (AIcDonald) AVilson, as they were known, had several children, two of their sons and three of their daugh ters being still alive. Air. Wilson's brother Hugh is a lumber merchant of Detroit, Alichigan ; one of his sisters, Elizabeth, has charge of his hotel at Albion ; another. Alary Ann, is the wife of L. Alills, a retired farmer of Hamilton, Canada ; and the third, Alaggie, is Airs. John An derson, whose husband is both a farmer and a hotel proprietor of that city. Henry E. AA'ilson left home when he was eleven years of age and came to Oil City, Pennsylvania, where he started as a messenger boy and soon graduated to a clerkship in one of the plants there. During the two years of his latter employment he partially completed his educa tion in a local night school, finishing his schooling in Toronto where he remained a student for one year. Then returning to Oil City, he was employed in the National Hotel for a year, and was subsequently identified with the Colt House, of Aleadville, for two years. AVith the savings of many years he next purchased the St. Cloud Llotel of that place, which he successfully conducted for nine years. In connection with it he also opened a ticket office, and between the two ventures accumulat ed quite a fortune. In 18X2 he bought the old Piper and Richard dis tillery, its successor being the Aleadville Distillery Company, and oper ated a large wholesale liquor business with it. This was a period of great activity and remarkable money-making for a young man who inau gurated it before he was twenty-one, with a capital of one hundred and fifty dollars, and concluded it in 1889. then only twentv-three, with a capital of ninety-three thousand dollars. This rapid success and his nat ural generosity, which took the form of endorsing the notes of em barrassed business friends, culminated in his failure in that year; but he rc-opened his ticket office, engaged in the real estate business and in 1898 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 579 moved to Sistersville, West Virginia, where he became owner of the Hotel AA'ells. In 1900 he also re-entered the oil fields, and within two years had accumulated nearly a million dollars ; he had also continued to back up his friends' uncertain paper with his signature and, as he was a man who always "made good," he was caught and his obligations as an endorser lost him another fortune in two days. In 1905 Mr. Wilson concentrated his energies on his French Creek Valley Stock Farm, which he had jealously guarded amid the ruins of two fortunes, and in 1907 again became an operator in the oil fields of West Virginia and Ohio; also purchasing the Albion Hotel at Albion, which has since been his home. The merits and successes of his famous stock farm have been mentioned. In his oil investments he has been equally fortunate, ac cumulating a big fortune. He is now the heaviest stockholder in the following concerns : Log Cabin Oil Company, St. Mary's Home Oil Company and Cunningham Oil Company, all of Pleasant county, West Virginia ; Lone Indian Oil Company, Columbiana county, Ohio ; and St. Alary's Home Oil Company, of AA'est A'irginia. AA'ith all his popularity and influence, Air. Wilson might have reached high official station in the Republican party, in which he was always helpful and active for others and the general good of the organiz ation. He was a warm personal friend of the late Senator Quay and other strong leaders who have come into general notice, but he himself appears to have had no desire to get into the public eye. He is a Alason, and at the height of his earlier business prosperity was con nected with all the prominent orders. At present, he is only a member of the Alasonic fraternity, of Meadville, No. 408. Cyrus Sherwood, proprietor of a substantial farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Waterford township, is one of the honored pioneers in this part of Erie county. He is a native of Washington township, born on the site of the present town of Italy, on the 12th of February, 1839, and is a son of Cyrus and Harriet (Atwater) Sherwood. At the age of fourteen, Cyrus, Sr., came with his father, John, to Erie, from a locality near Buffalo, New York. This was in the year 1816 and at that time this part of Pennsylvania was virtually a wilderness. John Sherwood, the head of this family, bought a farm of about one hundred acres in Washington township, cleared it and made it the family home stead, following his life long occupation of farming in that locality and there rearing nine sons and one daughter. This tract of land which Cyrus, Sr., bought and cleared in his early manhood is now the prop erty of Cyrus, Jr., of this sketch. The elder Mr. Sherwood also fol lowed farming in that locality until his death and of his family of nine children three are still living. Cyrus Sherwood, of this biography, was educated in the district schools of that portion of Washington township which has since been incorporated into Waterford township and like his father and grand father before him has always been a farmer, his present estate consist ing of one hundred and fifty acres. On June 2, 1861, Mr. Sherwood married Miss Matilda Hagertv, daughter of Samuel and Barbara Ha-, gerty, both natives of Meadville, Pennsylvania. Pier paternal grand father was Thomas Plagerty who became a settler of Erie county at a very early day. The maternal grandparents were David and Barbara Giers. The children born to Mr. and Airs. Cyrus Sherwood are as fol lows : William A., who married Agnes Thompson and is the father of 580 HISTORA' OF ERIE COUNTY Lula, Lyle and Harold ; and J. L., who married Lillian Phelps and is the father of Paul. Mr. Sherwood is a true blue Republican and he and his wife are members of the Christian church near Italy in AA'ash ington township. Some of Mr. Sherwood's early progenitors were heroes in the Revolutionary war. entitling him and his children to be come members of the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. George W. Bishop is a substantial farmer and dairyman of Water ford township, Erie county, who is now occupying the homestead to which he came with his parents in 1848, when a boy eleven years of age. He is a native of Delaware count}-, New A'ork, born near Bloom- ville, on the 15th day of February, 1837, a son of John and Emilia (Alunger) Bishop. In 1848 they brought their family with them from their New York home, and resided on their farm in AA'aterford town ship until their death. It was in this locality that George AA'. received his education, which was supplied by the district schools of the neighborhood. His training as a farmer and a dairyman was obtained on the old home place and, in the person of his good father, he had an efficient in structor. His farm which consists of one hundred acres is one of the most thoroughly cultivated and valuable in the township. The old place was long the center of a happy household, the children of Air. and Airs. John Bishop being Gabriel, Abagail Alaria, AA'illiam B., Sa rah. John, George AA'. (of this sketch), Adaline A., Alary and Harriet N. Bishop. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 974, at AVaterford. David B. Canning. Although David B. Canning, of Waterford, is the son of early settlers of this township and now resides on the old homestead, he has passed most of his manhood years at Denver and Leadville, Colorado. He is a native of Buffalo, New York, where he was born November 17, 1856. His parents were John L. and Elizabeth Anna (Boyd) Canning. Both parents were natives of county Derry, Ireland, the father born September 14, 1821, and the mother January 3, 1830, and early in life located with their parents near Buffalo, New- York. There they were reared and married and three of their children born in that city, namely, AA'illiam H., November 1, 1854; David B., of this sketch, November 17, 1856; and John L., November 21, 1858. About 1860 the parents removed to AA'aterford township where for several years the father plied his trade as a harness maker, after pur chasing the farm of seventy-five acres which is now in possession of David B. For about four years they lived on Oak Hill afterward moving to the farm which had been sufficiently improved to make a comfortable home and there both parents died. Five children were born to them in AA'aterford township as follows: AA'ilson AL, now de ceased, born January 16, 1861 ; Joseph, deceased, born January 4, 1863 ; Alaggie, also deceased, who was born December 16, 1864; George S., born April 12, 1867; and James S., born November 22, 1869, a resident of Harrisburg. David B. Canning was educated in the schools of AAraterford town ship and in his early manhood went west, being for many years in the employ of the Continental Oil Company with headquarters at Denver and Leadville. In 1904 he returned to the old homestead in AA'ater ford township which he has since conducted as a general farmer. Be- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 581 sides being equipped with convenient and substantial farm buildings and a comfortable residence, the estate embraces a fine orchard of seventy trees. He is a Republican in politics. Stephen Roberts. The Roberts family has for several generations been identified with the development of agriculture in Waterford township being established in this section of Erie county by the grand father of Charles N. Roberts, Dorsa. With his wife, formerly Ethel Sherman, he came from Collins, New York, and established the family in Waterford township when Stephen was a youth of sixteen. There the pioneers of the family remained until their death. Stephen Roberts was born in Collins, Erie county, New York, and after removing to Erie county, Pennsylvania, continued farming there during his entire active life. He married Miss Levina Osborn, daugh ter of Jared and Ruth Osborn, pioneers of this county, and six chil dren were born to them : Merritt, deceased ; Jarett Ferdinand, Agnes, Hattie, Eli and Charles N. Jarett F., the oldest living child was born in AA'aterford township, July 26, 1850, educated in the district schools and has been all his life a farmer, being now the proprietor of a twen ty acre place in this township. On November 28, 1878, he married Miss Emma G. Graham and their children are Iva, wife of John E. Patter son, and Rawle Randolph. Charles N. Roberts, the youngest of the family, was born June 11, 1868. He was educated in the district schools of Waterford township and is now engaged in general farming on a thoroughly cultivated place of fifty acres. He was married November 27, 1907, to Miss Hat tie Briggs, a native of Erie county and educated in the common schools. Mr. Roberts is a Republican and fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F Lodge No. 964 at Waterford. Curtis H. Heidler, who for thirty years and more has been identi fied with the life and achievements of the village of Fairview, was born on the old Heidler farm in Erie county February 13, 1840, and is a worthy representative of a sturdy ancestry who have been asso ciated with the agricultural life of this community from an early pe riod in its history. Curtis Heidler, his father, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but moved from there in 1822 to Erie county, and locating on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres he resided there during the remainder of his life and cultivated his land to the highest extent. Before coming to this county he had married Eva Kaufman, and they became the parents of the following children : Susan, the widow of John Kreidler; Maria, who married Dan Butt and lives at Kingsville; Eliza, the deceased wife of Samuel Zin ; Levi, also de ceased; Sarah, who married Frank Willis and is now living at Fair- view; Israel, deceased; Fanny, the wife of Isaac Wolf, of Erie; Leah, who married E. Wolf, and both are now deceased ; Matilda, the wife of Reuben Baer, of Erie; and Curtis H., mentioned below. Air. and Mrs. Heidler were German Baptists in their religious faith, and he in politics was a Republican. Both now lie buried in the cemetery at Erie. Farming has been the life work of Curtis H. Heidler, although for thirty years his home has been in the village of Fairview. and he owns the old farm homestead where his parents lived and labored for 582 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY so many years. Altogether he has four hundred acres in Fairview township. He married Miss Sarah A. Thomas, and of their children the first born died in infancy. Ida F., the only daughter, is the wife of George Garber, also of Fairview. In politics Mr. Heidler reserves the right to vote independently. John G. Weiblen. The name of John G. Weiblen has long been associated with the business life of the village of Fairview, but he is a native son of the fatherland of Germany, born there in the province ol Wittenberg October 9, 1833. As a lad of sixteen he came with his father, Gotlieb, across the ocean to America, fifty-seven days passing ere their old-time sailing vessel reached the harbor of New York City, and from there they came to Erie county on the 4th of November, 1850. His mother, Jacobine, had died in Germany. Gotlieb Weiblen spent the remainder of his life in Erie county, dying at the home of his son in Fairview when ninety-three years of age. He had followed the manufacture of broadcloth in the land of his birth but his occupa tion in this country was farming. During the three and a half years following his arrival in the United States John G. Weiblen lived in Erie and served an apprentice ship at the shoemaker's trade, and then coming to Fairview he has since followed that occupation, being a first-class cobbler and a famil iar figure in the business circles of this village. His first marriage oc curred in Fairview to Miss Louise Hauser, who became the mother of two children, but the only one living is Josephine, the wife of George Urquhart, of California, and the wife and mother is also deceased. He afterward married Miss Mary Harman, and they have had the follow ing children : Emma, the wife of Harvey Johnson of Fairview town ship ; Gertrude, who married William Strick and lives in Erie ; Wil liam, deceased ; Hattie, who married Marcus Hennessey and lives in Erie ; Nellie, the wife of George Alford, of Westfield, New York ; Car rie, whose home is also in Erie; Winifred, at home with her parents; Frank and Charles, twins, who reside respectively in Erie and in Min nesota ; John, whose home is in Erie ; and Fred, at home with his par ents. Mr. Weiblen cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has ever since upheld the principles of the Republican party. Dur ing twenty years he served as a justice of the peace in Fairview, while during the past four years he has been a notary public. Adelbert W. Proctor. Owning and occupying a part of the original homestead property of his father, the late Elijah Proctor, who came to Erie county in 1833, Adelbert W. Proctor, of Union township, is carrying on general farming and dairying with most satisfactory pecuniary results, year by year adding to his wealth, and, growing in the esteem and respect of his neighbors, is already a valuable member of the community. Noteworthy among the earlier settlers of north western Pennsylvania was Elijah Proctor, who migrated from the east to this state, locating first at Columbus. A short time later, in 1833, he came with his family to Erie county, and having looked about for a favorable location bought three hundred acres of land in Union township. Clearing a large part of the land, he was successfully en gaged in agricultural pursuits the remainder of his life. He was twice married, marrying first a Miss York, by whom he had seven children, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 583 as follows : Albert, Mary, Levi, John, Thomas, Llarriet, and George. He married second Mrs. Olive (Portman) Coats, and of that union four children were born, namely : Eva AL, wife of E. Bloss ; Edwin Alorris ; Nelson C. ; and Adelbert AA'. Born, January 21, 1874, in Union township, Adelbert AA'. Proctor received his early education in the district schools, and on the family homestead acquired a practical knowledge and experience of the art and science of general farming. Succeeding to the ownership of seventy- three acres of the parental homestead, he is managing his farm most profitably, paying special attention to dairying. He keeps on an aver age fifteen cows, and since the installing of a creamery outfit, in 1906, has manufactured creamery butter, the neighboring farmers supplying him with sufficient milk to make the business a paying one. Air. Proctor married, in 1899, Martha B. Slye, and to them four children have been born, namely: Homer W., Clayton A., Marie L., and Lee E. Air. Proctor is active in township affairs, and has served on some of the town committees, and as a member of the local school board. He is a Republican. Frank C. Rouse. No branch of public service offered us by the United States Government has been of greater influence in determin ing the status of our country, and bringing its people in close touch, not only with the states and territories within its own borders, but with the various nations of the world, than that inaugurated by the postal department. To successfully carry on the work thus inaugu rated, men of energy, intelligence and sterling integrity are sought, and upon their trustworthiness depends the usefulness of the mail service. A man well qualified in every respect for the position which he is so satisfactorily filling is Frank C. Rouse, who has served the past seven years as a mail carrier in Union City, which for five years has been his place of residence. He was born, July 28, 1862, in Amity township, Erie county, which was also the birthplace of his father, Casper C. Rouse, whose birth occurred in June, 1830. He is of pioneer stock, his grandfather, Erastus Rouse, and his great-grandfather, Cas per M. Rouse, having been among the earliest householders of Erie county. The Rouse family originated in Holland, and were people of wealth and distinction. The emigrant ancestor came to this country at an early period of its settlement, locating in New Amsterdam, now Greater New York, and during the colonial struggle for freedom and independence rendered financial assistance by lending money to the colonies. The descendants of this ancestor are numerous, and are to be found in positions of trust and responsibility in various states. Cas per M. Rouse, familiarly known among his associates as Judge Rouse, came with his family to Erie county as early as 1810, locating in that portion of Venango township now included within the limits of Watts burg. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Phoebe Austin, seven children were born, namely: Rebecca, Erastus, Sallie, Austin, Albert, Maria, and Melancthon. He was a man of prominence in pub lic affairs, and served as judge of the county court. Erastus Rouse was a farmer from choice owning about one hundred acres of land, which he carefully tilled. He was influential in the community, pro moting to a considerable extent the interests of town and county, and 584 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY filled with acceptance various township offices. Of his marriage with Sarah Connelly, twelve children were born, eight of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: Casper C, Margaret, Susan, Jefferson, Cordelia, Nancy, James, and Perry, all being born and reared in Erie county. Casper C. Rouse has been successfully employed as a tiller of the soil during his entire life, and is now the owner of two valuable farms in Union township, one containing one hundred acres, and the other seventy acres. He has been twice married. His first wife, who lived but three years after their marriage, left one child, Eveline, now the wife of D. B. Hitchcock, Jr. He married second Harriet Godfrey, who passed to life beyond in 1899. She bore him four children, name ly : Frank C, of this sketch ; Perry; William M. ; and Guy. Frank C. Rouse married, September 23, 1885, Cora, daughter of Levi and Lavina Proctor, of Union township, and into their pleasant household three children have made their advent, namely : ATna, born in 1886 ; Hazel, in 1891 ; and Charlotte, born in 1896. Mr. Rouse has met with success in life, first as an agriculturist, and later in his pres ent position. He stands well in both social and financial circles, hav ing acquired considerable property, owning among other things two residences in Union City, one on East High street, and one that is nearly completed on Prospect street. He is a Republican politically. Both Air. and Airs. Rouse are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Union City. Henry Wharff. The manufacturing interests of Union City, Erie county, are extensive and valuable, giving employment to vast num bers of enterprising men, and notably increasing wealth and growing prosperity of this section of the state. Prominent among the firms that are each year advancing these interests is the Shreve Chair Com pany, of which Flenry Wharff, whose name is placed at the head of this sketch, is a contractor, and superintendent of one of its more im portant departments. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born, .April 2, 1870, in AA'ashington county, where he grew to man's estate. Air. AA'harff is a mechanic both by nature and by trade, and an ex pert in the use of tools. Since coming to Union City, in 1890, he has been identified with the chair manufacturing business of this locality, and for the past six years has been connected with the Shreve Chair Company. He has charge of the drying kilns, his special work, how ever, being the manufacturing of chair seats, arms, and rockers, and preparing them for the assembler. He has thirty men under his su pervision, and so manages his department as to make it a source of income, not only to himself, but to the firm. In July, 1896, Air. AA'harff married Pearl, daughter of AA'illiam and Rhoda Shafer, who came with his family to Union City in 1888, from Crawford county. As a soldier, Air. Shafer took part in many of the noted engagements of the Civil war, on more than one occasion dis playing heroism and valor on the field of battle, and for his gallant services in that conflict now receives from the government a pension. Air. and Airs. Wharff have one child, Harold FL, born April 2, 1900. Fraternally Air. AVharff is a member of Clement Lodge, No. 220, I. O. O. F., and religiously he and his wife are valued members of the Baptist church. < PL, QPh < Ph I— I O O co Ph o X H , 1845, a son of John A. and Susan ( Wilkin) AIcAV'illiams, who were also born in the Empire state. He was but a lad of seventeen when he volunteered for the Civil war on July 26, 1862, at Elmira, becoming a member of Company A, 107th New York Volunteer Infantry, and he was mustered out of service in AA'ash ington, D. C, but in the meantime had participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the entire conflict and he was ever a true and loyal sol dier. In the early '70s he removed to Buffalo and entered the service of the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company as bookkeeper, but was soon made western sales agent. In 1886 he went to St. Paul, Alinnesota, to become general manager and treasurer of the Ohio Coal Company. From May, 1900, until his death from pneumonia, Alarch 7, 1904, he was con nected with AA'. I. Bogle Coal Company, Chicago. On Alay 20, 1867, Air. AlcWilliams married Louise G. Benham, born in Aliddletown, Connecticut, in February, 1846, and she died on the 22(1 of July, 1889, in Buffalo, without issue. His second marriage occurred in St. Paul, Alarch 31, 1892, to Caroline Esther Nason, born in State Line, Chautauqua count}-, N. A*., Alarch 26, 1853, daughter of Elisha K. and Caroline Elizabeth (Burrows) Nason. The mother was born at AA'ater- town, N. Y., a daughter of Ezra and Caroline (Butler) Burrows, also of that state. The father was born in Laurens, Otsego county, N. Y., son of Northrup and Esther (Rouse) Nason. He served as prothonotary and in most of the local offices of North East township, Erie county. He was also a member of the legislature from this district, and was in the tanning and also general merchandise business. Airs. AIcAA'illiams married first. June <). 1872, Charles Bartlett Howard, of Buffalo, and they had one son, Charles Edward Nason, born November 10, 1873, and now a pay master in the United States arm}-, making a tour in the Phillipines, with station at Alanila, his family and mother being with him. Lie married Charlotte Agnes Small on October 31, 1906. She was born in Liverpool, England, Alarch 30, 1879, to James Hampden and Charlotte (AA'haley) Small. They have two sons, Charles Edward Nason. Jr., born September 8, 1907, and James Hampden, November 4, 1908. Since the death of her second husband. Airs. AIcAA'illiams resides part of the year in North East and the rest of the time with her son, Capt. Howard. AA'illl.m J. AIurray. A young man of sound business education, a good executive and a citizen of staunch character, AA'illiam L AIurray, assistant postmaster at ( lirard, is of an old Xew A'ork family, the field of whose useful work was afterward transferred to the industrial bus iness and official life of northwestern Pennsylvania. He is a son of John D. and Alary (Tate) AIurray, the father born at ATt. A'ernon, Ohio, January 24, 1853. The grandparents were James AI. and Alary HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 703 (Colger) Murray, the former serving many years as captain of a pas senger and freight vessel plying on Chautauqua Lake, New York, and dying at Jamestown, that state, in 1888 at the age of sixty-two years. The father of William J. followed the machinist's trade in his youth and early manhood at Dunkirk, New York, and in 1877, when twenty- four years of age, located at Girard as superintendent of a wrench factory. In name, he still holds the same position, but within the thirty-two years during which he has been at the head of its mechan ical department the business has grown to large proportions, with a corresponding increase of his responsibilities. He has also served on the school board and the city council and is a solid, able, moral and representative citizen of Girard. In politics, the elder Mr. Girard is a Republican ; in fraternalism, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and, in religion, a Roman Catholic. His wife (nee Mary Tate) is a daughter of William and Mary (Johnson) Tate, both natives of Scotland. Her father was an industrious, unpretentious, honorable mechanic, who died in 1906 at the age of sixty-four, while her good mother lived to be but forty-nine. Mrs. John D. Murray is a native of Erie, born November 23, 1860. William John AIurray, of this sketch, was born in Girard February 6, 1883, and after taking courses in the common and high schools of his native city entered the Davis Commercial College, of Erie, where he familiarized himself with practical business systems and modern commercial methods. Graduating from the institution named he was thoroughly prepared to assume the clerical position in the Girard post- office to which he was appointed, performing his duties to such satis faction that he was promoted to his present office, that of assistant postmaster. He is both a stanch Republican and a citizen upon whom reliance can always be placed to do the honest and the appropriate thing. On the 10th of August, 1908, Mr. Murray married Miss Blanche E. AIiller, who is a native of Ohio, born November 25, 1884, to Alva A. and Alyra (Woodworth) Miller. Roger Miller, the grandfather, was a New York farmer boy who settled in Lake county, Ohio, and there made his way to independence and absolute respect. He mar ried Margaret Bennett, youngest daughter of Lionel and Sarah (Nor ton) Bennett, representing an old and thrifty Cortland county family. The parents moved to Madison, Lake county, early in 1819. They already had one child, Lionel L., afterward a leading physician in Ashtabula and Geauga counties. Locating on a large farm near Lake Erie, Air. and Mrs. Bennett devoted themselves to the hard task of fashioning a homestead from a wilderness, and successfully accom plished it long before they went to rest, the father dying September 2, 1879, and the mother, February 28, 1887. Four children were born to them in Aladison, their only daughter, Margaret, January 4, 1834. She became the wife of Roger S. Miller in June, 1854, and her husband (grandfather of the postmaster) died in 1901 ; the widow still resides on the old parental farm. Air. and Mrs. Roger S. AIiller became the parents of two children : Alva A. married Myra Woodruff of Geneva, and resides in Collinwood, Ohio, where her husband is a conductor on the Lake Shore and Alichigan Southern Railway, and the younger of their two children, Blanche E., is the wife of William J. Murray. Of Lionel Bennett .and wife, Airs. Murray's grandparents who brought 704 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY the family name into Ohio, it may be said that they were industrious, kindly, God-fearing people ; that the community never embraced better friends, neighbors or Christians and that the world is more advanced and much better because of their lives. Mrs. Murray, the only sur viving offspring of her parents, at the time of her marriage was a suc cessful teacher in the public schools of Collinwood, Ohio, and her standing was the result of faithful preparation. She first pursued a course in the Normal School at Cleveland and was also identified with the staff of the well known American School of Correspondence at that city and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both Mr. and Mrs. Murray are most popular in the intellectual and social circles of Girard. John Miller, author of this "History of Erie County," was born January 31, 1849, at Gourock, a small town on the lower Clyde, Scot land. His father, John Miller, was the son of a farmer of Drumshante, Renfrewshire ; his mother, Margaret Nicholson, was the daughter of John Nicholson, the leading tanner and currier of Greenock, who afterwards emigrated to St. Johns, New Brunswick, and became ex tensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber and in the tanning industry, owning extensive tracts in the Miramichi district — her grandfather, James Cameron, also in the tanning business, was in his day one of the leading citizens of Greenock, and as a Chartist promi nent in the politics of North Britain, so prominent that he was im prisoned in Dumbarton Castle on account of his utterances on the hustings, and released only when in parliament the measures he advo cated were at length carried. The ancestry of John Miller included, therefore, on his father's side, the lowland Scotch — of the Saxon strain — and on his mother's, the highland Celts, including the Reids and Camerons. In 1851 Mr. Miller came with his parents to America, landing at Boston, where the family remained two years. After two years in Geneva, New York, another flitting took them to London, Canada, in 1855. Here the family remained until May, 1864, and it was in Lon don that the subject of this sketch obtained his "schooling." This con sisted of seven years at St. George's, one of the outlying schools of the public school establishment of London. His master was William Ir win, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, a masterful man, a ripe scholar, and a painstaking teacher. Most of the school 'books were publications tinder the direction of the provincial department of edu cation, and included readers, geographies, and works on mensuration and algebra. During the educational term of John Miller the local school board had adopted Bullion's grammar, Sangster's arithmetic, Amelia B. Edward's History of England, and Chamber's Elements of Euclid. It was not a graded school, but under the able direction of Mr. Irwin rapid and substantial progress was made by the scholars, for the old master, even while taking a hand at cricket or rounders with the pupils in the playground, was alert to correct errors in gram mar or to illustrate the principle of the angle of incidence and coinci dence, or to enforce some other scientific truth. School came to an end the summer of 1863, when John Miller was under the necessity of lending a hand toward the support of a family of children that with him numbered eight. His father, a contracting carpenter, had learned the secret of refining petroleum — for it was a HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 705 secret in the early days — and had embarked in the business. His capi tal was small, and the load he had to carry a heavy one. So the son entered the printing office of the Advertiser, under John Cameron, as an apprentice. The father failed in business, and left to better his fortunes in the Pennsylvania oil region, but on reaching Erie, decided to locate at that point, which seemed to be destined to become the center of oil. The family followed in May, 1864. John Miller, the son, found employment in the job room of the Dispatch, working for three years. Afterward he worked for a time on the North East Herald; then for four years was printer and ship ping clerk at Downing's general insurance agency, which he left for a place in the Ashby & Vincent printing office. He was employed in the office of the Gazette when it became the property of F. A. Crandall, in 1873, and when the Sunday Gazette was started in March, 1875, was promoted to the post of city editor, remaining until 1882, at that time changing to the Dispatch. As city and telegraph editor he remained with the Dispatch until 1890, leaving to become a stockholder and writer for the Times. In 1893 he accepted a position with the Provi dence Journal, in charge of the dramatic and musical department, which he held until invited to return to Erie and take an editorial po sition on the Dispatch which he held until the sale of that property, in 1902, left him without a position. Thereupon he engaged in the gen eral insurance business. His father, for many years a contracting builder in Erie, was so hard pressed by the stringency following the panic of 1873, that he removed to Georgia, and at length made progress. The first thought upon finding his condition improved, being the debts he left in Canada, he at once went to his old home in London and obtained a clean balance sheet. This is mentioned to show the stuff of which he was made. He was the soul of probity. Deeply religious, as became a Scotchman, his religion was not solely for Sunday use. In his Geor gia home, where he died in 1896, he was one of the earliest of the pro hibitionists, and though he did not live to see the principles he advo cated prevail in that state, he had the satisfaction of noting that progress was made. John Miller, of this sketch, was married in 1875 to Anna M. El liott, a daughter of John Elliott, of Barnard Castle, England, and Pa- melia B. Townsend, his wife, whose people were of the pioneers of Cleveland, Ohio, prominent in business in the early days of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children, Maud Oenone, wife of Rev. H. W. McCombs, of the Pittsburg presbytery, and Donald Came ron, a student at Cornell University. Vol. 11—45 INDEX Adams, Franklin F.. 9, Alden, J. Fletcher, 324. Alexander, Cassius L.. 389. Alford, Martin, 267. Allen, Charles D., 385. Applebee, John F., 113. Applebee, Alaria S., 113. Arbuckle. Richard H., 169. Armes, Archie A., 431. Armes, Arthur W., 452. Auer. G. A., 492. Auth, Francis, 355. Babo, Joseph D.. 114. Bailey, Henry M., 52-2. Baker, Isaac, 125. Baker, John C, 388. Baker, Louisa S., 602. Baker, Marion X., 351. Baker, William H., 601. Baldwin, Joseph O., 329. Baldwin, Phillip G., 660. Baldwin, William L.. 377. Ball, Hugh V., 431. Bancroft, John J., 688. Banghart, George N., 155. Barker, James P., 659. Barnes, Velorus C. 372. Barney, Elfred R., 270. Barry, James, 284. Barstow, Charles L., 597. Barton, J. Lloyd, 380. Barton, T. W., 380. Bates. Earl D., 387. Bates, Harvey H., 276. Baur. Armin J., 150. Baxter, John J., 151. Bayle, Samuel B.. 62. Beaman, Ernest E., 376. Beaman, Hiram, 376. Becker. Philip A., 57. Beckwith, William E.. 173. Beemer, Frank W., 495. Belknap, Embert L.. 607. Bell, John J., 139. Bemis, Elmer E., 248. Bender, Charles C. 452. Bennett, John, 337. Benze, Adolph L., 538. Benze, Charles T„ 540. Benze, Gustav A., 541. Berkenkamp, John H.. 243. Berst, Titus, 179. Bigler. John F., 416. Bishop, George W.. 580. Bittles, Adam B., 574. Blackman, John, 247. Blaine, George W„ 193. Blair, Frederick W., 515. Blair, Harriet W., 417. Blair, Robert W., 684. Blair, Samuel, 417. Blakeslee, Charles A., 526. Blakeslee, Jesse, 527. Bliley, Andrew, 528. Bliley. Joseph, 528. Bliss, Albert H., 261. Bliss, George T., 137. Bliss, John H., 138. Bloeser, Christopher, 24. Blore, Bernon F., 281. Boes. Adolph, 312'. Boettiger. Christoph W., 445. Bogart, Earl T., 430. Bogart Family, 667. Bogart, William J., 667. Bogart, W. J., 668. Borstorff, Dora E., 313. Bort, Laurin D., 686. Bowyer. John AI., 456. Boyd, George N.. 443. Boyd, Thomas J., 151. Bracken, Charles H., 263. Bracken, Dewitt L., 300. Bradley, Horatio N., 199. Brakeman, Harvey, 275. Brevillier, Frederick, 1. Brevillier, Gustav F., 214. Brevillier. Henry L.. 26. Brew, John T., 153. Briggs, Harris R., 614. Bristol Brothers, 647. Bristol, George A.. 648. Bristol, Miles O., 648. Brogdon, Robert, 388. Brown, Benjamin B., 15. Brown, Earl L., 346. Brown. Isaac B.. 433. Brown, William S.. 13. Bryce, John, 132. Buchanan, Henry W., 671. Buchanan, John J.. 672. Buchholz, Carl F., 283. Burnham, Fred W.. 162. Burnley, William, 441. Burton, Alured P., 127. Busch, Julius, 556. Bush. Elmer E., 301. Bush, Lewis, 447. Butler. Alson M.. 383. Caflish Brothers, 506. Caflish, A. L, 507. Caflish, J. C, 507. Camp, Orin, 314. Camp, Willis, 313. INDEN 707 Camphausen, Edward, 459. Canning, David B.. 580. Cantlin, Thomas A., 689. Capwell, Edgar W., 308. Carle, F. M., 496. Carrick, Francis, 56. Carroll, William J., 156. Carter, Edward D., 91. Cass, George W., 306. Cauley. Peter M.. 32. Cessna, J. B., 404. Chambers, Cassius M., 295, Chambers. Ezekiel E., 590. Chapin, Albert O., 531. Chapin, Samuel F., 529. Cherry, Edwin M., 535. Childs, Harry S., 448. Chinnock, Robert H.. 444. Christie, Milton H., 343. Church Family, 695. Church, Horatio L., 695. Clarke, Charles S., 30. Claus, Franzeska, 189. Claus, Henry V., 187. Clayton, G. W.. 494. Clemens, Rilando E., 238. Coates. Benjamin J., 37. Coburn, William, 396. Cogswell, T. Henry, 483. Cole, Franklin M., 533. Coleman Hose Co., 496. Collman. Conrad H., 305. Collins, Amy M., 551. Colt, George P., 104. Connell. Frank, 183. Conrad,' Charles M., 217. Conrath. Henry J., 144. Cook, George W., 177. Cook, Rebecca A., 178. Coons, William M1., 644. Cooper, Ezra, 517. Cooper, Jennie R., 518. Cordner, John A., 598. Cornell, William H., 270. Covell, Alvah W., 419. Coyle, Frank P., 159. Crabb. William H., 316. Cranch, Edward, 537. Crawford, Frank B., 403. Cross. Alfred J., 573. Crouch, Orlando E., 129, Crowley, Michael, 166. Culbertson. Andrew A., 176. Culbertson, Charles L, 184. Cupples. Curt, 491. Curtis, Clark, 328. Curtis, Daniel G„ 216. Curtis, Virgil G, 457. Curtze, Antonie J., 45. Curtze, Charles A., 43. Curtze, Felix F., 336. Cutler, Henry S., 395. Daniels. Albert N., 69. Darrow, Clement L., 318. Dash, J. A.. 609. Davenport, Melvin R., 655. Davenport, Samuel A., 670. Davids, James, 615. Davis, Glenn R., 610. Davis. M. Levant, 470. Davis, Wilbur, 592. Dawley, Andrew J., 285. Decker, John F., 22. Deming. A. A., 155. Dennis, David N., 543. Detzel, Frank J., 131. Devine, Robert F., 229. DeWolf, Herbert M., 440. Dick. Harry T., 272. Dickey. James M.. 32. Diehl. George F.. 197. Dietly, Philip W., 196. Dill, Robert, 286. Doll, Conrad M., 413. Doll Family. 411. Doll, John, 412'. Donaldson, James W.,' 268. Donnellan, John J. F.. 26. Downing, Jerome F., 474. Doyle. Thomas, 272. Drake, Alpheus S., 656. Drake, James, 517. Drown, Samuel H., 234. Duff. Harvey C, 690. Dunn, Henry C, 145. Dunn, Jessie. 145. Durlin, A. P.. 142. Durlin, Willis B., 144. Eastman, Charles H., 504. Edwards, David J., 588. Edwards, Elizabeth K., 62'8. Edwards, Thomas A., 627. Eichenlaub. V. D., 160. Elliott, Daniel. 444. Elliott, Thomas A., 294. Ely, Adriel G., 409. Ely. Benjamin C, 411. Ely, Sumner S.. 410. English, Charles H., 195. Ensworth, Allen, 378. Ensworth, Frank E„ 378. Evans, Christmas, 299. Evans, George, 5&3. Eureka Tempered Copper Works, 690. Feidler. Seth D., 381. Felgemaker, Augustus B., 198. Felgemaker, Julia D.. 199. Felheim, Lyman, 173. Ferris, Stephen W., 522. Finch. Thomas D., 365. Fish. Henry E.. 12'6. Fitz Maurice, John E., 467. Fleming, Hugh N., 468. Flickinger, William B., 134, Flynn, William J„ 159. Forbes, William, 436. Ford Charles, 436. Foringer, H. H.. 224. Fortune, Ada A., 441. Foster, Charles W., 585. Francis, Emery J.. 693. 708 INDEX Freeman, Arold, A., 345. French. Clarence C, 90. Frisbee, Andrew H., 376. Fritzges, John F., 528. Fuller. Justus W., 261. Fuller, Mary E., 261. Fuller, William L, 504. Galbraith, Davenport, 127. Galbraith, Fanny D., 48. Galbraith, William A., 46. Galmish, Louis, 200. Gates. George D., 559. Gifford, Ellen L, 594. Gifford, James P., 593. Gigliotti, Nicola. 553. Gilbert, Squire W., 599. Gillett, Estelle P., 576. Gillett. Harrison G. O., 576. Gillaspie. Martin S., 327. Gilson, John L. 208. Gilson, William P., 207. Gingrich, Walter W., 172. Goeltz, Francis A., 36. Golden, Thomas J.. 78. Gottfried, Anton, 161. Gottfried, Regina M., 162. Grace, Mary J., 549. Graves. Hartley, 683. Gray, John G., 603. Gray. John H.. 304. Gray, William F., 402. Gray, William H., 293. Gredler, John J., 72. Green, Andrew P.. 292. Green, William H., 635. Griffith, Ella R., 274. Griffith, George P., 273. Grove, Jay C. 74. Gunnison. Charles E., 241. Gunnison, Charles, 206. Gunnison, Frank, 84. Hagenlocher, Charles, 121. Haggerty, Hannah E., 668. Haibach, Thecla, 572'. Hall, John H., 568. Hamberger, John. 157. Hamilton, Jay L., 276. Hamilton, Joseph A., 280. Hamilton, Sheridan T., 491. Hamilton, William. 183. Hammer. Jacob, 146. Hamot, Pierre S. V., 547. Hampson, George A., 628. Hanley, Daniel S.. 101. Hardwick, William, 95. Harlan, Philander, 51. Hartman, Peter. 165. Harvey, Edward J., 613. Hatch, John L., 322. Hausmann, Henry, Sr., 360. Haven. Chancy, 677. Hawley. Bartlett B.. 616. Hay, James D., 235. Hayes, Charles W„ 502. Hayes, Lucile, 502. Hayes, William E., 103. Hayes. William P., 28. Hayes, William P., 550. Heath, Frank L, 320. Heidler, Clayton B., 55.5. Heidler. Curtis H., 581. Heidler, Israel, 565. Heidler, Josephine F., 565. Heil. Frederick, 676. Helterline, John B., 307. Henrichs, Peter, 64. Henry, Garrett S., 365. Henry, James A., 163. Hess, A. Matthew, 414. Heuer. Edward, 407. Hewitt, Edgar W., 569. Highmyer, George E., 89. Himberger. Henry, 93. Hinds, Calvin J., 426. Hirtzel, Orris C, 692. Hiskey, Martin L.. 312. Hliskey, William B., 312. Hitchcock, Otto G, 411. Hoag, Fred E.. 661. Horne, C. W., 230. Howard, Albert P., 414. Howard, Martin C, 1605. Howe, Frank A., 371. Howland, Earl J., 595. Howies, Daniel, 610. Humphrey, James M., 297. Hunt. D. W.. 368. Hurlbut, Byron J., 608. Hurst, Frank E., 432'. Hutchinson, Myron, 473, Ip-nasiak, Andrew, 69. Irwin, James P., 480. Jackman, Corrin D., 542. Jackman Family, 541. Jackson. Andrew, 403. Janes, Marvin E„ 252. Johnson, John, 368. Johnson, Mildred H., 393. Johnson, Willard C. 393. Jones, Franklin P., 636. Jones, Helen Y., 511. Jones, Levi, 510. Jones, M. F„ 276. Joslin, Abner C, 544. Joslin. R. Lyle, 560. Kalb. George B.. 86. Kaltenbach, Jacob, 110. Kamerer, Jacob F., 500. Kamerer. J. F. Company, 500 Kapple, Charles F.. 266. Kapple, Glenn C, 590. Keep. Willis O., 678. Kelsey, Henry C, 237. Keppel, Ernest, 81. Keppel, Henry M.. 449. Kessler, Christian, 54. Kiefer, Charles F., 678. Kilbane. Francis J.. 383. Kimmy, . Delford R., 266. Kimmy, Nelson, 328. INDEX 709 King, Joseph H., 697. Kinter, Philip, 397. Kirkland, Emery E., 486. Kirschner, Carl, 381. Kitts, Jerome B., 392. Klein, Conrad, 102. Kloecker, Bernard, 135. Knoll, Julius C, 223. Knowles, David, 594. Knowles, Susan D., 594. Kohlmiller, Eligius. 53. Kolstee, John G, 611. Krack, Gustave C, 149. Kraemer, William C, 60. Krug, J. George, 278. Kugel. Henry, 17. Kuhl, Peter, 617. Laird. Frank W., 16. Lamb, Lyman L., 92'. Laver, John V., i58. Lawrie, Robert W., 338. Leary, Frank J., 289. Leary, John, 288. Lee, William W., 315. Leech, Addison, 227. Leech, Mary I., 228. Lewis, Barney H., 655. Lewis. Harrison H., 2'96. Lewis, Harry M., 532. Lewis, Jay Ml, 519. Lewis, Marcene S., 512. Lewis, William R.^ 654. Lieban, Albert, 382. Lieban. Frank, 382. Liebel, Michael, Jr., 461. Lininger, Thompson J., 277. Lipton, Erastus B., 12'. Little. John W., 241. Little, Lowell M., 209. Little, Susan B., 209. Loesel, Charles F.. 48. Loomis, Joseph W., 282. Loomis, Rufus, 212'. Loop, A. Irwin. 513. Lord, Hugh C, 279. Lorei. John, 620. Lorenz, Charles B., 187. Love, Elmer M., 331. Loveland. Francis A., 631. Lovell, Elizabeth A., 204. Lovell, Melvin N., 202. Lutomsko-Niedbaski, Seweryn E., 135. Lyons, Eugene A., 611. Lyons, Harvey S., 167. Lyons, S. Reid, 644. Lytle. Henry, 379. MacCartney, Roy A., 439. MacDonald, Albert. 192. Mackrell, Thomas. 96. Mackres, James H., 625. Mahan, Samuel, 310. Mahoney, C. J.. 502. Manvil, Isabella B., 596. Marsh, Carrie Jones, 277. Marsh, W. Ed., 244. Marshall, Pliry M., 680. Mason, Edgar, 290. Maxwell. William M., 700. McArthur, Andrew P., 561. McBrier. James, 148. McCray, Alice M„ 475. M'cCray," Bornt. 374. McCray, Rollo 379. McCray, Thomas B., 363. McCray, Walter E., 600. MicClelland, William. B., 675. McCullough, Ross. 516. McDannel, Daniel M., 25. McDonald, Dayton L., 415. Mclnnes, Alexander, Sr., 348. McKean, Alonzo G.. 65,1. McKean, Charlotte, 650. McLaughlin, Charles, 330. McLaughlin, John M., 359. McLean Brothers, 498, McLean, F. E., 499. McLean. J. C, 499. McNulty, John, 620. McWilliams, Caroline E.. 702. McWilliams, Joseph E., 702. Mead, Charles L.. 498. Mehl, Edward H., 114. Merrill, Edward W., 170. Mertens, Charles A., 361. Messenger. William R., 666. Metcalf, George R., 78. Metcalf, Prescott, 77. Metzner, Orr G., 211. Middleton, Burton W., 503. Miles. Emma M., 437. Miles, Nancy D., 490. Miles. Phineas D., 489. Miller, Frederick J., 116. Miller, John, 704. Miller, Oscar O., 617. Miller, Thomas C, 174. Mills, Edwin, 321. Mills, Jennie W., 321. Missimer, Henry C. 123. Mitchell, Dan, 623. Moorhead, Robert J., 88. Morrison, Irene I., 596. Morrison. Malcolm J., 596. Moritz, Frank B., '619. Moritz, Gabriel. 619. Mosher, Amos P. 672'. Mosier, Hudson W., 53. Mount, Aretas P., 362. Mulkie, John R., 476. Mullin. Paul D., 208. Murray, William J., 702. Nagorski, Francis T., 265. Neubauer, Frank, 142. Neubauer, Henry, 141. Niedbaski, Seweryn. E. L., 135. Norris, Harry E„ 692. Northrop, Leavitt, 589. Nye, Harry G. 386. Oldman, Thomas, 61. Olds, Clark, 118. 710 INDEX Olds, Lewis W., 369. Olds, Winter J., 7. Olin, David, 480. Olin, Eliza H., 480. Orton, Fred, 260. Orr, William M.. 230. Painter, John J., 393. Parker, Cassius C, 505. Parker, Henry H., 325. Patterson, Robert A., Jr., 349. Payne, Frank H., 154. Peck, Gardner E.. 398. Perkins. Rufus L, &6. Petitt, E. E., 613. Petitt, Lulu M., 612'. Petitt. Ralph J., 25,2. Petrie, Henry F., 149. Pettibone Family, 508. Pettibone, Riley, 509. Phelps, Belle. 623. Phelps, Byron H., 357. Phelps. Samuel, 514. Pickering, Thomas. 191. Pifer, Willard F., 396. Pinney, Anthony S., 334. Pollock, James S., 310. Pollock, William S., 311. Pomeroy, Lee H., 698. Pomeroy, Lovrayn L.. 673. Pope, Joseph R., 390. Porter, James L.. 665. Porter. Noah W., 575. Powell, Fred S., 664. Pratt. G. La Verne, 99. Pratt, Morrell F., 585. Preston, Frank M., 330. Proctor. Adelbert W., 582. Raeder, Christina S., 97. Raeder. Phillip B., 97. Randall, Clark A., 587. Randall. Harry B., 507. Randall, Robert S., 687. Rankin. George F.. 246. Rankin, May, 247. Ransom, Hiram N„ '633. Ray, George S., 240. Raycroft, Benjamin J., 65. Raymond, Alfred, 557. Raymond, Edgar, 55.7. Raymond, J. Ross, 319. Raymond, Laverne H., 519. Reavley, George D., 189. Reavley, Jennie C, 190. Reed. George A., 182. Reed, John E., 181. Reed, Sarah A., 465. Reed, William W., 463. Reeder. Isaac R., 341. Reid, Joseph, 576. Rice. Clark C, 508. Richards. Adelaide M., 51. Richards, John S., 49. Rilling, John S., 85. Roberts, Charles N., 581, Roberts, Stephen, 581. Robison, Justin A., 191. Rock Asbestos Roofing Co., 543. Rockwell, Charles F., 401. Rockwell. Eliza J., 402. Roland, Emanuel W., S7. Root, Jesse A., 163. Rose, Fred, 233. Rosenzweig, Louis, 65. Rossiter, U. P., 98. Rosswog, Robert J., 55 Rouse. Frank C, 583. Rowley, Frank, 690. Runnels, Charles J.. 535. Russell. Chester B., 621. Salsbury, Abner P., 639. Salsbury, John F.. 648. Sammons, George, 5.11. Sapper, John N., 191. Sawdey, David A.. 254. Sawdey, Smith D., 438. Sawdy, George M., 565. Sayre, Daniel. 514. Scarlett, John. 221. Scarlett, William J., 22'2. Schaaf, William J., 71. Schaffner Brothers Company, 213. Schaffner, Jacob, 214. Schaffner, Morris. 213. Schauble. Louie C, 120. Scheer, John S., 37. Schimmelfeng, Charles, 691. Schlaudecker, Frank, 117. Schmelter, John W., 39. Schultz. F. William. 406. Schultz, Frank D„ 249. Schultz, Valentine, 249. Schutte, August A., 15. Scott. George P., 652. Scott, Robert D., 653. Scott. William L, 453. Scriven, William, 223. Seaman, Harry J., 494. Searls, Royal B., 400. Seeley Family, 509. Seeley. William A.. 510. Selden, Charles C, 479. Selden, Charles T.. 478. Selden, Edward P., 165. Selden. George, 477. Selden, George, 479. Selden, George D.. 226. Selden, John C, 478. Selden, Joseph, 478. Selden, Samuel. 478. Selden, Samuel F., 480. Sewell. Alfred E., 169. Sewell, Mary P., 169. Seymour, Coyt O.. 309. Shacklett, Turner W., 484. Shadduck, James M„ 423. Shade, Herman F., 225. Shade, Philip, Sr., 225. Shenk. Henry, 27. Sheppa, Oscar D., 642'. Sherman, Beach S.. 681. Sherman. Samuel G., 662. INDEX 711 Sherwin, G. W. F., 231. Sherwin, James M., 233. Sherwood, Cyrus, 579. Sherwood, Leon M., 696. Sherwood, Oren B., 587. Shreve Family, 520. Shreve, Emery A., 5£1. Shreve, Milton W. 185. Shreve, Owen M., 210. Shufelt, Jefferson, 591. Shultz, Louis F., 294. Siegel, Casimer, 210. Siegel, Julius C, 521. Sill, Erwin H„ 660. Silliman, James E.. 112. Simmons, Frank R., 106. Sisson, A. Elverton, 482. Skinner, Hanford B., 371. Skinner, LeGrand, 83. Skinner. S. J.. 371. Smith, E. B., 493. Smith, Grant J., 87. Smith, James R., 267. Smith, Julius M., 615. Smith. Marquis S., 604. Smith, Matthew H„ 251. Smith, Melvin J., 2'57. Smith, Sherburn, 200. Smith, ' William H., 152. Sobel, Isador, 465. Spencer, Frances L., 259. Spencer, George W., 602. Spencer, Judah C, 258. Spencer, William, 257. Spires, Hannibal L., 668. Spooner, B. Cortland, 630. Sprague, William H., 42'4. St. Mary's College, 353. Stafford, William J., 399. Stancliff, Alden, 418. Stancliff. Lynn E., 146. Stark, Charles A., 644. Steen, Daniel, 572. Steinfurth, Jacob C, 446. Sterrett, Thomas W., 17. Sterrett. Sarena K., 21. Stolz, John A., 524. Stolz. Michael, 572. Stowell, Samuel, 600. Strong, Charles H., 545. Strong, Martin, 546. Stull, James B., 284. Sturgeon, Anna E., 489. Sturgeon, Jeremiah, 488. Sturgeon, John C, 79. Sunderlin, G. L., 501. Swalley, Jesse E., 674. Swan, Charles, 311. Swamp, Andrew L., 657. Sweigard, Uriah D., 35. Swendsen, John D. W., 45. Swift, Rufus W., 280. Taft, Charles H., 130. Taggart, John M., 570. Taggart, William D., 329 Tallmadge, Myron J., 396. Tallmadge, Stephen K., 395. Tanner, Durward W., 490. Taylor, George, 487. Thayer, James N., 219. Thompson, Clarence L, 129. Thompson, J. Ross, 33. Thompson, James, 34. Thompson, James T., 262. Thompson, Victory M., 129. Thornton, Buel G.. 632. Thrasher. Mark D., 649. Tipp, John B„ 201. Titus, George M., 326. Torry, L. Emmett, 300. Towne, Bester D., 285. Towne, Elizabeth P., 288. Towne, Benjamin F, 286. Towne, Jennie S., 285. Tracy, William F.. 597. Treat, L. J., 503. Turner, Daniel D., 533. Turner, Judson E., 186. Tuttle, David, 606. Urch, Lewis W., 1619. Urick, Charles H., Sr., 21. Van Cleve, J. Spencer, 697. Van Cleve, Robert S., 696. Veith, Henry E., 394. Veith, John W., 384. Vogt, Anton, 52'8. Wade, Robert J.. 384. Wagner, Peter A., 531. Wait, Joseph O., 204. Waldo, William M., 692. Walker. Clarence L., 7. Walker, Edwin, 3. Walker, Francis J., 450, Walker, George L, 373. Walker, John W.. 76. Walker, Thomas M., 471. Walker, William G., 646. Wallace, Frank M., 224. Wallis, Thomas V., 373. Ware. Seymour D.. 651. Washabaugh, William B., 136. Waters, Daniel A., 682. Watson, Carrie T, 498. Watson, Harrison F.. 497. Way, John L, 574. Weiblen, John G., 582. Wells, John L., 335. Weschler, Robert E., 75. Wetmore. A. A., 42'2. Wharff, Henry, 584. Wheeler. Charles M.. 124. Wheeler, Edward E., 425. Wheeler, Walter S., 105. Whitney, A. J., 645. Whittelsey, Edward L, 92. Wicks, Wheeler C. 534. Wight, Marvin, 356. Wilbur. H. A., 543. Wiley, William. 558. Wilkins. W. W., 420. 712 INDEX Willert, William J., 73. Williams, E. A., 277. Williams, Joseph H., 455. Willis, Frank, 571. Willis, Sarah H., 572. Willis, Seth H., 333. Willis. Thomas D.. 333. Wilson, Henry E., 577. Wimersberger. Frederick C, Wolf, Charles' A., 42. Wolf, Eliza M., 327. Wolf, Isaac, 41. Wolf, Isaac, 327. Wolf, Willis F., 291. Wood, Alfred E.. 303. Woodruff. Norris S., 343. Woods. Adella B., 253. 552. Woodworth, Parker, 5116. Wright, John W., 122'. Wuenschel, Charles B., 195. Yakes. John S., 107. Yaple, Anson H., 525. Yaple, Anson J., 622. Yaple. Brink B., 525. Yaple. Clinton F.. 526. Yaple, William W., 524. Young, Ernest L, 271. Young, Willard J., 98. Youngs, Franklin, 290. Zuck, Clark W., 107. Zuck, John C, 108.