USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 84
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
On the southeast corner of Fifth and Holland there is another fine old brick residence that has for many years been a prominent object in that part of the city and was last known as a residence as the home of Mrs. Henderson. In 1905 it became the Florence Crittenton Home, purchased for that purpose by the corporation of that name which had been chartered a short time before. This organization had its inception in the Women's Christian Association, an account of which has already been given in this chapter, a department of the general work, assigned to a large committee being called the Door of Hope. This work was given over to a semi-independent organi- zation with Mrs. Ella Chapman as chairman, in 1896, and a house was rented on Eleventh street. In November of that year Charles N. Crittenton visiting Erie in the interest of that line of work, ad- vised that the Erie Door of Hope become united in the Florence Crittenton Home movement, and this was done, a consolidation being effected with the Home at Butler. Soon afterwards a more commodious house was secured on West Twenty-third street, when the Florence Crittenton Home of Erie became established and re- mained for several years. Early in 1899 it was deemed wise to sep- arate this organization from the parent, the Y. W. C. A., and this was effected, steps being taken at the same time to strengthen the body. Success was achieved at length, and in October, 1903, the Florence Crittenton Home was chartered by the court, there appearing on the charter the names of 28 women and 14 men as corporators and the following as directors: Mrs. Ella E. Chapman, Mrs. Helen Johnson, Mrs. J. H. Williams, Mrs. G. W. Dawson, Mrs. H. Strong, Mrs. Wil-
775
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
liam Wallace, Mrs. S. J. Arthur, Mrs. F. Percy Klund, Mrs. B. E. Briggs, Mrs. C. W. Brown and Miss Alice Walker. In 1905 the old Sterrett homestead at Fifth and Holland streets was bought, and taken possession of and is now, comfortably furnished, become one of the established institutions of Erie. It is in charge of Miss Mar- garet Small, matron.
Another institution that originated with the Y. W. C. A. and was fostered until it could go alone is the Boys' Club, occupying its own building on Seventh street east of French. It was known when the movement was started by the women in 1895 as the Boys' Read- ing Room, and was intended for the newsboys and others who fre- quent the streets. Rapidly it assumed wider scope, but it was no easy matter to keep it advanced to the position it demanded. Rooms were provided at different times on Park Row, on Peach street near the city hall, in school building No. 11, and at Fourteenth and Peach. While it was evident that good was being accomplished there was yet something to be desired. In 1902 the Boys' Club, by which name it had come to be known, was separated from the Y. W. C. A., and in 1903, a reorganization having been effected, a charter was obtained from the court, with these directors: C. C. Shirk, Fred S. Allis, Joseph B. Campbell, Rev. P. M. Cauley, D. W. Harper, George B. Taylor, Rev. F. Spalding, Clinton D. Higby, John C. Diehl. Robert J. Salts- man, 2d, W. Pitt Gifford. Fred C. Jarecki, Otto G. Hitchcock, W. S. Carroll, Rev. Max C. Currick and Henry D. Schoonmaker. The ladies who had so long and faithfully maintained this effort, continued as the auxiliary of the Boys Club, and are still identified with the work, Miss Mary Selden, Mrs. J. B. Campbell, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. L. D. Davis, Mrs. Frank Low and the Misses Ely being especially active. The building, erected especially for the Boys' Club. was begun in 1904 and completed early in 1905. The ground on which it stands was donated by Mrs. Susan M. and Miss Laura Sanford. Its departments in- clude gymnasium work or manual training room, reading room, game room and baths. Especial attention is paid to cultivating sociability, a sense of honor, and self-government among the boys, and also to training them to the use of tools. The superintendent in 1909 is Frank R. Neibel.
The Young Men's Christian Association is the oldest organiza- tion of its kind in the city, having been formed in 1860 and incorpo- rated by the state legislature in 1863. In 1861 rooms were rented in the Beatty block on North Park Row, and there the association quickly became well established. There had existed for a number of years an organization known as the Irving Literary Society, which in its time held a position of considerable prominence. It had acquired a library that compared well with that of any similar organization in the state. At the time the Christian Association came into being the older society had become moribund, and its excellent library or what
276
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
remained of it, was turned over to the Y. M. C. A. and became a valued asset. Following the practice of the times, after it had been in existence a number of years, the Y. M. C. A. undertook, with suc- cess, the management, each winter season of a course of lectures, bringing to Erie the best that the lecture field afforded and earning for itself a high reputation. In 1867 there was originated a movement to procure for Erie a library of high grade, and early that year the work of soliciting began, and between $2,000 and $3,000 had been secured. At this juncture the late Myron Sanford came forward with the proposition that the fund be made $10,000, and agreed that if by May 25 the sum of $10,000 should be secured he would donate $1,000. It naturally imparted additional stimulus, but the specified date found the goal still distant. An extension of time was granted, but at the expiration of that time the amount was still considerably short, whereupon Mr. Sanford handed the promoters his check for $1,000 and told them to go ahead with the library. The result was that a magnificent collection of books was purchased and made avail- able for the use of the citizens. The prime movers in the library en- terprise were Prof. H. S. Jones, A. L. Littell and Rev. A. H. Caughey. This splendid library was placed in the care of the Y. M. C. A., that had now taken rooms on the second floor of the Walther building on the corner of State and Eighth streets. For many years it was ex- tensively patronized.
The association was very much in need of room; had been for years. On March 26, 1879, the old Matthew R. Barr homestead, at the corner of Tenth and Peach streets, was purchased, and with a little alteration was made serviceable. Into this the Y. M. C. A. moved the same year. The epoch of general secretaries in charge of Y. M. C. Associations was now come, and under the efficient man- agement which these rendered the Erie association grew apace. In the course of time new features were demanded and in 1890 a large addition was built to the south of the original building containing a modern high class gymnasium on the first floor and an auditorium of considerable capacity on the floor above. To this equipment was added in 1904 a capacious swimming pool. During later years the association has maintained night schools during the winter months in which are taught mechanical drawing, mathematics and English, drawing a fine patronage from among the workers in the shops and stores. For a long time a railroad branch was maintained, but while the branch organization has been abandoned and the railroad secre- tary dispensed with meetings are still regularly held at the P. & E. outer depot. A ladies auxiliary was organized in 1885 and has been a most efficient adjunct, and soon afterwards the Junior Y. M. C. A. was established and continues in successful operation. The semi- centennial of the association will occur in 1910, and there is now an
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
incipient movement on to raise a fund for a new building. Such an effort was undertaken some years ago by the late William R. Daven- port, the most popular and beloved president the association ever had, and his subscription list, still preserved, is hoped to be available at least to a large extent.
St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum is the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who, in 1864, occupied a small frame building on Fourth street close to St. Patrick's school. In 1866 they opened an asylum in a house on Second street bought for the purpose by Bishop Young, in which they provided care for sixty children at a time. In 1870 land was bought on Third street between Holland and German on which was erected in 1871-2 the commodious brick building at present in use at a cost of about $50,000. It is a three-story brick building with a basement, heated with steam, and had accommodations for about 200 children. Within two or three years, however, it became necessary to enlarge the building. The asylum has been well main- tained by the faithful sisterhood, who provide excellent care for their needy charges, educating them as well as providing for their temporal needs. The means necessary for the maintenance of the asylum are obtained by the industry of the Sisters, by contributions from friends and by an annual collection taken in the churches of the diocese.
The same sisterhood established a home for aged and indigent persons that has been of vast benefit to that needy class. In 1884-5 a large three-story brick building was erected at the corner of Ash and Twenty-sixth streets. Complete in all its appointments, and pro- vided with abundant means toward the comfort of those admitted, it is surrounded by handsome grounds, provided with a fine garden, and in every particular constitutes a desirable home in which many peo- ple once well-to-do, but reduced in circumstances when old age over- took them are well pleased to spend their declining years.
The youngest of Erie's benevolences, semi-public in nature, is the Lutheran Home for the Aged, which was rededicated to its work of mercy early in the year 1909. It was an enterprise that originated in the congregation of St. John's church, suggested by the pastor, Rev. G. A. Benze. The project had been broached upon more than one occasion in the men's society of the church, but at thie fifteenth anniversary of the pastorate of Mr. Benze, in February, 1906, such a presentation of the case was made that the membership became busy at once, and on March 1 of that year the home was opened. The frame building that had been the Dunning residence and in use as the Old Ladies' Home, was, when the new building was about to be erected, moved across the street to the corner of Twenty-second and Sassafras upon leased ground belonging to St. John's church. This building was bought by the committee on property of the Lutheran Home movement, and on March 1, 1906, so energetic had the pro-
778
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
moters been, it was opened and twenty-two persons became estab- lished in it as members of the new home for the aged. The scope of the institution was presently enlarged so as to secure the co-opera- tion of all the Lutheran churches affiliated with the general council, and a constitution to that effect was adopted. In 1908 work upon a large addition was begun, and finished early in 1909, there was a formal dedication to the benevolent purpose for which it was intend- ed. The enlargement provided for the care of 40 inmates, besides the force in charge of the management of the home.
CHAPTER XV .- THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
ERIE'S EARLIEST DOCTORS .- COMING OF A NEW SCHOOL .- DOCTORS IN PUBLIC LIFE .- A DOCTOR WITH . A NOTABLE HISTORY.
The pioneer settlers at Erie came into the wilds of the time with no special regard for ease and without thought of discomfort, or if they thought of it, it was with something like contempt. They ex- pected to rough it in the wilderness, and no doubt the life they led, of which hardship and exposure were the principal ingredients, ren- dered them hardy and healthy. Doubtless there were ailments that might properly be referred to a physician, but there was no physician during the first few years, so the ailments, if there were any, were left to take care of themselves, and the records that have come down to posterity do not serve to show that an excessive mortality pre- vailed. The first doctor to come to Erie came not because of the demands of the new settlement ; he came, summoned to the deathbed of Gen. Anthony Wayne. He arrived too late. Once here, however, Dr. J. C. Wallace remained, and continued as a useful citizen of the little village down in Erie's first ward, until his death. He came here in December, 1796; he died in 1827.
There were then no "schools" in medicine here. A doctor was a doctor ; what the doctor said went for truth and what the doctor pre- scribed was taken no matter how big or how bitter the dose. Such words as homeopathy, hydropathy, osteopathy or even Christian Science (which some say is nearly 2,000 years old) were a long way from getting into the lexicon of the times. The doctor was a most highly respected member of society, and Dr. Wallace quickly attained to a position among the foremost citizens of Erie when it was very young. For a long time he was the only doctor. In the year 1811 Dr. P. Thayer settled at Eagle Village, but Eagle Village was then a good deal farther from Erie than it is today, so it is only a latter-day consideration that would make him, and his brother Albert Thayer, who came soon afterwards, Erie physicians. In the Erie of the time the second physician to make his home here was Dr. Asa Coltrin, who came in 1815, or thereabout, and remained until his death in 1824. Dr. Peter Christie, who had been a surgeon in the navy, settled in Erie shortly after Dr. Coltrin did, and Dr. William Johns came in
780
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
1822, and Doctors Taber and Elijah Beebe in 1825. Dr. Peter Faulk- ner came in the same year and engaged in practice, but after a few years removed to Crawford county, returning in 1848. Dr. Jacob Vosburg came in 1825, and Dr. Sanford Dickinson, who had been prac- ticing at Wattsburg, came in 1840.
There is no well preserved list of the doctors of the first half of the Nineteenth century who pursued their work of mercy in Erie. But that they had begun to multiply by the time Erie was ready to blos- som out into a full-blown city, is shown by the first directory printed. That was in the year 1853, and a search through its pages reveals the names of these practitioners of medicine: Dr. A. Beebe, Dr. C. Brandes, Dr. W. B. Dodge, Dr. Louis Dornberg, Dr. Peter Faulkner, Dr. C. J. Fox, oculist, and perhaps the first specialist in Erie; Dr. E. S. Hammersley, Dr. Rufus Hills, Dr. C. F. Perkins, Dr. Charles Salomon, Dr. Charles Sevin, Dr. B. F. Sibley, Dr. J. L. Stewart, Dr. T. H. Stuart, Dr. W. M. Wallace-fifteen ; a goodly array for so early a day. But that was not all, for the druggists were doctors of medi- cine at that time ; so the names of Dr. John S. Carter, Dr. Peter Hall and Dr. Landaff Strong are included in the list. It would not be as easy an undertaking to name the Erie doctors of 1909, and it will not therefore be undertaken.
Several of the doctors who came in with the city lived here for a good many years, several of them to be known by citizens of Erie still living. Along in the sixties their ranks were considerably ex- tended, including Dr. H. A. Spencer, Dr. N. Seymour, Dr. George Bennett, Dr. W. O. Gilson, Dr. Charles Aichner, and Dr. E. WV. Ger- mer, for many years Erie's efficient health officer-he was in fact a board of health in one individual.
The first of the dentists in Erie, so far as there is a record. were those of 1853. The titular appendage to the name of each was "sur- geon dentist"-sometimes nowadays we hear of a dental surgeon, but we never put it the other way to. The dentists when the city was young were, Dr. W. C. Bunnell, Dr. M. Chapin, Dr. O. L. Elliott, Dr. WV. E. Magill.
The doctors of the new school-as homeopathy was once re- garded-had for their pioneer, Rev. John Gifford, of Cincinnati. who. in 1842. visited Erie to preach for the Universalists, but having some knowledge of the use of medicines, and, also, having some with him. by the means of the proper remedy relieved Mrs. Oliver Spafford, mother of the present Mrs. Jonas Gunnison, of a severe headache. This introduction of little pills in Erie was pregnant of results. Soon afterwards Dr. Adams of Lockport. N. Y., was engaged to come once in two weeks to prescribe for a sister of Mrs. Gunnison, and then. in 1844, the first of the homeopathic doctors came to be a resident. He was a Dr. Hoyt, from "Down East," and he opened an office in the
781
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
book store of "Uncle" Oliver Spafford on Cheapside. Dr. Hoyt did not remain long. The people were too skeptical about the puny pel- lets. However, in 1846, Dr. Bianchini settled here, and obtained a good foothold. Dr. Nelson Seymour also settled in 1846, and lie came to stay. He practiced in Erie until 1894, when he removed to North East, and died September 9, 1897. The Dr. Sibley, of 1853, was of the homeopathic school, and Dr. Peter Faulkner about the same time became a convert from the old school to the new, being a pupil of Dr. Seymour in the latter system. Of two sons, both physicians, Dr. Robert Faulkner was a homeopath.
Dr. Mary A. B. Woods was the first woman to locate in Erie as a physician. She was a graduate of Cleveland Homeopathic College in 1864, came to Erie in 1870 and practiced here for about thirty years, but retired some time ago, and died in 1909. Dr. W. K. Cleveland, who came to Erie in 1869, practiced his profession successfully until 1908, when he retired. Dr. Edward Cranch took up his residence in Erie in 1875. Dr. J. C. M. Drake came in 1881, Dr. J. F. Flint in the same year, Dr. R. T. Marks in 1884, Dr. J .R. Phillips in 1889, Dr. H. C. Gal- ster in 1892, Dr. J. L. Ireland in 1893, and Dr. Edward F. Gifford in 1894. Dr. Marks died in 1905, and Dr. Phillips in 1908. The homeo- pathic school has furnished Erie with several woman doctors, at the time this is written there being Dr. Adella B. Woods, who began practice in Erie in 1878 : Dr. Emily Tefft, Dr. Lucy H. Black and Dr. Katherine Law.
Of the allopathic doctors from first to last the list is by far too extensive to permit an attempt to present it in these pages; even the list of the present-time physicians would prove too long. Nor would it be fair to discriminate, though the mention of such names as Dr. Chester W. Stranahan, Dr. J. E. Silliman and Dr. D. H. Strickland. who have been faithful practitioners for more than forty years, the two latter serving the government in the Union army, may properly be made exceptions to the rule and entered as a sort of preferred list in this scrap of medical history.
The first medical society was organized in 1829, and was officered as follows: President, William Jolins; vice-president, A. Thayer ; secretary, F. W. Miller; treasurer, A. Beebe; censors, J. Smedley, Jacob Vosburg and A. N. Molton. There is nothing to account for the suspension of this society, so far as any records are concerned, nor any date given to show when it was discontinued-nothing but the records of a successor organized in 1841, which is the Erie County Medical Society of today. The first society, it is evident from conditions, was a feeble affair; the Medical Society of today is strong, influential and a highly beneficial institution.
The doctors of the homeopathic school did not effect an organiza- tion until 1891. Prior to that time there was not much out of which
1
782
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
to organize ; but the faith was spreading and its apostles multiplying. On July 1, 1891, the Homeopathic Medical Society was organized by these physicians, mostly of the city: Edward Cranch, J. C. M. Drake, J. R. Phillips, J. F. Flint, H. E. Flint, J. S. Skeels, M. A. Wilson, J. T. Sturtevant, R. T. Marks, A. McPherson, W. K. Byron, Mary A. B. Woods. In 1894 the physicians residing in Erie formed a corpora- tion and obtained a charter for the purpose of operating a hospital and free dispensary. The dispensary was started, and for a year was operated in rooms rented for the purpose, but was then discontinued. The hospital project was too heavy to be undertaken then, or since up to the present, but there being no discrimination practiced in the existing hospitals, the demand for one for the homeopaths has de- creased to the vicinity of the vanishing point.
Medicine and politics do not mix as a rule, though the politician sometimes has to "take his medicine" in the shape of the bitter pill of defeat. But, though averse to taking a hand in partisan politics, there have been instances where the physician did overcome the rul- ing principle of the profession by entering the lists as a seeker after office. This was notably so with the late Dr. J. L. Stewart. The Doctor was no seasoned politician nor chronic seeker after office. He was a good citizen, as every member of his honored profession is, and, as every good citizen should be, felt a deep interest in public affairs, and doubtless the animating motive with him was a desire to see carried into effect policies for the public good in which he was deeply interested. Impelled with a desire to seek office with the expecta- tion that he mnight secure their being put in operation, he decided to stand as a candidate for mayor of Erie. It was in the year 1876. At that time political lines were not as finely drawn as at present. The mode of procedure was to start out with a "call," and obtain as many signatures as possible. This was done by the Doctor. His rival for the office was John W. Hammond, and Mr. Hammond also had a call in circulation. Both calls became very large, and the rivalry became very keen-almost bitter on the part of the Doctor, who, hav- ing been longer a citizen of Erie than Mr. Hammond, believed that fact should give him an advantage. It seemed, however, to be disre- garded, for he went down in defeat, and in bitterness of spirit he long brooded over his discomfiture.
There was another example of a doctor in politics. Dr. Samuel F. Chapin, while a resident of Wattsburg, entered the lists as a candi- date for the state house of representatives, and was elected and served in the legislature for two terms, from 1875 to 1879. Afterwards he was a member of the board of pension examiners and when the Sol- diers and Sailors Home was established, was appointed surgeon in chief of the home, filling the position until his death, June 12, 1908.
783
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
The earliest example of the doctor in politics in Erie was that of Dr. John C. Wallace. He was the first burgess of Erie, elected in 1806, just after Erie was chartered a borough. He was again burgess in 1810 for two years, and a third time in 1825, for three years. Dr. Wallace's political career extended farther, including the offices of coroner and sheriff. He was elected coroner in 1809. The sheriff, Jacob Spang, resigned, whereupon, under the provisions of the law, the duties of the office fell to the Doctor, who served a year in the more important position.
For a period it became the rule to select for the office of coroner a physician and these have served: Dr. J. E. Silliman, from 1875, for six years; Dr. A. Z. Randall, from 1881. for three years; Dr. L. B. Baker, appointed by the court in 1891, for one year to fill a vacancy ; Dr. J. A. Steinmetz, from 1895, for six years.
The physicians who have served the city as health officers have been, Dr. E. W. Germer, who was appointed in 1872, when the office was created, until his death in 1887. During a period of absence from the city, while he was making a visit to his former home in Europe, an epidemic of small-pox visited Erie, when Dr. Peter Barkey was appointed by Mayor Scott to fill the important position, which he did with distinguished ability. Dr. A. A. Woods was appointed in 1888; Dr. H. E. Flint in 1894, and Dr. J. W. Wright is the present health officer.
In 1893 the legislature passed an act creating state boards of med- ical examiners. Dr. J. E. Silliman was appointed on the board repre- senting the regulars, and at the same time Dr. Edward Cranch was appointed on the homeopathic board, and has continued by re-ap- pointment up to the present time.
About 25 years ago it was my good fortune to be acquainted with a kindly old gentleman who made his abode at the county home. Often-indeed every time my steps led me in the pursuit of my special study, in the direction of what we called the Almshouse woods, up west of the E. & P. dock junction, have I met him. It came in time to be a regular expectation to find him, ere I had finished my trip of the day, somewhere in the woods. He was an aged German, and was usually to be found strolling leisurely about or else seated upon a fallen tree trunk, and generally smoking a pipe of red clay with reed stem. Idling? By no means. He never knew idleness. Alone? No. He was never alone, for he was a naturalist, and the woods teemed with familiar friends. Every tree ; every shrub ; every plant, even of lowly growth, was known to him. He could call them by name, and visit with them. He questioned them as one familiar with their con- duct and habits alone could question them, and watching him, unob- served, I could see him as he slowly strolled through the vistas of Vol. I-50
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.