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 II > Part 13
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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. Morrow B. Lowry, of Eric, 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.
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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 Mary 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. Markle 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 Medical 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 Munich, 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 of 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 Medical Society of the Middle Anthracite Coal Fields and also served as secretary and president of the Erie County 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 are not even confined to the field of his profession, as he is a director in the Eric Trust Company and the Petroleum Telephone Company of Oil City, and is a director in the Mutual Telephone Company of Erie, and interested in other financial and semi-public concerns. He is a member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Associated Charities of the city, a Royal Arch Mason and an elder in the Presbyterian church, in whose charitable and religious work he has been active for many years. On January 4, 1888, Dr. Kalb married Miss Margaret I. Leffler, of Stockton, California, who died August 30, 1893, leaving one daughter,
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Lucile. On November 17, 1895, he wedded Miss Letta B. Merriman, of Kenton, Ohio, and the child of this union is Miriam 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 Miss 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 Mr. 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 McClellan, in May, 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 Masonry has reached the thirty-second degree and naturally identified with the local Shriners Club.
Mr. Smith's wife was formerly Miss Jennie McCrea, who was born in Mill Creek township, Erie county, and is a daughter of John and Jane (Kimball) McCrea, both deceased. The children of their union are Florence, born June 1, 1898, and Robert G., who died in 1899, aged three weeks.
EMANUEL WAAIDLER 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.
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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. Mrs. 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 March 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. Mr. 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 Men'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 Minnie 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 Mrs. Bochner is still alive-a goodly specimen of the intelligent, sturdy, honorable women produced by her German fatherland. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 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. Moorhead 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-
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ents, Joseph Byers and Eliza ( Hampson) Moorhead. 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, Mr. Moorhead 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 Manufacturing 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. HIGHMYER, 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 ycar 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.
Mr. 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
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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 every 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 March 4, 1866, Mr. 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. Mr. 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 1884 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, in 1889 where he spent two years with Shapperle Broth- ers, jewelers and expert watchmakers, who for years were at the head of 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 in 1891. In that year, coming to Erie, Mr. French entered the employ of Edward Hoffman, jeweler. Two years later, or in 1893, considering his 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 his patrons by the sub- stantial nature of his services, so that his busines gradually grew, until, in 1901 his volume of trade necessitating larger quarters, he removed to
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his present location at No. 923 State street. Here he occupies a capa- Cous store and conducts one of the leading establishments of the kind in the city, carrying a complete line of solid gold jewelry and optical goode. Watch repairing is his specialty and his business is of such pro- por sons 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 Men's Exchange. His fraternal relations are with Perry Lodge, A. F. & A. M. 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
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