A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 14

Author: Miller, John, 1849-
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 910

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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

was made president of the Merchants' 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. Mr. 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, Mr. Carter married Clara, daughter of John Robinson, of Erie, and into their household two children have been born, Maud and Carl. Politically a sound Republican, Mr. Carter has served as a member of the Select Council of Erie. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 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 Mary 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 Volunteer 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 study 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: Maude, Ruth, Mary and Kate. He mar- ried for his second wife Miss Isabelle Farley, of Erie. The captain is a member of the Masonic 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

Mr. 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 1832, 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 Mr. 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. lle 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.

Mr. 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,

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 Michigan; Jennette, also a native of Germany, the deceased wife of Jacob Springer; Louis, deceased, his birth having' occurred in Germany ; Minnie, a native of Germany and the wife of John Leng, this couple residing in this city; Mary, a native of Ohio and the wife of Frederick Linder, residents of Michigan; 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 188? 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 May, 1903, to the same month, 1905, in this position deporting himself with exceptional ability and satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. 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, Mr. 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 W. L .; and Oscar Carl, who is a student at Pennsylvania State College. Mr. 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 Maennerchor. 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

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 a 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 lake, 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

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, Mr. 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 Mutual 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 Mckinley 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 Methodist church was erected he was elected president of the Erie Methodist 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 Methodist 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 Mr. Hardwick is an active member of the Cham- ber of Commerce, the Board of Trade, the Erie Country Club and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is also a thirty-second degree Mason.

On October 13, 1866. Mr. Hardwick was married to Mary, daugh- ter of the late John H. and Anna (.Heidlebach) Carter, both old citizens of Erie county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hard- wick, one son and one daughter. John Wesley 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 Manufacturing 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 Miss Anna Parson, who died as the mother of one daughter, Gladys. His second wife, nee Miss Lena Wells, of Springboro, Pennsylvania. still survives with their daughter Virginia Hardwick. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hardwick, Luanna, married Albert MacDonald, one of Erie's most prominent manufacturers, now superintendent of the Metric Metal Works, one of the city's largest and most important industries.

THOMAS MACKRELL, 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 Margaret ( McGinnis) Mackrell. both natives of that section of Ire- land. He was the sixth in a family of six daughters and three sons. At the age of twenty, after receiving a common school education in Ireland, Mr.

PUBLIC LIBRARY

AUTOR, LENDI TILDEN FOUNDATIONA

PHILLIP B. RAEDER

MR. AND MRS. PHILLIP B. RAEDER

THE NEW YORK FIBALE MBRARY

AJTÓK, LEVOX TLOEN FOUNDATIONS

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

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 May 11, 1880, Mr. Mackrell married Miss Teressa A. Leiss, a native of Waggletown, Mill 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 Mrs. 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. Mr. 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

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

of nine rooms is convenient and modern in every respect. August 10, 1907, Mr. 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. (Middleton) 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 Mill 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 Mr. 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 Mutual 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 Masonic fraternity. Mr. 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. Mr. Rossiter is a native of Norristown, born October 6, 1862, and is a son of S. Y. and Mary 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-

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A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 14

Author: Miller, John, 1849- Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 910

Author: Miller, John, 1849-
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 910