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 21
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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, Maryland, 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. Vincent's Hospital and he is moreover the physician for the poor directors at East Erie.
Dr. Bell has been twice 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 May S., the latter having passed away in February, 1907. The doctor's second marriage
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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 Medical 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 that 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 Neubatter 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.
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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 Mary 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 terin as postmaster. Upon arriving in the Empire state Mr. Durlin, in association with his brother-in-law, W. Mckinstry, 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,
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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 and Eliza-
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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. Mr. 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,
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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. Conrathi married Miss Magdalena 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 Mill 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 Mill 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 Mr. 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-10
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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 Mary 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.
Mr. Hammer married Annie Hampel, 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 Mr. and Mrs. Hammer. Mr. Hammer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Homesteaders, of the Business Men's Exchange, and of the Maennerchor.
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 May 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. He 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. He had married Polly Ann Peek, who was born in Erie county, New York, and she lived to the age of eighty- seven years.
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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, 1892, while his wife died on the 22th 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 Mary Blair and lives in Girard township.
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