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 25
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A life-long resident of Union township, Harvey S. Lyons received a practical common school education, and being reared by a father who was well versed in agricultural lore became familiar with general farm- ing at an early age. After being honorably discharged from the army at the close of the war, he resumed his agricultural labors, and now, in conjunction with his brother, John C. Lyons, owns and operates two hundred and twenty-six acres of the parental homestead, carrying on farming with characteristic skill, vigor and ability.
Mr. Lyons married, in 1878, Florence R. Breed, and to them three children have been born, namely: Robert H., born May 9, 1879; Henry B., born July 15, 1881 ; and Herbert S., born November 6, 1883. Rob- ert H. married Nettie Stark, and has one little son,-John Leslie. Henry B. married Tessie Horton, and they have one child. Harvey Horton, whose birth occurred October 16. 1908. Since the advent of this newest member of the family, four generations have lived under the same roof, in the home of Mr. Lyons, there being a difference of ninety-six years in the ages of the oldest and youngest members of the household. Fraternally Mr. Lyons is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Clement Lodge of Union City, and of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 102 at Union City. Succeed- ing his father in the good graces of his fellow citizens, Mr. Lyons has filled many public offices with distinction and honor, and now, in 1909. is serving as justice of the peace. Mr. Lyons is independent in politics, and casts his franchise for the best man.
WEM TORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AZTUR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
"IDLEWILD," RESIDENCE OF MRS. MARY SEWELL
MRS. MARY SEWELL'S BARN
BLIC LIBRARY
AUTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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ALFRED E. SEWELL. The large agricultural interests of the late Alfred E. Sewell of Harbor Creek township, who died in 1890, are efficiently continued by his widow who not only conducts the old farm but has developed a large, good gas well on the place. Mr. Sewell was a native of Harbor Creek township, born January 2, 1855, son of Sydney and Nancy (Riblet) Sewell, both of whom were natives of Erie county. The father was of New England parentage and the maternal ancestors were of German stock. Sydney Sewell, the father, was born March 27, 1812, and the mother August 27, 1818. They both died in their native county of Erie, the former, January 17, 1891 and the latter December 27, 1904. Of their family two were sons and four were daughters.
Alfred E. Sewell, of this review, was the youngest in the family and lived with his parents until his marriage in 1882. After that event he rented a portion of his father's farm in Harbor Creek township, afterward purchasing fifty-three acres of the estate and devoting it largely to horticulture, five acres of the place being devoted to grapes and small berries. On March 2. 1882, Mr. Sewell wedded Miss Mary Plumb, a native of Greenfield township, born November 2, 1860, and a daughter of Daniel and Ida (Simon) Plumb, the former a native of Greenfield township and the latter of Saxony, Germany. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Sewell has operated the home place, continued the rearing of her children and made substantial building improvements as well as developed to a considerable extent several gas wells which were discovered on her property some years ago. Mrs. Sewell is not only a good business woman, but is widely known for her activity in religious and charitable works having been a member of the Baptist church since 1892. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred E. Sewell are Clarence E., residing at home: Gertrude, a teacher in Fresno, California ; Bertha, also of that city ; Ruth Cleveland, at home. Mrs. Sewell's home is known as "Idlewild."
RICHARD H. ARBUCKLE. A worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Erie county, the Arbuckle family having been among the first to locate in this section of Pennsylvania, Richard H. Arbuckle is one of its most highly esteemed citizens, and as president of the Har- bor Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Company is widely known. During his earlier life he was for many years in the employ of the government, but of more recent years has been an important factor in advancing the agricultural interests of the county. His ability and fidelity in per- forming his public duties, his integrity, and his excellent good sense in all matters pertaining to business affairs, have won for him the regard of his neighbors and associates, both in the country, where he spends his summers, and in Erie, which is his winter home. A son of the late William G. Arbuckle, he was born, October 14, 1835, in Erie. His grandfather, Adam Arbuckle came to Erie in the early part of the last century, took up his residence on East Sixth street, between Holland and French streets, and there liis children were born and bred.
Born at the home on East Sixth street, William G. Arbuckle served an apprenticeship when a young man at the carpenter's trade, which he followed many years, afterwards being superintendent of the Erie City school buildings. To him and his good wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Bowers, six children were born, as follows: Richard H.,
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of this sketch; George W .; Mary, wife of J. W. Humphrey ; Louisa C., wife of John K. Hallock; Frank P .; and John.
Educated in the public schools and at Erie Academy, Richard H. Arbuckle served an apprenticeship of four years at the printer's trade, in the office of the old Erie Observer. He was afterwards clerk in the Erie Post Office for a time, and in the years 1875-6-7 and 8 served as county commissioner. Subsequently for four years, from 1885 until 1889, Mr. Arbuckle was collector of customs and disbursing officer at the port of Erie, performing the duties devolving upon him in this capa- city efficiently and honorably. On giving up public life, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, his fine farm in East Mill Creek township, with its substantial buildings and modern equipments, giv- ing ample evidence to the passer-by of his skill and good taste as a practical farmer and rural householder.
Mr. Arbuckle married, in 1859, J. Antoinette Burton, daughter of the late John and Charlotte E. (Barnes) Burton, who were the parents of four children, as follows: J. Antoinette, now Mrs. Arbuckle; Phoebe J., wife of Jacob Warfel, one of Erie's best known citizens; Lydia M., wife of the late H. C. Sprague, of Toledo, Ohio; and Laura, who died in 1853. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle, namely : Huldah Jeannette, wife of John C. Wolfe; John Burton ; Katie Eliza died in 1868: Charlotte Barnes; William Irwin ; and Richard C.
EDWARD W. MERRILL. Conspicuously identified with the develop- ment and advancement of one of the great industries upon which the wealth and prosperity of our nation so largely depends, Edward W. Mer- rill is meeting with noteworthy success in his agricultural operations, and as superintendent of the Scott farms in Erie is carrying on gen- eral farming after the most approved modern scientific methods. The spirit of progress in every direction was never so much in the air as at the present day, and never was the public so ready to give its atten- tion to anything and everything that will tend toward the betterment of the affairs of its people, and of its interests in general. Agriculture has come in for its full share of notice in this onward movement, and through the aid and counsel of such wide-awake, brainy men as Mr. Merrill is establishing and maintaining for itself a place of prominence among the more important industries of the world. A native of New York state, he was born, September 20, 1850, in the town of Pavillion, a son of David M. Merrill.
The Merrill family, it is supposed, is of French extraction, being descended from the Huguenot family De Merle, who escaped to Eng- land after the memorable massacre on Saint Bartholomew's day, in August. 1572. This family belonged to the Auvergne nobility, and had its ancestral estate near Place de Dombes, in that province. The found- ers of the Merrill family in America were two brothers, John Merrill and Nathaniel Merrill, who emigrated to New England, in 1633, from Salisbury, County of Wilts, England, to Ipswich, Massachusetts. In 1634 these brothers settled in Newbury, becoming charter members of the new town. John Merrill died September 12, 1673, and by his wife Elizabeth, who died July 14, 1682, had one child, Hannah. Hannah, born in England, married, May 24, 1647, Stephen Swett, and died, April 4, 1662.
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Nathaniel Merrill, born in Salisbury, England, about 1610, died in Newbury, Massachusetts, March 16, 1654. Of this union with Susan- nah Wilterton six children were born, namely: John, born in 1635; Nathaniel, born in 1638 ; Abraham; Susannah; Daniel, born August 26, 1642 ; and Abel, born February 20, 1644. The line was subsequently continued through several generations to one David Merrill, who was great grandfather of Edward W. Barzilla Merrill, the grandfather, was born November 17, 1764, and died April 14, 1850, in Fabius, New York. He married Electa who was born May 3, 1770, died August 4, 1840, in Fabius. They had a family of eleven children, David M., the father of Edward W., having been the youngest child.
David M. Merrill was born June 4, 1815, in Onondaga county, New York, about thirty miles south of Syracuse, and died February 4, 1881, at North East, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Coming with his wife and children to Erie county in 1835, just after the completion of the rail- road in this vicinity, he settled first at Johnson's Crossing. Three years later, in 1858, he removed to North East, where he continued his free and independent occupation of farming until his death. He was a Democrat in politics, active in public affairs, serving several terms in the borough council. On October 17, 1839, he married Deborah Wal- lis, who was born April 22, 1820, in Onondaga county, New York, and died March 15, 1907, in Syracuse. They became the parents of four children, namely: Wallis E., born November 12, 1841, was drowned March 19, 1847; Maria H .; Edward W., of this sketch; and Evangeline A. Maria H., the second child, born August 8, 1843, married, October 5, 1864, Byron D. Bramer, who died September 26, 1907. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bramer, namely: Fred, born May 20, 1866 ; Mary Eva, born November 30, 1867; Lewis Byron, born June 16, 1870: B. Edward, born October 9, 1873; and Harry Monroe, born September 5, 1881. Mrs. Bramer, whose only surviving child is B. Edward Bramer, lives in Syracuse. B. Edward Bramer married Jane A. Pellens, August 3, 1904, and they have one son, William Edward, born February 9, 1907. They reside in Syracuse. Evangeline A. Mer- rill, the youngest child of the parental household, born May 16, 1855, married, in 1882, Frank H. Perkins, and now resides in Detroit. Three children have blessed their union, namely: Merrill Alonzo, born Decem- ber 24, 1882; Richard Harold, born June 5, 1890; and Frank Donald, born November 18, 1893, died December 6, 1897.
Five years of age when he came with his parents to Erie county Edward W. Merrill attended the public schools of North East, and from his youth up was well trained in the various branches of agri- culture. After attaining his majority he was variously employed, for three years running a planing mill in North East, afterwards being engaged in business as a contractor for four or five years. He was one of the leading men in Nort East while a resident of that place, for six years serving as supervisor of the borough, subsequently, as super- intendent and secretary, having almost full charge of public matters. Accepting his present position as superintendent of the Scott farms in 1900, Mr. Merrill has since resided in Erie, occupying the Frontier farm. A man of much force of character, possessing undoubted business and executive ability, Mr. Merrill has met with most satisfactory success in the management of the large estate under his care. The sixteen hun- dred acres in the property is divided into farms, including the Lake
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View, Algeria, Carter, Roll, McNary, Frontier, and Lawrence, farms, all valuable estates.
On January 17, 1872, Mr. Merrill married Amanda Wolf, who was born, November 3, 1850, in North East, a daughter of Henry and Caro- line (Hayberger) Wolf, and the descendant of a prominent pioneer fam- ily of North East. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have one child, Nellie M., born September 18, 1872. She married, January 17, 1894, Lafey G. French, of North East, and they have four children, namely: Ruth G., born May 11, 1895 ; Helen N., born October 5, 1896; Edward M., born July 27, 1899 ; and Florence E., born April 18, 1902. In his political affiliations Mr. Merrill is a stanch Democrat, and religiously he is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Erie.
WALTER W. GINGRICH, general manager, secretary and treasurer of the Wayne Brewing Company, and one of Erie's most prominent young business men, was born in the city, October 7, 1864. He is the son of the late Henry Gingrich, and grandson of John Gingrich, a pioneer of the county. The family is of German origin, but has been established in Pennsylvania for at least seven generations. John, the grandfather, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to Erie county in 1812, settling in Mill Creek township on what afterwards became known as the Gingrich farm, but is now a part of the city. Here he followed farming the balance of his days. Henry, son of John, was born on the Gingrich farm, August 27, 1821. At first a farmer, later in life he became interested in one of the pioneer mills of the township, and became prominent in not a few public capacities. While he was a resident of Mill Creek township, he served as justice of the peace for twenty-five years and for twelve years was an active member of the city school board. His death occurred June 25, 1896. The deceased married Margaret Wolf, born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1829, daughter of Cyrus Wolf, an early settler of Mill Creek town- ship. The wife died December 24, 1897, mother of the following chil- dren: Mary G., widow of the late J. H. W. Stuckenberg, D. D., the first pastor of the English Lutheran church of Erie, chaplain of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil war, and an author and poet of recognized ability ; Etta, who married the late John M. Ormsbee and who resides in Erie; William H., who is an employe of the City Water Works; Louis E., who died in July. 1897; Gertrude, an instructor in Wooster (Ohio) University, and Walter W., of this sketch.
Walter W. Gingrich was educated in the public schools of Erie. In 1896 he was elected city controller, in which office lic served until 1902. In 1900, while ably performing its duties, he became secretary and treasurer of the Consumers Brewery Company, and was made manager, in addition to the other positions, in 1901. The Consumers became the Wayne Brewing Company in 1908, and in his present of- ficial relations Mr. Gingrich is one of the main promoters of its large interests. He is also an influential member of the Chamber of Com- merce and Board of Trade, while as a Mason he is past master of Key- stone lodge and actively identified with Temple chapter, Mount Olivet Commandery and Zem Zem Temple. His other fraternal relations are with the Elks and the Shrine club.
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WILLIAM E. BECKWITH. The faithful and able service of William E. Beckwith with the Marine National Bank of Erie is nearing the quar- ter-century mark, and in his fourth year as cashier of that institution he has strongly demonstrated his talents as an executive financier. He is a native of Connecticut, born in Old Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, on the 17th of November, 1863. His family has been a fix- ture in New England for generations, his father, William J., being also a native of New London county, while his mother (nee Mary J. Havens) was born in Sag Harbor, L. I.
William E. obtained his early education in various district schools and at private institutions in Old Lyme. Among his teachers in his native town, who strongly influenced his after career, was Professor Stone. After a few months of uncongenial experience in a general store near home, the boy received a letter from his old instructor, who had removed to Erie, urging him to complete his education at the Erie Academy in which he (Professor Stone) was then teaching. Mr. Beckwith was thus induced to move to that city and for three years was an industrious stu- dent at the Erie Academy. Then, in 1883, he became a clerk in the book store of Ensign & Sherwood, and in 1886 commenced his identification with the Marine National Bank. He commenced at the bottom of the scale and has steadily risen to the top, his present position of cashier, to which he was appointed January 9, 1906, carrying with it the highest active responsibilities of the bank. He is also well known outside of the financial field, being an active member of the Board of Trade, Erie Cham- ber of Commerce and the Kahkwa Club, as well as otherwise identified with the business and social life of the city. Mr. Beckwith's wife was formerly Miss Clara Bull, born in Markham, Canada, daughter of Henry W. Bull and mother of Lois H., Mary E., Esther, Winifred and Helen Beckwith. The husband and father is a member of the Presbyterian church, while Mrs. Beckwith is an Episcopalian.
LYMAN FELHEIM'S leading position as a manufacturer of rough and dressed lumber and a dealer in this product of his factory has been reached by continuous exertions and able management in the Erie field for a period of twenty-seven years. This covers nearly his entire busi- ness life since he attained his majority, for he was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 7th of November, 1860. His parents, Solomon and Yette (Mandelbaum) Felheim, were born in Germany-his father at Bayreuth and his mother near Munich, Bavaria. Both emigrated to the United States early in life and were married in Cincinnati. In that city the father spent the years of his active business life, spending his last years in Erie as a retired citizen. The mother is still living there. After receiving his education in the Cincinnati public schools, Lyman entered the employ of an uncle in Cleveland when fifteen years of age. He was thus em- ployed from July, 1875, until March, 1882, when he located in Erie as a member of the lumber firm of Schlosser and Felheim. In 1887, by purchase, he succeeded to the business as its sole proprietor, and has since ably conducted and steadily developed the establishment. His factory is at the corner of Sixteenth and State streets and his yards near the Nickel Plate Railroad depot.
Mr. Felheim's firm position in the industry and trade with which he has so long been identified is well established, and in 1907 he served as president of the Erie Builders' Exchange, of which he has long been a leading director. He is also on the directorate of the Erie Chamber
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of Commerce, is a member of the Business Men's Exchange and the Board of Trade. He is actively identified with the ritualistic and benev- olent work of several of the fraternities, including Masonry. In the latter he is a member of Tyrian Lodge No. 362, F. & A. M., of which he is past master ; is also past high priest of Temple Chapter and a mem- ber of the Lodge of Perfection. His active membership further includes the Lake Shore Lodge, I. O. O. F., I. O. B. B. and the Erie Maennerchor. Mr. Felheim's wife was formerly Miss Laura Lasalle, born in Toledo, Ohio, daughter of Captain Jacob Lasalle. Her father served in the Civil war as captain in an Illinois regiment, and is now at the head of one of the largest department stores in Toledo. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Felheim, S. Lasalle and Robert J. Felheim.
THOMAS CASSIUS MILLER. Members of both sides of the family represented by Thomas C. Miller, the ex-county superintendent. educa- tor and able lawyer of Mill Creek township, have been strong factors in the establishment of the agricultural interests and the pioneer insti- tutions of the county. The maternal ancestors (the Brindles) became identified with the upbuilding of Erie county and West Mill Creek, as early as 1800, the continuous history of the Millers in that section be- ginning in 1826. Thomas C. Miller himself, for seven years county superintendent of schools and for the past ten years a progressive prac- titioner in all the courts, is also one of the most widely known advocates of prohibition in the state. He was born on the old farm in West Mill Creek, on the 3rd of December, 1855, and is a son of John J. and Mary C. (Brindle) Miller, the former being a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the latter, of Franklin county, that state. The great- grandfather, Jacob Miller, who was a native of Scotland, came to.Amer- ica in colonial times and served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His son, also Jacob, was born in Lancaster county, removing therefrom to Erie county, in 1826, and locating on a farm which lay on the line between Mill Creek and Fairview townships. At a later date he fixed his homestead within the limits of Mill Creek township in the neighbor- hood of Salem church. He married Mary Manning, also a native of Lan- caster county, and the children of the union were John (father of Thomas C.), Jacob, Eli, Amos and Peter, all deceased; Mary Jane, the only one living ; and Nancy Ann and Fanny, deceased. John J. Miller was born in Lancaster county, November 25, 1818, and was therefore but eight years of age when he was brought by his parents to Erie county. His after life was spent in acquiring a district school educa- tion, in farming as a resident of West Mill Creek and as an intelligent citizen, concerned both officially and as a family man in the progress of the local educational system. Among other township offices he held the position of school director. The father's death occurred February 9, 1891, the widow still residing in Mill Creek township; and, as she was born April 25, 1832, she is now in her seventy-eighth year. The birth- place of Mrs. John Miller is in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and she is the daughter of Mathias Brindle. Her grandfather, Mark Brindle, migrated from Franklin county in 1800 and established the family home- stead on four hundred acres of land in Mill Creek township.
Thomas C. Miller, of this biography, was reared on the home farm in the above named township; was educated first in the district schools of the neighborhood, and in 1880 graduated from the State Normal at Edinboro, afterward becoming a student at Oberlin (Ohio) Col-
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lege. For nearly five years prior to the completion of his normal course he had spent various periods in teaching, his career commencing in the winter of 1875-6. At that time, shortly after leaving the public schools, he began teaching in Union township, and in the winter of 1847-8 he taught in Mill Creek township and returned to the Normal during that season. After his graduation in 1880 he continued as a teacher in Mill Creek, and after leaving Oberlin College remained in West Mill Creek as an educator of growing reputation until the fall of 1889. Mr. Miller was then appointed superintendent of schools of Erie county by State Superintendent E. E. Higbee, to fill out the unexpired term of J. M. Morrison, resigned. In May, 1890, he was elected to the regular three years' term and re-elected in 1893, serving continuously until the first Monday in June, 1896. His seven years' superintendency of the educational system of Erie county were marked by energetic and wise management and an expansion along modern lines of progress ; his administration was a distinct era of advancement for the county, but it also marked the conclusion of his career in the province of teacher and superintendent, since at the conclusion of his last official term he gave himself wholly to the study of law for three years.
On July 8, 1899, after prosecuting his studies in the office of Rilling and Fish, he was admitted to the bar, at once opening an office at No. 710 State street, Erie, which has since been the headquarters of his pro- fessional business. In 1904 he was admitted to practice in the United States courts, the nature of his work being general, but mainly confined to civil procedures. An able lawyer and an earnest Republican, his deep sense of moral responsibility to the community has also induced him to take a firm stand in support of temperance. In 1908 he was a candi- date of the Prohibition party and the Local Optionists of the Third dis- trict of Erie county for the legislature, but was defeated with the balance of the ticket. He is a Mason, being a member of Tyrian Lodge No. 362 of Erie, and for the past thirty-five years has been closely identified with the work of the Westminster Presbyterian church, being now an elder of that body and superintendent of its Sabbath school (since 1881).
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