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 28
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George Dawson Reavley was born near Alnwick, Northumberland, England, on the 13th of August, 1841, and was a son of John and Isabel Reavley, who passed their entire lives in England. The subject of this memoir received excellent educational advantages in his youth, and in his native land he also learned the profession of druggist, to which he there devoted his attention until 1861, when, at the age of twenty years, he came to the United States, where he found employment in the vocation to which he had been trained. The land of his adoption must have soon appealed to this loyalty, for as the Civil war progressed he found himself entering a responsive protest, which culminated in his enlistment in the Union service in January, 1864. He was assigned to duty on the United States steamship "Curlew," of the Gulf squadron, and in this connection was in active service during the later part of the great conflict between the North and the South. He received an hon- orable discharge at the close of the war, and thereafter he was con- fined to the hospital for several months, his illness having resulted from exposure endured during his service for the Union. Finally, with the hope of recuperating his physical energies, he returned to his native land, where he passed about a year at the parental home. He then re- turned to America and located at Youngsville, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the drug business until 1874, in February of which year he took up his residence in Erie, with whose interests he was destined thereafter to remain closely identified during the remainder of his long and useful life.
Soon after his arrival in Erie Mr. Reavley established a large and finely equipped retail drug store on Parade street, and there he built up a trade that was essentially representative in character and of large extent. His honorable business methods and the courtesy shown to all patrons had the effect, coupled with the effective service accorded, of making his fine establishment one of the most popular in the city, and he continued to give his personal supervision to the enterprise until 1902. when he practically retired from active business associations. Mr. Reavley did much to further the material upbuilding and advancement of Erie, where he became the owner of much valuable realty, upon
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which he made the best type of improvements. In 1890 he erected the first three-story brick building to be put up on Parade street, and the same is known as the Reavley block. This is still owned by his estate. In 1900 he erected the beautiful and commodious family residence, at 522 East Sixth street, where his widow still maintains her home.
In 1894 Mr. Reavley and his wife made a trip abroad being absent for a period of four months, within which they visited his old home in England and also made a comprehensive and interesting tour of the European continent.
As a citizen Mr. Reavley was essentially loyal and public-spirited, taking a deep interest in all that concerned the welfare of his home city and lending his support to worthy measures advanced for the general good of the community. He was a man of most gracious personality and had a wide acquaintanceship in Erie county, where he ever com- manded the high regard of all who knew him. In politics he gave his allegiance to the Republican party, though he never sought or desired official preferment of any description. He was a supporter and attend- ant of the First Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Reavley is a zealous and valued member. In a fraternal way he was identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Sons of St. George, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His death occurred on the 6th of June. 1903, and the people of Erie felt a sense of personal bereavement in the loss of this honored citizen and representative business man.
In 1873 Mr. Reavley was united in marriage to Miss Emma Mc- Kinney, of Youngsville, this state, and she was summoned to the life eternal in 1877, being survived by one daughter, Mabel Isabel, who is now the wife of Willis D. Hudson, of Erie. On the 21st of October, 1880, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Reavley to Mrs. Jennie (Car- lin) Zurn, widow of George Zurn, whose death occurred in 1876, and who left two children,-May Dorothy, who is now the wife of Ben- jamin F. Sieger, of Erie, and Otto, who died at the age of seven years. Mrs. Reavley was born July 5, 1847, in Chautauqua county, New York, and is a daughter of Henry and Angeline (Dibble) Carlin, the former of whom was born at Westfield, New York, and the latter in the state of Ohio.
Mrs. Reavley is specially prominent in the social and fraternal affairs of her home city and state. She is identified with the Daughters of Rebekah, an adjunct of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and has been specially active and popular in connection with the interests of the Woman's Relief Corps. In 1888-9 she was president of the Penn- sylvania state organization of this splendid auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in 1887 she was the third to be called to the presi- dency of the Strong-Vincent Relief Corps, the local organization in the city of Erie, and was again clected to that office in 1909. Of this body she has served continuously as treasurer for a period of fifteen years. She was identified with the organization of the Erie Bureau of Chari- ties, now known as the Associated Charities, and has been active in its work for a long period of years, during nearly twelve of which she was treasurer of the organization,-an office from which she finally retired in October, 1908. She is a zealous and devoted member of the First Presbyterian church, and in the same is president of the Pastor's Aid Society.
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JUSTIN ARTHUR ROBISON has attained his official majority by hav- ing served, for more than twenty-one years, as clerk to the board of commissioners of Erie county, and in point of continuous official work is the Nestor of Erie. The total years of his life, however, by no means make him a venerable representative of the county officers, as he was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of October, 1844. His grandfather was a native of Ireland, who became a pioneer farmer of that county, owner of a 400-acre farm and also a leading citizen of Cherry Tree township. At his death the son, Alexander, inherited one hundred acres of the family homestead, and followed farming on this division of the old place all his life. He married Miss Catherine Graham Irwin and both died on the old farm.
It was there also that the son, Justin A., was reared, and in that locality that he received a district school education. His earlier years were spent in agricultural pursuits and afterward, as a young man, he was engaged in the oil fields of Venango county and in the manufacture of staves in western New York. He then located in Albion, Erie county, as clerk in a general store whose proprietor was also the postmaster of the place. Upon the death of his mercantile superior Mr. Robison succeeded him as postmaster, holding the office with much credit for eleven years. One of his predominating traits seems surely to be stead- fastness of purpose, for he passed from the postmastership of Albion to his present position, to which he was appointed January 1, 1890. These facts require no formal comment as to unusual efficiency of service and honorable and substantial personal character. Mr. Robison's wife was Miss Martha A. Logan, of Albion, whose father was one of the best known practicing physicians of Erie county. The greatest sorrow of their lives is the death of their only daughter and child, Ada M. Rob- ison, who passed away in 1896, at the age of twenty-one years.
THOMAS PICKERING, one of the old and well known citizens of Erie, was born at East Islington, Yorkshire, England, June 27, 1845, the son of Harland and Elizabeth (Day) Pickering. The family came to Canada in 1848, locating in Trafalgar township, Ontario, where Har- land, the father followed farming. He died in 1874, and his widow in 1883. Thomas Pickering located in Erie in 1866, but shortly after- wards went to the oil region of Pennsylvania, where he spent several years. In 1873 he returned to Erie and engaged in the livery business on West Eighteenth street, between State and Peach, and in 1885, re- moved to his present stand at Nos. 145-141 on that street, where he has one of the largest and best establishments of the kind in the city.
Mr. Pickering has been very prominent in municipal affairs, as will be seen by the brief record which follows: He was a member of the select city council in 1881-8 and 1894-7, serving as its president dur- ing the last year. In 1896-8, he was a member and president of the board of review of taxes and appeals, and he also served on the board of education for several years. Mr. Pickering was married January 12, 1874, to Katherine, the daughter of Anton Knoll, an early business man of Erie.
JOHN N. SAPPER. One of the leading business men and citizens of public influence residing in Erie, John N. Sapper is also a German-Amer- ican, born in the Second ward of the city, on the 16th of November,
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1848. His parents, Veit and Anna Dora (Kroph) Sapper, were natives of Germany-the former of whom was born in 1821 and died in 1889, and the latter, born in 1827 and died in 1881 respectively. In 1848, in the year of John's birth, which also marked the revolution when so many young men emigrated from the fatherland to the United States, the father came direct to Erie, making the entire journey by water. Although master of the stone mason's trade, when he located in that city he entered the employ of Lester, Sennett and Chester, and later became identified with Barr and Johnson. The latter firm was merged into the Geriner Stove Works, with which Mr. Sapper was connected for thirty-five years continuously. Both he and his wife were devout Lutherans. Ten children were born to them-John N., Adam, Elizabeth, Margaret (deceased), George, Kate (deceased), Anna, William, Dora, and Frank C. (deceased).
John N. Sapper, the oldest child of this family, attended the public schools of Erie until he was thirteen years of age, and from that time until he was sixteen was employed in the foundry. He then mastered the tinner's trade, and was employed by one house for twenty-five years, his identification with the business commencing when the firm was Barr and Johnson and concluding under the Germer Stove works. In 1887 he became a member of the firm of Mehl and Sapper, hardware dealers at No 1114 State street, and since that time has been engaged in a large and growing business at that location. He is an active member of the Erie Board of Trade, and in his civic relations to the city has shown special interest and attained prominence in the educational affairs of the municipality,, In June, 1901, he was elected to the Erie school board, and has been a member of that body ever since, serving as its president in 1906. He belongs to the order of Elks, and is an earnest worker in the religious and charitable activities of St. John's Lutheran church, of which he once served as secretary of the board of trustees and with which his wife is also identified. Mrs. Sapper was formerly Miss Minnie Miller, daughter of F. W. Miller, of Erie, and she is the mother of one child, Frederick William Sapper. The latter was for- merly connected with the Marine National Bank of Erie, and is now treasurer of the Federal Manufacturing Company. He married Miss Zella, daughter of N. A. Watson, of Erie, and to them has been born a son, Frederick William.
ALBERT MACDONALD. It is characteristic of the thrifty and com- mon-sense traits of the old Scotch family of which Albert MacDonald is a representative that three generations in this country have founded their family comforts and based their substantial careers on a special form of industry. Albert, the representative of the present generation, is now superintendent of the Metric Metal Works of Erie. He was. born at Albany, New York, on May 11, 1875, and is the son of William and Elida (Pangborn) MacDonald, also natives of that city. The grand- father came from Inverness, Scotland, to Albany in 1849, and there established a manufactory of gas meters. The father has always been engaged in the same line and is still active. The mother died in 1890.
Albert MacDonald reached the period of his youth in Albany, in whose common and high schools he was first educated. He then took a preparatory course at the Steven's School, Hoboken, New Jersey, and then entered the institute proper. While a senior in that institu- tion, he left to accept his present position. Mr. MacDonald is widely
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
G. Dr. Plain
THE BLAINE VINEYARDS, NORTH EAST
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOXX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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known in his special line of manufacture, and is a member of the Amer- ican Gas Institute, American Brass Foundrymen's Association, Amer- ican Foundrymen's Association and the Canadian Gas Association, and is a director in the Erie Engine Works and in the Erie Gas Company. He also belongs to the Erie and Kahkwa clubs. Before her marriage his wife was known as Miss Louanna Hardwick, daughter of Hon. Wil- liam Hardwick, of Erie.
GEORGE W. BLAINE, connected with various business enterprises which he has successfully conducted, is numbered among the represen- tative citizens of Erie county, in that his business affairs have always been of a character that have contributed to general prosperity as well as to individual success. A native of North East, Pennsylvania, he was born on the 6th of March, 1849, of the marriage of A. W. and Sarah A. (Platt) Blaine, also natives of North East. His paternal grandfather, James Blaine, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, while his maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Platt, was a native of Connecticut. Both became residents of North East township about 1800 and purchased land from the Holland Land Company. The tract was all covered with timber, which it was necessary to clear away before they could plow and cultivate the fields. Both were active in the substantial development and improvement of that section and both were equally strong in advocacy of Republican principles. George W. Blaine is a cousin of Hon. James G. Blaine, the "Plumed Knight" and the lineage is in direct line in the Blaine family.
Reared in the place of their nativity, A. W. Blaine and Sarah A. Platt were married in North East and were prominent and well-known residents there. The father was actively and successfully engaged in the banking business for a number of years. In 1864 he organized the First National Bank in association with Amos Gould, John McCord and William Griffith and was elected its first cashier, in which capacity he controlled its interests and made it one of the substantial financial institutions of that locality. He also did much toward shaping the public policy of that district, his ability and fitness for leadership result- ing in his selection for various offices. For sometime he filled the position of justice of the peace and three times he was called upon to represent his district in the general assembly, during which time he was connected with much important constructive legislation, while to each question which came up for settlement he gave earnest and thoughtful consideration, casting the weight of his influence on the side that he be- lieved would further the best interests of the commonwealth. He died January 10, 1879, having for twelve years survived his wife, who passed away in May, 1867. Their children were: Alice E., now the wife of Colonel W. A. Robinson, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; George W .; and Mary R., the wife of Joseph T. McCord, of North East, Pennsylvania.
Reared under the parental roof, George W. Blaine acquired his education in the public schools, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority. In 1870, when twenty-one years of age, he began business on his own account as proprietor of a grocery store but a year later he sold out and went upon his father's farm, which he rented until the father's death. He then purchased the place, which he still conducts as a vineyard, it being now within the city limits and comprising a tract of rich land of fifty acres. As the years Vol. II-13
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have gone by Mr. Blaine has also extended his efforts into other fields of activity. He was for a time engaged in the sawmill and lumber business with A. I. Loop and a year later became connected with A. M. Backus in the same line, that association being maintained for two years. He then severed his business relations with Mr. Backus and in 1893 turned his attention to banking, joining with several other leading business men in organizing the First National Bank of North East. He was elected its president, with Robert Dill as vice-president and B. C. Spooner as cashier. In the control of this enterprise he has dis- played keen discernment, his efforts being an important factor in its successful conduct. In 1893 he also purchased a gristmill from the Haywood Estate and established a coalyard. In 1903, in connection with G. N. Mackay and J. E. Lee, he purchased the Scouller mill, and this firm also handles coal and other commodities. Mr. Blaine is now the president of the Blaine, Mackay & Lee Company and the firm is enjoying continuous and growing success in the lines along which they are operat- ing. In 1896, in connection with W. J. Town and Charles S. Moses, Mr. Blaine purchased the plant of the North East Cider Works, which they converted into a vinegar factory with a capacity of from ten to twelve thousand barrels per year. This company was incorporated with Mr. Blaine as president and the business is now one of the important productive industries of the town. In 1906 Mr. Blaine became owner of the American Beauty Stove Works, with W. E. Jorden as partner and manager, Mr. Blaine retaining the presidency. It will thus be seen that his interests are varied and in the community where he resides he is known as a successful business man who carefully formulates his plans and is determined in their execution. He allows no obstacles or difficulties to bar his path if they can be overcome by persistent and earnest effort and his activity has carried him into important public relations. In addition to his other interests he is president of the board of trustees of the North East cemetery, he is a director of the Mutual Telephone Company and is the owner of over three hundred acres of valuable farm land, over eighty acres of which is planted to grapes.
On the 25th of September, 1872, Mr. Blaine was married to Miss Anna M. Hampson, who was born in North East township and is a daughter of James and Matilda M. (Porter) Hampson. Their only child, Ruth M., born September 8, 1877, died in February, 1879. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Blaine has filled all of the offices and he takes a prominent part in the church of his choice. In 1901 "The Centennial Commemoration of the Found- ing of the First Presbyterian Church of North East, Pennsylvania" was published and Mr. Blaine was the prime factor in its publication. It is a volume of 282 pages, illustrated with halftone engravings of the first churches of the society and the ministers. This book is well written and of great historical value to the North East Presbyterian Society. Mr. Blaine's political allegiance is given to the Republican party and for thirteen years he has served as a member of the city council, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity, his efforts being practical factors in promoting the city's upbuilding. He has also been and is the treasurer of North East and without invidious distinction he may be termed one of the foremost citizens of the town. His entire life has here been passed and through the period of his manhood he has been closely associated with its material, intellectual, political and moral prog- ress. He stands as a splendid type of the progressive American citizen
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who realizes and meets his obligations to the community and in business affairs holds to high standards, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen but winning his success in the legitimate lines of trade.
CHARLES B. WUENSCHEL is a well known and prominent business man of Erie, and a leading member of the city school board. He is a native son of Erie, having been born there in 1858, the son of Simon and Elizabeth (Heidt) Wuenschel, both natives of Bavaria, Germany. Simon Wuenschel was a cooper by trade and came to the United States and to Erie in 1847, being there engaged in business as agent for a large oil cloth manufactory. He died in 1870, and his wife in 1898.
Mr. Wuenschel of this sketch, was educated in the Erie public schools, and began practical life as a clerk in the shoe store of Joseph P. Eichenlob, where he continued for eight years. He then entered the employ of the late H. V. Claus, and had charge of the French and Fourth street branch of that gentleman's State street business, until 1882, when he succeeded to the entire business and has since success- fully conducted the enterprise. For many years Mr. Wuenschel has been closely identified with the public school system of Erie, and for sixteen consecutive years has been a member of the school board, hav- ing served both as secretary and president of that body. He was first elected in 1892, and has since been chosen for six different terms, three times without opposition. In 1894-5, he served as secretary, and in 1906, as president of the board and during his term of service, many great improvements have been made in the public school system. Dur- ing the above period, school buildings numbers 10, 12, 13 and 16 were enlarged, numbers 2, 4, 6, 14, 17 and 18 erected, and the city high school completely remodelled.
In 1879 MIr. Wuenschel married Maggie B., the daughter of J. T. Sevin. For nine years before her marriage, Mr. Wuenschel's wife was a teacher in the public schools of Erie. Two children have been born of this union; Flora E., who died in 1902, at the age of twenty- two years, and Charlotte M., who resides with her parents.
CHARLES H. ENGLISH, who is a prominent young member of the Erie county bar and also a local leader of the Democracy, was born in the First ward of the city, on October 30, 1883. He is a son of Mi- chael M. and Maria (Sheridan) English, highly respected citizens of Erie. His father was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1847, and his mother is a native of Ireland, born in the following year, their marriage occurring at Lockport, New York. In 1878 they settled in Erie, where Michael English has long been a construction engineer identified with railroad construction.
Charles H. English, of this sketch, acquired his preliminary educa- tion at St. Patrick's parochial school and later attended the Erie high school, from which he graduated in 1902. Being thus prepared for a university course, he entered Georgetown College, from whose law de- partment he graduated in 1906, having also pursued his professional studies in the office of C. L. Baker, of Erie. He was admitted to the bar June 27. 1907: in that year began the practice of his profession, and February 1, 1908, became associated with Francis F. Nagorski to form the firm of Nagorski and English. The partnership business is increasing at an encouraging rate, and Mr. English is becoming well known both as an able and progressive attorney and a forceful element
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in local Democratic affairs. In 1908 he was chosen chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee and is still engaged in the energetic and satisfactory discharge of his official duties in that connection. Mr. English is also popular in fraternal society circles, being a Grand Knight of the Erie Council. Knights of Columbus, and a director in the Mar- quette Club, as well as of the Marquette Building and Loan Association.
PHILIP W. DIETLY. A city acquires high standing in any branch of industry or commerce by reason of the quality and originality of its manufactures and business methods, as well as because of the bulk of transactions in a particular line. Originality and enterprise are always at a premium in the markets of the world, however great a value it may place upon efficiency and skill. Now, the city of Erie is obtaining-has obtained- a fine name as a center of iron manufactures; as a leading headquarters in the production of powerful and complicated mechan- isms used in the operation and building of railroads and the general development of commerce and municipalities. One of the prime rea- sons for this standing is that it has produced such men as Philip W. Dietly, proprietor of the Erie Machine Shop, who is not only a master of his craft but has original ideas in mechanics which he has put into practical execution and actual forms of working iron. His establishment was the second machine shop in the United States to build steam rollers, which, as much as any one agency, have advanced the "good road" move- ment and the stability and beautifying of city thoroughfares and pleas- ure grounds. The great asphalt mixers, which every lover of ingen- uity and power, as well as economy of labor, has paused to admire in the progress of street construction-this fine useful piece of mechanism is especially Mr. Dietly's favorite child, as it was he who erected one of the first asphalt plant (whose central feature is the mixer) in the city of Erie. The paving roller and the asphalt mixer are now the main specialties of his machine shop, which is the largest individual establishment of the kind in the city.
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