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 29
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Mr. Dietly is a native of Erie, born on the 26th of September, 1861, and is a son of the late Uras J. and Caroline (Reasir) Dietly, natives respectively of Switzerland and Germany. They both emigrated to Erie in 1853, where the father followed his trade as a tailor until his death November 4, 1874, at the age of fifty-three years and seven months. The mother was born June 20, 1833, and died in Erie, March 9, 1897. The son first obtained a public school education and then served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in the old Humbolt Iron Works. He steadily worked at the bench for about ten years; then was an engineer on the Anchor line of lake steamers for four years, and then engaged in the retail oil business by establishing the first "route" in the city.
Mr. Dietly's career as an individual iron manufacturer dates from 1885, when he established the Erie Machine Shop at the corner of Twelfth and State streets. He continued at that location until 1894, when he completed the substantial brick building which is now his plant, at the southeast corner of Thirteenth and Peach streets. He is also at the head of two other leading industries of Erie, the Volcanic Torch Manufacturing Company and the Wayne Brewing Company, and is also otherwise interested in various business enterprises. As a public citizen he has been prominent for a number of years, and since 1905 has been an active member of the city school board. As he is a thirty-second
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degree Mason, a Knight Templar and a Shriner, he is a member of the local Shrine Club, and is also identified with the Elks and the Country Club. On the 22d of October, 1891, Mr. Dietly wedded Miss Mary E. Milks, daughter of Albert and Deborah (Fogg) Milks. She was born at Cranesville, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1861. Her mother is de- ceased, while her father lives with her in Erie. The children of the household are four, as follows: Hazel S., born December 2, 1892; Uras A., born May 18, 1894; Philip W., born February 3, 1897; and Mary E., born March 16, 1900.
GEORGE F. DIEHL, one of the prominent of the younger citizens and business men of Erie and president of the Colby Piano Company, has as one of his strongly marked characteristics a determination that enables him to persevere in the pursuit of a persistent purpose. More- over his plans are always well formulated and are the result of care- ful consideration of the possibilities of every business situation. One of Eric's native sons, his birth occurred in the Fourth ward of this city, February 8, 1861, his parents being Fred and Barbara C. (Doll) Diehl, well known German-American residents of Erie. The father was born in the Rhine province of Prussia, November 15, 1834, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Mehl) Diehl, who were also natives of Prussia, where they spent their entire lives. Fred Diehl, father of our subject, came to America in 1851 and, locating first at Buffalo, there completed the trade of shoemaking in the employ of an uncle. In 1853 he came to Erie and was in the employ of Conrad Doll until 1860, when he en- gaged in the boot and shoe business on his own account. For thirty-eight years thereafter he was closely associated with the commercial interests of the city, conducting a successful and growing business until 1898, when he retired from active commercial lines, having in the meantime acquired a handsome competence sufficient to supply him with all the necessities and many of the comforts and luxuries of life. His wife was born in Germany, April 30, 1836, and when only a year old was brought to America by her parents. Her father, Casper Doll, was a son of Casper Doll, Sr. The family were among the pioneer German residents of Erie and this part of the state and were prominent here for many years. During the long period of his residence here Fred Diehl was actively interested in community affairs and in 1883 was called by his fellow townsmen to the office of member of the common council, serving for two years. Unto him and his wife were born three children: George F. ; John C., who is now principal of the high school of Erie; Minnie M., the wife of Edward W. Horn, now of Cleveland.
George F. Diehl acquired his education in the city schools of Erie and after completing his course was engaged in several lines of business prior to 1893, when he became connected with the Colby Piano Company as an employe in the office. Mr. Diehl reorganized the company in 1900 and was made president and general manager of the new concern, which is now one of the city's important manufacturing industries. The busi- ness is carefully organized, is systematically managed in its various de- partments and, studying to produce the best results at a minimum ex- penditure of time and labor-which is the basis of all success-the officers of this company have made it a profitable concern and one of the leading features in the industrial circles of the city.
Mr. Diehl was united in marriage to Miss Anna Smith, of Erie, a daughter of Mrs. Margaret Smith Beckman. Mr. and Mrs. Diehl are
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prominent in the social circles of the city and are consistent members of the Salem Evangelical church. His membership relations also ex- tend to the Blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the Masonic fraternity and to the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Country Club and of the Chamber of Commerce and in association with the last named is active in affairs for the promotion of the city's welfare and upbuilding, giving carnest co-operation to all movements for the public good.
AUGUSTUS B. FELGEMAKER. Blessed with the love for music, the late Augustus B. Felgemaker was also endowed with mechanical genius and the typical perseverance of his race. The grand result of his life was, therefore, that in his early youth he consecrated his abilities to the work of practically perfecting and creating one of the most magnificent forms through which the vast harmonies and soul of music are ex- pressed. After applying his powers of invention and his genius for hard labor and business promotion, Mr. Felgemaker developed the first port- able pipe organ in the world. Even prior to his death, October 16, 1905, he had established one of the largest church organ manufactories in the country. He had become known not only throughout the United States, but abroad, as one of the leading organ builders of the world. The concern was incorporated as the A. B. Felgemaker Organ Company in 1904, and so firmly was it established that even since the death of its founder it has prospered to an unparalleled extent.
A conclusive test of its remarkable stability was the long business panic or depression of 1907-8, during which it enjoyed the distinction of being the only manufactory of Erie which continued in operation on full force. For years the plant has confined itself to the construction of church organs and fully one thousand religious edifices have housed its products within their walls, with pride for the manufacture and high honor for the manufacturer.
Augustus B. Felgemaker, founder of this great establishment, was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 16th of July, 1836, and is a son of Dr. Joseph and Caroline (Benning) Felgemaker, both natives of the Nether- lands. The father, who was a graduate of the medical department of Heid- elberg University, practiced his profession for a time both in Holland and Germany. Emigrating to the United States in 1840, he located at Buffalo, New York, where he continued in professional work and, with his wife, passed his last years. The son received his education in the Buffalo public schools, and while yet a boy showed decided talent and mechanical gifts. Moreover, he early chose organ building as a trade and business, and while still a youth invented and patented the first port- able pipe organ ever made. In 1865 he began the manufacture of organs under his own patents in Buffalo, under the firm name of Derrick and Felgemaker. In 1872 the business was located in Erie, and in 1875, by the retirement of Mr. Derrick, it commenced to be conducted as the A. B. Felgemaker Pipe Organ Company, with Mr. Felgemaker as its sole proprietor until his death thirty years later. The deceased was not only widely known as the head of one of the leading industries of Erie, whose uniqueness gave the city itself a special standing, but as a broad citizen of many outside activities. He was a well known member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, a director of the Erie Trust Company, and a Mason of the thirty-second degree in the Scottish rite consistory. As a family man, the deceased was affectionate
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and generous, and since his taking away there is a pathetic vacancy in the household. The surviving members of the family are the widow and four daughters, two of whom are married and two, live with their mother. On September 14, 1869, Mr. Felgemaker wedded Miss Julia Dickman, daughter of George and Catherine (Smith) Dickman, resi- dents of Buffalo, New York, and the children of this marriage are as follows: Ada E., who is now Mrs. Martin Mayer, wife of the well known contractor of Erie; Emma Henrietta, who married Dr. David V. Reinoehl, a leading Erie physician; and Charlotta and Olive, who live at home. Mrs. Felgemaker and her daughters are all members of St. Paul's Episcopal church.
HORATIO NELSON BRADLEY. More than forty-three years of indus- trious and honorable residence in Erie have brought Horatio N. Bradley into the first ranks of its citizens, and the three decades covering his career as a railroad man have raised him to the responsible position of commercial agent for the Pennsylvania Company, his progress with that great corporation being based upon a record of remarkable faithful- ness, adaptability and ability. Born at Dansville, Livingston county, New York, on the 30th of March, 1846, he is descended from an old and prominent New England family, his grandfather becoming a pioneer paper manufacturer of western New York. At a very early day, this paternal ancestor located at Dansville, because of the natural water power found there, and erected what was the first paper mill in that section of the country. Having thoroughly mastered this line of manufacture in his native state of Connecticut, the builder and pro- prietor made a permanent and broad success of the business. For many years, both he and his four sons were engaged in paper making at Dans- ville and (at least, a portion of the time) at Niagara Falls. One of these sons, Lucius Bradley, was a native of New Haven, Connecticut ; accompanied his parents to Dansville; after completing his education en- tered the paper mills and spent his remaining days in the locality, being a leader not only in its industries but in the general progress of the com- munity. He also held a commission from Governor Seward as a major in the state milita, his brother Chester being a colonel; so that Lucius Bradley, father of Horatio N., proved his full worth to the city and the commonwealth in many capacities. He was united in marriage to Miss Eunice Knowlton, also a native of Dansville, daughter of Amos Knowl- ton, a native of Vermont but a pioneer of Livingston county, New York. H. N. Bradley, of this sketch, was reared in Dansville and was edu- cated in its public school and academy. In 1866, when twenty years of age, he located in Erie as a clerk in the hardware store of John C. Selden on French street and was similarly engaged with W. W. Pierce and Company, also hardware merchants. In 1878 he began his railroad career as clerk to George V. Maus, then division freight agent of the Pennsylvania Company at Erie. Continuous proofs of his ability to assume greater responsibilities led to successive promotions as chief clerk to C. F. Perkins, division freight agent, and (1892) as division freight agent himself of the Erie and Ashtabula division of what was then the Erie & Pittsburg and the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad companies. He continued in the latter position until April, 1904, when he was appointed to his present responsible position as com- mercial agent of the Pennsylvania Company, with headquarters at Erie.
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Mr. Bradley was married at Erie, in 1874, to Miss Annie Perkins Smith, who was born in 1849 and is a daughter of the late Ex-Mayor Sherburn Smith, for more than forty years a leading business man and citizen of the place. Mrs. Bradley's father was a native of New Hamp- shire, born in 1805, and for some years followed his trade as a hatter in the Granite state. He was also thus engaged at Hartford, Connecti- cut, and in 1832 became a journeyman hatter in Erie, in that year enter- ing the employ of P. K. Rockwell on French street. Two years later he founded a business in the old Mansion House, continuing at that loca- tion until the great fire of January 22, 1839, swept away that structure with a number of adjoining buildings. Mr. Smith then moved his store to the east side of French street, where he remained until his death December 26, 1876. Besides operating a large establishment as a manu- facturer of hats for thirty-five years he was an extensive buyer of wool for the eastern markets, during a large portion of his active business career. Erie county being considered in the "western country" and near the center of supply of raw material for the woolen manufacturers of New England. Mr. Smith was also highly respected for his public services to the city of Erie, serving in its municipal council and, in 1859-62, as mayor. His marriage in 1841 was to Miss Susan Heck, daughter of J. Heck, long a justice of the peace in Erie.
Both by marriage and in his individual relations, Mr. Bradley stands high as a citizen of Erie. As a railroad man who carries especial weight with the business community, he is among the influential mem- bers of the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, and he is closely associated with those organizations in all the movements fathered by them for the general development of the city. He is also a member of the Erie Club. His religious affiliations are with the St. Paul's Epis- copal church, and both he and his wife are widely known and honored for their cultured sociability and their sterling characters.
LOUIS GALMISH is one of Erie's best known and most popular cit- izens, being proprietor of the Parkview Hotel, a leading hostelry of the county. A native of the Keystone state, he was born in Frenchtown, Crawford county, on the 15th of February, 1861. His parents, Alonzo and Frances (Dounon) Galmish, were natives of France, the father having been born in Paris and the mother in Belleville. His natal year was 1824 and in his boyhood days he came with his father and mother to the United States, the family settling in Frenchtown, Crawford coun- ty, Pennsylvania. The mother made the voyage across the Atlantic with her sister about 1855. Alonzo Galmish followed the occupation of farm- ing in Crawford county for a long period and there departed this life in 1894 at the age of seventy years, having for more than two decades survived his wife, who died in 1872.
Louis Galmish was reared on the home farm and the country schools afforded him his educational privileges. When not busy with his text- books he worked in the fields, but thinking that he would find other pursuits more congenial and more profitable, in the fall of 1876, when a youth of fifteen years, he left the old home and secured a position in a general store in Frenchtown. The following year he removed to Titus- ville, Pennsylvania, where he obtained employment in a restaurant and in 1878 he went to Franklin, Pennsylvania, where he made his initial step in connection with hotel interests by securing a position in the United States Hotel, becoming general assistant to the proprietors.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDET UND
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Realizing the value of education in preparation for life's responsible duties, he supplemented his early course by attending General Miller's free night schools through three seasons. On leaving the United States he went to the Exchange Hotel in Franklin, first having charge of the dining room, while later he became steward and afterward manager, filling the last named position for sixteen years. On the expiration of that period he felt that his long and varied experience and the capital which he had saved from his earnings justified him in beginning busi- ness on his own account and in 1901 he purchased the Hotel Allen, of Erie, and the following year enlarged the capacity by building an addi- tion. At the same time he changed its name to the Parkview Hotel, which is now a fine hostelry situated on South Park Row, fronting beautiful Central park. It is one of the most popular of the city's best hotels. The building is a four-story brick structure, containing forty rooins and a fine dining room. It is equipped with steam heat and elec- tric lights and is thoroughly modern in every respect, due attention being paid to the cuisine, while every practical effort is put forth for the com- fort and convenience of the patrons. The hotel has a large commercial patronage and is a favorite with many guests.
On the 25th of September, 1901, Mr. Galmish was married to Miss Catherine Henry, daughter of Michael Henry, of Franklin, Pennsyl- vania, where Mrs. Galmish was born. They now have two sons, Louis and Henry. The parents are members of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church and Mr. Galmish belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a Knight of Columbus. He is also a member of the Business Men's Exchange and the Erie Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard on Major General Charles Miller's staff for seven years and is a member of the Pennsylvania and of the National Hotel Men's Associations. He has made steady progress in his business career, basing his actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving commercial integrity. An intelligent appreciation of opportunities has been one of the salient features in his success and his friends-and they are many-rejoice in what he has accomplished, knowing that his prosperity is well merited.
REV. JOHN B. TIPP, the pastor of St. Boniface's church, in Greene township, was born in Nenhaus, Westphalia, Germany, on the 9th of May, 1869, and is a son of Joseph and Josefa Tipp, who still live in the little .city of Paderborn. The son in his early life was well prepared for the high position he now holds, and first attended the College of St. Theodore at Paderborn, Germany. In 1890 he matriculated in the seminary at Puerto Viejo, in Ecuador, South America, and remaining in that institution until 1892 he then entered the Grand Seminary at Quito in Ecuador. He continued his studies there until 1894, and on the 8th of June, 1895, he was ordained to the priesthood by Rt. Rev. Peter Schuhmacher, bishop of Puerto Viejo. About this time Rev. Tipp left South America on account of a revolution, and coming to the United States he was stationed at Pittsburg until 1897, when he came to Erie as the assistant to Rt. Rev. Mgr. Decker, and remained in that capacity until June of 1899. At that time he was transferred to Meadville, and on the 1st of November, 1900, he was appointed the pastor of the St. Bon- iface's church. He is thoroughly earnest and sincere in all his thoughts, words and deeds, and his efforts in his divine calling have been abund- antly blessed.
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The first resident pastor of St. Boniface's parish was Rev. Joseph A. Oberhofer, appointed June 16, 1857. Mass was said in the house of Michael Schnell until September of that year. During this time a structure was put up which served as church, priest's house and school About fifty families belonged to the congregation and there are a few of the old settlers still living in the parish, namely : Martin Moritz, John Gredler, Martin Wick, Joe Lavery, Mrs. John Stesel, and Mrs. Elizabeth Wagner. Rev. P. F. Maloney succeeded Father Oberhofer in June, 1867. The old church burned down and a temporary structure was put up. In the following year Rev. Father Gerst took charge of the parish and was followed by Rev. Y. Vollmeyer in December, 1868. Dissensions arose between the nationalities in the parish and the only man who was capable to deal with the difficulty was Rev. Joseph A. Oberhofer, the first pastor. The bishop appointed him again and soon the parties were united and a new building was erected which stands today. The church was dedicated on May 25th, 1873. Shortly after this Father Melchior Appel took charge of the parish. In August, 1878, Rev. E. Hasse relieved Father Appel who was transferred to Meadville. The next change was made in August, 1890, Rev. John C. McEntee being the new pastor. He was relieved of his duties by Rev. Jos. W. Sieverding in August, 1891. The year 1894 brought another new pastor, Rev. Simon Assenmacher, who attended to the wants of the parish up to June, 1895, when Rev. Henry F. Dietrich was assigned to the charge. He built a new Sisters house but did not enjoy his pastoral works very long because in February, 1897, he took very sick and died on account of hardships. He was fol- lowed by Rev. Jno. H. Heibel, who was transferred to Rasselas in Octo- ber, 1900, and succeeded by Rev. John B. Tipp, who is still in charge of the parish. A new parsonage was built in 1901. School-work went always hand in hand with the church work. The teachers were Messrs. Feuersbein, Rohmer, and Adolph Schmidt, and the Ven. Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary's, and now the Ven. Benedictine Sisters of Erie. The organist in the church since 1903 has been Miss Catherine F. Seus. At the present there are about sixty families and as the congregation intend building a new brick church all the members of the parish are work- ing earnestly for it. Two boys of the parish became priests, Rev. Francis Wagner now pastor of Brookville and Rev. Jno. H. Heibel, pastor of Rasselas.
MELVIN N. LOVELL. The patent of nobility which rested its honors and distinction in the person of Melvin Newton Lovell came from high authority, since it was based upon fine character and marked ability. His life record was one of valuable and generous accomplishment along practical, productive lines, and his measure of success was large; but greater than this was intrinsic loyalty to principle and the deep human sympathy which designated the man as he was. As a manufacturer and inventor he gained precedence; he aided materially in the promotion of the industrial upbuilding of the city of Erie; and his life was one of signal usefulness and honor in all its relations.
Mr. Lovell was born at Allegheny, Venango county, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of August, 1844, and is a son of Darias T. and Susan B. (Conover) Lovell, both of whom were likewise natives of Pennsylvania, where the respective families were early founded, both being of English lineage. Darias T. Lovell died about the year 1858 and his wife long
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survived him, as her death occurred in 1883. When the subject of this memoir was a boy the family removed to Kerrtown, a village located in the vicinity of Titusville. this state, and there he was reared to maturity, in the meanwhile receiving such advantages as were afforded in the com- mon schools of the locality and period. As a youth he served an ap- prenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and his natural mechanical talent, enabled him soon to become a skilled workman. He followed his trade during the major portion of his term of residence in Kerrtown, and also became interested in the oil fields of Titusville.
In 1861, when seventeen years of age, Mr. Lovell left his home and, without parental authority, tendered his services in defense of the Union. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war he thus enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and with this command he saw active service during his comparatively brief career as a soldier of the republic. He received his honorable dis- charge at the expiration of his term of enlistment, and in 1865 he took up his residence in Erie, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for a number of years thereafter. In 1869 Mr. Lovell invented and patented several useful articles for household use, and in that year he began the manufacturing of certain of these inventions, in partnership with Frank- lin F. Adams. Among the principal products of the original factory were washing machines and step-ladders. In 1881 Mr. Lovell individ- ually began manufacturing other of his patents, including spring beds, and from a modest inception the Lovell Manufacturing Company grew to be one of the largest industrial concerns of its kind in the Union, even as to-day it is recognized as being the most extensive manufactory of clothes-wringers in the entire world.
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