A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 3

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

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 3

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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

his widow surviving him only until September 19th following. They had become the parents of three children. Andrew Scott, the eldest, was born February 11, 1855; educated in the Erie schools and at Lafayette College and began his railroad career as cashier of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad at Erie. He then became identified with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at Denver, Colorado, and subsequently with the general traffic department of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- way at Chicago. Benjamin Bruce, the second child, was born January 22, 1859. Ile was educated in the public schools and at Erie Academy and was engaged in the wholesale iron business as a member of the firm of Brown and Thomas from 1879 to 1906. Benjamin B. Brown was ap- pointed collector of the port in 1895, which position he has since held, as well as that of custodian of federal properties in Erie. He is a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Erie Club, of all the Masonic bodies, and the Elks, now serving on the building association of the latter order. His wife ( nee Sophia Dinsmore) was born in Erie and is a daugh- ter of W. W. and Amy ( Bliss) Dinsmore. They have one daughter, Amy Dinsmore Brown. Mary, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Brown, is the wife of Commander George R. Clark, United States Navy.

AUGUST ALBERT SCHUTTE, of Erie, one of its leading business men of the younger generation, of late has attained special prominence as a grocer-so much so, that he was selected as a delegate from the local association to the last annual convention of his business associates. Mr. Schutte was born at No. 1041 West Fifth street, Erie, December 17, 1868, but has lived at No. 926, on that thoroughfare, for the past thirty- five years. Consequently he may be said to be fairly settled in the city of Eric. August Schutte, the father, was one of the city's early promi- nent German citizens, who for many years was closely identified with its business and public life. He was a native of Hanover, Germany, born in 1827, and came to the United States and to Erie about 1847. Four brothers emigrated to this country at the same time, the only one alive being Frederick, a resident of Erie. August was engaged in various lines of business in the city, being a wholesale dealer in fish, a restaurant keeper, and for many years a constable in the Fourth ward. He was also at one time in the clothing business, associated with Captain Frank Wagner. August Schutte served in the Civil war as a member of Com- pany I, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He married Caroline Ludwig, at Erie, the wife being born in Helmstadt Baden, Germany, and still living in her seventy-fifth year. The father died in 1875 from long-continued inflammatory rheumatism originally contracted during the war. The deceased was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church. Four of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. August Schutte are still living, as follows :- Charles W., a resident of Erie ; Carrie, who married Albert Henderson, a former Erie county man who now lives in Buffalo, being at the time the widow of John E. Graham; August A., of this sketch; and William L., also an Erie citizen.

August A., of this sketch, was reared in Erie and attended the public schools of that city until the age of thirteen years, when he and his brotli- er William entered the Pennsylvania Soldiers' Orphans School, at Mercer. At this writing Mr. Schutte is president of the school organization known as the "Sixteeners" for the year 1909, of eighteenth reunion of ex-stu- dents which will be held at Mercer, Wednesday and Thursday of the

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

third week in August. These are the permanent dates for the reunion, or conventions, which are attended by former students from all sections of the country, in which list is included a substantial array of leading citizens. The old school itself is now out of existence.

Before he was thirteen years of age, August A. Shutte had gone to work in the old rolling mills, and, upon returning from his schooling at Mercer, he secured employment with J. E. Patterson in what was then called the "99-cent Store." He ultimately joined the revenue cutter "Perry" as a wardroom boy, in which capacity he served two years, and was then wardroom steward for two years. All-in-all he devoted five years to the lake service, the last two years with the merchant marine. Mr. Schutte was married in 1889 and then spent several years as a clerk. a portion of the time for John Shields, whose store was at Fourth and Myrtle streets. The following year he was janitor of the No. 10 public school, after which, for three years, he was connected with the grocery store of Levi Roland, and for five years with the John Scorlett Grocery Company. In 1900 he established his own grocery at No. 928 East Sixth street where he continued for three years, and then removed to Ninth and German streets. After remaining at the latter location for four years he removed to his present place, No. 408 State Street. In all justice to Mr. Schutte's present high standing as a business man, and his steady advancement, it should be added that he has nothing to thank except his own preseverance, ability and honor. He is not only the founder and owner of a fine business, but holds valuable city real estate and enjoys a reputation as substantial as it is honorable.

In 1889 Mr. Schutte married Miss Frank B. Jordan, who was born in Harbor Creek township, Erie county. daughter of Warren W. Jor- dan, also a native of that township. When a boy of sixteen the latter enlisted in the Eighty-third Pennsylvania Regiment Volunteer Infantry. He married Matilda Roberts and both are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. August A. Schutte three children have been born as follows: Ethel, De- cember 22, 1891 ; Albert A., December 22, 1894; and F. Harold, May 9, 1906. He is an active member of the Grocers' Association and the Busi- ness Men's Exchange. He served as a delegate from the former body to the annual grocers' convention held at New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1908 and is first alternate delegate to the 1909 convention of the Mer- chants' Association, to be held at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and although a Republican has never been a politician. His grocery is one of the most up-to-date in the city and he carries not only a large and complete stock but his furniture and fixtures are of the best. He employs four clerks and keeps three delivery wagons in constant motion. Mr. Schutte is one of the original stockholders in the Erie Wholesale Grocery Company and has an interest in the Mutual Ice Company.

FRANK W. LAIRD, a well-known citizen and member of the general contracting firm of Laird Brothers, son of Wilson and Helen (Sloan) Laird, was born in the Third ward, in Eric,, April , 1868. His father was born in Erie, February 29, 1825, and was the son of Thomas Laird, who was an early settler, and conducted one of the carly taverns of Eric, one the site of the present office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, on the Northwest corner of Eighth and State streets. Wilson Laird was one of Erie's leading attorneys, and his fellow citizens honored him by electing him three times to the office of mayor of the

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I. Woods Sterrett.

Mrs I. Goods Sterrett.

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

city ; he died October 11, 1893. His wife was born at Pontiac. Mich- igan, January 22, 1831. To Wilson and Helen ( Sloan) Laird were born the following children: Clarence, a printer, residing in Erie: George B., a printer, also resides at Erie : Margaret, married Frank Webber, a contractor of Erie : Helen, married William Comfort, and resides at Jamestown, New York; Frank W., of this article ; Frederick W., of the firm of Laird brothers, contractors: Edith, married Fred Davies, of Erie : Lillian, married William McKinney, of Erie.

Frank W. Laird received his education in the public schools of his native city and later learned the tanner's trade, but after working at it a short time started to learn the trade of carpenter. In 1898 he went into partnership with his brother Frederick, in the contracting business, and by their industry and careful attention to the details of their business they have built up a flourishing enterprise. Mr. Laird has always been interested in the progress and affairs of Erie, and active in politics. In 1905 he was entered as a candidate for the common council, against his wishes, but to please the party, and carried the Fifth ward by more than one hundred fifty majority, while the can- didate for mayor on the opposing ticket. at the same time carried the ward by over four hundred majority. He is immensely popular with all who know him, and has a large circle of friends. He is a member of Perry Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Mac- cabees. Mr. Laird married Mary, daughter of George Mertz, born in Corry, Pennsylvania, and they have had six children, as follows : Helen, Frank, LeRoy, Marie, Josephine and George.

HENRY KUGEL, of the firm of Gottfried & Company. of Erie, was born in Philadelphia. September 29. 185 :: his parents were Jacob Kugel, who emigrated from Germany in 1846, and Pauline Maier, a native of Germany, who came to the United States some time before her marriage. Henry Kugel lived in Philadelphia until 1894, and there learned the bakery business of his father, who had been established in that city in the business since 1850, and was very successful. Upon the death of his father. in 1890. Henry succeeded to the business and conducted same for some two and a half years, and then removed to Erie, having sold the bakery. He became a member of the firm of A. Gottfried & Company, of Erie, and is considered one of the city's representative business men. He is a member of the German Baptist church, and is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of that institution. He has met with success in all his undertakings. and is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen of Erie, having the confidence and trust of all who have business or social dealings with him.

Mr. Kugel married Wilhelmina Goebel, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when a young girl. and to them have been born the following children: Elsie, who is attending the Erie high school. Grace, Harry, Reuben, and Esther.

THOMAS WOODS STERRETT, of the borough of Fairview. Erie county, is of the seventh generation of Sterretts of Pennsylvania, born at Ster- rettania in Mckean township, this county, and, like his father before him is engaged in conveyancing and private banking.

Mr. Sterrett dates his birth March 14, 18:3. His father. Thomas Sterrett, was a son of David and Mary ( Sterrett) Sterrett, and a grand- Vol. II-2

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

son of James and Anna ( McKnight) Sterrett; and James was a son of William and Jane ( Morrow) Sterrett, who was a son of Robert and Mary ( Ramsey) Sterrett; and Robert was a son of Benjamin and Isabella Sterrett. Robert and Isabella Sterrett moved from Scotland, their native land, during the religious persecutions there, and took refuge in Donegal county, Ireland (then the home of persecuted Scots), to evade those opposed to their religious belief, and this was their home until about 1:19 when they and their children: Thomas, John, Robert, Benjamin and Isabella together with their families emigrated to Penn- sylvania, then the asylum for the harassed and depressed sons and daughters of the relics of the reformation; and whither William Penn invited the persecuted of every creed and religious opinion. John and Benjamin participated in Cresop's war and were among others who captured and took Cresop a prisoner to Philadelphia. They settled in what is now Lancaster county where one died in 1139; their numerous descendants are widely dispersed throughout the land, and their in- fluence contributed greatly to the progress of the community enlightened by their presence. Robert and Mary ( Ramsey) Sterrett were married and their oldest son was three years of age at the time of their migration to America, and they settled in what is now Dauphin county, at Lower Paxtown township on Swatara creek, where they resided until his death April, 1177, and where they reared a family of seven children as follows : William, whom we will refer to; James, who was born in 1723, settled near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1808, he married Sarah Montgommery who survived him and died at the extreme age of nearly one hundred years. He had many descendants among whom were the Hon. James Patterson Sterrett, chief justice of the supreme court at Philadelphia, for many years, and Dr. John Patterson Sterrett of Pitts- burg : Agness, the wife of Samuel Hanna; Mary, the wife of John Bow- man : David, who was born in 1746, removed to Cumberland county in 1762, where he built a grist mill which he operated until his death November 2, 1790; and Robert Sterrett. William and Jane ( Morrow) Sterrett removed to Cumberland county about 1750 and settled on the Barrens north of Big Springs, where he acquired considerable land. He held the office of sheriff and overseer of the poor for several terms and reared a family of seven children: Robert, who married Margaret Mc- Comb, and came to Erie county in 1804 and settled on four hundred acres of land in the north-west corner of Mckean township, two hundred acres of which has ever since remained as the Sterrett homestead ; James, whom we will refer to again; William: Thomas; Jane, who became the wife of William Trimble ; Mary, the wife of James McKnight and Eliz- abeth who married a Mr. Laird.

James Sterrett, born in 1755, married Anna McKnight, who was born in 1760, and, engaged in farming in Cumberland county until 1807. when he sold his fine farm of four hundred acres there, and came to Erie county in June of that year ; they came across the mountains with two four horse wagons and one two horse wagon for grandma and the children to ride in : they cut their way through the forests and camped out at night. The village of Sterrettania was named after the wife of James "Sterrett Anna" who died March 30, 1815, he died October 15, 1822. and they are buried in the Sterrett cemetery. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; their children were: Ann, who married George Clark, who are the parents of Robert, James, Samuel, David, Ann Eliza and Jane Clark; William, who married Martha Chambers, and has

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

Chambers, James C., William, Benjamin, Ruth Ann, Louisa, Mary Jane, Martha R. and Ezekiel; James M., the tanner, who married Jane Spesser and they are the parents of James B., David, Joseph, William, Samuel, John Q. A., George L., of Erie, Caroline, Mary Jane, and Elizabeth ; Jane, who became the wife of Sheldon Ball, and is the mother of Gideon, Ann, Maria C., Hermian, James and Eliza ; David, whom we will refer to; Robert T., who married Mary Woods Stewart, and they are the parents of Woods, Jane, wife of David Clark, Eliza, wife of Hon. Samuel E. Woodruff, James S., Martha, Sophia. David, Joseph, Harriet and Robert; Thomas, who married Sibby Jenkins, and whose children are Mariah, Fanny Lucinda, Harriet Jane, Eliza, Charlie J., Clementine, and Rose ; Samuel who married Lydia Kitsmiller, and has James, Joseph, Mary, Anna Levia, and Samuel ; Hon. Joseph M. Sterrett, who married Catharine Riblet, the founder of the Erie Gasette established January 15, 1820, associate judge for several years, postmaster of Erie from March 27, 1861, to April 8, 1869, county commissioner in 1829, was captain of the Erie guards in 1823, was elected to state senate in 1837, the parents of Mary Ann, Jane, Elizabeth, David, Catharine, Joseph, Henryetta and John Sterrett.

David Sterrett, born March 30, 1789, returned to his native place and on March 23, 1815, married Mary Sterrett, born March 10, 1794, a daughter of Robert and Martha (Woods) Sterrett, a granddaughter of David and Rachel ( Innis) Sterrett and a great-granddaughter of the Robert and Mary (Ramsey) Sterrett above noted. He and his bride returned to the old farm on horse-back by the way of Pittsburg, it taking them three weeks to make the journey; he built a sawmill and grist mill, in 1839, the latter of which is doing useful duty- to this day. He cut down the timber in the primeval forest, which he sawed and seasoned, from which he built a large log house, in 1817, which still stands on the old farm. In 1828 he and his brother Thomas built a distillery which they operated for not more than six or seven years; as according to his own statement "it was a hard proposition to make money

trusting out whiskey." He donated the land for the grave-yard, the school house and the church ; the church was built by contract he having subscribed one hundred dollars and advanced most of the other subscrip- tions only a small portion of which was ever paid him; the use of the church land contained a clause designating that the church was to be used by any denomination but that the Presbyterians were to be given the first preference. During the war of 1812 he was an ensign in the state militia, and bore a part in that war. He brought the first cook stove into the county which he carted from Pittsburg by teams. He died on the old farm December 22. 1865, his widow survived him, making her home with her son Thomas until her death January 13, 1873. Their children in order of birth are as follows: Ann M., who became the wife of Rev. Hiram Norton, and had two children, Lysander and Mary Norton ; Brice Innis; Martha J., who married Peter Wright: James L. ; Rachel R., the wife of Charles Brockway, parents of Mary, Fred B. and Charles ; Mary E .; Andrew J., who was the county commissioner's clerk for seventeen years, he married Helen Brecht, they were the par- ents of Ralph B., Reid G., Scott, Lysander N., Mack M., Andrew J., Thomas G. and Ruth Ann; Robert Woods, who married Mary Ann Sturgeon, has one son, David Innis; Thomas, of whom further mention is made ; Isabel, wife of Rev. A. Hall, the only survivor of this family ; and David Brice Innis, who was a prominent attorney.

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

Thomas, father of T. Woods, was born March 20, 1830, in the old log house above referred to and passed his life on the old farm which came into his possession, in 1868 he built a modern house opposite the old one. He was justice of the peace for nearly twenty-four years in succession, and it is said of him that he settled nearly every case brought before him; that he never had a decision reversed in the higher courts. For many years he was a private banker for his neighbors, who went to him with their financial matters. He was one of the best known men in the county, was thoroughly posted regarding the financial standing of nearly every man within a radius of many miles, had no desire to hold office yet held all the important offices in the township, was well posted in law matters and did considerable legal writing; one could scarcely go by his door without seeing teams hitched there. He was one who dearly loved his home and his family, a feeling which was reciprocal. Our readers need not be reminded of the manner in which he performed his work, there was a method in his business; a patience and affability in official intercourse ; an unobtrusive civility and endurance of labor. a courtesy of manner, and tenacity of memory, accuracy in figures and neatness of penmanship, and a vigilant interest in the public weal which were strikingly manifest, which especially fitted him for this work. His home like that of his parents and grandparents was one of liberal hos- pitality. In all his long and eventful career no breath of suspicion ever sullied his fair name, he died February 20, 1898, respected by all.

His widow, whose maiden name was Nancy C. Sturgeon, was born November 3, 1838, and was the eldest child of Samuel C. and Martha C. ( Eaton) Sturgeon, a granddaughter of Jeremiah and Jane (Moorehead) Sturgeon, and Jeremiah was a son of Samuel and Margaret Sturgeon. From early childhood she was instructed in the doctrines and duties of the Christian faith, in early life she became a member of the Fairview Presbyterian church, whose doctrines and usages she has cordially in- dorsed. June 7. 1864, she was married and always cheerfully shared with her husband the toils, sacrifices and joys of his eventful life. In all the relations of domestic life in which she has been placed, she has been an honor to her sex. and, as the wife of a business man, was eminently useful. She now makes her home on the old farm with her son Theodore S. D. and reaps much pleasure visiting among her children who are always glad to have her with them. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Sterrett we record that Mollie M., wife of Samuel E. Persons, resides at Ripley, New York; Anna B., wife of Lorin Benjamin Cushman is a resident of North East, Pennsylvania ; Theodore Samuel David married a Miss Minnie M. Garver, and they are the parents of Esther. Thomas, Barbara and Emma and he now owns and occupies the old homestead. He has filled the office of justice of the peace ever since the death of his father and is following the same work that his father laid down, which he is well prepared to perform: Charles James Johnson, deceased : Thomas Woods, whose name introduces this sketch ; and Fred Earl, who died in early life.

T. Woods Sterrett received his education in the district school. and at an early age gave his attention to the study of architecture. For fifteen years he was engaged in general contracting. As already stated at the beginning of this sketch, he is doing a conveyancing and private banking business, and since 190? he has filled the office of justice of the peace. Thus, in a measure, he has taken up the work laid down

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

by his honored father, and is carrying on that work in a manner that entitles him to the representative place he holds in the community.

Mr. Sterrett is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow, being a member of the Masonic Lodge at Girard, the chapter, commandery and Shrine at Erie, and consistory at Pittsburg. November 14, 1899, he married Miss Sarena May Kreider, who presides over his home. She too is a native of Sterrettania, and was born February 26, 1876, on the old Kreider farm which joins the Sterrett farm on the north. She is a daughter of Levi H. and Sarena Francis ( Weidler) Kreider, grand- daughter of John and Susan ( Heidler) Kreider, and a great-grand- daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Rohrer) Kreider, who came to Erie county in 1829 from Lancaster county. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal church, also of the Eastern Star and Rebekahs.

Mr. Sterrett in his researches has collected many relics, one of which he prizes the most is a piece of silk embroidered cloth which was a piece of the coat which his great-great-great-grandfather wore at the time of his migration to America.

CHARLES H. URICK SR., president of the Urick Foundry Company, of Erie, was born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of December, 1849, and comes of a sturdy stock which has been established in that sec- tion of Pennsylvania for several generations. The maternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and the ancestry on both sides of the family is such as to account for the industrious, thorough and useful traits of character which have ever marked the personalities of the descendants. Mr. Urick is the son of Elias and Amanda (Atkins) Urick. His father was a hatter by trade and, after working for many years at Lebanon, he accumulated a small capital to establish his own business ; but just as he had opened a place of his own, death claimed him. The widow died in Erie, the family moving to that city after Charles H. had become a resident of it.

Mr. Urick, of this sketch, spent his boyhood days at Lebanon, in whose public schools he was educated, and at the age of sixteen he com- menced work in a nut and bolt factory in that place. A year later he began to learn the trade of molding in the same establishment, and after following that occupation at Lebanon and other parts of the country until 1821, he became a resident of Erie and a molder for the Stears Manufacturing Company. In the following year he entered the employ of the Jarecki Manufacturing Company and in 1876 was promoted as foreman of its foundry department, continuing in that position of re- sponsibility until 1893. In that year he was associated with the Walker Brothers in the establishment of the Walker foundry, of which he was superintendent until 1905. In February of that year he withdrew from the company and in the following April broke ground for the erection of the Urick foundry on Cherry street and the Lake Shore Railroad. With the incoropration of the Urick Foundry Company, he was elected president and treasurer while his sons became identified with it in the following capacities : \V. J. Urick, secretary ; W. J. Urick and Charles H. Urick Jr. (with Charles H. Urick Sr.), directors. The plant, which is strictly modern, covers an area of 165 by 300 feet, all the main build- ings being of brick. The foundry proper is 90 by 96 feet, with an addi- tion 30 by 69 feet. In another building, 60 by 64 feet, are the cleaning and engine rooms and the carpenter shop. The pattern storage room is 40 by 100 feet, and outside of these main structures are the office building. barns and sheds. The works employ an average of one hundred men, and

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A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 3

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

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