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 30
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In connection with his manufactory Mr. Lovell established sales agencies for his products in all parts of the country, and these branches were known as the Lovell stores. From them goods were sold on the installment plan, of which now common system Mr. Lovell was practic- ally the originator. After his business had already been established upon a substantial basis and had grown to no inconsiderable proportions, Mr. Lovell invented and patented the famous wringer which bears his name, and in later years he confined his operations largely to the manu- facture of this very superior invention, which now finds sales in all sections of the civilized world. He was chosen president of the Lovell Manufacturing Company at the time of its incorporation, and the con- cern is now one of the most important industrial corporations of Erie county. Mr. Lovell was also one of the organizers and stockholders of the Combination Roll & Rubber Manufacturing Company, of New York, which was formed for the purpose of manufacturing his patents, with office headquarters in New York City and factory at Bloomfield, New Jersey. Of this strong and successful corporation he was vice-president until the time of his death. He was the first and most potent factor in securing the proper representation of the state of Pennsylvania at the Cotton States Exposition, held in Atlanta, Georgia, and was appointed commissioner from Pennsylvania to that exposition, where he did an enthusiastic and particularly successful work in behalf of his native state. He was signally alive to all that concerned the welfare of his home city, and his aid and influence were ever given in support of meas- ures for the general good of the community. Though never active in the domain of practical politics he gave a loyal support to the cause of the
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Republican party, and he was also active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he was a liberal supporter. He was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, and also held membership in var- ious civic, business and social organizations. He was steadfast and relia- ble as a business man, and left a deep impress upon the industrial history of his native state, where his name is held in lasting honor as one of the world's noble army of workers. He was summoned to the life eternal on the 21st of November, 1895, in the very prime of his strong and use- ful manhood.
In 1870 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lovell to Miss Eliza- beth A. Neilson, who was born in New York City, October 15, 1846, and who is a daughter of James and Mary A. (Gaggin) Neilson, the former of whom was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, and the latter in Ireland. The parents were married in New York City, where the father was a prominent and successful florist for many years, and there both continued to reside until their death. In conclusion of this brief sketch is entered record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lovell: Susan May, died in 1888, at the age of twenty years; Rose Lillian is the wife of J. Edwin Kirk, of Atlanta, Georgia, and they became the parents of three children, Melvin Newton, who died at the age of two years, and Charles Edwin and Miller Cameron, who are living; Bertha Neilson Lovell became the wife of George Rogers Williams, and they reside in Buffalo, New York; they have one son, Lowell Wetmore. Mrs. Lovell still maintains her home in Erie, where she has long been a member of the board of managers of the Home for the Friendless, and where she is prominent in social activities and in the work of the First Methodist Episcopal church.
JOSEPH ORIN WAIT, prominent among the younger members of the legal profession at Erie, Pennsylvania, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Erie county. The Wait family of Erie county is descended from Thomas Wait of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He with two brothers, Richard and Gamaliel, came from the west of England to America, arriving at Plymouth in 1634, fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims. Soon after his arrival in America he settled in Rhode Island, where on July 1, 1639, he was granted a building lot. On March 6, 1641, he was made a freeman, a privilege then granted only to church members. He died intestate at Portsmouth some time before April, 1667, and the town council divided his property among his children, Sam- tel, Jeremiah, Thomas, Mary and Reuben. John Wait, a descendant of Thomas Wait was the fifth justice of the supreme court of Rhode Island. The descendants of Thomas Wait continued to reside in the New Eng- land states, principally in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, until after the close of the Revolutionary war, since which time the family has become widely extended over the country, principally through the New England states and New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas.
Samuel Wait, son of Thomas, married Hannah Whitman, of Kings- ton, Rhode Island; they had four children, Samuel, John, Joseph and Susanna. Susanna married Benjamin Perry ; they had a son. Freeman Perry, who married Mercy Hazzard, who had one son, Christopher Perry. who married Sarah Wallace Alexander, who has a son, Oliver Hazzard Perry, Commodore in the United States Navy.
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The great-great-grandfather of Joseph Orin Wait, the subject of this review, was Joseph Wait of Broadalbin, New York. He was born in Rhode Island in 1759, and died October 19, 1828. He was the son of Benjamin (4th), the son of Samuel (3rd), the son of Samuel (2nd), the son of Thomas (1st), of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He was a brother of Colonel Beriah, who was an ensign in the Third Company, North Kingston, Rhode Island, in 1778, a lieutenant in June, 1780, and a colonel in the Continental army for five years. Many of the Waits served as soldiers in the French and Indian wars as well as in the Revol- ution and Civil war. The family of John Wait was captured by the Indians and carried into Canada during the French and Indian wars. His wife gave birth to a daughter, while in the hands of the Indians, who was named Canada and one of whose descendants was the founder of Smiths College at Northampton.
Joseph Wait, of Broadalbin, served in Captain Delano's company of Rhode Island troops during the Revolutionary war. He married Abigail Clarke on February 23. 1783. They were the parents of sons as follows : George, Clarke, Beriah, Joseplı, Benjamin, Walter, Philip and Stephen, the great-grandfather of our subject. He was born as Broadalbin, New York, August 3, 1802, and died in Le Boeuf township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1874. He married at Broadalbin on Janu- ary 17, 1821, Jane Shepherd. They settled in Le Boeuf township, in 1833, where he took out a patent for a tract of land from the Commonwealth. This land is still owned by the Wait family, having been in the family for four generations.
The children of Stephen Wait were, Samuel, S., Peleg P., Eunice, Benjamin J., Sarah, Stephen A., Edmund R., Beriah G. and Levi J. Peleg P. grandfather of Joseph Orin Wait, was born at Broadalbin, New York, January 11, 1824. He married Lois Davis of Washington town- ship, Erie county, Pennsylvania, on March 30, 1845. They had four chil- dren Daniel, Sarah Jane, Peleg Henry, and Stephen.
Daniel Wait was born in Le Boeuf township, October 25, 1846, and married October 29, 1867, Martha A. daughter of Joseph and Isabella (Benn) Arters. To them were born three children : Jennie Viola, Febru- ary 27, 1869, married March 30, 1892, Robert McLallen; Joseph Orin, whose name introduces this sketch, and Raymond Philip, born July 5. 1888.
Joseph Orin Wait was born July 5, 1871, in Le Boeuf township, Erie county. He was a student at Waterford Academy and graduated from the State Normal School at Edinboro, in 1894, and from Allegheny College, Meadville, in 1898, as salutatorian of his class. While in col- lege he was on the editorial staff of the "Kaldron," the college "Annual ;" also of the "Campus," the weekly publication of the college. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was admitted to the bar in Erie county in 1902, and has offices at No. 8 South Park Row, Erie, Pa.
Mr. Wait was married at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1903, to Nina Ethel, daughter of Joseph and Elza (Buys) May- cock. They have one child, a daughter, Lois, born March 16, 1907. Mr. Wait is identfied with both the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He is a member of Perry Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., of Temple Chapter No. 215, of the Shriners Club, of Lake Shore Lodge, No. 718, and of Hen- eosis Adelphon Encampment No. 42.
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CHIARLES GUNNISON. The growth and development of a city are dependent not so much upon the machinery of government or upon those who fill the public offices as upon the business men who institute and con- trol legitimate enterprises, holding to high standards in all their trade relations. Of this class Charles Gunnison is a worthy representative and is well known to the general public as the senior member of the firm of Charles Gunnison & Company, tanners and dealers in hides and leather. He was born in Erie, October 29, 1851, a son of the late John B. Gun- nison, who was one of the most prominent and influential citizens here and one of the founders of the business which is now conducted by his son of this review. John B. Gunnison was born in Erie, April 16, 1826, his parents being Ebenezer D. and Sophia (Baker) Gunnison, who were pioneers of this city. In his youthful days he was a pupil in the old Erie Academy and later he learned the trade of a tanner and currier, while subsequently he engaged in the book trade. In 1859 he and his brother, Charles E. Gunnison, now president of the Marine National Bank of Erie, formed a partnership and erected the large brick tannery on West Eighteenth street. John B. Gunnison at once took charge and managed the enterprise successfully until his death, which occurred in February, 1897. In all of his business undertakings he was resolute, determined and energetic, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertook and in all things conforming his actions to a high standard of commercial integrity. He served as a member of the common council, as city assessor, as a member of the school board and as county assessor and in these various relations discharged his duties most ably and faith- fully. In his younger days he was assistant chief of the old volunteer fire department of Erie and throughout his life he took an active and helpful interest in all those activities and movements which were a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He was also a member of the Owl Club, one of the prominent early social organizations of the city. He was reared in the Baptist faith but in later life united with the Universalist church and continued in that belief until his demise.
On the 5th of February, 1850, John B. Gunnison was united in mar- riage to Miss Eleanor Spafford, who was born in Erie, May 23, 1830, a daughter of Oliver and Lucinda (Burton) Spafford. Her father was a representative of the old and prominent New England family of that name which numbered among its representatives Ainsworth Spafford, late United States congressional librarian. Oliver Spafford was born at West Windsor, Vermont, January 27, 1795, and was the son of Jolin and Elizabeth (Kendall) Spafford. The former was born in Vermont in 1758 and was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Oliver Spafford was married in Portland, Chautauqua county, New York, and in 1817, after having followed various business interests in other parts of the country, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, then a town of only three or four hundred population. In that place he engaged in the book trade and among other volumes published Webster's Elementary Spelling Book and the American Preceptor, once noted as a popular reading book for the schools. In 1828 he removed to Erie and became the founder of a large and prosperous publishing house of this city, which he conducted along constantly expanding lines up to the time of his death, which occurred September 30, 1881. He had long survived his wife, who died January 6, 1855. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Spafford were as fol- lows: Oliver, now deceased; Elizabeth K., who has passed away; Char-
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lotta A .; Mary J., deceased, Eleanor L .; Sarah M., deceased; Charles R. and Curtis J., both now deceased.
The children of John B. and Eleanor ( Spafford) Gunnison were four in number, the subject of this review being the eldest. Alfred, the second son, was born in Erie, March 17, 1853, and pursued his education in the schools of that city, after which he went to California in 1874. He spent twenty years on the Pacific coast, where he was engaged in tanning and leather business. During that period he married Josephine Springer and in 1895 returned to Erie, where he became connected with the firm of Charles Gunnison & Company. Anna L., the only daughter, born in Erie, Mav 5. 1855, is the wife of Charles Thayer and the mother of three children : Lila. the wife of Stanley Byron, of Erie; Edna, the wife of George Freas of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; and Paul. Rolla Gunni- son, the fourth member of the family, was born in Erie, September 30, 1863, and was educated in the city schools, after which he became con- nected with his father in the tanning business as a member of the firm of C. Gunnison & Company and still retains his interest in the enterprise, although in 1903 he became a member of the George Plumer Leather Company of Girard, Pennsylvania. He still retains his residence in Erie, however. He married Annie Sisson, of this place, and to them have been born three sons: Boyd S., J. Eben and Gordon.
Charles Gunnison, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in Erie and after leaving school entered his father's employ, continuing with him in business until the father's death, when he and his mother and brothers succeeded to the ownership of this enterprise, which Charles Gunnison has since capably managed and directed. His thor- ough understanding of the trade well qualifies him for the onerous duties that devolve upon him in this connection. The output is of superior qual- ity and finds a ready sale on the market, their trade in leather and hides being now quite extensive and profitable.
Mr. Gunnison is most pleasantly situated in his home life. He wedded Miss May E., daughter of A. B. and Olive M. (Low) Gunnison, of Erie, and tinto them have been born two sons, but the elder, Arthur, who was born September 11, 1880, died at the age of thirteen years. Carl, who was born September 17, 1883, married Inez C. Skinner, a daughter of F. E. and Mary Skinner, of Erie. There was one child of this marriage, Howard Wesley, who died at the age of one year and four days.
Well known in his native city, Charles Gunnison is a valued member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and of the Business Men's Exchange. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Unitar- ian church and these associations indicate much of the nature of his in- terests and the rules which govern his conduct. The fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his youth to the present time is an indication that his life has at all times been an hon- orable and straightforward one.
WILLIAM PITT GILSON, who for years was prominently identified with the commercial interests of Erie and throughout the entire period held to a high standard of business ethics, so that he received the respect and esteem of his colleagues and associates, was born in the state of New York in the year 1823. He removed from Watertown, New York, to Erie, Pennsylvania, when a young man of sixteen years, arriving here in 1839. For a long period he was engaged in the coal trade and in the
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commission business on the docks and during a part of that time was a member of the firm of Gilson & Walker. In 1873 he became rental agent for the Reed estate, a position which he held until his death on the 8th of March, 1898. Mr. Gilson was one of the best informed men in the state on turf matters and for many years was the secretary of the Erie Racing Association.
In early manhood Mr. Gilson was united in marriage to Miss Fran- ces Newton, who was born near Saratoga Springs, New York, in Novem- ber, 1826. They became the parents of a son and daughter, but the latter, Harriet, died in the fall of 1904. The husband and father passed away March 9, 1898, and at the time of his demise one of the local newspapers said of him: "He was a kind and affable gentleman whose acquaintance was very extended, and wherever known was held in the highest esteem. He was a man of honor and his word was as good as any man's bond. In his domestic relations he was very happy and his entire time outside of business hours was spent at his home. He was a man of refined tastes and was exceedingly well read. His home was one of the most attractive in the city in its surroundings. The cultivation of roses and other out- of-door flowers and growths was a part of the occupations for which he had a great liking." His strongly marked traits of character were such as won for him unqualified regard and friendship and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him.
JOHN L. GILSON, a citizen of Erie well known as a theatrical mana- ger, was here born June 9, 1851, and spent his youthful days in his par- ents' home, while in the public schools he acquired his education. He afterward took up the study of telegraphy, became a capable operator and from 1870 until 1878 resided in the west, where he was connected with telegraphic interests. On the expiration of that period he returned to Erie and accepted a position in the office of the collector of internal revenue, thus serving from 1878 until 1884. He began his theatrical career in 1893, when he assumed the management of the Park Opera House of Erie, of which he has since been continuously in charge. On the 1st of January, 1905, he became manager of the Majestic theatre, one of the most beautiful playhouses in Pennsylvania, and now manages this and the Park Opera House conjointly, showing excellent business discernment in the control of the two theatres, together with thorough understanding of the demands of the public in the way of theatrical entertainment.
Mr. Gilson was married to Miss Florence Sterrett, a daughter of Joseph A. and Sarah (Kirkpatrick) Sterrett, both old Erie families. Mr. Gilson belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Genial, courteous and cordial, he is a popular resident of his native city and has many friends herc.
PAUL D. MULLIN, a promising young business man of Union City, secretary of the Standard Chair Company, is a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, the son of J. M. and Sarah (Troth) Mullin, and grandson of Robert Mullin who was a native of Fayette county and a hat maker by trade. J. M. Mullin was a well-to-do farmer, and owned valuable coal lands in his native county.
Paul D. Mullin attended the public schools of his native county, and later fitted himself for business life at the Syracuse University, from which institution he graduated. After leaving college Mr. Mullin en- gaged in the insurance business in Pittsburg, but upon the re-organization of the Standard Chair Company, of Union City, in 1900, which was
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TLBEN FOUNDATIONS
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incorporated, he assumed the office of secretary of that institution, and entered upon the performance of his duties after the completion of the building now occupied by them. This company had been formed first in 1898, and had a force of sixty skilled workmen, but the new factory furnished employment for two hundred men, and the output is thirty-five hundred chairs in ten hours; the machinery is operated with electrical appliances giving four hundred horse-power, and in this city, noted for the manufacture of chairs, the company herewith described takes a prominent place.
Mr. Mullin married, October 3, 1906, Marjorie E., daughter of Charles H. and Alice M. (Cady) Church, born in 1882, and they have no children. The Church family are further described in the article regard- ing H. L. Church, in another part of this work. Charles H. Church and his wife had two children, namely: Gertrude E., born in 1878, in 1902 married O. C. Hatch, and Marjorie E. Mrs. C. H. Church was a native of Columbus county, Pennsylvania, and both Mr. and Mrs. Church are dead he having died in 1886.
LOWELL M. LITTLE. The death of Lowell M. Little removed from the city of Erie a citizen who represented a fine type of faithfulness in whatever he undertook. Was it business, his associates and superiors could always rely upon his absolute integrity although it might run counter to his private interests, and upon his unfailing courtesy and gentleness, whatever the provocation to anger or even just indignation. In a word, Mr. Little was a man who carried the conscience, charity and kindliness of his religion into every detail of his daily life, and his faithfulness to both worldly and Christian duties was inseparable.
Mr. Little was a native of Ohio, born at Aurora, Portage county, Ohio, on January 1, 1847, and when he came to Erie in 1865 he had received a common school education and a wholesome home training. At first he entered the office of the American Express Company, at that city, but later was transferred to the office at Titusville, Pennsylvania. While residing there he became connected with the Titusville National Bank, but in 1870 returned to Erie and lived in that city, as one of its useful, strong and moral men, until the day of his death. His advent to its activities was as secretary and director of the W. L. Scott Coal Company, and he ably held the position for thirty years, relinquishing it only when compelled to retire from active business on account of fail- ing health. For many years he was also a director of the First National Bank. His ability, fidelity and elevating influence made him a welcome and a prominent personage in the specific circles of religious and chari- table workers. In the Park Presbyterian church he was a strong sup- porting pillar for many years, being long the leader of its choir, for eight years superintendent of the Sunday school and during the last three years of his life one of its elders. He was also, for some time, president of the local organization of the Young Men's Christian Association, and held other positions on the boards of various religious, charitable and benevolent bodies. Fully alive to the elevating effects of a general men- tal enlightenment upon the public, he was always a firm and earnest supporter of the city library, being one of its original trustees.
In 1872 Mr. Little married Susan Brewster, daughter of Alexander W. Brewster. Her father was a native of Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, born in 1796, and in 1806 was brought by his parents to Erie, where he became a leading citizen. He served as sheriff of Erie county, Vol. II-14
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was the last burgess of the city, and held other honorable offices. Mr. Brewster died May 26, 1851, and his was the first interment in Erie Cemetery, of which he was one of the incorporators. His wife ( nee Susan M. Jones) was a native of Connecticut and died in 1886. The only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell M. Little is Margaret L., who married Professor F. A. Cleveland, a native of Palmyra. New York, who is now identified with Cornell University. Professor and Mrs. Cleveland have one child, Susan Brewster Cleveland.
CASIMER SIEGEL. For more than a half century the name of Casi- mer Siegel was an honored one in Erie, for his labors constituted an important factor in the upbuilding and development of the community and in the promotion of commercial and industrial progress through his intense and well directed business activity. He was a native of Germany, his birth occurring in that country in the year 1814. He was twenty- one years of age when in 1835 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He first located in the city of Buffalo, New York, where he engaged in business for two years and then crossed the boundary line into Pennsylvania, locating in Erie in 1837. He remained a continuous resi- dent of this city from that time until his death. Soon after coming to Erie he met with an accident which resulted in the loss of one of his arms but this misfortune did not materially lessen his usefulness as a cit- izen or retard his active business career. He was alert, energetic and enterprising and readily recognized and utilized the opportunities for business advancement. His first place of business in Erie was in the old Witter block on French street and during the time of the construction of the old Erie canal he was one of the sub-contractors and while so engaged established a supply store on Federal Hill. Continually watch- ful of opportunities pointing to success, he extended his business inter- ests from time to time. His next venture was in the establishment of a linseed oil mill on the site of the old Gingrich mill on Twenty-seventh street in South Erie. this being the pioneer enterprise of the kind in the county and one of the first in the entire country. Mr. Siegel withdrew from that field of labor, however, at a later date because of the failure of the crop. He was next engaged in the wholesale grocery and seed business, in which he continued for several years at different localities in the neighborhood of the park. In 1870 he established his business on Eleventh street, where he continued up to the time of his death.
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