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 38
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Like his father, William Spencer has been closely identified with the development of Erie, and all that has concerned his native city has ever laid closely to his heart, as the place is endeared to him by the generous associations compassing him from the time of his nativity to the present. His loyalty and public spirit are ever to be relied upon, and he has given his influence and support to all measures advanced for the general good of his home city and county. Liberal in the support of industrial enterprises which enhance the general welfare in a direct and reflex way, he has been financially interested in the upbuilding of some of the largest and most important industrial concerns of Erie, be- sides those representing public utilities. Thus he became one of the
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interested principals in the Erie Traction Company and the Mutual Telephone Company, in each of which he held the office of vice-president. As a man and a citizen he has well upheld the prestige of the honored name which he bears, and no resident of Erie stands more secure in popular confidence and esteem than does he. He is an elder of the Park Presbyterian church, and is active and zealous in the various departments of church work, as well as in connection with practical benevolences and charities. In politics he gives his support to the cause of the Republican party, and he is identified with various social and civic organizations, including the Princeton Club, of Erie, of which he is president.
On the 22nd of January, 1880, was solemnized the marriage of William Spencer to Miss Mary DuPuy, daughter of Charles M. DuPuy, of Philadelphia, and of this union six children have been born. Concerning them the following data are given : Judah Colt Spencer, who was gradu- ated in Princeton University as a member of the class of 1902, is now an interested principal in one of the leading manufacturing concerns of Erie ; Charles DuPuy Spencer, is a member of the class of 1909 in Princeton University; Maude is the wife of George H. U. Corbett, M. D., of Stynnig. Sussex county. England; Eleanor Lavinia remains at the parental home : William Marvin is a student at Pottstown, Pennsyl- vania, where he is preparing for entrance to Princeton University; and Herbert Reynolds is attending the Erie schools.
FRED ORTON. Prominent among the business men of Erie county is numbered Fred Orton, a manufacturer of lumber and chair legs, and his large establishment is located one mile north of Phillipsville. His early life was spent in the manufacture of lumber, an occupation in which his father was also engaged, and since 189? he has been identified along his present line.
Born in Harbor Creek township on the 16th of January, 1872, Fred Orton attended the common school there and in Venango township. He is a son of Chauncy and Mary J. (Henry) Orton, the former from Venango township in Erie county, and the latter from Tennessee, born in 1841, and on the paternal side he is a grandson of Erastus Orton. The latter was born in Oswego county, New York, May 3, 1821, and coming to Erie county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1840, he established his home in Venango township, where three years later he purchased a farm of one hundred acres of land. On the 20th of June, 1841, he was united in marriage with Lydia Plumb, who was born in Oneida county, New York, December 1, 1827, a daughter of Chauncy Plumb. Of the eleven children born of this union the following six grew to years of maturity : Chauncy, now deceased ; Frances, Truman, Berah, Lydia and A. C. Erastus Orton died in 1898, and his wife Lydia survived until 1904.
Chauncy Orton learned the blacksmith's trade in his early life, and later followed the manufacture of lumber, while still later in life he be- came a farmer. He was a good business man, and his various enter- prises were attended with success. He died in the year of 1899, his widow residing in Venango township. They were the parents of five Francis and Truman. August 30, 1899, Fred Orton was united in mar- children: Annie, now Mrs. Swanson ; Hazel, Mrs. McClelland ; Fred,
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riage with Miss Anna Henderson, who was born in Greenfield township, February 10, 1882, and their two children are Gladys I. and Milton C.
JUSTUS W. FULLER. During many years the late Justus W. Fuller was a leading factor in the life and interests of his part of Erie county, and as a citizen, as a man of business and as an honorable Christian gentleman no man had a clearer record or was more highly respected than he. He was a farmer in Venango township during his entire business career, and he was also numbered among its native sons, born on the 21th of July, 1830. to Tiffany N. and Nancy (Walker) Fuller, who were married October 21, 1823. Tiffany N. Fuller was one of eleven children born to Timothy S. and Ann ( Nettleton) Fuller, and two of the sons served their country in the war of 1812 and one in the Mexican war. Tiffany N. Fuller came from his native county of Genesee, New York, to Erie county, Pennsylvania, with his father in 1818, and here by hard work he in time liewed a profitable and well cultivated farm from out the wilderness. There were born to him and his wife Nancy six children, namely: Samuel, Erskine, Justus W., Silas, George W. and Maryetta. Silas served with the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the Civil war. Mrs. Nancy Fuller died on the 23rd of December, 1840, and Mr. Fuller married for his second wife Betsy Corry. He died on the 29th of May, 1875, honored and es- teemed by all who knew him.
Justus W. Fuller, a son of Tiffany and Nancy Fuller, married on the 19th of October, 1851, Miss Mary E., a daughter of Abram Coons, of Rensselaer county, New York. Mrs. Fuller was born near Albany, that state. December 25, 1831, and she was twelve years of age when she came with her parents to Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1849. The following children were born into their happy household : Lafayette N., Nellie W. (deceased) .. Cassius M., U. Silas and George W. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller were devout and earnest members of the Baptist church from the time its services were first held at Wattsburg. He was a life-long Re- publican, and served his township as a school director for two terms. His path was ever upward, his friends were many, and at his death in 1907 a community mourned the loss of one of its truest and best citizens. His widow survives him, and is spending the evening of her long and useful life surrounded by her family and friends.
Cassius M. Fuller, a son of Justus W. and Mary E. Fuller, was born in Venango township April 16, 1860, and following in the footsteps of his honored father he has become an agriculturist and is the owner of a well stocked farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. He married on the 30th of January, 1884, Miss Dora E., a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Derrick) Black. She was born in Venango township, May 25, 1861. Although their marriage has been without issue they have adopted a daughter. Miss Malinda Fuller, a teacher in the public schools. She was educated in the public schools and graduated in the class of 1906 at Wattsburg. She had attended Edinboro Normal two terms and taught two years in the schools in Weeks Valley, and the primary de- partment at the Lowville public school. She has had a musical education.
ALBERT H. BLISS has throughout his entire life been identified with Venango township and its interests, and during many years he has been one of its most substantial farmers and dairymen. To his father's home- stead of one hundred acres he in 1879 added one hundred and fifty acres
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thus becoming the owner of a large and splendidly improved estate, and in 1889 he built thereon the fine home in which he now resides. For his dairy he keeps forty cows of the Durham strain, and the many de- partments of his farm are conducted under the most modern methods.
Mr. Bliss was born in Venango township September 25, 1839, to the marriage union of Albert and Cynthia (Smith) Bliss, and he is one of their eight children: Melvina (deceased), Caroline, Theresa, Lovina (deceased), Seinantha (deceased), Amanda, Emily, and Albert H. Albert Bliss, the father, was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1804, and died in 1889, while his wife Cynthia was born in 1807, and died in 1859. Moving to Venango township in Erie county, Pennsylvania, about the year of 1835, they enrolled their names among the early pioneers of this community. The one hundred acres of land which he purchased here he brought to a beautiful and productive farm. He was a patriotic and substantial citizen, advocating the principles of the Republican party, and he was a worthy member of the Presbyterian church.
In the year of 1879 was celebrated the marriage of Albert H. Bliss and Miss Sarah Hall, and February 20, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Sheller, but there was no issue by either union. Mrs. Bliss is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Bliss is a Republican, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Wattsburg.
JAMES T. THOMPSON. Grand achievements always excite admira- tion, and among those who have brought their names prominently before the public in Erie county as one of the public benefactors is J. T. Thomp- son, the promoter of the Independent Telephone lines throughout the county. In bringing this enterprise into prominence they had to sur- mount many obstacles, the greatest of which was probably the established Bell lines. but their persistency won success, and they now have two hundred and forty patrons and the lines touch every point in the county, while the center is at Phillipsville. Mr. Thompson has also an agency for the leading farming implements and machinery, including a line of dairy machinery such as cream separators, etc. His farm of two hundred acres is devoted to dàiry purposes, keeping about twenty-five cows of the Holstein and Jersey breeds, and he makes his own butter. In the manufacture of this commodity he uses the most approved modern machinery, and he finds a ready market at Erie City.
Born in Venango township August 18, 1866, he is a son of Robert and Sarah J. (Demming) Thompson, the former born in Ireland and the latter on board ship of Irish parents en route to America. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thompson located on a small farm of fifty acres in Venango township, and there their three children were born: John. Sarah and James T. The daughter married A. O. Yaples. Robert Thompson died in 1892, and his widow subsequently married a Mr. Vogel, of Wattsburg.
James T. Thompson married on the 22d of February, 1888, Miss Minnie Austin, who was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1868, a daughter of Edward and Rhoda Austin, and to the marriage union have been born six children,-Frances. Ross, Ralph, Lewis. Leonard and Harold. Mr. Thompson is a worthy member and a stanch supporter of the Grange. He began his business career as a poor boy, and it has been on the ladder of his own building that he has climbed to success and public recognition. He is a Republican.
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CHARLES H. BRACKEN. Holding high rank among the active and progressive business men of Corry, Pennsylvania, is Charles H. Bracken, of the firm of Bracken Brothers, wholesale produce dealers. A son of George W. Bracken, he was born in Columbus, Warren county, January 9, 1845. He comes from substantial English ancestry, being a lineal descendant, in the sixth generation, of William Bracken, the emigrant ancestor, the line of descent, as traced by Dr. H. M. Bracken, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, being as follows: William (1), Thomas (?), Thomas (3), William (4), George W. (5), and Charles H. (6).
In his history of the Bracken family, Dr. Bracken says that so far as known William (1) Bracken was born in Yorkshire, England, and from there emigrated to America. The first authentic account of him in the United States is taken from the public records of Wilmington, Delaware, where we find that William Bracken, of Newcastle county, Delaware, requested a grant of one hundred acres of land adjoining that of John Evans, near Red Clay Creek, for which he agreed to pay twelve pounds, ten shillings, per hundred acres, and to give a bushel of wheat for each acre per annum, to be paid December 25, 1703, with interest from December 25, 1702. The will of this William (1) Bracken is re- corded among the Wilmington, Delaware, wills, in Book G, Page 459.
Thomas (?) Bracken, born in England, married in Delaware, where the Wilmington records show that his father deeded him two hundred acres of land on condition that he would make no further claim on the parental estate. Thomas also bought of his father two hundred acres of land lying on the north side of White Clay Creek, on November 17, 1749, the consideration, according to Book Q, Wilmington Deeds, Page 237, being love, good will, and twenty pounds in money. In consequence of the above agreement, his father willed him one shilling, only. Previous to 1:59, Thomas (?) Bracken removed from Newcastle county, Dela- ware, to Huntington township, in that part of New York that is now in- cluded in Adams county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a large tract of land. He was, in 1760 and 1761, one of the vestrymen of Christ church in Huntington. In his will, probated November 14, 1780, he bequeathed thirty pounds in trust to the trustees of that church to be put to interest, the money accruing from said sum to be used for the poor of the church.
Thomas (3) Bracken was, without doubt, born in Delaware, and lived with, or near, his father, in York county, Pennsylvania. In 1778, he removed to Westmoreland county, settling in that portion now in- cluded within the limits of Washington county. He there took up two tracts of land, one called Three Shares on Chartiers Creek, near Cannons- burg, and the other known as Logan Water, on Raccoon Creek. He was one of the first ruling elders of the Chartiers Presbyterian church, and one of the first trustees of the Cannonsburg Academy. He died in Feb- ruary, 1803. He was twice married, by his first wife, who was a Miss Kilmary, having four children. He married second Ann Shannon of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
William (4) Bracken was the oldest son born to his father and his first wife, and was ten years old when his parents moved to Westmore- land county. For a number of years after beginning life for himself he lived on a farm near Cannonsburg. He subsequently traded that for four hundred acres of land at Fort Leboenf, near Union City, Erie
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county, assuming its possession in 1808, when he settled there as a pio- neer. He at once erected a two-story log house, a very pretentious structure for those days. Settlers were then few and far between, there being but few openings in the wilderness thereabout, which was the home of wild animals of all kinds, and the hunting ground of the Indians. During the war of 1812 he was called upon to serve as a soldier, but his son Thomas volunteered to go in his place as a substitute. In 1814 he took the contract to build the academy building at Waterford, and at that time moved to a farm on the flats near that place, it having been reserved by the state to support the academy. In 1826 he returned to his own farm, where he subsequently resided until his death, in 1850. Four years previous to that time, he was left a widower by the death of his second wife. Subsequently he started with a team to visit his sons and other relatives. driving across the country, and spending some- time in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. In the spring of 1850, having made all of his intended visits, he started to drive to his home, in Pennsylvania, from Kentucky, and had pro- ceeded but a short distance when he died at the home of his niece. in April, 1850, near Shelbyville, Kentucky. He married first Jane Thomp- son, and married second a widow, whose maiden name was Sarah King. George W. (5) Bracken was born, December 9. 1816. in Leboeuf, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Beginning to learn the trade of a cabinet maker at the age of sixteen years, he served an apprenticeship of four years with Mr. Vincent, in Cleveland, Ohio, which was then a small city, without any railway, facilities. Completing his trade, he worked as a journeyman for awhile, and in 1841 opened a furniture manufactory in Columbus, Warren county. His factory being burned in January, 1847. he removed to the old home farm, in Leboeuf, where he resided two years. Rebuilding then the factory in Columbus, he continued the manu- facture of furniture, and also established himself as an undertaker, carry- ing on both lines of business successfully for a number of years. Giving up the furniture manufacturing, he subsequently devoted his attention to the undertaking business until his death, May 6, 1895, at the age of seventy-nine years. He married Angeline Lloyd. who was born at Watertown, New York. April 19, 1823. a daughter of James and Urana ( Canfield) Lloyd. Left an orphan at the age of four years, she and her brother, George Lloyd, were adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Shef- field, of Columbus, Chenango county, New York, and with them came, in 1827. to Columbus, Warren county, Pennsylvania. She died Febru- ary 3. 1879, several years before the death of her husband. She was the mother of ten children, namely: Charles H., of this sketch ; Louisa U .; Minerva ; DeWitt L. ; G. Duane ; Archie T .; Nellie E .; Martha M .; Minnie, who died at the age of five years ; and John L.
In March, 1861, before attaining his majority, Charles H. Bracken enlisted in Company C. First New York Engineers. He went with his company to Hilton Head. South Carolina, going by boat, and in that vicinity served the greater part of the time until the close of the war. when he was honorably discharged Returning home, he was employed as a clerk in Columbus until the spring of 1866, when he went to Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, where he was similarly employed for three years, and was the fourth year engaged in mercantile business for himself. The Indian Reservation in Southern Kansas being then thrown open for settlement, Mr. Bracken went there, purchased a claim of one hun- dlred and sixty acres of land from the government. lived on it for a year,
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEHEX TILGEN FOUNDATION!
francis Magórski
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keeping old bachelor's hall, and having secured a title to the land sold it, and returned to his native state. In July, 18:2. Mr. Bracken estab- lished himself, in company with Mr. Miner, in the wholesale produce business in Corry. Mr. Miner retired from the firm the following year, and Mr. Bracken's brother DeWitt succeeded him, the firm name be- coming Bracken Brothers. This is one of the longest established mercan- tile firms in the city, and one of the most successful, its trade being large and lucrative.
Mr. Bracken has been twice married. Ho married first, in 1878. Orrissa Wight. a school teacher. She was born in Allegheny county, New York, December 14, 1848, a daughter of Benjamin and Jerusha Wight. She died at an early age, her death occurring April 16, 1888. Mr. Bracken married second, June 10. 1891, Florence Williams, who was born near Scranton. Pennsylvania. July 31. 1860, a daughter of Luke S. and Olive Tane ( Miller ) Williams. By his first marriage, Mr. Bracken has three children, Herbert D .. Angeline J., and Bernice. Her- bert D. married Stella Powell, and they have one daughter, Orrissa Bracken. Mr. and Mrs. Bracken have one child, Olin W.
FRANCIS T. NAGORSKI. A resident of the city of Erie since his boyhood days. Mr. Nagorski has here attained to distinctive prestige as one of the able and popular younger members of the bar of the county, and he has also gained marked recognition as a loyal citizen and progres- sive business man. He is engaged in the successful practice of his pro- fession in Erie, and is also one of the interested principals in the East Side Building & Loan Association, of which he was primarily the or- ganizer.
Mr. Nagorski was born in the village of Wyszyn, near Dantzig, in western Prussia, on the 18th of September, 1829, and he is a son of John and Frances ( Klavitter) Nagorski, representatives of old and hon- ored families of that section of Prussia. In 1888 the parents severed the ties which bound them to their native land and came to the United States. In April of that year they took up their residence in Erie, where they have still maintained their home and where they have the respect and confidence of all who know them. The father was actively engaged in business as a contractor and builder until 1895, since which time he has lived virtually retired from active business, as his health has continued to remain much impaired.
Francis T. Nagorski gained his rudimentary education in the public schools of his native land and was about nine years of age at the time of the family immigration to America. He was reared to maturity in Erie, and here continued his educational work in St. Stanislaus parochial school, after which he became a student in the well ordered Polish semi- nary in the city of Detroit, Michigan, where he remained for some time. He also attended the high school in Erie, and in 1900 he was matricu- lated in the law department of the celebrated University of Michigan. at Ann Arbor. where he completed the prescribed technical course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1904. with the well earned degree of Bachelor of Laws.
On the 1st of July, 1905. Mr. Nagorski was admitted to the bar of Erie county, and here he served his novitiate in the work of his chosen profession, in which his success has been unequivocal, both as an advocate and counselor. Since February, 1908, he has been associated in practice with Charles H. English, a graduate of Georgetown Uni-
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versity, and the firm maintains the title of Nagorski & English. In October, 1907, Mr. Nagorski effected the organization of the East Side Building & Loan Association, of which he was one of the incorporators and in which he is an executive officer. This association was formed for the special purpose of developing the Polish settlement in Erie, and by it a most beneficent work is being done. Ile is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and is the advocate of that order in Erie. He enjoys marked popularity in his home city and is known as a young man of fine intellectual and professional attainments.
CHARLES F. KAPPLE. No man is better known or more highly re- spected in his township than Charles F. Kapple, who was born in Con- cord township, Erie county, April 4, 1853. He is a son of George and Marjory (Gray) Kapple, of Chautauqua county, New York, who moved from there in 1851, settling in Concord township on a farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres. George Kapple was a hard-working and prosperous farmer, and his children were: Charles F., William G. (deceased), Alice J. (deceased), and Glen C., all except Alice J. being born in Concord township.
Charles F. Kapple was reared in Wayne township, and there received his education. He now conducts a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, mostly devoted to dairying and general farming, and he has twenty fine Durham milch cows, besides some other stock. Mr. Kapple has the entire confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and has served his township as supervisor for three terms, being still in that office. He is an earnest member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Watts- burg. and is also affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 533, of Wattsburg, having with dignity and honor presided in the Oriental chair three terms. He is now secretary of the lodge. which office he fills with satisfaction to all and credit to himself, having held same for a number of years. He is a man of true and sterling worth, who directs his efforts towards whatever task lies next him, and faithfully performs his duties as a citizen and patriot, and has a large circle of friends.
Mr. Kapple married Mary J. Mccullough, daughter of James A. and Adelaide (Bennett) Mccullough, and to this happy union were born no children. The Mccullough family are further mentioned elsewhere in this work, in connection with an article on Ross Mccullough. Mr. Kapple is a Republican.
DELFORD R. KIMMY, of Amity township, Eric county, is a grandson of one of the earliest settlers of Amity, James Kimmy. James Kimmy was a son of Peter Kimmy, born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1770. Peter Kimmy emigrated to the United States when sixteen years of age. landing in Baltimore. Having the desire to possess land, on which he might hew out a living and competence for himself and family. he looked about for a place to settle, and finally located in Crawford county, Penn- sylvania. Here he married in 1797. Ruth Evans, a most charming and worthy helpmeet, who was born in 1772. To them were born nine chil- dren, namely : William. Mary, James. Nancy, Jane, Peter, Catherine. Elizabeth and Esther. Peter Kimmy died in 1816, at the age of forty-six. and his widow died in 1859.
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