A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 50

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 50

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ALEXANDER MCINNES SR. A man of activity, enterprise and marked ability, Alexander McInnes Sr., of Corry, holds a noteworthy position among the leading business men of the city, being widely and favorably known as head of the firm of McInnes & Sons. A na- tive of Scotland, he was born, May 14, 1847, at Bowmore, on the island of Islay, Argyleshire, which was also the birthplace of his father, Neil McInnes. He comes from a family of exceptional worth. the McInnes clan being one of the oldest of Scotland, dating back to the fifth century, when this clan owned in its own right the islands of Islay and Jura, in Argyleshire. The name McInnes means in the Scotch vernacular Son of Angus.

John McInnes, grandfather of Mr. McInnes, likewise a native of Argyleshire, was a veterinary surgeon and a blacksmith, and dealt extensively in horses. He made one trip to America, spending a few years in Canada, but not being quite contented in his new home, re- turned to his native heath, and there spent the remainder of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Jean Lang, was born in the north of Ireland, and died in Argyleshire.

Becoming a veterinary and blacksmith, Neil McInnes succeeded to the business established by his father, and spent his entire life of sixty-five years in Argyleshire. He married Marv Spaulding, who was likewise a life-long resident of Islay, Scotland, where she lived to the venerable age of ninety years. Her father, Donald Spaulding, was active at the age of one hundred and ten years, and lived beyond that age. Of the union of Neil and Mary (Spaulding) McInnes. eight children were born, as follows: Sarah, John, Mary, Neil, Jean, Eliza- beth, Jessie and Alexander. Of these, Neil, Mary and Alexander came to America, and Mary, who resides in Honolulu, and Alexander, of this brief sketch, are the only survivors of the family.

Reared and educated in his native land. Alexander McInnes Sr. began as a boy to learn the blacksmith's trade with his father, with whom he worked until 1866. Venturing then the hazard of new for- tunes, he emigrated to this country, and after following his trade in

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Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for a time, went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, for two or more years working as a blacksmith along the line of road west of Omaha. Returning to Scotland in 1869, he married, and in 1870 returned with his bride to Pittsburg, where he worked at his trade for six years. Locating in Verona, in 1876, Mr. McInnes was there employed in the shops of the Allegheny Valley Railroad Com- pany for three years. Resigning, he accepted the position of fore- man in the Vulcan Steel Company's Works, near St. Louis, Missouri, and a year later became superintendent of the Helmbeck Forge and Rolling Mill Company, at North St. Louis, where he continued four and one-half years. Entering then the employ of the LaClede Car Company, now the St. Louis Car Company, Mr. McInnes fitted up blacksmith shop connected with the plant, and then resigned to become superintendent of the Carnegie Steel Company, at Pittsburg, a position that he filled acceptably for five years, when he resigned, intending to start in business on his own account. Giving up the enterprise, however, because of the financial depression of the times which soon ensued, Mr. McInnes accepted the offered position of superintendent of the blacksmith department of the Bovaird and Say- fang Manufacturing Company, at Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he remained two years. Entering then the employ of the Emporium Steel Company, at Emporium, he started its works, and continued with the firm until it suspended operations. Establishing then the firm of McInnes & Sons, lie leased the Emporium Steel Company's plant, and when, two years later, the buildings burned, he and his sons bought the land upon which they stood, rebuilt the plant, and conducted a substantial business there until 1901. Removing then to Corry, this enterprising company has here established a large and extensive business, being one of the most prosperous corporations of the kind in Erie county, the partners of Mr. McInnes being his sons, John J. and Alexander Jr.

Mr. McInnes married, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Jane Wilson Jarvie, who was born at Bellshill, Scotland, a daughter of John and Mary (Thompson) Jarvie. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, six of whom are living, namely: John J., who mar- ried Mabel Cormya ; Alexander Jr., married Ruth Ann Chew, and has three children, Paul Alexander, Harold Boyce, and Alfred Charles; Jean W .; Elizabeth, wife of Harry Bruce Smith, of Corry ; Sara ; and James H. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. McInnes are valued members of the Presbyterian church, and have reared their family in the same faith.

ROBERT ANDERSON PATTERSON JR. During his active career, Rob- ert A. Patterson Jr. has been identified with various industries, as merchant, real estate dealer, insurance agent, and agriculturist, meet- ing with recognized success, and is now ably filling the high posi- tion he holds among the thriving business men of Corry. A son of Robert Anderson Patterson Sr., he was born, March 9, 1866, in Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, of substantial Scotch ancestry. His pa- ternal grandfather, Robert Patterson, was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife- shire, Scotland. Becoming an engineer by profession, he was em- ployed in both Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, spending his last years in

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the latter city, dying at the age of fifty-eight years. . His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Anderson, was born in Dunfermline, Scot- land. She survived her husband, came to America to live with her children after his death, and died in Kingston, Canada, when upwards of four score years old. She reared ten children, namely: Euphemia, Jeanette, Ann, Isabella, James and Christina (twins), Elizabeth, Henry, Robert A., and George. Jeanette, Christina and Henry came to America, locating in Canada, while Isabella, Robert and George, who came, also, to this country, settled in the United States.

Robert Anderson Patterson Sr. was born in Dunfermline, Fife- shire, Scotland, March 14, 1838, and at the age of fourteen years came with his sister Isabella to America, after a voyage of twenty-eight days in a sailing vessel landing in Quebec. Going from there to Kingston, Canada, he found some old friends that he had known in Scotland. He attended school in that place a few months, after which he served an apprenticeship of four years at the blacksmith's trade. He subsequently did journeyman labor in Kingston for two years, after which he followed his trade in different places in Canada and the United States, finally locating in Buffalo, New York, where he re- mained about three years. In the spring of 1865 he established him- self in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and began work in the oil fields. About 1870, accompanied by his family, he went to the lead and zinc regions of Missouri, for four years living in either Granby or Joplin. Returning then to the Pennsylvania oil fields, he resided in Crawford county until 1885, when he located in Erie county, near Corry. Taking up his residence in the city of Corry in 1892, he soon afterwards erected the pleasant home that he has since occupied, it being situated at the corner of Center street and Columbus avenue. He married, in 1864, Ann Amelia Bradley, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, January 15, 1847, a daughter of John Stephen Bradley. Mr. Bradley was a native of Connecticut, and there learned the trade of a blacksmith and spar maker. After working in various ship-building places, he went to Chicago to take charge of the rigging of a vessel being there built, from there moving, in 1848, to Buffalo, New York. He died in New York in 1852, when but thirty years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria J. Overall, was born in England, and there spent a large part of his life. After the death of his wife, he came with his seven children to New York, and was subsequently engaged in the provision business at Buffalo until his death, in 1860. Mrs. Bradley, Mr. Patterson's grandmother, now eighty-five years of age, is living at Seneca Falls. She reared three children. John Stephen, Ann Amelia, and Clara G. Eight children blessed the union of Robert A. Patterson Sr. and his wife, namely : Robert A. Jr., Charles H., Clara J., George W., Adelbert, Albert, Edith, and LeRoy.

An excellent student, quick to learn, Robert A. Patterson Jr. ac- quired a practical education in the public schools, and at the age of sixteen years began to be self supporting, working as clerk in a drug store at Spring Creek, Warren county, and serving, under his employ- er, as assistant postmaster. He afterwards became a partner in the business there, and served, during President Harrison's administra- tion, as postmaster. Establishing himself in the mercantile business in Corry in 1892, he conducted a general store for five years, and then sold out. Since that time Mr. Patterson has here been profitably en-

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gaged in the real estate and insurance business, in addition being financially interested in various manufacturing industries. He also owns and occupies a valuable farm, of five hundred acres, lying two and one-half miles from the city, and as a general farmer is meeting with most gratifying results, making a specialty of raising stock and poultry.

In September, 1887, Mr. Patterson married Dora Wead. She was born in Union City, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Silas S. and Eliza- beth (Rossman) Wead. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have one child, Berenice. Politically Mr. Patterson is a stanch Republican, and has served in various offices of trust and responsibility, having been a member of the city council, of the board of education, and city treas- urer. He was elected in the spring of 1909 secretary of the Corry Fair and Driving Park Association, which was incorporated in 1905. Fraternally he belongs to Jonathan Lodge No. 685, I. O. O. F., and religiously both he and Mrs. Patterson are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

CAPTAIN MARION N. BAKER. Among the well known, substan- tial and respected citizens of Corry is Captain Marion N. Baker, who won his title as commander of a company of the National Guards, and who, for nearly twenty years, has served faithfully as factory in- spector. A son of Edwin W. Baker, he was born, October 18, 1845, in Farmersville, Cattaraugus county, New York. He comes from ex- cellent New England stock, his grandfather, David Baker, having been born, reared and educated in Connecticut.

Migrating to New York state in early manhood, David Baker re- sided for awhile in Chenango county, from there removing with ox teams to Cattaraugus county, the same state. Purchasing a tract of timbered land in what is now Farmersville, he cleared a small space on which to put up a small log house, and with true pioneer pluck and courage began the improvement of a farm. There were no railroads in that locality for many years thereafter, and all the produce had to be taken by teams to Buffalo, the nearest market town, where the farmers traded the products of their soil for such household goods as they must of necessity have. Grain was low then in price, oats bringing scarce twenty cents a bushel, while factory made goods of any kind were very high, a piece of common calico costing forty cents a yard. Was it a wonder that in those days the women spun, carded and made the material in which the entire family was clothed? He cleared a homestead, and there tilled the soil until his death, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Bowen, was born in Connecticut, and died, aged seventy-five years, in Farmersville, New York. They reared seven children, as follows : Chauncey, Ira, Caroline, Emily, Tilly, Cyrus, and Edwin W.

Born in 1808, in Smyrna, Chenango county, New York, Edwin W. Baker was but a boy when he moved with his parents to Cattarau- gus county, where for awhile he assisted in improving the home farm. After learning the carpenter's trade, he, at the age of nineteen years, bought his time of his father for one hundred dollars. Coming then to Warren county, Pennsylvania, he settled as a pioneer in Columbus, where he worked at his trade a part of the time, and in a saw mill

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a portion of the time. He subsequently rented the mill, which was run by water power, and for two years operated it, rafting his lum- ber to Wheeling, where he sold it. Being, however, cheated out of the proceeds by a dishonest lumber dealer, his entire work for two years was lost. He subsequently followed his trade there a few years, re- maining there until 1836, when he returned to Farmersville. Assum- ing the management of the home farm, he cared for his parents as long as they lived, and at their death succeeding to the ownership of the estate. was there profitably employed in agricultural pursuits until his death, in April, 1895. He married Maria T. Stacy, who was born in Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y., in 1809, and died on the homestead, in Farmersville, N. Y., at the comparatively early age of fifty-one years. Her father, Rev. Nathaniel Stacy, was born in Vermont, of Scotch parentage. A man of upright integrity and worth, he was by nature deeply religious, and became one of the early Universalist preachers, settling as a pioneer minister of that denomination in Hamilton, New York. He afterwards removed to Columbus, Pennsylvania, where he was likewise a pioneer, and there, with the exception of three years spent at Ann Arbor, Michigan, preached during the remainder of his active career, being prominent in the ministry until nearly the end of his life, passing away at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Clark, was born in Vermont, and died in Columbus, Penn- sylvania, at the age of eighty-nine years. To them eight children were born and reared, namely : Haskell, Maria, Susan, Edwin, Mary, Walter, Charlotte, and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Baker were the parents of two children, Mary, and Marion N. Mary, widow of the late Hiram .M. Lawrence, of Farmersville, New York, has one son living, Frank Lawrence, and has lost two, Edwin and Mertie.

Obtaining a practical education in the common schools, Marion N. Baker began when young to assist in the farm labors, remaining with his parents until after the breaking out of the Civil war. On September 3, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteer Infantry, went South with his regi- ment, and was with it in all of its campaigns and marches. taking part in the battle at Hatcher's Run, the various engagements around Petersburg, and in the Southside expedition, being in the front line when General Mead rode along giving to the soldiers the news of Lee's surrender. Then, after taking part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., he received his honorable discharge from the ser- vice, and returned home, and resumed farming. Coming from Far- mersville, New York, to Corry, in 1868, he first found employment in a wood-working shop, but subsequently learned the jeweler's trade. which he followed for a time. Becoming a member of the Seventeenth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, in 1874, he was commis- sioned sergeant, and a short time later was made first sergeant of Company A, and for ten years served in that capacity. He was then elected captain of the company, of which he had command the next ten years. In 1889 Captain Baker was appointed, by Governor Beaver, factory inspector, and has since been reappointed to this position by each succeeding governor, his service as such extending over a period of twenty successive years bespeaking in no uncertain tones of his ability, fidelity and efficiency.

"NE SEW TORK PUBLKE LIBRARY

LENOX TILO . FUNDATIONA

ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, NORTH EAST

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Captain Baker married, in September, 1866, Estella Smith, who was born in Columbus, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Ozro and Char- lotte (Stacy) Smith. She died at the age of thirty-one years, leaving one son, Stacy Baker. Captain Baker married second, Mrs. Nellie (Gilbert) Caldwell, who was born in Ontario county, New York, and married for her first husband Bird Caldwell. In his political affilia- tions the Captain is a straightforward Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the J. J. Andrew Post, No. 70, G. A. R., of Corry, and of Corry Tent, No. 16, K. O. T. M.

ST. MARY'S COLLEGE. The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeem- er (C. SS. R.), whose members are called Redemptorists, is a religious order of missionaries founded at Scala in the kingdom of Naples in 1732, by St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Bishop of St. Agatha and Doctor of the Church. The first Redemptorists came to this country in 1832, and up to the present year (1909) have founded forty-four houses in the United States and Canada.

For many years the Congregation in America had no institution to prepare new members for the Order. The means taken to supply this want gave origin to the Preparatory College, now known as St. Mary's College at North East.

In 1847, at Baltimore, the Redemptorist Fathers sought to provide future members for their order by instructing a small class of boys whose inclinations seemed to indicate a calling to the priesthood and to the religious life. In 1856 this class developed into a day school for boys who felt inspired to become Redemptorists. In 186% this day school was in turn formed into St. Alphonsus' Academy by the Very Rev. Provincial J. Helmpraecht. Rev. J. N. Berger was the first Direc- tor of this Academy.

In May 1868, Rev. Joseph Firley succeeded Father Berger, and in the following July, Rev. Joseph Wuest was appointed Director. The latter is considered the real founder of St. Mary's Preparatory College. His energetic coadjutor was Rev. Thaddeus Anwander. They introduced the complete classical course of a regular college. For this purpose the garret of St. James' School at Baltimore was fitted up and opened on April 29, 1869, under the name of St. James' College. In September 1869, forty-eight pupils were present; the faculty was increased by the addition of Professor August Messler, who taught at the College for 35 years, when death came unexpectedly, August 18, 1904.

In September 1811 there were over eighty pupils on the roll. The next step in the progress of the College was its removal to Ilchester, near Baltimore, where a large stone house had become the property of the Redemptorists. A frame building was added and both became known as St. Clement's College.

In 1873 Father Wuest was relieved of the heavy burden as Director of the College, and was succeeded by Rev. Father Stuhl. The latter served to July, 1875, his successor being Rev. George J. Dusold. Rev. Joseph M. Schwarz became Director in December, 1877, and during his term the College was removed to North East in 1881.

During the sixties there had been established at North East, under the auspices of the Methodist church, a seminary for the education of young people. The site chosen was on a part of the property of an old North East family named Hall, and lay on the northern limits of the borough. The building was begun in 1867, and the cornerstone Vol. II-23

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laid in October, 1868. The erection of the institution cost $70,000, a sum too large for the Methodists to carry. The Presbyterians therefore joined them in the undertaking, and for some years prosperity seemed to attend the institution. The Lake Shore Seminary was chartered as "a literary institution of high grade at which males and females may pursue and complete a course of study embracing English branches, ancient and modern languages, mathematics, metaphysics, music, draw- ing, painting, and the science and art of teaching." The Presbyterians soon became dissatisfied with the joint management and withdrew, after which the Seminary was so harassed by debt, that it was finally closed. The trustees at one time tried to get the United States government to take over the property and use it for an Indian school. Finally the ground and buildings were sold, in satisfaction of the debts, to the North East Savings Bank.

Meantime the Preparatory College at Ilchester had reached a point where it demanded larger and better accommodations. The removal of the institution having been decided upon, a chance visit to Erie, by one of the Redemptorist missionaries, Rev. A. J. McInerney, brought the news about the desirable property at North East. The papers which concluded the sale of the buildings and five acres of land to the Re- demptorist Fathers were signed January 31, 1881.

With the opening of the first term at North East, in August, 1881, the Preparatory College entered upon a new period of existence. This new period was inaugurated on August 2nd, by the solemn dedication of the building, the Lake Shore Seminary, henceforth to be known as St. Mary's College. The Preparatory College was no longer an idea, an experiment ; it was an institution that had been taken up into the life and activity of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, of which it was now recognized as a necessary part. The nature and ideals of the institution had been stated by Father Helmpraecht some ten years be- fore, and the objects and principles then laid down have been faithfully pursued. "The institute is to be of such a nature as to impart both moral and scientific training. The moral training is to imbue the scholars thoroughly with the spirit of the Congregation of the Most Holy Re- deemer. The scientific training shall embrace the usual classical course, and must be formally completed before a student can enter the novitiate. The first and most essential requirements for admission of students to the college are : That they have a sincere desire to become Redemptorists, and that they give promise of future usefulness. The pupils shall be made to understand that all their.learning, however necessary, is little better than useless, if it goes not hand in hand with virtue."

The old seminary building was a two-story brick structure, 168 feet long by 60 feet wide, with mansard roof and twin towers. The edifice presents practically the same external appearance that it did in 1881. In the interior, however, the changes have been so extensive that scarcely a vestige of the old building remains. The surrounding grounds have also been greatly changed and extended. The original property of the College was increased in 1887 by the purchase of the Hall property. some twelve acres, on the west side of Pearl Street, now the College cam- pus. A little later during the same year, the Hitchcock property, east of the college, containing two and a half acres with a residence in the midst of a pretty grove, was added to the grounds. From 1887-1891 two lower classes of St. Mary's College formed St. Clement's College at Saratoga Springs, New York. When they returned to North East the

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accommodations became limited, and in 1893 plans were made for the erection of a faculty building. The cornerstone was laid on November 19, 1893, and in August, 1894, the new building was dedicated. In June, 1896, the "Mills property," fronting on Lake and Seminary Streets, was purchased. In 1900 an electric power house was erected. On June 25, 1901, the cornerstone was laid for the College Chapel, a beautiful Gothic structure, built of granite with sandstone trimmings. The altars, windows, statuary and decorative work of the interior are products of the best artistic taste and work, and a source of constant inspiration to ecclesiastical students.

In 1884 the Superior of St. Mary's was raised to the rank of Rector and Father Schwarz, whose labors as Superior of the College, both be- fore and after its removal to North East, entitled him to highest praise, was appointed its first Rector. He continued in this office during two terms, until July, 1890, when he was transferred to take charge of a similar college in the Western Province of the Redemptorist Fathers, at Kirkwood, Missouri. Rev. August Dooper was the second Rector at St. Mary's, and was succeeded in 1898 by Rev. Casper G. Ritter. In May, 1901, Rev. John G. Schneider became Rector. Rev. Francis Auth, the present Rector, was appointed in May, 1904, and it was during his term that the Silver Jubilee of St. Mary's was celebrated.

We deem no excuse necessary for inserting here a brief sketch of the jubilee, since the glorious success, which attended it in every detail, due as it was in no slight measure to the whole-souled efforts and en- thusiastic participation of the good people of North East, merits lasting and grateful recognition in the pages of the annals of Erie county.

Some idea of the character of the Jubilee and attendant festivities may be gleaned from the utterances of North East and Erie papers on the occasion. The Erie Herald of May 31, 1906, well says: "The cele- bration of the Silver Jubilee of St. Mary's College yesterday, made the day one of the greatest in the history of the thriving and bustling little village of North East and a day, in the events of which many people and a number of organizations from Erie participated. The village was in festival attire. The houses were, practically without exception, deco- rated with the nation's emblem, with bunting and in many instances with some insignia of the Church, while the places of business were an uninterrupted mass of decorations. North East, always a particularly pretty and delightful little hamlet, was for the nonce transformed into a city in so far as population was concerned. The celebration drew thousands of outsiders to the village. a railroad man, when the crowd was densest, estimating and apparently most conservatively, that there were between 6,000 and 7,000 visitors within the gates of the town."

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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 50

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