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 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
PUBLIE IBRARY
LITO4 LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
Jobel
465
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
when twenty-five years of age, he commenced his career as a civil en- gineer on the Erie and Northeast Railroad (now the Lake Shore). and in the following year was promoted to be assistant engineer. In September, 1851, he went to Canada, and for four years was engaged in various engineering works on the Ontario, Simco and Huron Rail- road, between Toronto and Collingwood. During the following year he was busy on the harbor construction at the later place, and was next placed in charge of the building of the railroad from Clifton to Niagara- on-the-Lake; for the succeeding two years was contractor's engineer on the Sarnac branch of the Great Western Railroad, and following the completion of this work built the canal aqueduct near Girard, Pennsyl- vania. In 1859 MIr. Reed was elected general superintendent of the Pennsylvania and Erie canal, in which capacity he served until the aban- dominent of the enterprise. He was chosen president of the Erie Board of Water Commissioners, in 1867, serving thus for twelve years. He was also one of the founders of the Second National Bank of Erie ; was for many years a director of that institution and, for a portion of the period, its vice president. Mr. Reed was widely influential and popular and, at times, quite active in Republican politics : but, unfor- tunately for his advancement to a seat in Congress, he championed equal- county representation in his district (the twenty-seventh), and succes- sively failed of receiving a nomination in 1816, 1878 and 1880. He al- ways took a deep interest in charitable and benevolent institutions. being long a director of the Hamot Hospital and a prominent member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. The correct inference may readily be deduced from such life facts as these that William W. Reed was a real benefactor to Erie and Pennsylvania in varied and numerous ways.
Sarah A. Reed, youngest child of William W. and Elizabeth Ing- ram (Smith) Reed, was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, March 16, 1838, but when a child of seven came with other members of the family to Erie, and has been a continuous resident of the city for about sixty-four years. There she was educated, and almost since girlhood has been a leader along the lines of literature, art, society and charity. For thirty- four years she has been especially active in the work of the Home for the Friendless, and for the past two decades has served as its president. In fact, there is scarcely one of the city's charities, whose progress has been of a pronounced character, in which Miss Reed has not figured as an active and highly useful factor. In 1880 she also inaugurated the liter- ary study classes of Erie, which have ever since been under her direc- tion : which have become among the recognized establishments of the city, patronized by the leading families of the city. She'is a wide reader and a thoughtful student in many fields and her broad travels, both in the United States and Europe, have added to her high authority as a woman of thorough information and to her charms as a conversa- tionalist and a writer.
ISADOR SOBEL. An accomplished and cultured gentleman, a public- spirited and liberal-minded citizen, an able attorney, a Republican of national standing and an honored man of public affairs, Isador Sobel. now serving as postmaster of Erie, is one of the strong and broad rep- resentatives of American citizenship which honor any community or commonwealth. A son of Samuel and Cecelia (King) Sobel, he was born Vol. II-30
466
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
in New York City, August 28, 1858, his paternal grandfather, Solomon Sobel, having been a native of Germany. There the father was also born, in 1833, there received his education, and there served an appren- ticeship at the tailor's trade. At the age of twenty he emigrated to the United States, first residing in New York City for three years and marrying during that period. Soon afterward he established himself at Petroleum Center, Venango county, Pennsylvania, as a dry goods mer- chant, building up a flourishing business, erecting an opera house and in many other ways contributing to the advancement of the community. In 1873 he transferred his business and his residence to Erie, and re- tained his rank as a leading dry goods merchant of that city until his return to New York City in 1887.
Having received a public school education in grammar school No. 3. New York City, Isador Sobel pursued a course at the College of the City of New York, and on his removal to Erie attended the Erie high school for some time, and subsequently associated himself with his father's business interests at the former place until 1884, when he began the study of law in the office of Hon. S. M. Brainard. Admitted to the bar in May, 1888, for two years he practiced his profession alone at Erie, after which he formed a partnership with his former preceptor under the firm name of Brainard & Sobel, this connection existing two years.
As a lawyer Mr. Sobel at once took high rank and has ever main- tained his standing ; but it is in the public service that he has received the most pronounced recognition, having for many years been one of the leaders of Republicanism in both city and county. For three years, 1889-1891. he was secretary of the Republican county committee and for a like period 1893-1896, its chairman. In 1891 he was elected common councilman in Erie's stronghold of Democracy, the First ward, and was re-elected in 1893, by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that office; was president of common council in 1894. In 1896 he also served as chairman of the executive committee which had full charge of the memorable campaign in Erie county, and in the same year was the Republican candidate for mayor. Mr. Sobel served as vice-president of the League of Republican Clubs of Pennsylvania in 1894-95 and as its president in 1896-97. An additional honor came to him in 1896, as presi- dential elector on the McKinley ticket, and since 1898 he has during three terms held the postmastership of Erie, under appointment by Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt. His efficiency in that position has caused his name to be advanced to the first position for promotion to an important executive office in the general department, and to his election as third vice president of the National Postmasters' Association and as the first president of the Postmasters' Association of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Sobel is acknowledged also to be among the foremost represen- tatives of his religious faith in the United States. In 1906 fifty Jewish citizens of the country were selected as national representatives, organ- izing under the name of the American Jewish committee and placing him on the executive branch of the body. Mr. Sobel is also a member of the general committee of District No. 3. 1. O. B. B., is one of the man- agers of the Hamot Hospital and is president of the Hamot Hospital Corporators' Association. There is no member of the Jewish Temple of Erie who is more active or thoroughly honored, having served as its president for four years. He is also a leader in the fraternal and secret orders, being a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner and
46%
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Py- thias, Royal Arcanum, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His wife, to whom he was married March 17, 1891, was Miss Emma Auerheim, daughter of S. Auerheim, a well-known merchant of Brad- ford. Pennsylvania. There are three sons, Jeffrey M., Norman T. and Sidney A.
RT. REV. JOHN E. FITZ MAURICE, D. D., BISHOP OF ERIE. The able and beloved Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Erie, by reason of manly physical strength, jealously conserved, by a temperate and a godly life, has already passed the three-score years and ten with which the few in this world are blessed, and half a century of this span has been faithfully devoted to the service of his Church and the spread of the Gospel. A venerable figure, both of high spirituality and ability. with a profound mental equipment of the trained lawyer and theologian, it was inevitable that he should rise to leadership and that worshippers and defenders of the faith in all walks of life should rest their confi- dence and affection in such a personality.
Right Reverend John E. Fitz Maurice, D. D., was born at New- townsandes, County Kerry, Ireland, in February, 1839, four of the five brothers in the family having consecrated their lives to the Priesthood. At the age of fifteen years John E. entered a law office in Dublin and spent four years in preparation for the Legal Profession. Both in mental training and in the acquisition of practical knowledge, such an experience was invaluable, although in 1858, when he came to the United States he abandoned all thought of the law as a life work. Instead, he began the systematic study of Latin and Greek as a student at St. Charles Borromeo's Seminary, as a preparatory step toward entering the Priesthood. On December 22, 1862, he assumed Holy Orders, Arcli- bishop Wood, of Philadelphia officiating and was first appointed an Assistant to the Rector of the Church of St. John the Evangelist, that city. He then held the same position for three months at St. Paul's Church and was next assigned to the Rectorship of the newly organized Parish of St. Agatha, whose Church was formerly an Episcopalian property at the corner of Thirty-sixth street and Fairmont avenue. Under his administration a new building was erected and the parish rapidly expanded in membership and influence. The executive ability and scholarship of Father Fitz Maurice became so manifest that in 1887 Archbishop Ryan appointed him Rector of St. Charles Theologi- cal Seminary at Overbrook, Pennsylvania, thereby assigning him to a post of honor in the Church which incessantly demanded these very traits. For eleven years his duties at that institution included not only the supervision of the teaching staff and the selection of successful can- didates for the Priesthood, but the teaching of Homiletics himself-a branch of Church Theology which is considered the very corner-stone of the Roman Catholic faith and system. In January, 1898, he was ap- pointed Coadjutor Bishop to the late Bishop Mullen, was consecrated in the Cathedral at Philadelphia the following month, and on March 4th of that year arrived at Erie to assume the duties of his office. On Sep- tember 19, 1899, Bishop Mullen resigned and Right Reverend Dr. Fitz Maurice succeeded him as head of the Diocese. His administration of the intervening decade has witnessed the creation of two new parishes in the city and several without, the doubling of the priesthood in num-
468
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
bers, and the infusion into every branch of the church work the zeal, faithfulness and practical Christianity which are so dominant in the personality of the Bishop himself. Now in his seventy-first year, he stands as a broad and venerable but stalwart figure in the community-a man who has endeared himself to his parishioners who have been in such sacred contact with him for a decade, as well as to the public at large, because of his charity and liberality of spirit to the individual, the city and the state.
HUGH NEELY FLEMING, secretary of the Perry Iron Works of Erie, commands the respect of the entire community not only for the serv- ice he has rendered toward the upbuilding of the city's business interests and prospects, but also by reason of the brilliant military record of illustrious ancestors. For many years he was engaged in the real estate business here and, in prosecuting that line of endeavor, was among those who first erected flat buildings in this city, his structure being known as the Fleming Flats. His energies have, moreover, been exerted in other provinces, for by his inventive genius he contrived a valuable device known as the Fleming mail catcher and deliverer, which is used extensively on the railroads, its use being obvious in the mail service.
Mr. Fleming was born in Erie, January 2, 1868, a son of Major Hugh Brady Fleming, who, in turn, was a son of Gen. James Fleming, who was a son of John Fleming, the founder of Lock Haven, Pennsyl- vania, and he in turn was a son of the Earl of Wigton. Gen. James Fleming fought in the War of 1812, in which conflict he participated in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, under command of Gen- eral Scott. In the battle of Fort Erie, New York, he was wounded. Later he served in the United States army and, subsequently, for many years, was a member of the Pennsylvania State Militia, in which he was advanced to the rank of major general. His wife was Rebecca. the daughter of Robert Lowry, and among their children was Major Hugh Brady Fleming.
The last named, who became one of Erie's distinguished citizens, was a native of Rockdale township, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, born in 1827. In 1848 he received the appointment to the United States Military Academy, where he was in the class of the late General Sheri- dan. Upon being graduated from that institution he was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Sixth United States Infantry, on July 1. 1852. His first active military service was experienced in the struggle with the Sioux Indians, in the defense of Fort Laramie, June 13, 1853. In a fight with the same tribe on August 24, of the following year he was wounded. For a while he served on garrison duty at Fort Monroe. Virginia, and later, in 1856, was placed in the frontier service at Fort Steilacoom, Washington territory. He performed military duty in many places throughout the country. He acted as a scout against the Puget Sound Indians in 1856 ; was transferred to Bellingham, Washington ter- ritory, in 1857, and in that year was also on duty at Forts Dallas and Walla Walla, participating, too, in the Spokane expedition. On May 17. 1858, he engaged in a combat with the Indians at Tohotsuimme : was at Fort Lakes the succeeding September, during which month he was also on an expedition at Spokane plains and Spokane river. At Walla Walla frontier duty commanded his attention from 1858 until 1860, while on May 4, 1861, he received promotion as captain of the Ninth
469
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
United States Infantry. During his brilliant military career he became the recipient of many honors for excellent service. For relieving Kit Carson at Fort Garland, that well-known historical character presented him with the sword he used when conducting General Fremont over the mountains.
At the outbreak of the Civil war Captain Fleming was invited by Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, to assume command of a regiment, while he was also extended a like offer by the governor of New York. However, Secretary of War, Stanton, refused to accept his resignation, thereby compelling him to remain on the frontier. From the year 1861 to 1865 he was detailed as mustering officer to organize the infantry bat- talions at Fort Columbus, New York, acting also as mustering and dis- bursing officer at Buffalo and later serving in a like capacity for Nevada and California, in the latter state being stationed at Fort Humbolt. Fol- lowing his service as assistant provost marshal general and superinten- dent of volunteer recruiting, in Nevada and California, or in December. 1865, he assumed frontier duty at Fort Ruby, Nevada, and on July 28, 1866, won his spurs and gold leaf while attached to the Nineteenth In- fantry. In 1869 he was assiged to the Fifth Infantry, in which he served until 18:0, when, on account of ill health, he was retired, being then honored with the rank of major.
After his retirement Major Fleming took up his abode in Erie. residing on West Eighth street, here spending his remaining days, death summoning him into the beyond on April 9, 1895. His wife was Miss Maria Louise Neely, daughter of Joseph and Matilda ( Moore- head) Neely, and he survived her for one year. The major spent much time in travel after making his residence here. Although he had with- drawn from active military service he still manifested deep interest in martial affairs and would have accepted an invitation to take the chair of military science in the University of California had he felt physically qualified. Deeply imbued with a martial and patriotic spirit he ren- dered valuable service to the country through his long military career, while his strength of character and admirable social qualities commanded the highest respect during his twenty-five years residence in Erie.
Hugh Neely Fleming, whose name introduces this review. was reared in the Bay city. He acquired his preparatory education in the Erie Academy and Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massachusets, while later he became a student at Yale College. from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. His inventive genius has been a prominent fea- ture in his life and, following his graduation, he spent considerable time in testing the utility of his talents in that direction. What is known as the "Fleming mail catcher and deliverer" was his idea and this device is employed extensively on the railroads throughout the country in the mail service of moving trains. The real estate business also commanded his attention for several years and, aside from owning much realty in various portions of the city, he was one of the first to erect apartment buildings here, owning what are known as the "Fleming flats."
Mr. Fleming is a man of conservative business judgment, whose careful and well-advised investments have not only added to his personal property but also to the business interests of the city. His real estate operations have been toward enhancing the city's commercial opportun- ities as well as broadening its borders for residence purposes. In 1907 he became secretary of the Perry Iron Works, the duties of which re-
4:1
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
sponsible office he is now performing with the same executive power, which characterized his former labors in other provinces of activity. He belongs to the Sons of the Revolution and, by inheritance, is a member of the Loyal Legion. Socially he is affiliated with the Erie, Kahkwa and Country Clubs, while in all of the organizations to which he belongs his standing is such as to deserve deference; his business career, too. entitling him to prominence, for his success is due both to his ability and the straightforward methods observed.
M. LEVANT DAVIS. The Davis family of which the subject of this sketch is a descendant, was first established in America when Daniel Davis came over from his native country of Wales about the year 1759 and settled on Long Island. He had two sons, William and Zophar The latter named was born October 2, 1769, and was the great-grand- father of M. Levant Davis. The family removed from Long Island to Vermont, and there Daniel Davis lived until his death, which occurred sometime after the year 1816 at Portleboro, in Addison county.
Zopher Davis was married to Lois Porter, a daughter of a Ver- mont family, and a large number of children were born to them. In the year 1816 they moved to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Washington township, being among the early settlers of that part of the county. They purchased a large tract of land, on which they made their home and lived during the remainder of their lives, Zophar pass- ing to his reward in June, 1858.
William Davis, one of the sons of Zophar, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, November 27, 1812, and was therefore a child of about four years when his father removed with his family to Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood on the old homestead and was married to Louisa Thomas, daughter of Lewis Thomas, who settled in Erie county in 1818. To them were born seven children, one of whom, Minor M. Davis. was the father of the one who heads this sketch. William Davis lived the greater part of his life in Waterford township, where he owned a large farm. He was a prosperous farmer, and a man of high standing in the community. He died on May 20, 1894, while his wife had passed away in 1891.
Minor M. Davis was born April 5, 1843, in Washington township, but lived nearly all his life in Waterford township and borough. His early training was on the farm and in the district schools. He served in the War of the Rebellion for about two years as a landsman on the U. S. Gunboat Benton, which was stationed on the Mississippi river. and at the end of the service received an honorable discharge and re- turned to his home. On March 22, 1866, he was married to Linnie E. Williams, a daughter of Daniel and Adeline (Irons) Williams, who were residents of the same locality in Erie county, and to them were born M. Levant. L. Maude, Bertha A., now married to Harry L. Merritt, of Waterford borough. and Shirley A. They resided on a farm in Water- ford township until the year 1885, when they removed to Water- ford borough and Mr. Davis began business as a merchant. He was successful from the beginning, and first alone, then for several years with his brother, M. W. Davis, as Davis Bros., then for a number of years with his son as a partner, and again alone, conducted a general merchandise business up to the time of his death on April 25. 1907. Since his death the business has been carried on by his family under his
471
IHISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
name. His widow and children, with the exception of the son, still re- side in Waterford. He was one of the substantial citizens of the town- ship and borough, and held offices of trust and honor in both places. He was a Republican in politics, and a man of impregnable integrity of purpose and had the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
MI. Levant Davis was born in Waterford township April 5, 1868, and received his early education in the district schools of that township, later attending Waterford Academy and completing the academic course and graduating as a member of the class of 1888. He taught two win- ter terms of school in the township, worked in his father's store dur- ing vacations, and was taken into the business as a partner in 1889. Having determined to prepare himself for the legal profession, Mr. Davis entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1891, and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws as a member of the class of 1893. He was admitted to the bar in Michigan shortly after graduation, and in the autumn of that year went to Chicago, where he served as a clerk in the law office of one of the representative members of that city for something over a year, and in the meantime was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois. In 1895 Mr. Davis returned to the family home in Waterford, where he gave his attention principally to the mercantile business until 1900, when he took up his residence in the city of Erie, and was admitted to the bar of Erie county in June of that year. In 1902 he was elected to the office of district attorney of Erie county, assuming the duties of this position on the 1st of January, 1903, and retaining the incumbency for three years, since which time he has been engaged in the private practice of his profession.
In politics Mr. Davis is found aligned as a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and he is identified with various business and fraternal organizations of the city.
On April 22, 1909, he was united in marriage to Hildegarde Mc- Clelland, a daughter of William and Mary McClelland. Her people resided in Champaign, Illinois, at the time of her birth, but her mother dying while she was still an infant, she was taken by her grandparents, Thomas and Mary McClelland, of Erie, and was brought up by them. and always made her home in that city.
GENERAL THOMAS MCCORMICK WALKER, for nearly thirty years air extensive farmer of North Dakota, during the earlier portion of his life made a bright and substantial record in Pennsylvania annals as a brave and an able officer in the Civil war and a citizen of faithful service both in the county and national governments. His father, the late Hon. John H. Walker. was one of the most distinguished lawyers and public men of the state, and his standing was recognized by such men as Governor Curtin, Thaddeus Stevens and Judge Black, of the Keystone state, and Edwin M. Stanton and other characters of national and uni- versal fame. The elder Mr. Walker was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born on the 9th of February, 1800, being a son of John and Isabella (McCormick) Walker and descended from such early set- tlers that they may justly rank as among the founders of the state. William Walker, his great-grandfather, settled in what is now Lan- caster county during 1710, only eighteen years after the arrival of Penn. Subsequently, the family moved to Cumberland county, which was long
412
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
the ancestral residence. The maternal grandmother of General Walker and the mother of John H. was a daughter of Thomas and Jane ( Oli- ver) McCormick, and was born within the limits of the present city of Philadelphia on the 29th of December, 1759, being a sister of the late Cyrus McCormick, of harvester fame. The Olivers themselves have a leading part in the early history of Pennsylvania. Consequently, John H. Walker had the best of pioneer blood flowing into his veins from all sides and through all branches of the family tree. He himself, after graduating from Washington College in 1822, read law with an uncle in Philadelphia ; was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1823; located in Erie in 1824, and for the succeeding half a century was one of the noted men in the city and state. He served in the legisature in 1832, 1849 and 1852 (during this period being president of the state senate), and in 1873-74 took a leading part in the Pennsylvania constitutional convention, his legal learning and his broad ability in the consideration of public question giving him unusual prominence in all its deliberations, succeeding Hon. William M. Meredith as its president. In 1831 John H. Walker wedded Miss Catherine D. Kelley, a New Hampshire lady who died in 1860, mother of nine children. He passed away on the 24th of January, 1875, a few months after the completion of his fine serv- ice as a member of the state constitutional convention.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.