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 73
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Daniel Sayre obtained his educational training in the pioneer schools of Fairview township, and in 1850, imbued with the gold fever of the west, he made the trip by way of the Horn to San Fran- cisco, but remained there only a few years and then returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama and took charge of the Sayre farm, where he spent the residue of his life as a successful farmer. His name was ever foremost among those active in the advancement and upbuilding of the township and county, and to him belongs the credit of securing the sidewalk all along the ridge road from his home town Girard, a distance of over two miles. He married Miss Caroline Sweney, who was born in Mill Creek township of Erie county, a daughter of John and Louisa ( Woodward) Sweney, from Mifflin county, Penn- sylvania. They pioneered to Erie county in its early days, John Sweney coming here when a child with his parents, John and Esther (Murphy ) Sweney.
Helen Louisa, the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Sayre, married Frederick W. Blair, who was born December 21, 1869, a son of Samuel Blair, whose history is given on other pages of this work. Frederick W. Blair received a good education in the public school and in the Erie Academy and Grove City College, and he lived at home with his par- ents until his marriage on the 13th of January, 1898. Then after a short time on a farm in Fairview township he came to reside on the old Sayre homestead. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blair : Elizabeth Winnifred, James Sayre, Caroline Lucile, Frederick Samuel and Marian Esther. Mr. Blair votes with the Re- publican party, and while living in Fairview township he served as a school director. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member and the present master of the Grange at Girard, taking a very active interest in its work.
In politics Mr. Sayre upheld the principles of the Democratic party. although during the last few years of his life he voted independent of party ties, and he never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office. He was a man highly respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance or who knew aught of his upright character, and his death on the 11th of January, 1904, was mourned by his many friends and associates. His widow still resides on the old farm which has stood in the Sayre name for nearly a hundred years.
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Ross MCCULLOUGH is descended from a family who have contributed their full share to the progress and development of their country. His great-grandfather, James McCullough, was a lieutenant in the Revolu- tion, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and his grandfather and father did their duty in their walk of life. Mr. Mccullough's grand- father. also named James, married Rebecca Rouse; both were natives of Chenango county, New York, and came to Erie county about 1819. Mr. Mccullough's father. Casper M., was born in Amity township, Erie county. March 28. 1835; he married Caroline Stewart, also of Amity township. He was a farmer, and became possessed of valuable property, and he also held interests in the oil fields during the excitement in the oil belt of Pennsylvania. Casper Mccullough has now retired from active business and resides at Beaver Dam. His children are: Eva, Charles T., Ross, Nettie and Mark (deceased).
Ross Mccullough was born in Union township. Union City, Erie county, May 4, 1881, and in that place has always lived, there receiv- ing his education. He now owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres of valuable, well tilled land, especially well adapted for dairying purposes, and his herd of valuable cows numbers twenty, besides small stock. He manufactures butter, which he markets at the highest pre- vailing figure.
Mr. Mccullough married, in 1902. Dora, daughter of William C. and Salome ( Brown) Maynard. William C. Maynard was born in Amity township. February 4, 1835. He married Salome Brown. in 1860. and they have had six daughters, namely : Lois J. (deceased). Carrie E .. Minnie M .. Ruby M., Leafy L., and Dora E. William Maynard is a son of William B. and Lois Carnahan Maynard, the former born January 10. 1810. in Brookfield. New York. William B. Maynard was the son of Pliny and Julia Maynard, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Erie county in 1831. Williom B. Maynard was twice married, but by his first wife had only one son. By his second wife. Lucy Carnahan, sister of his first wife, he had children as follows: P. H., Harriet A., S. D., E. R .. Charlotte, H. N., F. W. and three who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. McCullough have been blessed with three children, as follows: James M .. born January 14, 1903; Cecil M .. February 6, 1905, and Mildred E., October 1. 1906. Mrs. McCullough is a member of the United Brethren church.
PARKER WOODWORTH is one of the oldest men living at Girard, Pennsylvania, having passed the eighty-eighth milestone on the journey of life, and his has been a busy and useful life, filled with arduous and honorable toil and beautiful deeds, and all who know him respect and reverence him. . He was born at Rushford in Allegany county, New York. December 20, 1820, and he spent the first thirty-four years of his life there, coming then to Girard, Pennsylvania, and for about four years he worked in a lime kiln helping to make lime. At the close of that period he built for himself a lime kiln on the banks of the old canal, and conducted it for thirteen years. Going then to Conneaut Harbor in Ohio, he built a kiln and manufactured lime there for about three years. and then returning to Girard he was employed at different occupations until 1877.
It was in that year that he was made the superintendent of the Girard cemetery. then a very unattractive place, and for thirty years he devoted his life to the beautifying of this "city of the dead," until it stands
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today one of the most beautiful burying grounds in Erie county. When he entered upon his office of superintendent the trees were unkept, the grass rank and long and the ground uneven, but all of these difficulties he met and conquered, and he also laid out walks and drives and in many other ways added beauty to the sacred spot. He resigned his office in the year of 1907, comforted with the thought that his work had been well and faithfully done.
Mr. Woodworth married first Miss Nancy Sevey, from Rushford, New York, and following her death he married her sister Martha Sevey, but she too has preceded him to the home beyond, dying in 1905. They had no children of their own, but they adopted a babe of nine months, Theodora, now the wife of Charles H. Taft of Erie, Pennsylvania, and the mother of a son, Harold Woodworth. Mr. Woodworth is a grand old Christian gentleman, benevolent and philanthropic in spirit, and he is well known and honored for his many acts of kindness. Politically he is a Democrat.
JAMES DRAKE. The family here described is said to be descended from Sir Francis Drake, a native of England, who with his brother Henry came to the colonies at a very early date, and after spending a few years there returned to England ; his descendants returned to Massa- chusetts and there lived and died. The great-grandfather of James Drake, Francis Drake, named after his illustrious ancestor, by his wife Polly had three children, Francis, Benjamin and Denny. Benjamin Drake, born in Massachusetts, married Sally Bontz, a native of Germany, and they settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1813. They located in Amity township, where they purchased one hundred acres of land, in its virgin state. Benjamin Drake was a skilful hunter, trapper and fisherman, and delighted in these occupations; in those days his new land abounded in game. He became the father of nine children, namely : Frank, George, Sanford, Henry, Denny, Levi, Laura, Julia and May. Frank Drake married Mary Kemp, and to them were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Adella, James, Adolphus, Leroy, Lizzie, Annie and William.
James Drake was born in Michigan, August 25, 1863; his parents had removed to that state, where they lived a short time. In 1864 they returned to Erie county, and settled in Union City, where James received his early education and training. In that city he worked twenty-one years with Mr. Cheney, in the manufacture of chairs. He now owns and oper- ates a fine farm of one hundred forty-five acres, in Amity township, and has an exceedingly fine herd of fifteen cattle, besides young stock and horses. He is an enterprising and ambitious farmer, and obtains good results in all lines of his farming.
Mr. Drake married Clara Wetmore, September 10, 1894, and this union has been blessed with children as follows: Clifford, Frank, Ellen and Hazel. He is an Independent in politics. Mrs. Drake is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
EZRA COOPER. In his community during his life time no man was more widely known or highly known than Ezra Cooper, whose long life was eventful and useful, filled with honest pursuits and purposes. He was born in Elmira, New York, in 1822, and there was reared and edu- cated and fitted for his future life of usefulness and responsibility. His first business experience was in peddling wares on foot, and in his initial
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business career he was often discouraged and disheartened, but with his characteristic fortitude and courage he pressed on and soon began to make money and add to his stock in trade, his business finally growing to such proportions that it became necessary for him to buy a horse and wagon to carry his large stock. He began at eighteen cents a day, and the close of his three years of work found him with a cash capital of $5,000.
In company with his father, Aaron Cooper, he came to Waterford in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1857, intending to continue on west- ward, but noticing a place for sale he bought it and for those early days fitted up a store of vast proportions. This property included a house and two hundred acres of land, all of which was purchased for twenty-five hundred dollars. There Mr. Cooper opened a store, and it was not long before his natural aptitude for business enabled him to out-run his competitors, and for seven years he also did a large banking business. Moving to Union City in the year of 1864, he opened and conducted a hardware store for a short time, and in the year following his arrival here he opened the private bank which he successfully conducted for thir- ty-five years. In the meantime his property increased in extent and value, he having erected several business blocks in Union City and also owned farms over different parts of the county, and it was often remarked that he did not recognize his own farms as he drove by them so vast were his realty possessions.
The Cooper House, one of the large hotels of the city and now included in his estate was built in 1864 and was then called the Petroleum Hotel on account of the great oil excitement then prevailing over this part of the state. The name was changed to the Cooper House in 1895; and in 1905 it was remodeled and modernized with all the latest improve- ments and facilities by his son and heir, Fred A. Cooper. This com- modious and pleasant hostelry can accommodate as many as seventy-five guests. During many years Ezra Cooper was closely associated with the history of Erie county, but his beautiful and useful life was closed in death in the year of 1893, in his seventy-first year, but because of his life of helpfulness, of good cheer, of broad sympathy and his deep interest in and labors for the benefit of his fellow men, his memory will long be cherished by those who knew him. Mr. Cooper politically was a Repub- lican. He married Miss Jennie Rumsey, of Bath, New York. December 15, 1857, and she was of inestimable value to him in his business career, and is the mother of his only child, Fred A. Cooper, of Union City.
Mrs. Jennie Rumsey Cooper was tenderly reared and liberally edu- cated, and is a graduate of a school at one time located in Ithaca, New York. Although now of advanced age her mind seems almost in its youthful freshness and strength, and her pen is ever busy in recording in beautiful language the rich thoughts of her brain. In her early life she edited a paper called the "Temperance Gem," which had a circulation of ten thousand copies, and it was the writer's privilege to read from a copy of this journal, and its stirring sentiments couched in beautiful language fully justifies him in saying that she is a deep thinker, a bright and inter- esting writer and a wide reader. She is an extremely well preserved lady and takes care of her vast property interests, which include her Union City and township property and three colleges at Lake Chautauqua, and it is at that resort that she spends her summers. She takes a deep and abiding interest in the community in which she has so long resided and is one of
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its most philanthropic citizens, a consistent and worthy member of the Episcopal church.
LAVERNE H. RAYMOND. The owner of one of the largest and most completely furnished general stores in Erie county, Laverne H. Raymond, of Greenfield township, is carrying on an extensive and remunerative business, being a most popular and progressive merchant, and one with whom it is a pleasure to trade. He was born, December 29, 1867, in Venango township, a son of Elbridge Raymond.
A native of New York; Elbridge Raymond was born and bred in Albany county, coming from New England ancestry, the Raymond family having removed from Rhode Island to Albany county in colonial days, and his birth occurring in that county in 1802. When a young man he located in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and was for a number of years engaged in milling, first operating a grist mill in Wattsburg, and later in Greenfield township. He subsequently served as postmaster at Green- field from 1875 until 1885, living there until his death, at a ripe old age. He was twice married. By his first marriage he had five children, of whom two, Edwin and Charles, were veterans of the Civil war, Edwin dying while in service. He married for his second wife Mary Yost, who was born in Venango township, in 1825, and they became the parents of two children, George and Laverne H.
His parents removing to Greenfield township when he was but a year old, Laverne H. Raymond was here brought up and educated. Entering upon a business career when young, he had the moral courage to open a general store in Greenfield township, a venture in which other men had previously failed, establishing his present business in 1890, with the limited capital of $450. Succeeding from the first, he gradually increased both his stock and his operations, and now owns his own store and his own residence, the latter being one of the finest in the whole town- ship. His store building is forty-two feet by sixty-four feet, two stories in height, with a good basement, every part of which he uses, and in addi- tion to this Mr. Raymond has erected a shed sixty-four feet in length, for the accommodation of his numerous patrons, who are sure of a dry and warm place in which they can put up their teams in cold or wet weather. Mr. Raymond each year adds to his stock, which is now valued at about $10,000, carrying a complete line of goods, including almost everything found in a general store unless it be heavy hardware.
Mr. Raymond married, in 1890, Bertha, daughter of Elisha G. and Mary J. ( Riddell) Lewis and a sister of Jay M. Lewis, of whom a brief sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Her grandfather Riddell was for many years in the employ of the government, holding a position in connection with the government mints, while her great-great-grand- father, William Ellery, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond have two children, Agnes and Har- old. Taking great interest in local affairs, and never shirking the respon- sibilities devolving upon him as a loyal and trustworthy citizen, Mr. Ray- mond has served as township clerk, attditor and treasurer, as justice of the peace, and as notary public. Fraternally he is a member, and wor- shipful master, of Wattsburg Lodge, No. 533, F. & A. M., and both he and his wife belong to the Protected Home Circle.
JAY M. LEWIS. A highly intelligent, industrious and capable business man, Jay M. Lewis is prominently identified with the manufacturing and mercantile interests of Erie county, being proprietor of the Clover
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Leaf Cheese factory, which was established at North East in 1890, and has since been among the leading industries of the place. A native of lowa, he was born, March 16, 1878, in Hastings, Mills county, a son of Elisha G. Lewis. lle comes from distinguished New England ancestry, being a direct descendant of William Ellery, of Rhode Island, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence being his great-great-grand- son. The Lewis family originated in Wales, the founder of the Amer- ican family of that name immigrating to the United States from that country.
Elisha G. Lewis, born November 10, 1844, has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits during his entire life, and is now a resident of Chau- tauqua county, New York. He married Mary J. Riddell, who was born. October 11, 1848, in Chautauqua, and died April 7, 1891. They were the parents of six children, as follows : Bertha A., Agnes, deceased, Samuel R., Jay M., Lepha A., deceased, and Lena A.
Brought up in Pennsylvania, Jay M. Lewis obtained his rudimentary education in the common schools of Greenfield township, after which he attended the Fredonia State Normal School, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1898. As a young man he was for a time in the employ of the Wabash and Nickle Plate Railway companies, after which he spent four years in learning the trade of manufacturing cheese, of which he is now an expert. Having become thoroughly conversant with the business, Mr. Lewis, in 1907, purchased his present plant, and has now one of the best equipped factories in Erie county, in addition to manufacturing cheese making his own cheese boxes. The factory has an actual output of upwards of a thousand pounds a day, its capacity being fifteen hundred pounds, and this amount he sells in Erie, F. R. Sim- mons paying him the highest market price for all that he can manufacture.
On April 17, 1898, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Ada B. Waterman, a daughter of Norman O. and Nettie B. Waterman, and they have one adopted son, Harry D. Lewis. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engine Men, and in politics is a Republican. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Christian church and Mr. Lewis is a Methodist.
SHREVE FAMILY. This prominent family of Shreve dates back to and beyond the days of the Revolutionary war, when its members with others of the brave pioneers of the land offered their services in the cause of freedom and liberty, and they claim among their ancestors the first families of the mother country of England. The first of the name in America of whom there is authentic knowledge is Colonel William Shreve of Bordentown, New Jersey, and he served several years in the Colonial army under Washington.
Richard Shreve Sr., one of the children of Colonel William Shreve. was born on the ?2nd of September, 1760, and he married Margaret, a daughter of Thomas and Ann Newbold, and she was also born in the year of 1460, on the 26th of May. Richard Shreve and his family resided in Favette county, Pennsylvania, until 1:98, when they moved to Bloom- field township in Crawford county, then a vast wilderness, and there he cleared a farm and reared his children, thirteen in number, William, Bra- zilla, Thomas, Nancy, Israel, Charlotte, Richard Jr .. Caleb, Benjamin, Charles. Isaac, Margaret and Sarah Ann. Richard Shreve, Sr., was a miller and owned and operated the Washington mills in Fayette county. He was a very prominent man in his day, and served as captain of militia
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and was at one time justice of the peace. He died on September 12, 1822, and his widow survived him until October 9, 1852. She as well as her husband was a representative of some of the best families of England.
Israel Shreve, the fourth born son of Richard, was born in the year 1794 and married Elizabeth, a daughter of Thomas Bloomfield, of Revol- utionary war fame. Israel reared a family of eight children, Caleb, Cyrus, Thomas, Darius, Caroline, Elizabeth, Margaret and one who died in early life. Israel, the father, died in 1866, and his wife Elizabeth died in 1880, aged eighty-three years.
Darius, the fourth son of Israel and Elizabeth ( Bloomfield) Shreve, was born in Bloomfield, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1833, and he married Miss Almira M., a daughter of Isaac and Patience (Allee) Miller, on June 3, 1862. The young couple settled on the old homestead farm in Bloomfield township, Crawford county, and there was born to them the following children: Elvia L., born October 11, 1864, Emery A., October 2, 1867, Lendell D., July 14, 1869, Myrtie P. September 8, 1875. Darius Shreve followed the vocation of a farmer, filling nearly all of the township offices. He was a man of integrity and a respected citizen. After his death, on the old Shreve homestead in Bloomfield township, in November, 1896, the family moved to Union City, where Emery A. Shreve has been in business since 1893, and both brothers have long been numbered among its prominent residents.
The Shreve Chair Manufacturing Company, composed of Lendell D. Shreve, the president and treasurer, Emery A. Shreve the vice president, and W. E. Everson, the secretary, is the largest wood seat chair factory in the United States. It was organized in 1903, and the factory now covers an area of six acres, the main building being three stories high, and the company give employment to a force of from three to four hun- dred workmen. The output of their factory is about thirty-five hundred chairs in ten hours, and for this output they consume thirty thousand feet of lumber. The factory is equipped with a two hundred horse-power engine. Besides this manufactory the company have another at Spar- tansburg, where fifty men are employed, and still another at Cambridge Springs, where they give employment to thirty workmen. In the two latter shops the materials are made ready to be put together and then shipped to the main factory at Union City, where they are completed and made ready for the market.
It was through the indomitable energy and forethought of L. D. Shreve that this large industry was inaugurated and placed on a running and paying basis. He has served one term each as chief burgess and councilman of Union City, retiring from the offices with the respect and confidence of the people, and he is the efficient superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School here. E. A. Shreve served Union City as a coun- cilman, and he is a trustee in the Baptist church.
JULIUS CHARLES SIEGEL. One of the leading business men of Erie of marked executive ability is Julius Charles Siegel, managing partner of the Erie Oil Works. There is no mistaking the name for any than that which applies to a substantial German family, to which the military and civic history of the United States has been greatly indebted in the Civil war period and during many eras of peace. The father, Frederick Louis Siegel, emigrated from Carlsbad, Germany, in 1852, and settled at once in Erie, where he found numerous countrymen to receive him into their circles.
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Julius C. Siegel, of this sketch, was born in Erie, on the 2nd of October, 1856, received a common school education in his native city and his clean and enviable record both as a business man and a private citizen has been made in the community of his birth. He is a firm Demo- crat and popular with various societies, lodges and clubs, but has never sought political or public advancement. Mr. Siegel has been twice mar- ried-first, to Miss Hattie Faust of Meadville, Pennsylvania, by whom he had a daughter. Florence, now twenty-two years of age, who is mar- ried to Burr Lathrop of Erie. His second marriage, which occurred March 5, 1900, was to Miss Mabel Baird, and they have two children- Richard, now six years of age, and Helen, four.
HENRY M. BAILEY is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Venango township, where he owns and resides on a farm of two hundred and seventeen acres of valuable dairy land. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, but was reared and educated in Erie county, a son of David P. and Chloe C. (Dean) Bailey, both of whom were born in Otsego county, New York, the father on the ?2d of Septem- ber, 1807, and the mother in 1811. The maternal family were from the cast, and the first tocometo Erie county were Ephraim and Samuel Dean. uncles of Henry M. Bailey. Samuel Dean was born in Otsego county, New York, March 9, 1800, and he married Julia Bailey. Of the same family as Samuel were Ephraim, Harvey and Crandall. Ephraim was born in 1796, and died on the ?7th of May, 1876. Daniel Dean was the grandfather of Henry M. Bailey, and he was born in June of 1774, and died in 1848. On the 12th of March. 1795, he married Betsey Elizabeth Crandel, born March 19, 1773, and she died March 3, 1860. Their chil- dren were: Ephraim, born August 2, 1796, and died May 27, 1876 ; Har- vey, born May 28, 1797; Samuel, born March 9, 1800; Sally, born Janu- ary 30, 1802; Betsey, August 26, 1805; Ellis, December 8, 1808; Chloe C., March 23, 1811 ; and Crandall, September 11, 1813. Of these sons Harvey served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812.
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