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 9
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FRANCIS CARRICK, vice president and manager of the Globe Iron Works, of Erie, which he assisted in founding, is also part owner of the Hinsley Manufacturing Company, a stockholder in the Stearns Manufacturing Company, and since boyhood has been almost continuously identified with the development of the city's industrial life. He is a native of St. Catherine's, Canada, born on the 10th of July, 1853, and is a son of John and Margaret (Ryan) Carrick, the former a
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Scotchman of Montrose and the latter, a daughter of Ireland of county Clare. Both parents emigrated to the Dominion in their youth and were married in Canada. In his early life the father was an ocean pilot and at a later period, for many years, captain of the passenger steamer "City of Bradford," plying between St. Catherine's and Montreal. In 1859 he located at Erie, where he was long in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, passing away in that city at the age of seventy-four years, in January, 1878. The widow survived until 1898, dying as the mother of thirteen children, of whom eight are still living.
Mr. Carrick, of this sketch, obtained a common school education and learned the molder's trade at St. Catherines, and when he came to Erie with the family in 1859 entered the employ of the Erie City Iron Works, being then in his seventeenth year. A year later he engaged with the Bay State Iron Works, subsequently with the Stearns Brothers Man- ufacturing Company, and then became identified with various establish- ments in other sections of the country, his main design at this period of his career being to familiarize himself with all branches of iron man- ufacture. At his return to Erie in 1888 he became an employe of the Erie Car Works, with which he spent five years, and then followed a service of seven years with the Nagle Company. Wisely deciding that he was now fully qualified to conduct a business of his own, he associated himself with Fred Hope in the establishment of the Globe Iron Works, a year later his partner selling his interests to F. F. Curtze. At that time the firm became Curtze and Carrick, and in 1902 the business was incor- porated as the Globe Iron Works Company, with Mr. Curtze as president and Mr. Carrick as vice president and manager. The partners in this large enterprise also are members of the Heisley Manufacturing Com- pany, and, as stated, Mr. Carrick himself is a stockholder in the Stearns Manufacturing Company. He is also a member of the Erie Board of Trade; is identified, in his church connections, with St. Peter's Roman Catholic cathedral; belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and is a director of St. Vincent's Hospital. Mr. Carrick's wife (nee Mary Kerwin) is a daughter of Daniel Kerwin, of Warren, Pennsylvania, and mother of the following: Frank and Leonard, employes of the Globe Iron Works; Paul, deceased, and Cecilia.
PHILIP AUGUST BECKER. The distinctive and specific office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments but rather to leave the record establishing his position by the concensus of public opinion. In all things Philip A. Becker measured up to the full standard of honorable manhood in his business, social and official relations. For over a third of a century he was closely identified with the commercial interests of Erie and during a portion of that time was probably the most conspicuous figure in municipal affairs, especially at the time when Erie was passing through its transformation period from a borough into a city. Indeed so active and helpful a part did he take in that work that his record has become inseparably interwoven with the history of the municipality and what he accomplished along the lines of progress and improvement in municipal affairs will ever be a most interesting and valuable contribution to the city's annals.
Mr. Becker was born at Essingen, Rhein-Pfalz, Bavaria, on the 10th of April, 1835, and his parents, Jacob and Mary (Berle) Becker, were also natives of that kingdom. Both the father and grandfather
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were school teachers and it was therefore but natural that Philip A. Becker should receive a collegiate education, owing to the interest of the family in intellectual progress. Following the German revolution of 1848, when so many of his countrymen found it expedient to seek homes in a new country, Mr. Becker also came to the United States and in 1851 established his home in Erie. Here he entered upon a business career in which he was destined, by reason of his laudable ambition, unfaltering energy and capable management, to win notable success. He first began as a clerk in the store of Jacob Berger but, with a college training and natural business ability, he was too ambitious to remain long in the position of salesman and the fall of 1852 found him at the head of his own establishment as proprietor of a wholesale grocery and liquor store at the corner of Fourth and French streets. The same year Mr. Becker's parents and sisters joined him in Erie and here the father died in 1853 but the mother long survived, passing away in January, 1890, at the very advanced age of eighty-four years.
In 1856 Mr. Becker, now well established in commercial lines, re- moved his business to the corner of Sixth and French streets, where in 1872 he erected a fine business house which is now known as the Becker block. It is a three-story brick structure and it remained the scene of his commercial operations until his death, since which time the busi- ness has been carried on at the same location by his sons and is still operated under the father's name. It is one of the oldest and best known business houses of the city, the sons maintaining its management along the same honorable, straightforward and progressive lines laid down by the father. In his commercial career Philip A. Becker was very progres- sive, seeking out new lines of activity whereby he might extend his com- mercial interests, and the success which he achieved was due to his honest, careful and persevering labors and his reliable principles. He ever maintained an unsullied name, his integrity standing as an un- questioned factor in his commercial life.
In political circles and municipal affairs Mr. Becker made a repu- tation which was equally commendable and reliable. He was conscien- tious in the discharge of every public duty, faithful in meeting every public trust and in all his municipal service looked ever to the advance- ment and growth of the city. Probably no public official of Erie has left his influence and impress on the city to better purpose than he. In every position which he filled he was a leader and sought continuously to advance reform, efficiency and improvement. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth, ability and unfaltering devotion to the general good, called him again and again to office and over the record of his official career there fell no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. From 1867 until 1873 he was a useful member of the board of school directors, putting forth effective and beneficial effort in behalf of the system of public education. He served for nine full terms as a member of the city council and in both branches thereof was honored with election to the presidency. In 1883 his useful public career culminated in his election as mayor of Erie, to which he was chosen by a large majority as the Democratic candidate. His friends, constituents and the people in gen- eral expected much of him as the city's chief executive, nor were they disappointed, for his term was characterized by various needed reforms and the inauguration of a number of movements resulting in great benefit. He strongly advocated the building of a new city hall in keeping with the needs and dignity of the growing town and it was during his
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administration that the project was successfully developed, that ground was broken and the work of construction begun. He also reorganized and uniformed the city police force and established much needed disci- pline in that department. He likewise reorganized the fire department, which he greatly improved, bringing it up to a high point of efficiency never before known in its history. To him, more than to any other individual or number of men, is due the credit for installing the system of electric lighting in Erie. Many other tangible evidences of his pro- gressive spirit could be cited and in fact his administration accomplished more in the line of municipal reforms and improvements than that of any mayor the city has ever had.
In social, church and fraternal circles Philip A. Becker was also prominent, influential and helpful. He was one of the organizers of the Erie Liedertafel and was a leading member of the Lutheran church. His life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Odd Fellows society and indeed his interest and influence were always on the side of right, justice, truth and advancement. When death claimed him on the 12th of January, 1888, his passing was mourned by a wide circle of personal friends and by the entire community at large, for his life was so wrought in the public fabric that his death brought a sense of personal bereavement to all. Commenting on the death of Mayor Becker, one of the local newspapers, in a tribute to his citizenship and character, voiced the following sentiment, which was echoed by all who knew him: "Liberal and progressive as a citizen, capable and honest as an official, loyal and generous as a friend and tenderness itself beside his own hearthstone, Philip Becker died as be- comes a man of such character-brave and patient to the time when that blessed provision of nature for the great change robbed him of conscious being, only a few minutes before life left his body."
The home life of Philip A. Becker was also most attractive in his devotion to his wife and children. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia L. Jung, who died in February, 1896, at the age of fifty-seven years. There were four children born unto them, of whom Eugenia A., the eldest, died at the age of eighteen. Emil A. Becker, who was born in Erie, January 28, 1861, was educated in the public schools, after which he was under a private tutor in Philadelphia for a time. In 1878 he entered his father's store and continued with him until the father's death, when he and his brother Otto succeeded to the business, which, however, has since been conducted under the old style of P. A. Becker. He is a member of the various Masonic bodies and of the Erie, Country and Shrine Clubs. He is also connected with the Chamber of Commerce and, like his father, is proving his progressive citizenship in many tangible ways. He married Miss Ruth Spafford, and to them one son has been born, Spafford J. Becker. Mrs. Becker is a daughter of John D. Spafford and a granddaughter of Oliver Spaf- ford, the pioneer book man of Erie, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The mother of Mrs. Ruth Becker bore the maiden name of Emily Lejeal and belonged to a prominent family of this city. Armin Becker, the third member of the family, died at the age of a year and a half. Otto E., the youngest and the second surviving son, was born in Erie, January 5, 1865, and is indebted to the public-school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. In 1882 he entered his father's store and continues the business successfully in connection with his brother. He, too, is loyal to the teachings of Masonry, having taken the degrees
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of the York and Scottish rites, while his membership relations also include the Erie, Country and Shrine Clubs and the Chamber of Com- merce. He married Salona, a daughter of Dr. B. A. Smith, a well-known physician of Erie, and to them, in 1903, was born a son, Philip S. Becker. For almost six decades the family has figured in connection with the history of Erie and the name has always been a synonym here for progressive and valued citizenship.
WILLIAM CONRADT KRAEMER. Secretary and treasurer of the Dis- patch Printing and Engraving Company, of Erie, and a public citizen of influence and official standing, William C. Kraemer is a worthy type of the German-American who is behind much of the substantial life of Erie and Northwestern Pennsylvania. He is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, born March 18, 1868, and is a son of William and Eva (Bender) Kraemer. Although the father was born in Baden- Baden and the mother in Bavaria, both emigrated from Germany to the United States in their early years. William Kraemer, who was a wagon maker, was living in Missouri at the outbreak of the Civil war, and served in a Union regiment from that state under General Fremont. Afterward he went to Dunkirk, New York, where one of his sisters was living, and followed his trade there and at Fredonia, also in that state. In 1868 he located at Forestville, New York, where, as a member of the firm of Jones and Kraemer, he established a wagon manufactory and blacksmith shop. His death occurred at the latter place in 1873, at the age of thirty-three years, the widowed mother being now a resident of Erie.
Until he was thirteen years of age, W. C. Kraemer lived at Forest- ville, New York, attending its public schools and Free Academy. In November, 1881, he located at Girard, where he learned the printer's trade on the Cosmopolite, a newspaper established by Dan Rice, the well-known showman. Mr. Kraemer remained thus engaged until July, 1891, when, at the age of twenty-three, he became a resident of Erie. After continuing as an employe of the Dispatch for some time he bought an interest in the paper and the printing plant, and acted as foreman for about six years. When the newspaper and job departments were divided, Mr. Kraemer became identified with the latter. This was organized and incorporated as the Dispatch Printing and Engraving Company, and of this he is third owner, holding the office of secretary and treasurer. To the development of this enterprise Mr. Kraemer has given his chief attention, although his activity and influence in public matters have been noteworthy. In 1902 he was elected, by independent voters, to the office of county register and recorder, and in 1905 returned to the same position without opposition. He is also in line with other enterprising citizens as a member and active supporter of the Erie Board of Trade, and is earnest and liberal in his association with the frater- nities. He has attained especially high rank in the Masonic order, being a member of Perry Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Presque Isle Lodge of Per- fection ; Pittsburg Consistory and Zem Zem Temple of the Mystic Shrine ; as a natural consequence of his standing in the order, he is identified with the Shriner Club of Erie. As an Odd Fellow he belongs to Lake Shore Lodge No. 718, and Heneosis Adelphon Encampment No. 42; his Knights of Pythias connections are with Erie Lodge and the Dramatic Order of Khorassan, and he is a member of Alpha Tent No. 1, K. O.
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T. M. Mr. Kraemer's wife was formerly Miss Alice L. Hays and both are members of the Central Presbyterian church.
THOMAS OLDMAN. A well-known and popular business man of the city of Erie is Thomas Oldman, who is proprietor of the Tenth Avenue Cafe & Restaurant, and who previously was prominently identified with manufacturing industries of an important order. He is a member of the city council, in which he is a representative of the Second ward, and during his services as a city official he has made a record for care and fidelity in the conservation of good municipal government.
Thomas Oldman is a native of the city of Buffalo, New York, where he was born on the 22d of January, 1862, and he is a son of William and Jane (Crighton) Oldman, the former of whom was born in Man- chester, England, in 1833, and the latter of whom was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1840. William Oldman was about five years of age when, in 1839, his parents came to America, and from New York City, to which point they had made the voyage on one of the old-time sailing vessels, they made their way to Buffalo on a canal packet-boat on the Erie canal. At that time no railroad had penetrated so far west as Buffalo. In the city mentioned William Oldman was reared to manhood, and he is now one of the oldest citizens of Buffalo, where he has maintained his home continuously since his childhood days and where he was long identified with successful business undertakings. For many years he was engaged in the manufacturing of boilers, having been an expert boiler-maker and having long conducted a shop of his own. For the past several years he has lived retired from all active business associations, and he rests secure in the confidence and esteem of all who know him in the city which has long been the scene of his earnest and fruitful endeavors.
Thomas Oldman was reared to maturity in his native city, to whose excellent public schools he is indebted for his early educational discipline. As a youth he entered upon an apprenticeship to the boiler-maker's trade, under the effective direction of his honored father, and he continued to follow the work of his trade in Buffalo, until 1889, when, at the age of twenty-seven years, he came to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he became superintendent of the boiler department of the plant of the Stearns Manufacturing Company. Later he engaged in business for himself, by establishing the American Boiler Works, and he built up a prosperous enterprise, in which he continued until July, 1908, when he disposed of the plant and business and purchased the Tenth Avenue Cafe & Res- taurant, which he has since conducted with much success. The estab- lishment is modern and attractive in appointments and the service is such as to constitute the best possible advertising for the popular institution.
In his political adherency Mr. Oldman is found arrayed as a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, and he has been the popular and able representative of the Second ward in the city council continuously since 1904. He was first elected in that year, was chosen as his own successor in 1906, and in the election of 1908 renewed mark of popular appreciation of his services was given when he was again elected to succeed himself as one of the members of the administrative body of the municipal govern- ment. He is affiliated with Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Protected Home Circle, besides which he is identified with the Erie Chamber of Commerce, an organi-
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zation which has done much to further the industrial and commercial advancement of Erie.
SAMUEL B. BAYLE. As a representative member of the bar of his native county, as one who has also attained to much prestige as an educator, as one who has rendered effective service in the state legislature, and as a scion of families founded in the old Keystone commonwealth in the colonial epoch of our national history. there is ample reason for according consideration in this publication of Samuel B. Bayle, who bears a name that has long been identified with the annals of Erie county and one that has ever stood exponent of the best order of citizenship.
Samuel B. Bayle was born on the old homestead farm of his father, in Mckean township, this county, and the date of his nativity is to be recorded as August 20, 1860. He is a son of Elias and Mara Ann Louisa (Brecht) Bayle, the former of whom was likewise a native of Mckean township, where he was born in the year 1822, and the latter of whom was born in Fairview township, this county, in 1830. James Bayle, grandfather of him whose name initiates this review, was a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, when he removed to Erie county and became one of the pioneer settlers of Mckean township in the open- ing years of the nineteenth century. He rendered valiant service in guarding the port of Erie during the war of 1812, and during the prog- ress of this conflict also assisted in the construction of the historic old Edinboro plank road. He became one of the influential citizens of the county, and here continued his residence until his death. A great- grandfather of Samuel B. Bayle in the maternal line was Stephen Oliver. who had served as a loyal soldier in the Continental line in the war of the Revolution and who was present at the historic Wyoming massacre. He became one of the pioneers of McKean township, this county, and contributed his quota to the material and civic progress of this now favored section of the old Keystone state.
Elias Bayle was reared to manhood in this county, and made good use of the advantages of the common schools of his day, as is evident when it is stated that he became a successful and popular teacher when a young man. He was reared on the home farm, and in later years he found it expedient and grateful to continue his allegiance to the great basic art of agriculture, in connection with which he has been duly successful in his operations. He continued to be engaged in farming in McKean township until 1864, when he removed to the state of Mich- igan, where he continued to reside until 1872, when he returned to his native county, where he has since maintained his home. He now resides with his son in Fairview borough, and he has long been recognized as one of the sterling and influential citizens of Erie county, where he has been called upon to serve in various township offices and where he has so ordered his course as to retain at all times the confidence and inviolable esteem of his fellow men. His cherished and devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal on the 6th of January, 1890. She was a woman of most gracious and gentle personality, and ever showed a deep sympathy for "those in any ways afflicted, in mind, body or estate," so that her memory will long be revered by all who came within the sphere of her immediate influence. She was a daughter of Samuel Brecht, who was one of the pioneers of Fairview township, this county, whither he came from Lancaster county. His old homestead farm is
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now owned by his grandson and namesake, the subject of this sketch. Samuel Brecht married Miss Isabella Nicholson, daughter of John Nich- olson, who came from Londonderry, Ireland, to America in 1783, in which year he became a settler in Mill Creek township, Erie county, where he reclaimed a farin from the virgin forest.
Samuel B. Bayle was reared on the home farm and after duly availing himself of the advantages of the district schools, he entered the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Edinboro, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1889. In 1892 he received from Allegheny College the degree of Master of Arts, and later he took a post-graduate course in the University of West Virginia. In the mean- while he had taken up the study of law under the most effective precep- torship of Hinckley and Rice, Warren, Pennsylvania, and in 1891 he was admitted to the bar of both Warren and Erie counties. In 1892 he took up his residence in the city of Chicago, and he followed the work of his profession in the great western metropolis until 1898, in which later year he returned to Erie county. Here, in 1899, he be- came principal of the Waterford high school, which was changed from the academic system of operation in that year. He proved most suc- cessful in his pedagogic work, and in 1901-2 he was engaged in the work of this profession at Waterford, this county. In the latter year he was elected county superintendent of schools, and of this important and exacting office he continued to be the able and popular incumbent until 1908, when he retired from the position to assume the discharge of his duties as a representative of his native county in the state legis- lature, to which he had been elected in that year. As superintendent of schools of Erie county, Mr. Bayle accomplished a splendid work, unify- ing the system of management and operation and doing much to promote efficiency in all departments of the school work throughout the county. His administration gained to him the hearty co-operations of the teach- ers in his jurisdiction and the unqualified commendation of the people of the county in general.
In politics Mr. Bayle is signally well fortified in his convictions, and he accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, of whose principles and policies he is an effective exponent. As a member of the legislature he has proved himself active, watchful and duly conservative. He has been assigned to membership on important committees of the house, among which may be mentioned those on education, agriculture, high- ways, public health sanitation, and electric railways. Since his retire- ment from the field of educational work he has resumed the practice of law, and is successfully following the work of this profession in Erie, where his clientage is of representative order. He also maintains a general supervision of his fine farm property, in Fairview township. He is affiliated with the local lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, as well as with its social adjunct, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. He attends the Episcopal church.
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