USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Gazetteer and business directory of Erie County, Pa., for 1873-4 > Part 7
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" Corry Furniture Company .- The factory of this company is situated in the eastern part of the town. It has but recently organized, and owes its existence in part to the aid given by the city toward the establishment
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of manufacturing. The bonus in bonds given the company was $25,000, $15.000 of which have been paid in. The company is composed of C. W. Hare, R. M. Johnson, James Lewis, C. J. Swift and O. E. Gleason. At present about fifty men are employed in the factory, but the intention is to thribble the force in a short time. Although it is called a furniture factory, the principal business of the company now is the manufacture of staves, bolts, oil barrels and common bedsteads. It is the intention of the company to engage in the manufacture of all kinds of furniture as soon as the necessary machinery and facilities can be procured. The capital of the company is 850,000, $30,000 of which has been already expended in the erection of buildings and machinery."
"The Frank S. Allen Manufacturing Company .- This Company made arrangements with the city by which they were to receive a bonus of 820,000, but on second thought they concluded to depend on themselves. They bought a portion of the Downer Works aud put in their machinery. and are now employing forty hands. Their principal business is the manufacture of Brush Blocks. They do not finish any brushes, they merely cut out the blocks and bore the holes ready for the bristles. Heretofore all the holes in brush blocks have been bored one at a time, which was a slow, laborious, and costly process. This Company has machines of their own invention with which they can bore all the holes in a block at once. One small boy can bore at least 10,000 per day. They manufacture their own machines. They are also manufacturing machines for boring iron in the same way. All the holes in a boiler plate can be bored at once. This machinery is bound to make a revolution in this kind of business. Frank S. Allen, of New York, is proprietor, while G. F. Ritchel is superintendent and manager. Mr. Ritchel is the right man in the right place. He is the inventor of the machinery used. They are doing a good business and in a short time will employ a large number of hands. In the wake of this institution comes the
"Brush Factory of Kent, Benson and others, situated on the corner of Pleasant street and Second Avenue, [which was organized June 1st, 1873, with a capital of 88.000.] Their building is about 30x80, two stories and basement. The basement is used for storage. The east end of the first floor is used as an office for the Company, also as the 'Mayor's Office,' Mr. Kent being Mayor of the city. It is one of the finest offices in the city. The balance of the first floor is fitted up with rows of seats and benches for the use of the boys who put the bristles into the blocks. The boys employed range from ten to fifteen years of age. They are now making about sixty cents per day-some more and sonie less. The second story is fitted up forthe girls' workshop and finishing room. Mr. Benson has charge of this department and he certainly should be praised for the pleasant way he has in managing so many chatter-boxes. There are about one hundred children uow employed there. We think this the model factory of the city. The children employed there not only receive good pay for their services, but they are acquiring steady business habits. We can see a decided improvement on the streets since this factory started. We wish the founders of that institution all the success imaginable."
The Cooper Shops of Michael Lawler, on Fifth Avenue and West Main Street, give employment to forty-eight men.
Recently public meetings have been called for the purpose of securing the city's aid towards the location here of an extensive blast furnace for the manufacture of charcoal iron. Such a result would indeed be desirable and add greatly to the prosperity of the city.
Corry Lodge, No. 365. A. V. M., hall in Wright's Block. Regular com- munications first and third Tuesdays in each month.
Columbus Chapter, No. 200, R. A. M. Regular convocations, Thursdays, on or before the full moon.
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Corry Council, No. 36, U. D. Regular assemblies last Wednesday in each month.
Corry Conclave, No. - , Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and Constan- tine and appendant orders.
Jonathan Lodge, No. 685, I. O. O. F. . Meetings every Wednesday even- ing.
Washington Lodge, No. 2, A. O. U. W. Meetings every Saturday even- ing.
J. J. Andrews Post, No. 70, G. A. R. Meetings every Friday evening. Corry Lodge, No. 248, I. O. G. T. Regular meetings every Friday evening.
St. Thomas Benevolent Society. Meets every alternate Sunday.
Teutonia Lodge, No. 148, D. O. H. Meetings every Thursday evening.
Ahaveth Sholem Lodge, No. 160, I. O. B. B. Meets every alternate Sunday evening.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was the first of the Protestant churches organized in the city, Sept. 1862, by Rev. Geo. F. Reeser. The society held services in halls and in Concord Street school house until a church edifice was erected in 1865. There are now two societies, one on Concord Street above Main, Rev. J. F. Wilson, pastor; and the other on Pike Street near Center, Rev. A. A. Horton, pastor.
First Presbyterian Church was organized with nine members, Jan. 18th, 1964, by Rev. S. W. Roe, of the Presbytery of Buffalo. Rev. J. Odell was the first pastor. The church on Center Street was erected in 1865, and two years later it was enlarged and will accommodate about 300 people. The present pastor is Rev. S. G. Hopkins.
First Baptist Church was organized with seven members, Oct. 18th, 1863. Rev. A. D. Bush was the first pastor. Their church on Pleasant Street cor- ner of 2d Avenue, was erected in 1864-5. The present pastor is Rev. Alphonso C. Williams.
Emanuel Episcopal Church, corner of Smith and Center Streets, was erected in 1865-6. Episcopal services had been conducted by Rev. John Ireland, of Waterford, as early as 1862; first in private houses, then in school houses and at Cook's Hall. Rev. John T. Protheroe, B. D., was the first rector of the Parish.
Christian Church edifice, on Pleasant Street, was erected in 1864, by G. W. N. Yost, and donated to the society of about nine members. It was burned in the winter of 1868-9 and a new one was erected the following year. Rev. J. E. Rowe was the first pastor. At present the society has no pastor and the church is not open for services.
United Brethren Church was organized in 1865, by Rev. G. W. Clarke, and the Church edifice, on Pike Street, was erected in 1866. This building was burned in 1872, since which a new one has been erected.
St. Thomas ( Catholic) Church edifice was erected early in the season of 1862. and dedicated by Bishop Young in Sept. of that year. Rev. Father Lonergan was the first and is the present priest.
ELK CREEK, one of the original townships, is located on the south line and bounded west by Conneaut, north by Girard and Franklin, and east by Franklin and Washington. A portion of Franklin was taken off in 1844. The surface is generally level in the north part, and undulating in the south. The soil in the north is sandy loam, and in the south, loam and clav, mixed with gravel. Much of the surface is yet covered by forest. The principal timber is beach, maple, ash, whitewood, cucumber and hemlock. The cereals are successfully grown, but dairying and stock raising are the chief pursuits of farmers. A branch of Elk Creek flowing north, a tributary of the Cou-
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neaut flowing north-west, and Cussenago Creek flowing south, are the principal streams. The north-western corner is crossed by the Beaver & Erie Canal, now unused.
The population of the township in 1870 was 1,462. of whom 1,346 were native, 116 foreign, and all white. Its area is 19,200 acres. The number of schools during the year ending June 3d, 1872, was 11, employing 2 male and 15 female teachers. The number of children attending school was 230 males and 225 females. The average number in attendance was 411, at a cost per month per pupil of 75 cents. The amount expended for school purposes was $1,914.75.
WELLSBURG (Lundys Lane p. o.) is a borough of about 350 inhabitants, and is situated in the western part, on a branch of the Conneaut Creek. It contains two churches (Free Will Baptist and Universalist,) one union school building, two dry goods stores, one grocery, one tannery, one grist mill, two saw mills, one sash, door and blind factory and planing mill, one flax mill, one broom manufactory, one harness and saddlery hardware shop, two furniture stores, two blacksmiths shops and one cheese factory. The place received its name from Franklin Wells, the first settler at this place, who, with his father, Samuel Wells, emigrated from St. Albans, Vt., and located here about 1815, where they resided until their deaths. Samuel died in 1825, and Franklin in 1851. About 50 years ago they drilled a salt well, and manufactured salt to some extent. Franklin afterwards built several saw mills and one grist mill, and took a lively interest in the development of the County.
CRANESVILLE, (Elk Creek p. o.,) named from Elihu Crane, Sr., the first settler, who located here about 1796 or '97, is a village of about 120 inhabitants, and contains two general stores, two wagon shops, one blacksmith shop, one sash and blind factory and planing mill, and one church, (Methodist). The village was formerly a canal station.
Settlement of the township progressed slowly until about 1832. The first settler was Elihu Crane. as before stated, in 1796 or '97. Eli Colton, from Granby, Hartford Co., Conn., emigrated to this township in 1798. At that time his nearest neighbor was three miles distant. During the first winter he lived alone in a shanty; he wintered his oxen on browse and a few cornstalks.
James McCommons, Sen., a native of Ireland, emigrated to this country at the age of 14, in company with his father. They settled in Philadelphia, where they remained two years. They next went to Meadville, and finally settled in this town- ship, at what has since been known as McCommons Corners, in
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1805. A small improvement had previously been made on their place by a man named Wallace. The McCommons' nearest neighbors were three miles distant. Few roads had been opened and the settlers were chiefly guided through the forest by blazed trees. Wild animals and game were abundant, and the McCommons were something of sportsmen. The younger one, it is said, killed over a hundred deer. James McCommon, Sr., was father of James Jr. and William.
Daniel Winchester, of Stafford Co., Conn., settled on the road between Wellsburg and McCommons Corners, in 1815. Nathan Rogers, and his son, Nathan S., from Rensselaer Co., N. Y., settled here in 1824. Daniel Sherrod, from Susquehanna Co., settled in the east part in 1802, on Sherrod Hill, where he resided until his death. Fanny Sherrod, widow of Daniel's son, was a native of Greene Co., N. Y., where she was born in 1808. She moved with her father to Crawford Co., where she resided until her marriage, in June 1827, when she came to this township and located on lands she now owns. Levi and Wm. Joslin, from Oneida Co., N. Y., settled in the south-west part in 1832 ; that section of the township was then an unbroken wilderness. In that year also came Edmond Goodwin, from the same county, Jacob I. Rogers, from Orleans Co., N. Y., Sylvester Hubbard, from Tompkins Co., N. Y., who located about two and three-quarter miles east of Wellsburg, Samuel Sherman, of Herkimer Co., N. Y., with his family, and John Warner, from Mass. In 1833, Jno. Stafford, a native of Augusta, Oneida Co., N. Y., located on the Population Road, on the east line. Mr. Warner became one of the substantial men of the township. His death occurred June 8th, 18:3. Wm. Vorse, from Chautauqua Co., N. Y., settled near the east line of the township, at what is known as Francis Settlement. in 1833. Orange and Parley Miller, brothers, settled in the north-east part, in the wilderness, about 1834. Jeremiah Crowley, Sen., a native of Ireland, came to this country and settled in the south-east corner of the township, in 1835 or '36. His nearest neighbors, about a mile distant, were families named Acres and Almey. Jeremiah Crowley, Jr., now occupies the farm settled by his father. Daniel Smith, from Vermont, settled on the farm now occupied by his heirs, in the south-west corner of the township, in 1836. Burr L. Pulling, of Saratoga Co., N. Y., located here in 1838, on a farm that had previously been partially improved. The neighbors were but few and scattering, and he had to make a circuit of eight or ten miles to find men enough to help raise his buildings. Of the families who came in during 1832, that of Samuel Sherman has pre- Served a pretty full genealogical record. His son, Harley
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Sherman, says his forefathers came from Dedham, Eng., in 1634, and settled at Stratford, Conn. In 1763 his grandfather removed to Williamstown, Berkskire Co., Mass., where his father (Samuel) was born, Jan. 2d, 1775. In 1790 the family emigrated to German Flats, where Harley and other members of the family were born. Samuel Sherman. died March 19th, 1852, and his wife followed him in Nov. 1857.
Wellsburg Universalist Church was organized with 25 members, in June 1838, by Rev Edson Beals, the first pastor. The first and present Church edifice was erected in 1855 at a cost of 81.500, and will seat 200 to 300 persons. The church was thorougly repaired in 1871. and the property is now valued at 83,000. The " Lake Erie Association " was organized at Wellsburg in 1839 .- [Information furnished by Harley Sherman.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Pleasant Valley was organized with 12 members, in 1833, by Wm. Todd, the first pastor. The first and present Church edifice was erected in 1859 at an expense of $1,300, and the present value of the Church property is $1,350. The house will seat comfortably 200 persons .- [Information furnished by John Thompson.
ERIE CITY, a port of entry and seat of justice, was made a Borough in July, 1805, and was incorporated a City in 1851. The locality was, at an early day, called by the French, Presqu'ile. April 18th, 1795, an act passed the Legislature to lay out a town. The Governor appointed two Commissioners, Gen. Wm. Irvine and Andrew Elliott, to survey sixteen hundred acres for town lots, and thirty-four hundred for out lots &c., &c. In July of that year a corps of engineers arrived, headed by General Elliott and escorted by a company of Pennsylvania militia, commanded by Capt. John Grubb, and proceeded to lay out the town in conformity with the act. Col. Seth Reed and family were the first actual settlers in the city or County. The came early in the spring of 1795. Their first shelter was some huts set up in crotches, with poles across, and covered with bark of the cucumber tree. At first without floors, they subsequently indulged in the luxury of them, made by laying down strips of bark. A log cabin was soon erected. and a little later it was enlarged and called the Presqu'ile Hotel. Col. Reed did not live to see many improvements at Erie; he died at the age of 53 years, March 19, 1797, after a residence here of less than two years. His third son, Rufus Seth, who followed his father here, was at the time just verging into manhood. He was an ambitious, industrious and far seeing man, with a mind able to grasp successfully with the trials as well as triumphs of an extensive business. He was for many years honored as the benefactor and leading spirit of the town. He inaugurated commercial enterprises that were the means of making Erie what it is to-day. Rufus S. Reed died at TO, June Ist, 1846. Judah Colt was another man to whom Erie owed
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much of its early prosperity. He had, previous to his residence, been the agent of the Population Company. After a useful and exemplary life, he died, Oct. 11th, 1832, at the age of 71 years.
Soon after the advent here of Col. Reed, a company of U. S. troops commenced felling the timber on Garrison Hill for the purpose of erecting a stockade garrison, which, inclosing their block houses, was completed in that year. In 1796; Gen. Anthony Wayne, then Commander-in-Chief of the Army, received an appointment from Government to conclude a treaty with the North-west Indians, and on his return, after accon- plishing his mission, he sailed from Detroit to Erie, on his way home to Chester County. On the passage he was attacked by his old malady, the gout; he was landed at Erie in a prostrated condition, and, at his own request, was taken to the Garrison and placed in the north-west block house. Dr. J. C. Wallace, a skillful surgeon of the Army, then at Pittsburg, was sent for with the greatest dispatch, but the General had died before he could arrive. His death occurred Dec. 15th, 1796, and he was buried, in compliance with his own request, at the foot of the flag staff. "A. W." on a single stone, placed at his head, and a neat railing inclosing it, marks his resting place. In 1809 the remains were moved by his son, Col. Isaac Wayne, of Chester Co., and deposited in Radnor churchyard, near Philadelphia.
In 1800 Erie County was erected into a separate county, and Erie designated as the place of holding Courts of Justice; vet temporarily it was a part of Crawford County. April 2, 1803, the County was fully organized for all judicial purposes. This took place at the house of George Buchler, on the corner of Third and French Streets, which was long afterwards known as the " McConkey House." The first court was held by Judge Jesse Moore.
Previous to the war of 1812-14, there were on Lake Erie but about ten or a dozen merchant vessels, averaging about 60 tons each. Salt from Salina was the principal freight west. The first vessel built at Erie was the Good Intent, of 30 tons, by Capt. Wm. Lee, in 1799, at the mouth of Mil Creek. Rufus S. Reed was part owner. This vessel was lost at Port Abino with all on board, in 1806. The Harlequin was built in 1800, and lost, the first season, with all on board. In 1805.Thos. Wilson built the schooner Mary, of one hundred tons. After several changes in ownership, she was purchased by the Government after the breaking out of the war.
The first steamboat on the lake was the Walk-in-the- Water, of three hundred tons, launched at Black Rock, May 28, 1818 ; and the first one launched at Erie was the William Penn, of
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two hundred tons, May 18th, 1826. She was the sixth steam- boat on the lake and was built by the Erie and Chautauqua Steamboat Company.
In the spring and summer of 1812, Com. Perry's fleet was built and fitted out at Erie. Lake commerce was internpted, but the town prospered, for soldiers and marines were quartered there and many of them spent their earnings soon as received. The news of Perry's victory, which gave the supremacy of the lakes to the Americans, was hailed with joy at Erie. A block house was erected on Garrison Hill, and another on the point of the Peninsula, in the winter of 1813-14. Commerce soon revived and mercantile transactions were enlarged. In 1818 the first lighthouse on the lakes was erected here. The growth of the town has, until the past twelve or fifteen years, been slow but healthy.
The Erie Canal was completed and the first canal boat came through to Erie, Dec. 5, 1844. The Erie and North East Railroad, six foot gauge, was completed to the State line and the first train came into the city Jan. 10th, 1852. The Franklin Canal Company constructed a road to the Ohio line, and a connection through to Cleveland was effected in November of the same year. The Erie and North East Road had adopted the gauge of the New York and Erie Railroad- according to an agreement with the Dunkirk and State Line Railroad-so that the New York and Erie cars could run directly through to Erie, thus giving that great line an advantage over its rival, the New York Central, which had a narrow gauge. This led to a sharp controversy, and proposals were made for a new road to run parallel with the other, to connect with the Buffalo and State Line Railroad. Finally a compromise was effected to the end that neither road should · have the advantage over the other, and the road constructed west from Erie to Cleveland adopted the four foot ten inch gauge, thereby compelling two transfers of freight and passengers, one at Erie and another at the State line. In November 1853, the Erie and North East . Company agreed to alter their gauge to four foot ten inches, thereby making a uniform gauge between Buffalo and Cleveland. The attempted changing of the gauge of this road inaugurated what was widely known as the Roil- road War, which was waged ruthlessly for nearly three years between the people and the railroad companies. The Civil Courts finally adjudicated the matter, peace was restored, the grade was changed, and the city once again became prosperous. Freight was forwarded expeditiously and travelers passed on without cursing Erie. In 1864 the Philadelphia and Erie
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Railroad was completed. The Pennsylvania Petroleum Railway, now under construction, will open a new avenue to the oil regions and add to the prosperity of the city.
The city embraces an area of three miles in length along the lake, by about two in width, and is divided into six wards, and crossed at right angles by ninety-nine streets. It lies on a bluff overlooking the lake and Presqu'ile Bay, and the surface is level or gently undulating.
The City Government is administered by the Mayor and mem- bers of the Council and their appointed officers. The Fire Department is under the control of Chief Engineer James S. Irwin, President of the Board of Engineers. Two steam fire engine companies, five hose companies and one hook and ladder company are the guardians of the city against attacks of the fire fiend. The City Water Works are managed by the Board of Water Commissioners. The city is lighted by the Erie Gas Company, whose capital is $135,000, and who have laid street mains to the length of fifteen miles.
The city contains twenty-eight churches, (2 Baptist, 4 Epis- copal, 5 Methodist, 5 Presbyterian, 4 Lutheran, 1 Hebrew, 5 Roman Catholic, 1 Swedenborgian and 1 Universalist,) fourteen public schools in addition to the Erie Academy, (which was organized in 1817,) nine newspaper offices, four national banks, four savings banks, four flouring mills, twenty-five iron works, machine shops, &c., two large organ factories, one paper mill, ten planing mills, seven breweries and three malt houses, besides a large number of other important manufactories. The mercantile trade of the city is well conducted and there are many heavy firms engaged here.
The lake trade of the city is very heavy, several of the most extensive lines of steamers and sailing vessels being owned here. During the season of 1872, 114 foreign vessels and 2,278 coast- wise vessels entered and cleared from this port. The registered tonnage of the Port of Erie was, at the end of last year, 24,715 31.
Among the recent improvements of the city is the new Opera House, of which the Erie Morning Dispatch says :
"The seating capacity is 1,500 in parquette, parquette circle, dress circle and family circle, besides that of the eight boxes, which will seat lo per- sons. All seats, except the upper gallery, are upholstered, and every seat commands a good view of the stage.
"The stage is 82 feet wide by 35 feet deep. It is supplied with sixteen full sets of scenery, with all necessary set scenes, the flats 12xls feet, and five sets of 'panorama' grooves; four working traps, a Macbeth. a star and a vampire trap. Mr. E. D. Carver, of Buffalo, the noted stage architect, has had full charge of the stage department, and managers will find it perfect in every detail.
"The proscenium, beautifully ornamented and gilded, and surmounted with a large likeness of the Architect, Thomas Jackson, Esq., is 36 feet
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wide and 38 feet from top of arch. The drop curtain lifts straight instead of rolling.
"The stage is on a level with the street, and has street entrances. Beneath it are eight commodious dressing rooms, handsomely fitted up with all the modern conveniences : a large green room, music room, closets, wash rooms, etc., and has a stairway at either end. leading to the stage. The house is warmed by four hot air furnaces. and protected in case of fire by two water plugs, with hose laid ready for instant service. There are also entrances to the stage from every floor.
"The drop curtain and scenery is being painted by the scenic artist, Gas- pard Mæder, of Chicago, formerly of Boston, L. B. Chevalier, our own talented artist, and lesser lights in the profession. From the portion com- pleted, we think it will favorably compare with the best scene painting in the country.
"The ceiling is handsomely frescoed by Messrs. Bottani & Rusca, of Buffalo, and the fronts of the galleries are ornamented and gilded. A wide lobby from each side of the ticket office, and between the outer hall and the parquette circle, will prevent the noise of a crowd outside from disturbing those in the auditorium. At the front, there is also the manager's room and a ladies' toilet room, with all necessary appurtenances.
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