USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Gazetteer and business directory of Erie County, Pa., for 1873-4 > Part 9
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"Erie Typographical Union, No. ??; " L. R. Johnson, corresponding secretary.
"Ancient Order United Workmen, Rising Sun Lodge, No. 8;" meets Tuesday evenings.
"Ancient Order United Workmen, Erie Lodge, No. 44;" meets Saturday evenings.
'Cigar Makers' Protective Union, No. 108;" organized in 1863; F. Stone. secretary.
"Machinists' and Blacksmiths' Union, No. 17, of Pennsylvania ;" H. R. Rogers, corresponding secretary.
"Erie Temple of Honor. No. 30;" (Temperance,) organized in 1832; reorganized in 1867; meets Monday evening.
"Massasaugis Beneficial Temple of Honor, No. 28;" (Temperance,) meets Friday evening.
"Father Matthew Temperance Society;" organized in 1866; meets alternate Sundays; John Wilson, corresponding secretary
"New Era Lodge. No. 329, I. O. of G. T .; " organized in 1867; meets Saturday evenings ; Jno. Miller, Jr. secretary.
"Young Men's Christian Association;" meets third Monday of each month; F. J. French, corresponding secretary. A large and valuable library is owned by the association.
"Home for the Friendless;" in Marine Hospital Building, on Ash Lane. is supported by voluntary contributions; Mrs. W. W. Dinsmore, secretary ; Mrs. M. A. Chalfant, matron. "The object of this institution shall be to afford. a home, food, clothing and schooling for such children as may be neglected or deserted by their parents or guardians. Also the aged and infirm persons unfit to be sent to the county ahns house. Females desti- tute of friends or homes, shall be boarded at a low price and employed nutil suitable places can be provided for them, with the understanding that in all cases they shall conform strictly to the rules of the house. accept cheerfully such situations or service places as may be deemed suitable, and endeavor to acquit themselves creditably."-Ertruet from the Constitution.
"German Friendship Benevolent Association;" organized in 1862: meets first and third Thursdays in each month ; Geo. Zwieling. secretary. "German Relief Society ;" incorporated in 1863; meets first Thursday in each month ; J. Heidt, secretary.
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"West Erie Benevolent Society ;" organized in 1867; meets second Tues- day of each month, corner Fourth and Walnut Streets.
There are four home insurance companies, with head- quarters in the city.
"The Alps Insurance Company of Erie;" organized in 1870 with a capital of $250,000; insures fire and marine risks; O Noble, president; Jno. R. Cochrane, secretary; H. W. Noble, treasurer. This Company lost very heavily in the Chicago Fire, and subsequently in other fires, beyond its ability to pay ; and proceedings have been instituted against the Company in Bankruptcy Court.
"The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Harbor Creek;" organized in 1858; insures farm property only. J. W. Ryan, president ; John Burton, treasurer; R. H. Henry, secretary.
"German Fire Insurance Company of Erie;" organized in 1867; cash capital $200,000. M. Schlaudecker, president; P. A. Becker, treasurer; Jos. Eichenlaub, secretary.
"Erie County Mutual Fire Insurance Co .; " organized in 1839. J. C. Marshall, president; Wm. M. Arbuckle, secretary ; W. F. Rindernecht, treasurer.
The Public Park at Sixth Street, and bounded on the west by Peach Street, on the east by French Street, and divided in the middle by State Street, is surrounded by stately business blocks and fine residences. The grounds are planted with beautiful shade trees, and hands me fountains ornament the center of either Park. In the West Park stands a monument, erected and completed in September 1873, in commemoration of the soldiers and sailors of Erie County who died in defense of their country. The following description is taken from the Erie Dispatch :-
"The monument in the West Park, erected by the voluntary contribu- tions of the people of Erie County, in memory of our departed heroes, was completed on Saturday. . It consists of a granite base, on the top of which stand bronze statues of a 'soldier and sailor united in defence of the flag. The soldier wears a regulation cap and overcoat, and with his right hand grasps the flag, while a rifle in the left trails along his side. The sailor wears the low cap, loose shirt and baggy trowsers of the navy, his left foot presses a coil of rope, and both of his hands rest ou a cutlass, Each figure is one and a half times the size of life, and they are quite fair representations of the two classes of our country's defenders in the late war. On the east and west side of the pedestal are inscriptions-the first stating the object of the monument, and the other being an extract from Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg. The monument cost about $10,000, and is the most showy for its purpose in the western part of the State. For this tribute to our dead soldiers we are indebted to the perseverance and patriotism of Mrs. Isaac Moorhead, Miss Helen Ball and Mis : I Reed, They have labored incessantly for a number of years to rat ;. € needed amount, and deserve to have their services kindly remember (d. '
The population of the city in 1870 was 19.646, of whom 12.18 were native, 6,828 foreign, and all, except 200, white.
During the year ending June 3, 18:3, there were in the city 52 schools, employing 11 male and 51 female teachers. The number of children attending school . was 1,906 males and 1,594 females. The average number was 2,064. The amount expended for school purposes was $41, 139.03.
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"First Baptist Church of Erie, Pa.," was organized with 15 members. April 10, 1831, by Rev. S. Tucker, D. D., the first pastor. The first church edifice was erected in 1833, and the present one, at corner of Peach and Fifth Streets, in 1856, at an expense of $18,000. The house will seat 500 persons and the present number of members is 250. The whole number of mem- bers since the organization of the society is about one thousand. The present value of Church property is 825.000. Rev. E. A. Stone is the pres- ent pastor .- [ Information by the pastor.
"First German Baptist Church " was organized with 22 members, Oct. 1, 1861, by Rev. H. Koeler, the first pastor. The first and present church edifice, which will seat 200 persons, was erected on 17th Street, between Peach and Sassafras, in 1864, at a cost of $2,000. The present value of Church property is 85,000. The present number of members is 56.
"St. Paul's Church" (Episcopal) was organized in 1827. The Church edifice is located on 6th Street, between Peach and Sassafras. Rev. J. F. Spaulding is the rector.
"Trinity Church " (Episcopal) is located at the corner of Sixth and Cascade Streets, Rev. J. F. Spaulding, rector; Rev. Wm. R. Mackay, minister in charge.
'St. John's Church," (Episcopal,) on Sixteenth Street, between Peach and Sassafras, was organized in 1867. Rev. S. D. McConnell is the rector.
"Church of the Cross and Crown" ( Episcopal) was organized with 20 members, January 1871, by J. F. Spaulding. Rev. Boyd Vincent was the first and present rector. The first and present Church edifice was erected January 1871, at a cost of 83,600, and will seat 250 persons. The present value of Church property is $5,000. The present number of members is 60.
"First Methodist Episcopal Church," organized in 1826, is situated south-east corner of Seventh and Sassafras Streets. A. Wheeler, D. D .. is the present pastor.
"Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church" was organized with 12 mem- bers, in 1858, by members of the First Church. Rev. W. P Bignell, was the first pastor. The first and present Church edifice was erected at the corner of Simpson and Sassafras Streets, in 1858, at an expense of $4,000. The church will seat 300 persons. The present value of Church property is 812,000. The present number of members is 113, and the pastor, Rev. E. H. Yingling.
"Tenth Street M. E. Church" was organized with 9 members, Oct. 8th. 1871, by Rev. R. F. Keeler, the first pastor. The Church edifice is now being erected on the north side of 10th Street, between Wallace and Ash. The corner stone was laid May 15th, 1873, and when completed, the build- ing will seat 300 persons, and is expected to cost $4,000. The value of Church property on completion of the church is expected to be $9,000. The present number of members is 62, and the pastor, Rev. R. A. Caruthers.
"Central Presbyterian Church" was organized with 54 members. Feb. 23. 1871, by the Presbytery of Erie. Rev. Charles C. Kimball was the first and present pastor. The Church edifice was erected on the corner of 10th and Sassafras Streets in 1873, at an expense of 833,000. It is provided with chair sittings for 400 persons, and the sittings are free. The present number of members is 175.
"First Presbyterian Church of Erie"" was organized Sept. 1815 by Rer. Johnston Eaton. the first pastor. In 1919 the Church occupied a building known as the "Yellow Meeting House," owned by Judah Colt. In hetthe first Church edifice was erected, and in 1859, the present edifice, on Prach Street, corner of Park Row, was erected at a cost of 830.000, and will spot 750 persons. The present value of Church property is 840,000 and the num- ber of members is 322. Rev. A. H. Carrier is the pastor.
"Park Presbyterian Church" was organized with 15 members in 1:36. br the Presbytery of Erie. Rev. Win. M. Blackburn, D. D., w.is the first pastor. The Church edifice on South Park Place, between State and Peach Streets, was erected in 1866 at a cost of $15,000, and will seat Bol person -. The present number of members is 200 and the value of Church property is $50,000. Rev. A. T. Fullerton, D. D., the pastor, says the Church hay enjoyed a rapid growth and perfect harmony.
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"United Presbyterian Church" was organized with about 30 members in 1812, by the Monongahela Presbytery. Rev. Robert Reid was the first pastor, and the present one is Joseph H. Presly. The first Church edifice was erected in 1816, and the present one, on Fast 8th Street, between French and Holland, in 1837, at an expense of $10,000, and will seat 500 persons. The present value of Church property is $25,000, and the number of members is 201.
"Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church" was organized with 9 members. Jan. 26, 1873. by a Committee of the Presbytery of Erie, consisting of Rev. A. T. Fullerton, D. D., Rev. A. H. Carrier, Rev. J. R. Wilson and Elders S. S. Spencer and J. A. French. The first and present pastor is J. R. Wilson. The Church edifice, located on corner of Chestnut and 17th Streets, was erected in 1871 at a cost of $2,780, and will . seat 300 persons. The present value of the Church property is estimated at $4,500, and the number of members is 20.
"German United Evangelical St. Paul's Church" was organized by 30 members who seceded from the German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed St. John's Church, in 1851, in which year they built their Church edifice at a cost of 86,000. The first pastor was Rev. - Hartman, and the present one is Rev. Edward Jung. The Church building is located on Peach Street, between 10th and 11th, and will seat 500 persons. The present value of Church property is $28,000, and the present number of members is 180.
"St. John's German Evangelical and Reformed Church" was organized with about 50 members, Jan. 1, 1835, by Rev. C. F. E. Stohlmann, the first pastor. The first Church edifice was erected in 1835, and the present one, on corner of Peach and 23d Streets, in 1861, at a cost of $10,000. It will seat 800 persons. The present value of church and parsonage is estimated at $15,000, and of the grounds, 853,750. Rev. A. L. Benze, our informant, is the present pastor, and the number of members is 512.
"First English Evangelical Church" was organized in 1861. The present number of members is 130. Rev. J. Groff is the present pastor. The church is located at corner of 11th and Peach Streets.
" Salem German Evangelical Church," corner of Peach and 12th Streets. was organized in 1843. Rev. J. Dick is the present pastor.
" Anschia Chesed Church," (German Hebrew, ) on French Street, near Sixth, was organized in 1863. Rev. M. Wurzel! is the present rabbi.
" The Congregational New (Jerusalem ) Church of Erie" was formed with 24 members, Nov. 25, 1871, by Rev. B. F. Barrett, of Philadelphia. The first pastor was Rev. E. S. Hotham. The Society worships in McGrath Hall, No. 721 State Street. The hall will seat 150 persons, and the organ and other fixtures and furniture are valued at $500. The present number of members is 20, and the pastor, Rev. W. M. Goodner. "This church differs from others of the same denomination in being 'Congregational' instead of working in connection with the General Convention of the New Church of the United States."
"St. Patrick's Cathedral " (Catholic) was organized in 1837, with about 150 members, by Father Peter Brown. The first pastor was Rev. Father MeCabe. The first Church edifice was erected in 1837. The present Cathe- dral church was erected in 1844 at a cost of $4,000 and will seat 950 persons. The value of Church property is about $10,000. Rt. Rev. T. Mullen. D. D .. Bishop of the Diocese of Erie; Rev. Thos. A. Cases, rector. The present number of members is about 3,500. A new church, now in course of erection on the corner of 10th and Chestnut Streets, capable of seating 1,800 persons, will probably cost, when completed, $200.000.
"St. Mary's Church," (German Catholic, ) on Ninth Street, between German and Parade, was organized in 1599. Rev. Athanasins, O. S. B., prior; Rev. Richard Wolf, O. S. B., assistant.
" St. Joseph's Church, " (German Catholic. ) on 24th Street, between Peach and Sassafras, was organized with 500 members in 1866, by Rt. Rev. Bishop I. M. Young. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph Hampe. The Church edifice was erected in 1-66 at a cost of $2,000, and will seat 450 persons. The present pastor is Rev. J. A. Oberhofer, and the present number of
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members is 2,000. The present value of Church property is $24,000, and the pastor says, "a new church must be built."
"St. John Baptist Church," (German Catholic,) 26th Street, corner of Wallace, was organized in 1869 by Rev. B. Mansen, O. S. B., the first pastor. The Church edifice was erected the same year at a cost of $12,000, and will seat 250 persons. The Church property is valued at $21,000. Rev. M. J. Decker is the present pastor, and the number of members is 450.
"St. Andrew's Church," (Catholic, ) corner Raspberry and Sixth Streets, was organized in 1871. Rev. James A. McCabe is the present pastor.
" First Swedenborgian Church," on State Street, between Seventh and Eighth, was organized in 1871. Rev. W. M. Goodner, pastor.
"First Universalist Church," on Ninth Street, between Peach and Sassafras, was organized in 1842 by Rev. Mr. Gifford, the first pastor. The Church edifice was erected in 1844. cost about $2,500, and will seat 300 persons. The present value of the Church property is $12,000. Rev. A. G. Laurie is the pastor, and the number of members is about 100 ..
FAIRVIEW, situated in the northern part, is one of the original 16 townships comprising the County. It is bounded on the north by the lake, on the east by Mill Creek and Mckean, on the south by Franklin and west by Girard. The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad passes through the north part, and Elk Creek crosses the south part, making a deep gully. The surface is level along the lake, the central part rolling, and the south part broken and hilly. The soil is generally a gravelly loam, the south part is clayey and well adapted to raising corn, wheat &c .. The township is well watered by Walnut Creek, Trout Run, Brandy Run, Elk Creek and their tributaries.
The population of the township in 1870 was 2.157, of whom 1,772 were natives, 385 foreign, and all, except 3, white. Its area is 23,140 acres ; its greatest length 8, and breadth 7 miles. The number of schools, as per report ending June 3d, 1872. was 14, employing 24 teachers. The number of children attending school was, males 340, females 282; the average attendance, 325, and the amount expended for school purposes during the year, $4,556.86.
FAIRVIEW, (p. v.,) centrally located, was incorporated as a Borough in 1868, and contains an area of one mile square and a population estimated at six hundred. There are 3 general, 1 hardware and clothing, and 2 millinery stores, 5 blacksmiths. 4 shoe, 2 cabinet and 2 wagon shops, a hotel, 2 saloons, steam saw mill and brewery, 1 Methodist, 1 Presbyterian and 3 Ger- man churches.
"Fairview Cemetry," on the bank of Trout Run, contains an area of 15 arres. It is nicely laid out and neatly fenced, ornamented with ever- greens &c.
"The Fairview Union School " was established in 1866; the building was erected the same year and is located on Church Street. There are three departments in the School, Primary, Intermediate and Academic. H. H. Clinton is the principal and has been for seven years. The average number of scholars is 125.
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The borough also boasts of a good band, consisting of 10 members and organized in 1860. Elias Sturgeon is leader.
FAIRVIEW STATION (Avonia, p. o.) is a hamlet on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern R. R., containing a depot and grocery store.
MANCHESTER is a small settlement in the north-east part of the township, at the mouth of Walnut Creek, and contains a paper mill and a few dwellings.
"The Manchester Paper Mills" were established about 1815, changing from one firm to another several times. R. L. Perkins, one of the late pro- prietors, after several failures, becoming heavily involved, one of his creditors, G. Bliss, of Erie, took possession of the mill and hasleased the same to J. H. Blakslee, for a term of years. The mill has been a failure generally, but under the successful management of Mr. Blakslee has been doing a good business, making from 2,000 to 3,000 bundles of wrapping paper per day. Gas from a well seven hundred feet in depth, furnishes light, day and night, and formerly furnished heat for running the engine.
SWANVILLE (p. o.) is a hamlet near Swan Station, on the L. S. & M. S. R. R., consisting of a number of dwellings, black- smith shop &c. It was named after J. J. Swan, who erected the first frame house in the place and who came to Fairview township with his father about 1802.
Among the manufacturing interests of the township are the following :-
" The Walnut Creek Flouring Mill" was established during the first settlement of the County and is one of the oldest mill sites in this part of the State. Its location is on Walnut Creek, two miles east of Fairview borough and ten miles from the city of Erie. The present mill was erected in 1856 by Alexander Nicholson. It was taken possession of by its present proprietor, E. S. Belknap, in 1866. The original mill was erected by Mr. Guitner.
"S. V. Nason's Flouring Mill" is located on Baers Run, about half a mile south of the Lake Shore R. R. This mill was established at the early settlement of Fairview, by Daniel Baer; the present owner, S. V. Nason, has been in possession of the mill since 1864.
" Lock Haven Woolen Mills." on the shore of Lake Erie, was established in 1842 by Frank, A. J. and Miles W. Caughey, they building a saw mill the year prior to the woolen. They were connected with the woolen factory until 1850 and the saw mill till 1864. In 1864 or '5, a stock company was formed, consisting of John Thornton, A. J. Caughey, Frank Caughey. R. Pettet, D. Lang, Joseph Killheiffer and Ambrose Dunn, who built a new factory. This company ran the same for two years and then rented it till 1872. Now unoccupied. .
"The Fairview Steam Saw. Planing, Matching, Sash and Door Mill," located in the village of Fairview and owned by Weidler, Peffer & Kuhl, was built by Riman Shaleam, Noah Weidler and John Kuhl, in 1871.
The first woolen mill erected in Erie County was built by Samuel McCreary, who was also one of the first settlers on the lake shore of Fairview township. Coming from Little Britton, Lancaster Co., in the year 1800, be built the factory in 1815, buying the first carding machine in Pittsburg, paying for it $1,000 in hard money. It being a difficult question how he was to send his money, he at length concluded to put it in a keg, the ends of which he covered with beeswax. While trans-
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FAIRVIEW.
porting the same to Pittsburg by wagon, the horses becoming frightened, ran away, upsetting the wagon and throwing the keg out. The keg was rolled into a barn until the horses were caught. Mr. McCreary continued in the woolen business until about 1841; then two of his sons succeeded him, running the factory until 1848. The business was then merged into the firm of McCreary, Thornton & Co., who erected a new building near the old one and carried on the business until 1861. Then French and Keith, of Cleveland, bought the factory, running it two years, selling to Simons & Lutton, who, after running for one year, let it remain idle for a year, theu selling to an Eastern firm, Waldo & Son, who run the same for three years and then removed the machinery. The building has since been unoccupied.
Among the first settlers of the township appears the name of John Dempsey, who moved from Dauphin Co. in 1798, and settled in Fairview township, where he lived till about 1823, thence moved to Girard, where he resided till his death, in 1850. His son, Richard, still occupies the old farm. John helped build the first grist mill in Erie County. William Haggerty, a native of Ireland, was a settler in the township in 1804, and his son, Cornelius, lived in Fairview until 1815, when he moved to Girard.
Jeremiah Sturgeon came from near Harrisburg in 1798, and worked for a Col. Foster that summer at Manchester ; when out prospecting, he came to what is now called "Trout Run," which he followed up till he came to a place suiting him and where he determined to settle. He entered 400 acres at the Land Office and commenced clearing. Having a brother William in Pittsburg, he offered him one half of his land if he would move into the township with him. Meantime, borrow- ing William's oxen, and with a stock of provisions, he came to his land to prepare the same for crops. For three months he did not see a white person and but one Indian. His provisions failing, he was compelled to use part of his seed wheat. After getting in his crop he returned the oxen to his brother, who concluded to join him. Jeremiah then started on foot for Harrisburg, making the journey in eight days, removed his family, consisting of wife, three boys and three girls, in the year 1801, and settled in what was then known as " Sturgeon- ville," and now known as "Fairview Borough," where his son Robert is now living. Jeremiah died in 1817, and his brother William in 1838.
Richard Swan came from Dauphin Co., in the year 1802, and located in the north part of the township, in what is now called " Manchester." His son, Richard, jr., was four years old
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FAIRVIEW.
when they came, and is still living near the place where his father located. S. F. Gudtner came in 1802 from Franklin Co., and located on Walnut Creek in the central part of the township, building a saw and grist mill, (the grist mill is now owned by E. S. Belknap) occupying the same about 29 years, then he moved to Mill Creek, where he died, in 1850. John Caughey came about the year 1804, from Lancaster Co. He moved to Washington Co. during the war of 1812, returning to Erie Co. in 1822, locating between what is called the Ridge and Lake Roads, about a mile west of Fairview borough, (formerly Sturgeonville.) Johnston Eaton came from Franklin Co. in 1806 and located about one mile east of the borough. He organized the first church in the town, was the first pastor, and so continued for forty years; the denomination of the Church was Presbyterian. Mr. Eaton died in 1847, and his wife in 1872, having lived on the place located by him since 1806. Mr. Eaton has four sons, all living in and near the borough, viz., Johnston, John, William and Isaac. The old farm is occupied by Isaac. James Ryan was born in Dauphin Co. in 1777, and came to Fairview in 1809 with his family, living two years near Fairview borough, then settled in the south part of the township, where he died, in 1857. Samuel P. Allen, born in New Eng- land in 1775, came to Fairview township in 1823, and located 1,300 acres of land in Fairview and Franklin townships. Mr. Allen built a log house in the wilderness, about two miles south of Fairview borough, where the Christian Church now stands, the land occupied by the church being a gift from Mr. Allen. He remained in the township on his farm till his death, about the year 1858, and his body was placed in the cemetery con- nected with the Christian Church, which was given by him to the Church. Daniel Baer came about 1823 and located in the township where Nason's Mills, formerly Baer's or Fairview Mills, now stands, he building the same the first year of his settle- ment. After the first year Mr. Baer went to Pittsburg and married Leah Stotlar, returning to Fairview, where he remained until his death, in November 1863. He was born in Lancaster Co.
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