USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One > Part 43
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
Rice, and went to Cincinnati, and were known as "Squirrel Hunters." His father, James Nicholson, died in 1859, leaving him a farm of 270 acres; for seven years he ran this farm, setting out many acres to fruit and grapes, and had 50 acres of the latter, which were the first grown in his community. In 1893, he began alloting the farm and laid out Grace and Clarence avenues, Lakewood, putting in all improvements. He procured the right-of-way free, excepting two pieces of land, and promoted the Rocky River Railroad, a steam suburban railroad, since sold to the Nickel Plate Railroad. He made preliminary survey and located part of Nickel Plate Railroad; he invented and patented the Nicholson self-recording ship log and speed indicator, with electric attachment; the Wane motor for storing electricity ; a marine engine speed recorder; clutch gearing for electric block signal for railroads; recording electric meter and several other inventions. He was the first president and held office for four years of the Rocky River Railroad Company, was director of the Fanner Manufacturing Company, the Lakewood Savings Bank, the Nicholson Realty Company, and president of the first New Jerusalem Church of Lakewood. For several years he was school director and chairman of the board. When his father came to Cleveland, there was only one house on the West Side; there were no roads, but trees were marked to indicate one; bears and wolves were plentiful and Indians camped on his father's land. This land is now laid out in beautiful streets and built up with modern residences, school houses and churches. He has lived for 75 years in the house his father built in 1838; it is the oldest residence in Lakewood, located on Detroit Avenue. Mr. Nicholson's recreations are traveling in foreign lands and his own country, motoring, yachting, reading, inventing and making useful things.
Francis H. Payne, vice president of the American Meter Company and manager of the Metric Metal Works of Erie, is esteemed through- out the community as a man of energy, enterprise and integrity. He was born at Petroleum Center, Venango County, Pa., April 1, 1868, and is the son of Calvin Nathaniel and Martha E. (Dempsey) Payne.
Calvin Nathaniel Payne was born at Irvine, Pa., May 25, 1844, and his wife is a native of Lockport, N. Y., born June 12, 1842. Mr. Payne left his father's farm near Irvine and came to Erie in 1864 or 1865, taking a position on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. It was in Erie that he met Miss Martha E. Dempsey, who became his wife in November, 1866.
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Leaving the employ of the railroad in 1866 he went to Petroleum Cen- ter where he started in the oil busines as a driller. From that time he has been closely identified with the petroleum business, and for many years was a prominent independent oil operator, a member of the Oil Exchange at Parkers Landing, Warren, Bradford and Oil City, Pa. In 1885 Mr. Payne took charge of the natural gas interests of the Standard Oil Company and was a member of the old Standard Oil Company for many years. He took an active interest in the organization of the Metric Metal Company at Beaver Falls, Pa., and was president of the company at the time they moved to Erie in 1891. He was also identified with the Modern Tool Company, another Erie industry. Although Mr. Payne retired from active business about 1914, he is still keenly interested in business and public affairs. To Mr. and Mrs. Payne were born four children, as follows: Ernestine, married J. M. Tate, Jr., lives at Sewick- ley, Pa. Christy, lives at 118 East 54th Street, New York City; Florence, married Axtel J. Byles, lives at Ardsley-on-Hudson, N. Y. and Francis H., the subject of this sketch.
Francis H. Payne was graduated from Titusville (Pa.) High School in 1885; Hill School, Pottstown, Pa., in 1887; Princeton University, Princeton, N. J., graduating with honors with the degree B. A., in 1891. After graduation from Princeton University Mr. Payne was elected secretary and treasurer of the Metric Metal Company, then manufacturing gas meters at Beaver Falls, Pa. He only remained in Beaver Falls four months as the company at that time was building a new factory in Erie, which was ready for occupancy in October of that year.
In July, 1895, the Metric Metal Company sold its plant to the American Meter Company and since that time Mr. Payne has acted as manager of the Erie plant of that company. He is also a director in the American Meter Company and in November, 1923, was elected vice president of the company. He has served as a director of the First National Bank of Erie for the past 25 years and has also been chairman of the Board of Library Trustees for many years and is still serving in that capacity. He served on the Board of Governors of the Manufacturers Association for many years and was also president of the Citizens Protective Association of Erie during the war.
In September, 1892, Mr. Payne was married to Miss Grace A. Barber, the daughter of James R. Barber of Titusville, Pa. To this union two sons were born: Francis Dana Payne, lives at 1347 West 10th Street,
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Erie, is manager of the Erie Works of the Consolidated Tool Corporation of America; and Calvin Nathaniel Payne, II, lives at 426 Myrtle Street, Erie, is a salesman for the Metric Metal Works of the American Meter Company. On June 16, 1923, Mr. Payne was married the second time to Nellie Mizener Lowry, the eldest daughter of the late Frank A. Mizener of Erie.
Mr. Payne is a member of the Park Presbyterian Church and is affi- liated with the following clubs: Erie Club, Kahkwa Club, Seaview Golf Club, Absecon, N. J .; Princeton Club of New York; the Pennsylvania Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Erie Art Club. He is a Republican.
P. L. Leemhuis, senior member of the Keystone Automobile Com- pany, authorized Ford dealer of Erie, is a pioneer automobile man of this section and a representative business man of Erie. He was born at Lafayette, Ind., April 18, 1851, and is the son of Rev. Edo and Etta (Bohlsums) Leemhuis.
Reverend Leemhuis came to this country from Hanover, Germany, in 1846, settling in Terre Haute, Ind., and later Lafayette, Ind., Pittsburgh, Wolcottsburg, N. Y., Walcottsville, N. Y., Buffalo and Ellicottville, N. Y. After a number of years the Leemhuis family located at North East, Pa., and shortly afterward removed to Erie. He died in February, 1892, and his wife died in November of the same year. They are buried at North East, Pa. To Reverend and Mrs. Leemhuis were born the following chil- dren: B. S., died at North East, Pa., in 1921; P. L., the subject of this sketch; John H., lives at Blue Earth, Minn .; F. G., lives at Erie; Mrs. Phil Lanx, lives at Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. J. H. Oldach, lives at North East, Pa .; Augusta, lives at North East, Pa .; and Katrina, also a resident of North East .
P. L. Leemhuis was reared in Niagara County, N. Y., and received his education in the parochial and public schools there. He began life as a farmer and in July, 1876, organized the Keystone Carriage Works at Erie, with F. G. Leemhuis and James Harrison. After four years Leem- huis brothers purchased Mr. Harrison's interest in the business, which was thus operated until 1910, at which time P. L. Leemhuis became sole owner. The business was enlarged in 1914, Mr. Leemhuis erecting a three-story building, 70x100 feet, which was occupied until the disastrous flood of Aug. 3, 1915, when the building was totally destroyed. Although then a
P. L. LEEMHUIS.
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man of 65 years, Mr. Leemhuis began over again, erecting a business block on the same site. In 1916 he received a contract from the Ford Motor Company as dealer, and at this time took Carl, P. L., Jr., and Miriam Leemhuis (now Mrs. W. R. Boyd) into business, organizing the Keystone Automobile Company, which has developed into one of the leading and most up-to-date salesrooms in this section of the state. It is located at 8th and Holland Streets.
On Feb. 10, 1880, Mr. Leemhuis was united in marriage with Miss Etta C. Hirt, a native of Erie and the daughter of Theobald and Anna (Schumacher) Hirt, natives of Germany and pioneers of Erie. He died in 1884 and his wife died in 1889. To Mr. and Mrs. Leemhuis were born five children: Katrine, married R. Couch, lives at Elyria, Ohio; C. H., born in 1890, lives in Erie; Miriam, born in 1891, married W. R. Boyd, lives in Erie; P. L., Jr., mention of whom is made below; and Raymond P., born in 1896, is a World War veteran, an attorney, associated with Brooks, English & Quinn, leading attorneys of Erie.
P. L. Leemhuis, Jr., was born in Erie in 1894. He served during the World War and lost his health while in service. He died in February, 1924.
Mr. Leemhuis and his family are identified with the Luther Memo- rial Church of Erie, and he has held many church offices. He is a staunch Republican and served as city councilman for six years, being the first person sworn into office in the new city hall. He is a member of the Board of Commerce and takes an active interest in the growth of Erie, which he has seen develop into a thriving metropolis. Mr. Leemhuis is an excellent citizen and an asset to his community.
Raymond P. Leemhuis, who is associated with the law firm of Brooks, English & Quinn, leading attorneys of Erie, is a veteran of the World War. He was born in this city, Feb. 19, 1896, and is the son of Peter L. and Etta C. (Hirt) Leemhuis, a complete sketch of whom appears else- where in this history.
Raymond P. Leemhuis was reared and educated in Erie and after completing his high school course in 1914 he entered Muhlenburg College, at Allentown, Pa., where he received his degree in 1919. He was gradu- ated from the law school of the University of Pennsylvania in 1922 and in August of that year engaged in practice. Since Dec. 1, 1922, he has been associated with the firm of Brooks, English & Quinn with offices in the Commerce building.
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On Oct. 3, 1917, Mr. Leemhuis volunteered for service during the World War as a private, and on June 1, 1918, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Infantry, after having attended the Officers Train- ing School at Camp Lee, Virginia. He became an instructor at Camp
Meade, Md., and was assigned to the Eleventh Division. He was dis- charged Feb. 9, 1919.
In 1922, Mr. Leemhuis was admitted to the Supreme Court of Penn- sylvania and the United States District Court. He is a member of the Miller Law Club of the University of Pennsylvania and belongs to the American Legion, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Y. M. C. A., Masonic and Elks lodges, University and Kiwanis club, and the Lawrence Park Golf Club. He is a Republican and a member of the Luther Memorial Church. Mr. Leemhuis is an able man in his profession, a citizen of progressive ideals, and a young man highly esteemed in Erie County.
Wiliam Spencer, deceased, was for many years a dominant figure in connection with financial, business and civic affairs in Erie. He had the distinction of being president of the First National Bank from 1885 until his death in 1920, an office in which he succeeded his father, who was its first president. He was born in Erie on June 14, 1848, the son of Judah C. and Lavinia S. (Sanford) Spencer, both of whom were members of influ- ential and honored pioneer families of Erie County.
Judah C. Spencer was born in Hadlyne, New London County, Conn., July 1, 1813, and was a son of William and Deborah (Selden) Spencer. He was reared in New England, where he continued to reside until 1829, when he came to Erie to attend the Erie Academy and to assume a clerical position in the land office conducted by his uncle, Judah Colt. As a resi- dent of Erie Mr. Spencer took a loyal interest in all movements advanced for the upbuilding and civic prosperity of the city and he identified him- self with many early industrial and commercial enterprises whose success was furthered by his wise counsel as well as by his capitalistic support. He was secretary and treasurer of the Erie & North East Railroad Com- pany, until its consolidation with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. In 1852 he engaged in the banking business in Erie as one of the two partners of Mr. Sanford & Company, bankers, and with this important line of enterprise he continued to be prominently identified during the remainder of his long and useful life. He was the founder
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of the First National Bank of Erie and became the first president of the institution, continuing in this office until his death in 1885.
In May, 1837, Judah C. Spencer was married to Miss Lavinia Stanley Sanford, a native of Erie, born Sept. 1, 1817. She died Sept. 29, 1886. They were the parents of the following children: William, the subject of this sketch; who was the youngest; Lavinia Deborah, the widow of Rt. Rev. J. F. Spaulding, Episcopal Bishop of Colorado, and she resides at Denver, Colo .; Miss Frances Laura, deceased; and Catherine, who died in 1897, was the wife of Rev. Robert S. Van Cleve, a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church and a resident of Erie.
William Spencer was reared in Erie and after completing a course at Erie Academy he was prepared for college at Princeton, N. J., and was graduated from Princeton University in 1870. After an extended Euro- pean trip Mr. Spencer assumed a clerical position in the First National Bank of Erie. He was an executive officer of the institution for a number of years prior to the death of his honored father, whom he succeeded in the presidency. The First National Bank was organized in 1863 and until Mr. Spencer's death it had but two presidents, father and son. Mr. Spencer died Feb. 18, 1920.
On Jan. 22, 1880, Mr. Spencer was married at Philadelphia to Miss Mary Richards DuPuy, a native of Chicago, and a daughter of Charles Merideth and Ellen Maria (Reynolds) DuPuy, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. DuPuy was born in 1823 and died in 1898. His wife was born in 1833 and died in 1898. To Mr. and Mrs. William Spencer were born six chil- dren, as follows: Mrs. Maud Corbett, lives at Steyning, England; Judah Colt Spencer, lives at Erie ; Mrs. Eleanor Lavinia Beatty, lives at Hamburg, N. Y .; William Marvin, lives at Erie; Herbert Reynolds, lives at Erie; and Charles DuPuy, born in 1886, died in 1918.
In politics Mr. Spencer was identified with the Republican party. He was a member of the Park Presbyterian Church and served as an elder for many years.
Jean Ashley Hard, librarian in the Erie Public Library, is a widely known and highly esteemed member of the community. She was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 20, 1859, and is the daughter of William M. and Jean (McElwee) Ashley.
William M. Ashley was a native of Rochester, N. Y., and his wife was born at Savona, N. Y. He was connected with lake trading boats during
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his life and is now deceased. His wife died in November, 1859, and they are buried in the Erie Cemetery. Jean, the subject of this sketch, was their only child.
Jean Ashley Hard was reared and educated in Erie, where her parents had settled at an early date. She is a graduate of Erie High School and on Sept. 9, 1898, entered the Erie Public Library as chief of the cir- culating department. Five years later she was made acting librarian and the following year was appointed librarian. She has filled this position for the past 20 years and is most efficient and capable.
R. S. Battles was a prominent factor in the development of Girard and vicinity for many years. He was engaged in the banking business, primarily, but at the same time was extensively interested in various other fields of commerce, including manufacturing, etc. He was recog- nized as a forceful man in the affairs of life and met with unusual success during the course of his business career. He was born in Girard, in April, 1833, the son of Asa and Elizabeth (Brown) Battles, natives of Stoughton, Mass., and Guilford, Vt., respectively.
Asa Battles was born in 1786 and was married Nov. 22, 1814, his wife being a daughter of Abraham Brown, a well known writer of sacred poetry. Many of his hymns are widely known.
R. S. Battles received his education in the schools of Girard and Kingsville Academy, Kingsville, Ohio, after which he read law in Girard with S. E. Woodruff. In 1853 he entered the National Law School of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduating in the class of 1854, being admitted to the bar of Erie County the same year. After many years in association with his former preceptor in the practice of law at Girard, the partner- ship was dissolved, and Mr. Battles devoted his time to farming until 1859, when the bank was organized under the name of Battles & Webster. The latter retired in 1876 and Mr. Battles conducted the business alone until his death. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Girard Wrench Manufacturing Company of Girard for a number of years and the owner of the Climax Manufacturing Company of Corry, Pa. The latter business is now conducted by a company manufacturing locomotives, for the lumber industry, used in logging camps. In politics Mr. Battles was a Republican. He died at Girard, March 27, 1904, in his 71st year. He was highly esteemed by his fellow townsmen and was one of the most prominent business men in northwestern Pennsylvania.
R. S. BATTLES
ER
CHARLOTTE WEBSTER BATTLES
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In 1861 R. S. Battles was married to Miss Charlotte M. Webster, a native of Girard, born Jan. 25, 1835. She was a daughter of James and Mary (Leffingwell) Webster, natives of Hebron, N. Y., and Berkshire, Mass., respectively. Mrs. Battles was educated in a private school at East Springfield and when the Girard Academy was opened in 1851 she attended school there for two years, graduating in the first class of that institution. Later, she attended Brooklyn Heights Seminary at Brook- lyn, N. Y., from which institution she was also graduated. Mrs. Battles was an unusual woman in many ways. She identified herself with every progressive movement that had for its object the upbuilding of the com- munity and for the betterment of society. She was a member of the pioneer Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle class at Chautauqua, and was a charter member of the first literary club, the Chautauqua Liter- ary and Scientific Circle, of Girard, now known as the Travelers' Club. She was the honorary president of this club at the time of her death, Oct. 25, 1920. She was also a charter member of the Willcox Library Association, and was its secretary at the time of her death. Her constant and deep interest in education demands more than passing mention. She was keenly alive to the merits of advanced education, and was instru- mental in aiding many young people to acquire an education. The out- standing monument to her interest in education and love to her town is the Battles Memorial School, erected at Girard in 1910. This splendid building is one of which the town may well speak in unmeasured terms and is a partial revelation of the deep springs of her philanthropy.
The religious interest and effort of Mrs. Battles is no less deserving of unstinted praise. Early in life she united with the Presbyterian church and through her long life she was a devoted follower of the Master. She played the melodeon, the first musical instrument used in the church, and she was identified with the choir as a singer and leader. She was a charter member of the Women's Missionary Society for many years and served as its secretary. She gave unstintedly of her time, talent, and substance to the work of the church.
To R. S. and Charlotte (Webster) Battles were born three children: Mary, James Webster, and Miss C. Elizabeth Battles. Of these the first two died in infancy and Miss C. Elizabeth resides at Girard, where the Battles name has long stood for the highest integrity and best citizenship.
Miss C. Elizabeth Battles is a member of the Elk Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a member of the Board of
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Trustees of Edinboro State Normal School, a member of the Board of Education of Battles Memorial School, a member of the Board of Direc- tors of Willcox Library, and president of the R. S. Battles Bank of Girard. She attended Lake Erie College (then Seminary) at Painesville, Ohio, and Mt. Vernon Seminary, Washington, D. C.
The Battles homestead at Girard is located on the land which was purchased from the Holland Land Company by Asa Battles about 100 years ago.
John B. Brooks has gained prestige as one of the representative law- yers of northwestern Pennsylvania. His office is at 816 Commerce Build- ing, Erie. Mr. Brooks was born in Crawford County, Pa., March 29, 1871, and is the son of Amaziah and Mary Brooks, natives of the same place.
John B. Brooks was reared and educated in his native state and after completing his high school course at Conneautville, attended the Univer- sity of Michigan receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1895 and Bachelor of Laws in 1896. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature 1898-99 and has an extensive practice throughout this section.
In August, 1899, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage at Rock Creek, Ohio, with Miss Genevieve Wilbur, a native of Geneva, Ohio. They have three children: Annette, Helen and Robert.
Mr. Brooks is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic and Elk lodges, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Erie Club, the University Club, the Kahkwa Club, the Maennerchor Club and Yacht Club.
Mr. Brooks is the head of the law firm of Brooks, English & Quinn.
William F. Detzel, the able and highly esteemed chief of police of Erie, is a native of this city. He was born July 18, 1863, and is the son of Matthias and Apalonia Detzel.
Matthias Detzel and his wife were natives of Bavaria, Germany. They were married in Erie, April 12, 1857. In early life he engaged in farming but in 1865 became interested in the grocery business, which he successfully followed until 1882. At that time he conducted a restaurant at 1306 Parade Street. Mr. Detzel served as alderman of the Second Ward and was elected the first superintendent of the streets of the City of Erie in 1867. He died Nov. 4, 1905, and his wife died Sept. 20, 1885. There were 12 children in the Detzel family as follows: Mary; Frank J .;
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Margaret, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; William F., the subject of this sketch; Joseph B .; Eugene, deceased; Caroline, John, Adam J., Ida, and Peter Detzel.
William F. Detzel has spent his entire life in Erie. After attending the parochial and public schools he began life as a moulder. On June 30, 1890, he was appointed patrolman on the Erie police force and was later designated as roundsman. He was assigned as a plain clothes bicycle police officer and continued in that capacity until appointed captain of police, April 4, 1905. Mr. Detzel was one of the first four detective ser- geants and continued in office as captain of police until Dec. 4, 1911, at which time he was appointed chief of police by Hon. William J. Stern, then mayor of Erie, in which capacity he has since served.
Mr. Detzel was married on June 21, 1883, to Miss Minnie Uhr, a native of Erie and a daughter of John and Margretta (Paul) Uhr, natives of Germany, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Detzel were born two children: Charles J., a police officer, resides at 613 East 11th Street; and Mrs. Elizabeth Heisler, resides at 717 Vine Street, Erie.
Mr. Detzel is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and belongs to the Elks, Eagles, and Moose lodges. He is a progressive citizen and a capable and efficient officer.
William E. Beckwith, president of the Marine National Bank, ranks among Erie's leading financiers. He is a native of Connecticut, born Nov. 17, 1863, and the son of William J. and Mary J. (Havens) Beckwith.
The Beckwith family were residents of New England for generations, where William E. Beckwith obtained his early education. He was a student in a private institution at Old Lyme, Conn., and among his teach- ers in his native town, who strongly influenced his after career, was Pro- fessor Stone. After a few months of uncongenial experience in a general store near home, the boy received a letter from his old instructor, who had removed to Erie, urging him to complete his education at the Erie Academy in which he was then teaching. Mr. Beckwith was thus induced to move to this city and for three years was in industrious student at the Erie Academy. Then, in 1883, he became a clerk in the book store of Ensign & Sherwood, and in 1886 he commenced his identification with the Marine National Bank. He commenced at the bottom of the scale and has steadily risen to the top, serving as cashier for a number of years before his election to the presidency.
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