USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One > Part 44
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Mr. Beckwith was married to Miss Clara Bull, a native of Markham, Canada, and the daughter of Henry W. Bull. To this union were born five daughters: Lois H., Mary E., Esther, Winifred and Helen Beckwith.
Mr. Beckwith is a member of the Presbyterian church and his wife belongs to the Episcopal Church. He and his family are well and favor- ably known and have a host of friends and acquaintances throughout the community.
John St. Lawrence holds a place of prominence among the successful business men of Erie, where he is associated with the General Electric Company as general superintendent of the local works. He was born at Hartlepool, England, Dec. 29, 1880, and is the son of John and Jane (Walton) St. Lawrence.
John St. Lawrence, Sr., is a native of England. He was educated in the public schools there and engaged in the dry goods business for several years, coming to Canada in 1883, where he engaged in the same line of business for 40 years. He now lives retired at London, Ont. His wife was born at Middlesborough, England, and died at London, Ont., Oct. 12, 1923. To Mr. and Mrs. St. Lawrence four sons were born: Oswald L., Fredrick W., and Francis E., all living at London, Ont., and John, Jr., the subject of this sketch.
John St. Lawrence was reared in London, Ont., and after attending the public schools there, he learned the machinist and tool making trades in the engine building establishment of E. Leonard & Son, of London, Ont. He was employed for three years as a tool maker and as foreman with several Ontario concerns, after which he entered the University of Toronto, where he received his degree in mechanical engineering. In 1905 Mr. St. Lawrence came to the United States and until 1910 was engaged in various capacities with the Westinghouse Machine Company and the Carnegie Steel Company, both of Pittsburgh, and later with the American Clay Machinery Company of Willoughby, Ohio, as assistant superintendent. In 1910 he became connected with the Erie City Iron Works as superintendent of the engine departments, severing this con- nection in 1912 to join the Erie Works of the General Electric Company as assistant mechanical superintendent. Since that time he has held several positions with the local works, leading to his appointment in 1918 as general superintendent.
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On Oct. 17, 1910, Mr. St. Lawrence was united in marriage with Miss Ethel M. Brock, of London, Ont., and a daughter of William and Anne (Edmonds) Brock, natives of Cwmavon, Wales. Mr. Brock died June 22, 1889, and his wife died April 6, 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. St. Lawrence five children have been born: Dorothy Mary, Jean Muriel, Margery Ethel, Marianne Edmonds, and John, Jr.
Mr. St. Lawrence is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist church, a 32nd degree Mason, member of the Shrine and Erie Consistory, and belongs to the Erie Club, University Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Francis E. St. Lawrence served throughout the World War, enlisting in the Army Medical Corps of one of the first regiments sailing from Canada in the spring of 1915, and returning in the summer of 1919.
Oswald L. St. Lawrence served throughout the Boer War in a regi- ment sent from Canada to South Africa to aid England.
Edward Hayes, alderman, is known as a progressive and enterprising citizen of Erie. He is a native of Ireland, born May 2, 1853, and the son of Patrick and Johanna (Cowhey) Hayes.
Patrick Hayes spent his entire life in Ireland and was a weaver by trade, using the hand loom. He did an extensive business and was very prominent in his time. He died in Ireland, April 15, 1875, and his wife, who had settled in Philadelphia after her husband's death, died Sept. 24, 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes the following children were born: Ellen Graham, lives in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is 87 years of age; Bridget Hayes, died at the age of 60 years; Mary Morrison, died at the age of 57 years; Patrick Hayes, died at the age of 65 years; John Hayes, died at the age of 61 years; and Edward, the subject of this sketch.
Edward Hayes received his education in the schools of his native land and began life as a weaver. After coming to this country he located in Erie and from 1881 until 1905 was employed at the iron molding trade. In April, 1905, he began a term as clerk to the mayor and in February, 1908, was elected alderman and re-elected in 1914. He was again re-elected in 1920 and will serve in this capacity until January, 1926.
On Jan. 13, 1878, Mr. Hayes was married at Philadelphia to Miss Ella Bray, a native of Erie, and the daughter of John and Mary (Delaney) Bray, natives of Ireland. Mr. Bray died Sept. 17, 1898, and his wife died July 6, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes were born three children, as fol-
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lows: Mary, born June 14, 1879, died Dec. 16, 1882; Ida M. Carey, born May 22, 1884, lives at Erie; and Edward S., secretary of Board of Asses- sors of City of Erie, born Nov. 21, 1886, lives at Erie.
Mr. Hayes and his family are members of the Catholic Church and are highly esteemed members of their community. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.
J. M. Sherwin, attorney, was born in and is still a resident of Erie, and is the son of G. W. F. and Jennie (Moorhead) Sherwin.
G. W. F. Sherwin, deceased, was among Erie County's representative citizens, and was closely identified with many of its important interests. He was born in this county, July 12, 1831, his parents being Dr. Ira and Sarah (Wilson) Sherwin. He took up the profession of civil engineering and in 1850 went to St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged in surveying for the North Missouri Railroad and later for the Belleville & Alton Rail- road. He made the first soundings for a bridge over the Mississippi River for that line and was engineer in charge of the erection of the bridge. Mr. Sherwin laid out Sioux City, Iowa, and Niobrara, Nebr. In the latter town there were 2,000 Indians living at the time. After his return to Erie he served as city engineer from 1866 until 1870 and as water commissioner from 1879 until 1884. He was one of the first five trustees of Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, and also served as superintendent of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Mr. Sherwin died Sept. 24, 1887, and his wife died in March, 1892. They had three children: Josephine M., deceased; Anna F., who resides with her brother, J. M., at 245 West 10th Sreet, Erie; and J. M., the subject of this sketch.
J. M. Sherwin was educated in the public schools of Erie and in 1886 graduated from Erie High School. He then entered Adelbert College, of Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. He studied law with Hon. S. A. Davenport of Erie and was admitted to the Erie County bar, Nov. 18, 1890. Subsequently he was admitted to and has practiced in the Supreme and Superior Courts of Pennsylvania and the United States Courts, as well as in the courts of Erie County, and is now engaged in the practice of law in Erie.
Mr. Sherwin is a Republican, and he and his sister hold membership in the Central Presbyterian Church. He was elected first president of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and held that office in 1902 and 1903. He is now vice president of the Y. M. C. A., and is affiliated with the fol-
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lowing clubs and lodges: Erie Club, University Club, the Erie Motor Club, Erie Real Estate Board, Engineers Society of Erie, Kahkwa Club, is president of the Lawrence Park Realty Company and attorney and director of the Peoples Bank of Erie.
Edward Petrillo, one of Erie's capable and prominent attorneys, was born at Naples, Italy, Nov. 7, 1885, and is the son of Vincent and Adelaide (Holme) Petrillo.
Vincent Petrillo was a native of Naples where he spent his entire life. He was a student at the Seminary of Jesuits and was graduated in law at the University of Naples. He was a leading banker and exporter of diamonds. Mr. Petrillo died March 15, 1916, and his wife died Nov. 18, 1916. They are buried in Naples. To Mr. and Mrs. Petrillo were born two children: Emma Martina, born March 29, 1884, resides at 47 Via Cima- rosa, Naples; and Edward, the subject of this sketch.
Edward Petrillo spent his boyhood in Naples and Rome and in 1908 was graduated from the Royal University at Naples, with Doctor of Law Degree, and in March, 1910, passed the examinations for consular and diplomatic service. He came to the United States on April 26, 1910, in the Italian Consular service, and was located at Atlantic City, N. J., for five months. On Nov. 2, 1910, Mr. Petrillo came to Erie to make arrange- ments to open a consular agency in Erie. Being attracted by the beauti- ful city and induced by friends he gave up the service and applied for his first naturalization papers. He began to read American and Pennsyl- vania law at the office of Monroe Echols, Esq., and took his examination for admission to the state bar in July, 1919. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on Sept. 29, 1919, and to the Supreme Court of the United States on Oct. 9, 1924.
On Jan. 22, 1910, Mr. Petrillo was married at Malta, England, to Miss Carrie Hulse, a native of Byrnt, Syria, and the daughter of Consul Guido Hulse and of Carrie (Schwartz) Hulse, natives of Germany and London, England, respectively. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Petrillo resided at Naples. Mr. Hulse died in 1899 and his wife died Oct. 5, 1923. To Mr. and Mrs. Petrillo a son was born, Edward G. Vincent Petrillo, Jr., born March 6, 1913.
Mr. Petrillo held the Italian rowing championship for sculling during the years 1907 and 1908 and was Italian interscholastic swimming cham- pion during the year 1908. He has made a special study of languages
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and besides English, speaks German, French and Italian fluently. Mr. Petrillo is a Republican, and belongs to the University Club, the Erie Motor Club, the Elks lodge. His wife is affiliated with the Lutheran Church.
William J. Stern, a former mayor of Erie, who has been actively identified with the interests of this city for many years, is a native of this state. He was born at Allentown, Pa., Dec. 24, 1863, a son of Martin and Mary Virginia (Lerch) Stern, the former a native of Worms, Ger- many, and the latter of Jersey City, N. J. The parents are both now deceased, the father died June 24, 1896, and the mother died Nov. 12, 1912. Of the children born to them, two sons besides William J. are now living, Joseph A. of Erie, Pa., and Harry H. lives at St. Petersburg, Fla.
When William J. Stern was a baby, his parents removed from Allen- town, Pa., and located in Chicago, Ill. There he was reared and attended school until he was 11 years old, when the family came to Erie. Here he continued his schooling and attended the Erie High School, being a member of the class of 1883.
Mr. Stern began his business career as a bookkeeper in their whole- sale cigar, tobacco and liquor store which was then located in No. 1 Noble block. He assisted in building up this large business house and was a member of the firm of Joseph A. Stern and Brother, which was later located at No. 719 State Street. The business of this company was one of the largest of its kind in northwestern Pennsylvania and for over 30 years enjoyed the reputation of being leaders in its line and reliable in every way. Joseph A. Stern and William J. Stern sold this business in April, 1914, owing to the failing health of Joseph A. and the additional fact that William J. had been elected mayor of Erie and wished to give his undivided attention to the duties of that office.
Mr. Stern was a charter member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and served on its board of directors for nearly 20 years. He was presi- dent of that organization during the year of 1909, and his term was characterized by the building up of the depleted financial condition of the organization, enlarging its membership, increasing its activities along practical lines, which has aided materially in the development of the city of Erie. At the expiration of his term as president of the organization, he was offered another term, but refused to accept because it had been the custom up to that time, of the president serving but one term, and
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Mr. Stern refused to permit his case to be an exception to that custom. So active and progressive had his administration of the affairs of the Erie Chamber of Commerce been, that hundreds of Erie citizens signed a petition in the winter of 1910 asking him to become a candidate for the office of mayor.
While Mr. Stern had always been a Democrat, being a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at St. Louis in 1904, which nominated Judge Alton B. Parker for the presidency, he was nominated by the Re- publican party as its candidate for mayor. He was elected to that office after one of the most spirited and exciting elections ever held in Erie, defeating Robt. F. Devine, the democratic candidate, and Hiram Edward Reed, the candidate of the Erie Churchmen's Federation.
Mr. Stern was inaugurated mayor on Dec. 4, 1911, and served until the first Monday in 1916, performing the duties of that office with integrity, dignity and strictly according to business principles. Many municipal improvements desired by the people, some of which had been talked about for years, were either accomplished, plans made for, or con- tracts executed for, during this term of four years. A system for the collection and disposal of garbage with the building of the incinerator plant near Belle Valley, the building of the Liberty Street subway, the making of a contract with the New York Central Lines and the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company for the building of subways at Parade, Divi- sion, Peach, Sassafras, Chestnut and Cherry streets, and a new depot, the starting of a system of surface drainage sewers in Southwest Erie, the building of a high tension wire conduit for taking down the poles on State Street, were among the many outstanding accomplishments of Mr. Stern's term as mayor of this city.
On Aug. 3, 1915, occurred the disastrous Millcreek flood. This catas- trophe was so ably and quickly handled by the city administration that it received the commendation of the state officials and the people generally. The city council, of which Mr. Stern was a member, decided then that Millcreek should never again menace the lives and property of the citi- zens, and within a few weeks after this great calamity, employed com- petent engineers to study and devise plans for the covering of Millcreek, which resulted in the adoption of the plans to build a tube which now carries off the waters of this once troublesome stream.
The year of 1913 was one of much responsibility and activity for Mr. Stern as chief executive of the city. During this year the celebration (34)
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of the 100th Anniversary of Commodore Perry's victory on Lake Erie was carried out, and it is generally admitted that Erie's celebration of that historic event, excelled all other lake cities. A great industrial strike occurred this same year, which involved great responsibility for the chief executive of Erie. During this time, the state police were brought here to maintain the peace of the city after a long period of strife. The bitterness arising from this industrial strike undoubtedly was responsible for the defeat of Mr. Stern for re-election to the office of mayor. Miles B. Kitts was elected at a special election held in March, 1916.
In the spring of 1916, Mr. Stern became representative of Graham & Company, Philadelphia investment bankers, and continued in this business until early in 1917, when he was induced to accept the position of secretary of the Erie Board of Commerce. He served in that capacity during the period of the World War, which imposed heavy duties upon the incumbent of that office, one of the many being that of federal fuel administrator for Erie County. He continued to serve as secretary of the Board of Commerce until after the death of his first wife, when he resigned.
Mr. Stern was first married in June, 1888, to Miss Anna C. Cronin. One child was born to that union, Robert H. Stern, who died in infancy, in November, 1890. Mr. Stern was united in marriage in November, 1922, to Miss Maud C. Hayward of Erie, Pa., and they are living in the family residence at 563 West 8th Street.
Mr. Stern was appointed a member of the Pennsylvania Fuel Com- mission by Governor William C. Sproul in August, 1922, and served on this commission until its abolishment in the spring of 1923. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Vincent's Hospital Association and is now serving his 16th year as president of that institution. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, United Commercial Trav- elers, and attends St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Frank B. Quinn, one of Erie's capable and excellent attorneys, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born at Dushore, June 24, 1889, and is the son of Mathew M. and Nora J. (Pender) Quinn.
Mathew M. Quinn is a native of Ireland and his wife was born at Dushore, Pa. He has been engaged in the lumber business practically his entire life and has met with success. He lives at Williamsport, Pa., and his wife died April 12, 1916. To Mr. and Mrs. Quinn were born five children: Anna M. Brink, lives at Williamsport, Pa .; John E., lives in
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Chicago; Charlotte E. Drick, lives at Williamsport, Pa .; Matthew M., lives at Watson, N. Y .; and Frank B., the subject of this sketch.
Frank B. Quinn was educated in the schools of Dushore, Pa., and after completing his high school course there he entered Susquehanna Collegi- ate Institute. He is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and after teaching school four years in Bradford County, Pa., he engaged in the practice of his profession in Erie, where he has been located for nine years. His offices are located at 816 Commerce Building.
On June 26, 1917, Mr. Quinn was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Harrington, a native of Dushore, Pa., and the daughter of James J. and Margaret (Gohan) Harrington, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Har- rington is deceased and his widow lives at Dushore, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Quinn have been born four children: F. Bernard, Margaret, James and Mary K. Quinn, all at home. The residence is at 411 Lincoln Avenue.
Mr. Quinn and his family hold membership in the Catholic Church and he belongs to the University Club of Erie and the Elks Lodge. He is a Republican and a representative member of his community.
Charles C. Eaton, attorney, is among Erie's most prominent and influ- ential citizens. He was born at Phillipsville, in Erie County, Aug. 9, 1868, and is the son of Charles A. and Emily F. (Moore) Eaton.
Charles A. Eaton, deceased, was a Civil War veteran and a well known pioneer of Erie County. He was born in Greenfield Township, Erie County, and when a young man learned his trade as blacksmith at North East. He conducted a blacksmith shop at Lowville, Pa., for several years, and later removed to Phillipsville. After a number of years he operated a shop at Wattsburg, Pa., but later returned to Lowville, where he died April 7, 1918. During the Civil War Mr. Eaton served as a member of Company L, 102nd Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was in service three months and was honorably discharged June 23, 1865. Mrs. Eaton, who was born at Greenwich, Washington County, N. Y., now resides at Lowville. To Mr. and Mrs. Eaton were born five children as follows: Charlotte E. Jones, lives at Erie; F. E., lives at Lowville, Pa .; C. A., lives at Painesville, Ohio; W. C., lives at Wesleyville, Pa .; and Charles C., the subject of this sketch.
Charles C. Eaton spent the early part of his life at Phillipsville and later lived at Wattsburg and Lowville. He attended the district schools, Wattsburg High School, Edinboro Normal School and graduated from
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Clarion Normal School in 1892, after which he engaged in teaching. He taught school at North East, as well as in Venango and Mill Creek Town- ships, and after his graduation from Clarion Normal School in 1892, he was appointed principal of Glade High School, East Warren, Pa., where he remained five years. Mr. Eaton then took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar of Erie County in July, 1899. Since that time he has engaged in the practice of his profession in Erie with offices at 902-05 Ariel Building.
On Dec. 22, 1892, Mr. Eaton was united in marriage with Miss Flor- ence M .Titus, a resident of Phillipsville, Pa., and the daughter of Isaac L. and N. Cornelia (Terry) Titus, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Titus resides with the Eaton family at 125 West 21st Street. His wife died Jan. 27, 1914. To Mr. and Mrs. Eaton a son was born, Homer T. Eaton. He was born Aug. 2, 1898, and is now a law student.
Mr. Eaton is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
David Nye McBrier, president of the Erie Steam Shovel Company, is a member of a family that has long been identified with the industrial interests of northwestern Pennsylvania. He was born at Allegheny City, now Pittsburgh, Sept. 22, 1856, and is the son of James and Mary Eliza- beth (White) McBrier.
James McBrier, deceased, ranked among the leading manufacturers of Erie County. As president of the Ball Engine Works, vice president of the Lake Carriers Association, a member of the board of directors of both the Erie Trust Company and the First National Bank, and prominent in municipal affairs, he was widely known. Mr. McBrier was born in Allegheny City, Pa., the son of William and Mary (McMasters) McBrier. The father was a native of the north of Ireland, but coming to the United States when a young man he was for many years engaged in the lumber business in Allegheny City and other points in Pennsylvania. The son, James, received his educational training and his start in business life in his native city. He became associated in business with his father when a young man, and after the latter's death, he successfully carried on large interests. In 1872, while still in business in Allegheny City, he with several other gentlemen, established a wholesale lumber business in Erie, and in 1878 he located permanently in this city. In 1887 he became in- terested in the Ball Engine Works, being made president of the company
JAMES MeBRIER
..
DAVID NYE McBRIER
FREDERICK B. McBRIER
LERIE STEAM SHOVELS AND ERIE CRANES
ERIE STEAM SHOVEL COMPANY. ERIE. PA.
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in the same year, and he continued at the head of that large and important industry until the time of his death, Jan. 4, 1912. He was for many years largely interested in the lake trade, at one time owning three large freight steamers, and was heavily interested as a stockholder in steamship com- panies, and as above stated was for a time the vice president of the Lake Carriers Association.
Mr. McBrier was married to Miss Mary E. White, who traced her ancestry in America to the Mayflower, the Hon. D. N. White, her father, at one time being proprietor of the Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette. She died May 18, 1922, and with her husband is buried in Erie cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. McBrier the following children were born: David Nye, the subject of this sketch; Annie Mary, born March 9, 1858, now deceased; William Schoyer, born March 5, 1860, now deceased; Harvey Lewis, born July 28, 1861, lives in New York City ; Helen Thatcher, born Jan. 25, 1863, now deceased; Mary Louisa, born Sept. 7, 1864, lives at 351 West 6th Street, Erie; James Hubert, born Nov. 14, 1865, now deceased; Lucy Swift, now Mrs. Alex Jarecki, born Jan. 31, 1869, lives at 305 West 6th Street, Erie; and Frederick Bell, born May 7, 1873, lives at 241 West 7th Street, Erie, a sketch of whom appears in this history.
David Nye McBrier was educated in the public and private schools of Pittsburgh, and in 1877 attended Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pa., for two years. He began his business career in the lumber business with his father in 1876 and in 1880 came to Erie, where he was interested in the same line of business. From 1887 until 1888 Mr. McBrier took charge of his father's saw mill and timber lands in Alabama and the following year was elected vice president of the Ball Engine Company. Upon the death of his father in 1912, he was elected president of the company, now the Erie Steam Shovel Company.
On April 11, 1879, Mr. McBrier was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia Gilmore Alston, a native of Allegheny City and the daughter of Archibald and Cynthia (Gilmore) Alston, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Alston died in 1908 and his wife died in 1877. To Mr. and Mrs. David Nye McBrier were born four children: Lloyd Alston, who died in 1919; William Schoyer, died in infancy; Lynette Fullerton, now Mrs. T. B. Ely, lives at 404 16th Street, Franklin, Pa .; and Helen Thatcher, died in 1919. Lloyd Alston McBrier, deceased, served as a private in the Spanish-Amer- ican War in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. McBrier have 11 grandchildren. Mrs. McBrier died June 23, 1925.
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