USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One > Part 48
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Leading products of the company are Copes Boiler Feed Water Regu- lators and Copes Steam Pump Governors, two devices to save fuel and labor and improve conditions in power plants.
Operation as begun in Erie in 1913 was on a very small scale-the shop outfit consisting of two lathes and a drill press. Steady expansion took place and branch factories are now located in Canada, England, France, Germany, Austria and Italy. In 1924 a thoroughly modern plant was erected in Erie, where the main office and works are located. Sales representatives are located in practically all civilized countries.
Bishop John C. Ward is among the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Erie, where he is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese. He is a native of Elmira, N. Y., born Aug. 27, 1873, and a son of Hamilton and Mary Adelia (Chamberlain) Ward.
Hamilton Ward was born at Saulsbury, N. Y., and his wife is a native of Waterloo, N. Y. He was a prominent attorney and served as a mem- ber of Congress and Attorney-General of New York, as well as Justice of the Supreme Court. He died in 1898 and is buried at Belmont, N. Y.
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His wife resides in Erie. They had two children: Hamilton, attorney- at-law, residing in Buffalo, N. Y .; and John C., the subject of this sketch.
John C. Ward was reared and educated at Belmont, N. Y., and is a graduate of Harvard University and the General Theological Seminary, New York. He served as rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Buf- falo, from 1899 until 1902; as rector of Grace Church, Buffalo, from 1902 until 1921; and as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Erie from 1921 until the present time.
Bishop Ward served as army chaplain for three years, on the Mexi- can border with the 74th Infantry, N. Y. N. G., and during the World War with the 105th Machine Gun Battalion, 107th Infantry, and 108th Infantry, 27th Division, A. E. F. He was mustered out of service as captain receiving the decorations of D. S. C. and the British M. C. He is now chaplain major, O. R. C.
Walter E. Horstman is a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Erie, where he is connected with the General Electric Company as Pro- duction Manager. He was born at Schenectady, N. Y., June 6, 1880, and is the son of Christian Louis and Mary Elizabeth (VonBehren) Horstman.
Christian Louis Horstman, born in Minden, Germany, was a resident of New York City and Schenectady, and during his life engaged in the manufacturing business, being a manufacturer of brooms and later of silk gloves and clothing. He was also a merchant. He died Oct. 19, 1919, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth VonBehren, born in Hague, Holland, and who was a resident of Minden, Germany, and Schenectady, N. Y., died April 10, 1908. They had four children. Lillian A. Thueuer, C. F., and J. C., all residents of Schenectady, N. Y .; and Walter E., the subject of this sketch.
Walter E. Horstman was reared and educated in Schenectady, and after his graduation from Sheldon Business College and Union Classical Institute, he entered the employ of the General Electric Company, being employed in the following departments: order and stock, purchasing, and production. He served as special traveling representative and assistant to the production manager, and came to Erie in the fall of 1910 as super- visor of order and stores, being responsible for obtaining all materials for priority war equipment at the Erie factory during the war. He became production manager of the Erie works in June, 1919.
On June 1, 1910, Mr. Horstman was married to Miss Mildred M. Kern,
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a native of Troy, N. Y., and a daughter of Adolph and Katherine (Gruen- wald) Kern, natives of New York, and residing at Schenectady, N. Y. Mr. Kern died July 23, 1911, and his wife died Jan. 30, 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Horstman have been born two children: Walter Louis and Winifred Katherine.
Mr. Horstman is a Republican, a member of the Park Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, being a member of Mead Lodge, and St. George Chapter, Schenectady, N. Y., Erie Consistory, ¿ Zem Zem Shrine, the Erie Club, and the Traffic Club, and has served the Transportation Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
George Perry Griffith. The life work of George Perry Griffith as a lawyer was largely prepared in Erie, and for about a third of a century he was a successful practitioner at the Erie bar, and during that period was connected with many of the leading cases tried in the courts of this county. A man of strong mind and character, he was learned in the law and skillful in its applications, courageous and energetic, a man to admire and trust. Outside law his interests were important, and he met every obligation of good citizenship. His father, Stephen Griffith, was of Welch descent. His mother, Susan (Perry) Griffith, was a descendant of the Commodore Perry family of Rhode Island, she being a relative of the Commodore. Both Stephen Griffith and his wife were born in the town of Pomfret, Chautauqua County, N. Y., near Fredonia, their parents hav- ing come from New England. Susan Perry was one of the young girls chosen to represent the 24 states of the Union at the celebration in honor of General Lafayette, who visited Chautauqua County and spent the night in Fredonia, June 4, 1825.
Stephen Griffith was born in 1812. He became a manufacturer of hats and resided in Maryville and Fredonia, N. Y. In 1846 he settled in North East, Pa., where he made hats and became interested in grape cul- ture. He was a justice of the peace from 1860 until 1865, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and superintendent of the Sunday School until his death in North East, May 31, 1883. He married Susan Perry, also born in Pomfret, who died at her home in North East, Aug. 26, 1895, it having been 70 years since she rode with the tableau of states in honor of General Lafayette. Stephen and Susan (Perry) Griffith were the par- ents of four children: George Perry, the subject of this sketch; John W .; Josephine S., married S. R. Remington; and Benjamin P.
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Gjer 8. Griffith
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George Perry Griffith was born in Mayville, the capital of Chautauqua County, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1837, and died in the Homeopathic Hospital in Boston, Mass., May 19, 1901. He attended the public schools and old Fredonia Academy until 14 years of age, and then began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Fredonia "Censor," then published by Willard Mckinstry and brother. After learning his trade he remained with the "Censor" for a time as a journeyman printer, and then went west to Freeport, Ill., working on "The Press," and while there reported the Lincoln-Douglas debate held in 1858. Later he returned east and located in Erie, taking a position with the Erie "Observer," as assistant editor. He did not continue in journalism but for a time engaged in other lines in other places, returning to Erie in 1861, where he began the study of law under S. A. Davenport. In 1864 he was admitted to the Erie County bar. He was admitted to a partnership with his former preceptor and Davenport & Griffith were for many years one of the leading law firms of the city. Later Mr. Griffith practiced alone and sev- eral years prior to his passing away he became counsel for the Barber Asphalt Company, continuing as such with its successor, the General Asphalt Company. His duties as counsel for the widely operating com- pany took him to different parts of the United States, Mexico, and Central America. This extensive traveling no doubt brought on the fatal illness from which he died in 1901, he being then in Boston in service for the company.
For several years while in general practice Mr. Griffith was a member of the Erie School Board, secretary of the board, clerk of the city council, and a leading member of the Erie board of trade. After his appointment as counsel for the Barber Asphalt Company he withdrew from general practice and from all his business interests to devote himself solely to the interests of that corporation.
In politics Mr. Griffith was a Democrat, and in a broad minded, public spirited way manifested a deep interest in the welfare and development of Erie. The cause of education had in him a warm friend, and he ren- dered that cause valuable service. He was a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with lodge, chapter and commandery, his Knights Templar membership being with Hugh dePayne Commandery of Buffalo, N. Y.
Mr. Griffith was married, Oct. 6, 1864, in Erie, to Miss Ella C. Rich- ards, born there, and a daughter of Captain Richards and Marie Louisa (Clark) Richards, and the granddaughter of John and Ann (Hinton)
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Richards. Her grandfather was born in Wales, but prior to 1812 came to the United States. He was a ship carpenter and helped to build the vessels that Commodore Perry commanded on Lake Erie. He died in 1845, his wife in 1871. Mrs. Griffith's maternal grandparents were George and Mary (McDonald) Clark of Bath, Maine. Capt. Thomas Richards was born in Erie and became a well known master of lake vessels, sailing sev- eral of the best steamers of the Charles M. Reed line. During the winter of 1848-9 he superintended the building of the "Keystone State" at Buffalo, a fine steamer of which he took command on her maiden trip to Chicago. He was stricken with typhoid fever in that city and taken from his vessel and died July 13, 1849. He married Marie Louisa Clarke, born in Water- ville, Maine, who long survived him dying in Erie, March 16, 1896. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George P. Griffith: (1) Dr. Thomas R. Griffith, born in Erie, now a practicing physician of Riverside, Cal., married Florence Pier, and they have three children: Thomas Richards, now a student at the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; Evaline, and Stan- wood. By a former marriage Doctor Griffith has a son, George Perry Griffith, 3d, now a resident of Erie. He married Ruth Luckman, of Erie, and has a daughter, Janet Louise, and George Perry the 6th.
(2) George Perry Griffith, Jr., a resident of Los Angeles, Cal., where he is president of the contracting firm of the Griffith Company. He mar- ried Mary Matthews, and they have two sons: Richard Matthews, of Los Angeles, a lieutenant in the U. S. army during the World War; and George Perry Griffith, 4th, associated in business with his father, and he has a son, George Perry Griffith, 5th.
Mrs. Ella R. (Richards) Griffith survives her husband and occcupies the old homestead on West Seventh Street, Erie. Both she and her hus- band were members of the Presbyterian church, Mrs. Griffith continuing her membership and devoting much of her time to church and charitable work.
Robert Jarecki, vice president of the Jarecki Manufacturing Company, one of the most important industrial institutions of the city of Erie, was born in this city, March 24, 1878. He is the son of Charles and Louise (Becker) Jarecki, natives of Germany and both now deceased.
Charles Jarecki was born at Posen, Germany, and his wife was a native of Echlingen, Bavaria, Germany. In 1849, at the age of 14 years, Mr. Jarecki came to America with his parents and located in Erie, where
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with his brother, Henry, he founded the Jarecki Manufacturing Com- pany. Mr. Jarecki died Jan. 26, 1901, and his wife died May 1, 1907. They are buried in Erie cemetery. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jarecki: Alexander, president of the Jarecki Manufacturing Company, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history; Fred C., deceased ; and Robert, the subject of this sketch.
Robert Jarecki was reared and educated in Erie and after his gradu- ation from the Erie Academy attended Cascadilla School, Ithaca, N. Y. After receiving his degree at Lehigh University, he entered the manu- facturing business which was established by his father many years ago. He is now vice president of the concern.
On April 5, 1904, Mr. Jarecki married Miss Eleanor H. Caughey, a native of Erie, and the daughter of Clemens J. and Emma (Hoskinson) Caughey, natives of Erie County. Mr. Caughey died in 1919 and his wife died the previous year. Mr. and Mrs. Jarecki have two children: William Robert, born in 1914; and Eleanor Louise, born in 1917.
Mr. Jarecki is a Republican, a member of the Episcopal church, and belongs to the Erie Club, Kahkwa Club, University Club and the Erie Yacht Club. He is one of the substantial members of his community and has a host of friends.
John J. Doyle, well known paving contractor of Erie, is a native of this city and one of its successful business men. He was born Aug. 21, 1882, and is the son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Bowes) Doyle.
Patrick Doyle was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and came to America when a boy, making Erie his home. His first employment here was un- loading boats in the harbor and he later became one of the progressive business men of the city. He built Lakeside Park and opened many of the streets in the northwestern part of the city. During the latter part of his life he engaged in the construction of sewers. He died Sept. 4, 1907, and his wife, who was born at Crossingville, Crawford County, Pa., died March 13, 1892. They had eight children: Minnie E., William, Cora A., John J., Charles A., Nellie, Anna, and Harry J. Doyle.
John J. Doyle was reared and educated in Erie and in early life was engaged in business with his father. After the latter's death the busi- ness was carried on by John J. and Minnie Doyle under the firm name of J. & M. Doyle. Upon the death of Minnie Doyle, Sept. 1, 1916, the firm continued business under the same name. It was incorporated Feb.
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25, 1921, with the following officers: John J. Doyle, president and treas- urer; William Doyle, vice-president; Harry J. Doyle, second vice-presi- dent; and Charles Doyle, secretary.
Mr. Doyle is a Republican, a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and belongs to the Elks Lodge.
Edwin H. Lamberton, a widely known and successful lawyer of Erie, Pa., is a native of this state and a member of a pioneer family of Western Pennsylvania. He was born in Franklin, Pa., Oct. 21, 1854, and is a son of Robert and Margaret (Seaton) Lamberton.
Robert Lamberton was born at Gorton Raid in the north of Ireland, March 20, 1809, a son of William and Elizabeth (Gilfillan) Lamberton. The Lamberton family is of Scotch origin, its members having figured promi- nently in the history of Ayrshire, Scotland, as far back as the twelfth century.
Robert Lamberton was the eldest of nine children. He remained in his native land until he attained his majority, when in 1830, he came to this country, first landing at Quebec, Canada, and then coming to Pennsylvania where he joined his uncle, John Lamberton, in Venango County. After remaining on a farm with his uncle for one season, he went to Franklin. There he followed varied occupations and finally engaged as clerk in a store. He soon became a partner in the mercantile business, and later the sole proprietor. He was successful in this enterprise and as his business grew he established branch stores at Cooperstown and Dempseytown. In addi- tion to the mercantile business, he also operated a rolling mill, nail factory, and grist mill at Franklin. In 1860 he established what was known as the Lamberton Savings Bank at Franklin, and in connection with his son-in- law, Calvin W. Gilfillan, he also carried on a bank at Oil City during the days of the so-called oil excitement. He served as a trustee of the old Franklin Academy for several years and also served as School Director. In 1862 he was elected Associate Judge of Venango County and served for five years, serving for a time with Isaac G. Gordon, and afterward with John Trunkey, both of whom later became distinguished members of the State Supreme Court.
Robert Lamberton was united in marriage, April 6, 1837, with Miss Margaret Seaton of Franklin. He died on Aug. 7, 1885, and his wife is also deceased. They were the parents of the following children: William J., married Sarah L. Raymond; Elizabeth, married Calvin W. Gilfillan;
6. H. Lamberton
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Louis T., married Martha A. Mitchell; Samuel H., married Ann E. Smith; Robert G., married Luella J. Chess, and after her death he married Jessie K. Judson; Margaret J., married George P. Hukill; Edwin H., the subject of this sketch; and Harry, married Virginia E. Hughes.
Edwin H. Lamberton spent his boyhood and youth in Franklin, where he received his preliminary education. He later was a student at Phillip's Academy at Andover, Mass. He then entered Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., where he was graduated in June, 1876. He then attended Columbia College Law School in New York City, and afterwards studied in the University of Leipsic, Germany. He studied law with his brother, R. G. Lamberton, at Franklin, and on April 21, 1879, was admitted to the Ven- ango County Bar. On Oct. 18, 1881, he was admitted to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and on May 3, 1882, to the Supreme Court of Minnesota. On June 30, 1882, he was admitted to the District Courts of the Third Judicial District of Dakota Territory, and Dec. 20, 1883, to the District Court of the United States for the District of Minnesota. From May, 1882, until December, 1884, Mr. Lamberton resided at Moore- head, Minn., where as attorney for the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway Company, he had an extensive practice in the various courts of Minnesota and Dakota. He also took an active part in politics, serving on the Democratic County Committee, and as a delegate to the Democratic State Convention at St. Paul, assisted in sending a solid delegation to support Grover Cleveland's nomination for president in the National Con- vention at Chicago. In the campaign that followed, he supported the Democratic cause and made many public addresses in behalf of its can- didates. In the winter of 1884, Mr. Lamberton having purchased his brother's law library, returned to Franklin and engaged in the practice of law as successor to his brother.
Mr. Lamberton was engaged in the practice of his profession in Franklin for a number of years. At the same time, he was also engaged in the development of a suburb to Franklin, known as Rocky Grove. He laid out a plan of lots on lands which had been left to him by his father, and sold them out on long time payments, to working men, to whom he also furnished money to build homes suitable to each one's particular needs. The place grew rapidly and soon had a population of 2,000 or more, with schools, churches, stores, etc. In 1902 and 1903, owing to an. influx of numerous manufacturies and their necessary employees, Mr. Lam- berton helped out the scarcity of homes by building a row of houses for renting at low rates.
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In 1904, Mr. Lamberton and his wife made an extensive tour of the southwest, including a trip through Old Mexico, and in 1905, they bought a beautiful home in Erie, and Mr. Lamberton has since continued the practice of law in this city.
On Sept. 16, 1885, Edwin H. Lamberton was united in marriage with Miss Anna C. Kirker, a daughter of J. W. Kirker, an attorney of Pittsburgh. One child was born to this union, but died in infancy. How- ever, Mr. and Mrs. Lamberton have reared two children, Susan, the wife of William H. Forster, and they have one child Billy, a student at Prom- fret, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Forster live at 323 West Sixth Street. Georgia Lamberton, a student at Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, Va.
Mr. Lamberton is a member of the Masonic Lodge, being connected with Myrtle Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 316, Franklin, Pa .; the Chapter at Franklin, Council at Erie; Franklin Commandery No. 44, and the Consistory. He has held offices in the Blue Lodge and Chapter. He is a member of Phi Kappa Si, College Fraternity, and attended the Grand Council at Cleveland. He and Mrs. Lamberton are members of the Park Presbyterian Church of which he has served as secretary of the board of trustees, and president of the Brotherhood Bible Class. Mr. and Mrs. Lamberton have traveled extensively, having made seven trips to Europe.
George Russell Downs, Past National Commander of Army and Navy Union, U. S. A., was born at Southington, Conn., April 22, 1859, and comes from good old Yankee stock. He is the son of Ambrose Ives and Emily (Clark) Downs, the former a native of Wolcott, Conn., and the latter of Berlin, Conn.
Ambrose Ives Downs was a stone mason and contractor and farmer, and during the winter months was a "Yankee peddler," driving his wagon south to the plantation districts, where he sold all kinds of merchandise and clothes. This was before the advent of the railroads. He died Feb. 24, 1890, and his wife died April 1, 1875. They are buried at South- ington, Conn. To Mr. and Mrs. Downs were born four children: John Ives, died Feb. 25, 1879; Ambrose Isaac, died April 23, 1902; Ella Jean- ette, lives at Wallingford, Conn .; and George Russell, the subject of this sketch.
George Russell Downs was educated in the Lewis Academy, an ancient seat of learning in his home town, following which he served his country faithfully in the U. S. Marine Corps from July 25, 1879, until July 24,
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1884; Company H, 23rd U. S. Infantry, U. S. Army, from July 28, 1884, until July 27, 1889; and the U. S. Navy from Aug. 5, 1890, until Aug. 19, 1909, when he was placed on the retired list of the U. S. Navy at U. S. S. Wolverine, Erie. He served with Capt. Charles Vernon Gridley, U. S. N., from 1879 until 1882 on board the U. S. flagship, "Trenton", European Station, when he was a junior officer on board that vessel, and during the war with Spain he served on board the ram "Katahdin" and U. S. S. "Richmond". He has cruised on various naval vessels to different parts of the world during his service of 30 years in the army, navy and marine corps.
Mr. Downs helped organize the Army and Navy Union of the United States of America, March 31, 1888, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and while National Commander of said organization, 1911 until 1912, he induced U. S. Sena- tor Boies Penrose, who had a bill passed by congress appropriating $30,000 to repair and preserve all the flags won in naval battles from other nations since we became a nation, that were then packed in boxes and being moth eaten at the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. One hundred women were employed nearly a year stitching these old battle- scarred flags on backgrounds of fine linen; and when the job was done, the officers and men had a photograph taken of these women that worked on the flags in one of the class rooms in the naval academy and had a carpenter frame it and send it to National 'Commander Downs for a Christmas present, as a mark of appreciation and gratitude for his patri- otic work in saving these flags, which are now preserved in glass cases at the naval academy.
Past National Commander George R. Downs took up his place of resi- dence in Erie on Aug. 5, 1890, and since being placed on the retired list of the navy on Aug. 19, 1909, he has resided here permanently, taking an active part in all civic and patriotic activities. During the past eight years of his naval service he was publicity agent and writer for the naval recruiting service, where he gained the nom deplume of "Spun Yarn" and "Cheer Up" Downs from the editors of the various newspapers he visited while traveling yearly through eight middle west states, where he was most successful in getting free write ups advertising the naval service.
On June 5, 1905, Mr. Downs was married at Detroit, Mich., to Miss Cora J. Gibboney, of Lewiston, Pa., and the daughter of Hazzard Harrison and Elizabeth Stevens (Webb) Gibboney, natives of Reedsville, Pa. Mr. Gibboney died Sept. 7, 1906, and his wife died May 14, 1911. To Mr. and
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Mrs. Downs three children were born: George Ambrose, U. S. Army Hospital, Fort Whipple, Prescott, Ariz .; Mrs. Ruth Ella Marcott, lives at 932 West 31st Street, Erie; and John Russell, who died at Annapolis, Md.
Mr. Downs is a Republican, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathe- dral and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Maccabees, Army and Navy Union, U. S. A., United Spanish War Veterans and the Erie Historical Society. He is a well known and highly esteemed citizen of his community.
Jessamine S. Jiuliante is widely known throughout Erie County as a successful young attorney. He was born in Erie, April 26, 1899, and is the son of Dominick and Nicoletta (DiTullio) Jiuliante.
Dominick Jiuliante was born at Pennapiedimonti, Provincia di Chieti, Abruzzi, Italy, and his wife was a native of the same place. In 1887 Mr. Jiuliante came to America and located in Philadelphia. After several years he returned to Italy, married, and brought his wife to this country. They lived at Norristown and Philadelphia, Pa., and in 1899 removed to Erie, where they have since resided. Mr. Jiuliante is among the highly esteemed Italians of this section of the state. He has been connected with the Erie Forge Company for a number of years and is a foreman in the shops. His wife died in January, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Jiuliante had two sons: Jessamine S., the subject of this sketch; and William, born April 2, 1904, is a graduate of the apprentice school in tool designing of the General Electric Company and is now a machinist and draftsman with that company. They had five daughters: Anna, married Adam Vergilio, lives in Los Angeles, Calif .; Adelina, married Joseph Nathal, lives in Erie ; Ercelia, Louise, and Amalia, who live with their father in Erie.
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