History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One, Part 53

Author: Reed, John Elmer
Publication date: 1925
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 788

USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One > Part 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Joseph Orin Wait attended Waterford Academy, graduated from the State Normal School at Edinboro in 1894, and from Allegheny College, Meadville, in 1898, as salutatorian of his class. He was admitted to the bar in Erie County in 1902, and has since engaged in the active practice of his profession in Erie. He was elected and served as district attor- ney of Erie County from 1911 to 1915. He is a member of the bar of the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania, and of the several United States Courts.

Mr. Wait was married April 18, 1903, to Nina Ethel, daughter of Joseph and Elza (Buys) Maycock. They have two children: Lois, born March 16, 1907; and Gordon, born March 15, 1919.

In politics, Mr. Wait is a Republican. He is an Odd Fellow, a Knights Templar and a Thirty-second degree Mason. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the University, Shrine and Elks Club.

618

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

Charles Messenkopf, president of the Chas. Messenkopf & Company, of Erie, is numbered among the city's representative and successful busi- ness men. He was born in this city, Dec. 14, 1870, and is the son of Lorenz and Katherine (Diefenbach) Messenkopf.

Lorenz Messenkopf was a native of Germany and his wife was born in Erie. In 1859 he came to America and located in Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Messenkopf, now deceased, had three children: Albert C., deceased, was connected with the Second National Bank of Erie for many years ; Charles, the subject of this sketch; and Arthur, retired.

Charles Messenkopf received his education in the schools of Erie and when he was 13 years of age was called to Washington, D. C., by Con- gressman William L. Scott, to act as his page, remaining there for four years. This was during the administration of Grover Cleveland. Upon his return to Erie, Mr. Messenkopf completed his schooling and in 1891 entered the employ of the Erie Trust Company. Later he was connected with the Keystone Bank until its failure, at which time he went to Buffalo and was there engaged in the bond business for three years. In 1901 he returned to Erie and engaged in the bond business for himself, representing several New York houses. His offices were in the Penn Building until 1920, and due to the expansion of his business he moved to larger quarters in the Marine Bank Building.

The Charles Messenkopf & Company was organized in 1920 with the following officers: Charles Messenkopf, president; H. E. Scott, vice- president ; and George W. Hunter, secretary and treasurer. It is one of the leading investment houses in the city and deals in high-grade securi- ties, investment bonds, including government, municipal, railway, indus- trial and public utility bonds.

On June 9, 1920, Mr. Messenkopf was united in marriage with Miss Inez McCloskey, of Jersey City, the daughter of C. J. and Leonora (Davis) McCloskey. Mrs. Messenkopf received her education in the schools of Jersey City and was graduated from Smith College in the class of 1916. She was located in Erie as a teacher of German and English in Central High School for three years before her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Mes- senkopf has been born a son, Philip, born May 7, 1921.

Mr. Messenkopf is a director of the Erie Mortgage Company and vice- president of the West Sixth Apartments Company. During the World War he was general chairman of the Liberty Loan Committee, and a member of the Central Liberty Loan Committee, which comprised Penn-

619

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

sylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Serving with Mr. Messen- kopf were H. C. McEldowney, president of the Union Trust Company of Pittsburgh, and D. C. Wills, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. In politics, Mr. Messenkopf is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of St. Paul's United Evangelical Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, Knight Templars, Blue Lodge, Shrine, Erie Club, Kahkwa Club, Yacht Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and the Erie Maen- nerchor. Mr. Messenkopf is a man of integrity and ability, who has made a success of his work.

Charles A. Constable, a member of the firm of Constable Brothers Company, is among the prominent and successful business men of Erie. He was born in this city, Nov. 29, 1856, and is a son of John and Eliza (Kolb) Constable.

John Constable, deceased, was born near London, England, Jan. 11, 1811. He was educated and learned his trade in his native country and came to the United States in 1833, locating in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained four years. He then went to Florida, where he was employed in an arsenal for nearly a year, after which he returned to Buffalo. In 1839 he started for Pittsburgh, leaving Buffalo on the steamer Robert Fulton, but when he reached Erie he found that his trunk had been put off at Dunkirk, N. Y. While waiting for his trunks he sought and found employment in Erie, where he spent the remainder of his life. Thus by mistake, as it were, Erie gained one of her best citizens. His first em- ployer was Gen. Seth Reed, and his first work was upon the Reed House. After some time he engaged in business for himself in contracting and building and became one of the leading builders of his time, establishing the present Constable Brothers Company. He died in 1897. To Mr. and Mrs. Constable four children were born: Edward W., deceased; Charles A., the subject of this sketch; Louisa, married H. C. Sanderson, both deceased; William, deceased; and Herbert, Erie, Pa.

Charles A. Constable was educated in the public schools of Erie and after completing his education in 1876, he engaged in business with his father. Constable Brothers Company is one of the leading business enter- prises of Erie and its business includes all kinds of construction work. The products of its mills are all kinds of finish and manufactured lumber for building purposes, and the company also carries a complete stock of builders' hardware and furnishings. The institution as a whole is one

620

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

of the most complete and thoroughly equipped in northwestern Pennsyl- vania. Buildings included in the recent construction work of the com- pany are: First Presbyterian Church, Park Presbyterian Church, St. Peter's Cathedral, Scott Building, St. Vincent's Hospital, Hamot Hospital, Erie Trust Company Building, Erie Steam Shovel, Canby College at Wes- leyville, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, as well as the beautiful residences of Alex. Jarecki, James McGuire, Dan Curtis, McMullen, Seldon, Stuber, Siegel, Cornell, and Robert Jarecki. They also erected the home of W. S. Rome, of the Pittsburgh Steel Company, at Coburg, Canada, and the resi- dence of Doctor Falls in Pittsburgh.

On May 30, 1885, Mr. Constable was married to Miss Clara I. Wilson, of Erie, the daughter of Edmund and Jane Wilson.

Mr. Constable is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church and belongs to the Masonic and Elk Lodges, the Erie Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

William J. Schaaf, deceased, was one of the well known citizens and business men of Erie, where he engaged in the commission business for many years. He was a native of this city, born July 1, 1858, and the son of Peter and Franciska (Sanner) Schaaf, both of whom were natives of Germany. Peter Schaaf came to the United States in 1818, and as he first settled in Erie County, was considered one of its pioneers. He died in 1877 and his wife died in 1894.

William J. Schaaf was educated in the parochial schools of Erie, and at the age of 14 years became his father's assistant. He became one of the leading commission merchants of the city and died in April, 1915.

In 1883 Mr. Schaaf was married to Miss Ida Kelsey, a native of Con- neaut, Ohio, and the daughter of Sidney and Mary Jane (Spafford) Kelsey. Her father was an old and well known journalist who died in 1901. His wife, a native of Erie, died in 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Schaaf the follow- ing children were born: Bessie and Florence, both deceased; William J., commission merchant, Erie, married Rose Farley, deceased, and he has a son, William J., Jr .; Clarence K., lives in Erie, married Edna Kmarr, and they have a daughter, Betty Jane; and Vernon K., lives in Erie, mar- ried Harry Schwartz, and they have two children, David and Marjorie.

Mr. Schaaf was a Republican. Mrs. Schaaf is a member of the Uni- tarian Church. He served as a member of the city council for several terms and held the esteem of all who knew him.

WILLIAM J. SCHAAF

621

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

Fred J. Miller, a progressive business man of Erie, who is successfully engaged in the plumbing and heating business at 9-11 East 12th Street, was born in this city, April 8, 1857. He is the son of Henry and Mary Miller.

Henry Miller was a pioneer business man of Erie and for a number of years was engaged in the stove manufacturing business with Barr & Johnson Company. He died July 28, 1888. There were five children in the Miller family: C. C., lives retired in Erie; H. P., deceased; John; one daughter, Louise, deceased; and Fred J., the subject of this sketch.

Fred J. Miller has always lived in Erie. He began as an apprentice in the plumbing business in 1872, and in 1879 engaged in his present busi- ness with his brother, H. P., who was killed in 1893 in a sewer cave-in on State Street, between 8th and 9th Streets. Mr. Miller is a general plumb- ing and heating contractor and during his many years' experience in this line, he has established an excellent trade. Since 1891 he has been in the same location.

In May, 1879, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Ida R. Loesch, and they have five children: William F., John E., and Fred H., all engaged in business with their father; Loretta, married Fred E. Kreamer, lives in Erie ; and Margaret E., at home.

Mr. Miller is a member of the Lutheran Memorial Church and belongs to the Masonic and Elk Lodges, the Chamber of Commerce and the Build- ers Exchange. He is a Republican.

Frank R. Leet, a well known business man of Erie, who is identified with various interests, was born in Vienna, Trumbull County, Ohio, April 8, 1872. He is the son of Irvin and Mary (Young) Leet.

Irvin Leet came to Erie in 1886 from Vienna, Trumbull County, Ohio, where Trumbull Leet had settled many years before, and after whom the county was named. Trumbull Leet was the son of Amos, who was the son of Samuel, who was the son of Samuel, who was the son of Andrew, who was the son of William Leet, mention of whom is made below.

William Leet was born in Dodington, Huntingdonshire, England, in 1612 or 1613. His grandfather was Thomas Leete of Ockington, Cam- bridgeshire, England, who married Maria Slade of Rushton, Northhamp- tonshire, daughter of Edward Slade. Thomas Leete had four children, two sons and two daughters. Both his sons he named John. These were distinguished. in speaking of them by their place of residence, John of

622

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

Dodington (the elder), and John of Islington. His daughters were Jane and Rebecca. Jane married Richard Dale and Rebecca married Thomas Fowler. John Leete of Dodington, son of Thomas of Ockington, married Anna Shute, daughter of Robert Shute, one of the justices of the King's Bench. They had two sons, William, who came to Guildford and was afterwards Governor Leete, and John, of Midlow Grange, Huntingdon- shire, and a daughter, Anne, who married Robert Raby.

William Leete, son of John of Dodington, "was bred to the law, and served for a considerable time as clerk in the Bishop's Court at Cam- bridge, where, observing the oppressions and cruelties then practiced on the conscientious and virtuous Puritans, he was led to examine more thor- oughly their doctrines and practice and eventually to become a Puritan himself, and to give up his office." He came to America in Rev. Mr. Whitfield's company and was one of the signers of the Plantation Covenant on shipboard, June 1, 1639, arriving in New Haven about July 10th. When they had agreed upon Guildford as a place to settle, he was one of the six selected to purchase the land of the native Indians, in trust, for the Plantation until their organization. This section of Guildford still retains the name of Leete's Island, and the lands have been owned and occupied by Leetes almost exclusively down to the present genera- tion. It has now a postoffice and store and has recently come into prominent notice as the location of Beattie's stone quarries.

Mr. Leete was called upon to fill many public offices. He was clerk of the Plantation from 1639 until 1662. He was one of four to whom was entrusted the whole civil power of the Plantation, without limitation, until a church was formed, June 19 (June 29 N. S.), 1643. When the church was formed, he was selected as one of the seven pillars, "for the foundation work". Samuel Disborough and William Leete were chosen to meet the court at New Haven in 1643, when a combination of the jurisdiction of the New Haven colony was planned and organized, and Guildford, Milford, Stamford, and other plantations, hitherto independent colonies, united in one jurisdiction, to sit twice a year at New Haven in April and October, and to consist of the governor, deputy governor, and all the magistrates within the jurisdiction, and two deputies for every plantation. Mr. Leete was a deputy from Guildford to this court in 1650, and from 1651 to 1658 was a magistrate of the town. In 1658 he was chosen deputy governor of the colony and continued in that office until 1661 when he was elected governor, which office he held until the union

623

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

with Connecticut in 1664. After the union he was assistant until 1669, when he was elected deputy governor of the Connecticut colony, holding this office until 1676, when he was chosen governor, which position he retained by continuous re-election until his death in 1683. Upon being elected governor he removed to Hartford, and being continued in office he remained there until his death and was buried there.

"During the term of 40 years," says Doctor Trumbull, the historian, "he was magistrate, deputy governor, or governor, of one or other of the colonies. In both colonies he presided in times of the greatest difficulty, yet always conducted himself with such integrity and wisdom as to meet the public approbation."

Frank R. Leet, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the schools of Conneautville, Pa., and attended Erie High School. He was connected with the local postoffice for 15 years and served under Postmasters Soble and Brew. He is now district representative of the Wales Adding Ma- chine Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

On Dec. 25, 1893, Mr. Leet was married to Miss Cora Stetson, of North East, Pa., the daughter of William and Clara A. Stetson. Mr. Stetson was a prominent grape grower of North East for many years and is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Leet have been born the following children: Roy, deceased; Clara May, married Arthur Winter, lives in Cleveland; Evelyn, married C. Rupert Moore, Johnstown, Pa .; and Florence, married C. Herman Gleason, Erie, Pa .; and Louise, married Terrell Temple.

Mr. Leet is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a man who in business and as a private individual manifests a keen and intense appreciation of all that pertains to the welfare of the city and its citizens.

Joseph C. Martin, popular sports editor of the Erie Times, was born in this city, April 6, 1898, and is a son of Henry and Nellie (Sullivan) Martin.

Joseph C. Martin attended St. Patrick's parochial school and was graduated from Central High School in 1915. He entered the newspaper business at the age of 15 years, being one of the city's youngest reporters. After being connected with the Erie Labor Journal for two and one-half years, he became a reporter for the Erie Dispatch, and after two more years became sports editor of the Erie Times. While a high school

624

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

student Mr. Martin was greatly interested in athletics and was a mem- ber of the baseball and track teams, and was later a member of the cham- pion Y. M. C. A. basket ball team and the St. Mary's Cadets which teams held the city championship from 1917 until 1924.

On Nov. 29, 1916, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Dorothy M. Little of Erie, and a daughter of William and Anna P. Little. They have a son, Richard, born Oct. 10, 1917.

Mr. Martin is a Republican, and is a recognized authority on sports.

Henry Sims, manufacturer, is among the well known and successful business men of Erie. He was born at Derby, England, and is the son of William and Harriet (Walker) Sims.

William Sims was born at Milford, Eng., and his wife was a native of Kedleston, Eng. In early life he engaged in farming but was later an engineer. He died in 1875 and his wife died in 1864. They are buried at Derby, Eng. Mr. and Mrs. Sims had 11 children, among whom were: Mrs. F. L. Maclure, lives in Erie; George, who came here from England in 1878 and was killed in the Merchant Mills in December, 1879; William, who came to Erie in 1879 and died in 1924; and Henry, the subject of this sketch.

Henry Sims spent his boyhood at Derby, Eng., and at the age of nine years was employed as a bobbin-lad in an English silk mill. He sailed from Liverpool, England, April 4, 1866, when in his nineteenth year, not know- ing a person in the United States. The voyage was made on the steamer "Virginia," which encountered a storm which lasted during the first six days. The boat was so unsanitary that Asiatic cholera broke out and over 70 people died and were buried at sea, Mr. Sims seeing seven buried at one time. The voyage was made in 14 days, and upon arrival in the New York harbor with the yellow flag floating on the mast, the inspectors sent the boat down to the lower bay to remain 21 days after the last day of sickness, which continued for 21 days. They landed May 28th after more than 100 had died from this dread disease.

Mr. Sims was providentially led to Erie where he arrived June 8, 1866, with the the sum of $2.50. While passing through Buffalo the city was in an uproar, the Fenian army being there, enroute to take Canada, and later Ireland. Work was scarce at this time so near the close of the Civil War. Mr. Sims secured a position with the Davenport, Fairbaien & Company, car wheel foundry, then not quite complete, handling pig iron

H. W. Sims-Henry Sims-G. A. Sims The Sims Company.

625

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

brought in on canal boats. He took charge of an engine when the plant began operations. He next was employed by J. F. Whittick & Company as a blacksmith's helper in the carriage factory, a building on the site now occupied by the market house on State Street. His work was rather pre- carious until he entered the employ of Crouch Brothers, being their first engineer. The mill had run with water power until March, 1868. In 1871 Mr. Sims became a Methodist minister, but in 1873 discontinued this work on account of throat trouble. Upon his return to Erie he took charge of erecting an engine in the Merchant Mills. He was engineer there until 1886, at which time he invented a mechanical boiler cleaner, and organized the Sims Company, Ltd. Crouch Brothers had an interest in this enterprise and was associated with Mr. Sims in business and as employer and employe for 30 years. In 1888 Mr. Sims made a trip to England after an absence of 23 years, taking his son Harry with him. He had a delightful time and was called upon to preach a number of times to his former acquaintances. He also sold the English patent to the Haslem Engineering Company of Derby.

The panic of 1893 proved disastrous to the boiler cleaner business and Mr. Sims bought out his partners and turned the machine shop, which he had built on the rear of his home lot, into a grist mill, taking his son George into the business as The Sims Company, who had worked in the Merchant Mills for some time. They made quite a success of this venture but as times improved Mr. Sims began to think of his former occupation. He invented a feed water heater and the growth of this enterprise neces- sitated giving up the mill and devoting his entire time to mechanics. Mr. Sims also invented other types of heaters and as the growing business demanded more room, he purchased their present site, four acres of land, and built their first shop in 1913. Many additions have since been made. The present plant consists of, machine shop, boiler shops, and foundry, and The Sims Company does business in every state in the union, through representatives which Mr. Sims secured by personal interviews. This business has been kept in the Sims family and in addition to his two sons, Mr. Sims also has two grand-sons in the offices. His son, H. W., has been a member of the firm since 1909.

On Dec. 14, 1868, Mr. Sims was married to Miss Aurilia J. Charles, a native of Harbor Creek, Pa., and a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Beckus) Charles, natives of Erie County. Mr. Charles died in May, 1845, and his wife died in June, 1863. To Mr. and Mrs. Sims have been born (40)

625

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

626

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY

four children: Adelia C., married George A. Copeland; H. W., treasurer of the Sims Company; George A., secretary of the Sims Company, and Ralph B., who died in early manhood.

Mr. Sims is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church having been a member of the Simpson Church of this city over 50 years. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

George R. Metcalf, Jr., is a successful young business man of Erie and is a member of one of the best known families in the history of Erie County. He was born in this city, Nov. 24, 1894, and is the son of George R. and Mary (Richards) Metcalf.

George R. Metcalf, Sr., president of the Erie Malleable Iron Works, is a native of Erie where he was born Sept. 26, 1858. He is the son of the late Prescott and Abigail R. (Wilder) Metcalf. Prescott Metcalf was of old New England stock, born at Putney, Vt. He came to Erie in his early manhood and became one of the leading citizens of his time. Among the numerous industries of the city founded by him was the Erie Mallea- ble Iron Works, which was established in 1880.

George R. Metcalf, Sr., was educated at Erie High School, Erie Acad- emy, and attended boarding school at Clinton, N. Y. For about a year after leaving school he was a coal operator at Columbus, Ohio, and then returned to Erie to associate himself with his father and brother as a partner and secretary in the business of the Erie Malleable Iron Works. In 1893 he was elected treasurer of the company and has served as presi- dent since 1901. He succeeded his father as a director in the Erie Gas Company, becoming treasurer of the same in 1892. He also has other business and financial interests. On Sept. 3, 1885, Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage with Miss Mary Richards, daughter of the late Capt. John S. Richards. They have two sons, John Richards, and George R., Jr., the subject of this sketch.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One, Part 53

Author: Reed, John Elmer Publication date: 1925 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 788

Author: Reed, John Elmer
Publication date: 1925
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 788