USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One > Part 55
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John J. Neuer is a progressive and enterprising business man of Erie. He is a member of the firm of Neuer & English, well known dealers in kodaks and supplies. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, April 12, 1889, and is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Neuer, residents of Toledo, where Mr. Neuer is engaged in the meat business. Mr. and Mrs. Neuer have three children; John J., the subject of this sketch; Joseph, Jr., a jeweler, lives in Toledo; and Mary, married Joseph Zeiler, lives in Toledo.
John J. Neuer was educated at St. Mary's School, Toledo, and after completing his schooling in 1904 he became associated with the Lion Dry Goods Company of Toledo, where he remained two years. He was then connected with Milner Brothers, in that city, until 1910, and from then until 1914 engaged in the jewelry business. In that year the part- nership of Neuer & English was established. They are located at 622 State Street.
On March 11, 1919, Mr. Neuer was married to Miss Irene T. Hess, of Erie, and a daughter of John and Margaret Hess. They have two chil- dren: Betty, born March 8, 1920; and Charles, born May 16, 1921.
Mr. Neuer is a Republican and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Ben Schlosser, who is successfully engaged in the lumber business in Erie, is a member of one of Erie County's pioneer families. He was born in this city, June 25, 1877, and is a son of David and Hannah (David) Schlosser.
David Schlosser was born in Mayence, Germany, Dec. 25, 1844, the son of Michael and Barbara (Kapp) Schlosser. In 1865 he came to the United States and located in Erie, where he remained two years. He then went to Spring Creek, Warren County, Pa., where he opened a small store and later engaged in lumbering. In 1873 he returned to Erie and started a planing mill in the old woolen mill at the northeast corner of 16th and State Streets. In 1891 he built his present mill at 15th and Sassafras
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Streets. The plant covers four acres and the products include all kinds of material for building purposes. Mr. Schlosser was married on Nov. 18, 1869, to Miss Hannah Davis, the daughter of Henry D. Davis, an attor- ney, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who died during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Schlosser have two children: Harry J., born Jan. 25, 1875; and Ben, the subject of this sketch.
Ben Schlosser spent his boyhood in Erie and in 1900 was graduated from Riverview Military Academy, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then at- tended Eastman Business College, and the following year returned to Erie, where he and his brother carry on the business established by their father.
On June 24, 1903, Ben Schlosser was married to Miss Minnie F. Freiberg, of Cincinnati, and the daughter of Benjamin and Belle Freiberg, who live retired in California. They have two children: Etelka, born Sept. 8, 1904, attended school at Highland Manor, Tarrytown, N. Y., mar- ried Arthur Rose of Zanesville, Ohio; and Jean, born Sept. 28, 1907, at home.
Mr. Schlosser is a Republican, a member of the Elks Lodge, Cham- ber of Commerce, and the Erie Golf, Yacht, and Motor Club. He is a substantial and reliable citizen of Erie.
Harry J. Schlosser was married April 20, 1903, to Miss Gertrude Steinfield, of Cleveland, and they have two children: Ralph, born Nov. 1, 1904, a graduate of Milford Preparatory School, Milford, Conn., and a member of the 1926 class of Yale University; and Ruth, born Dec. 26, 1906, a student at Hillside Academy, Norwalk, Conn.
The Schlosser families hold membership in the West Eighth Street Temple.
Marcus M. Marks, of Charles S. Marks & Company, is among the suc- cessful and reliable merchants of Erie. He was born in New York City, Sept. 1, 1866, and is the son of Charles S. and Hulda Marks.
Charles S. Marks was born in Prussia, Germany, and when a young man came to this country, where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1867 he located in Erie and established the firm of Marks & Meyer, his partner being P. A. Meyer. The partnership was dissolved in 1884 and it has since been known as Charles S. Marks & Company. Mr. Marks died Oct. 26, 1910, and is buried in Erie cemetery. His wife resides in Erie. There were three children in the Marks family: Marcus M., the
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subject of this sketch; Louise, married Alexander Goldberg, lives at Newburgh, N. Y., and Alma T., at home.
Marcus M. Marks was educated in the public schools of Erie and in 1884 engaged in business with his father at 806-08 State Street. In 1896 the business was moved to its present location, the company having pur- chased the building in 1892. Mr. Marks is the manager and sole owner of this concern, which is among the fine business establishments of the city. They are dealers in men's clothing, boy's clothing, furnishings and hats. They also conduct a high class tailoring department.
Mr. Marks is a member of the Unitarian Church, a 32nd degree Mason, and belongs to the Erie Club, Kahkwa Club, Shrine Club, Erie Maen- nerchor Club, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and Elks Lodge. He is unmarried.
Walter A. Alexander, a member of the firm of Alexander & Schneider, exclusive merchant tailors, is a representative business man of Erie. He was born in New York City, Feb. 10, 1881, and is the son of Samuel J. and Mary E. Alexander.
In 1884 Samuel J. Alexander settled in Erie and became connected with the tailoring firm of Meyer & Marks, with whom he remained until 1895. From that date until the time of his death in September, 1917, Mr. Alexander was successfully engaged in business for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander had five children: S. J., lives in Erie; Walter A., the subject of this sketch; J. L. lives in Detroit, Mich .; Eleanor, mar- ried Dr. M. J. Malament, Brooklyn, N. Y .; and Minnie, married Arthur G. Ostheimer, lives in Erie.
Walter A. Alexander grew up in Erie and attended Central High School. From 1900 until 1917 he was associated in business with his father, and in 1920 formed the present partnership with John Schneider. Their place of business is at 930 Peach Street.
On July 14, 1903, Mr. Alexander was united in marriage with Miss Martha Hitze of Erie, and they have four children: Jeanne, born Oct. 23, 1904, a student, at home; Betty, born Jan. 15, 1909, a student at Central High School; Frances, born July 31, 1911, a student at Gridley School; and Nancy, born Nov. 27, 1915.
Mr. Alexander is a Democrat and belongs to the Presque Isle Club, the Erie Yacht Club, the Elks and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a progressive business man and is well liked in Erie.
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Robert J. Saltsman, deceased, was for many years a leading business man and prominent citizen of Erie. He was born in this city, Oct. 5, 1874, the son of John R. and Rose J. Saltsman.
John R. Saltsman, son of Anthony, was prominent in business circles of Erie, and connected with the W. L. Scott Coal Company business. He died Dec. 11, 1894, leaving two sons: Harry, who died Feb. 28, 1895; and Robert J., the subject of this sketch.
Robert J. Saltsman spent his entire life in Erie. After completing his schooling he engaged in business and was the founder of the Erie White Metal Company, and owner and general manager of the same until 1910. He then became interested in real estate in which business he was engaged at the time of his death, Oct. 26, 1921.
Mr. Saltsman was married to Miss Carrie S. Stranahan, a native of Erie, born June 26, 1877, and the daughter of Dr. Chester W. and Mary (Lacy) Stranahan. Dr. Stanahan, deceased, was a well known physician and surgeon of Erie for many years. He was born at Warren Pa., March 22, 1845, and his wife was born at Lacytown, Pa., Jan. 6, 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Saltsman two sons were born: Chester S., connected with the American Sterilizer Company of Erie; and George R., a student at Law- renceville Preparatory School, Lawrenceville, N. J.
Mrs. Robert J. Saltsman is a member of the League of Republican Women and Voters League, and belongs to the Erie Women's Club. She is an active member of the Park Presbyterian Church and vice president of the church's missionary society, and is also manager of the Erie Infants' Home.
John Schneider is a member of the firm of Alexander & Schneider, exclusive merchant tailors of Erie. He was born in Meschen, Hungary, July 6, 1879, and is the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Henning) Schneider, residents of Meschen, Hungary, and the parents of the following chil- dren: Elizabeth; Catherine; Stephen, lives at Fresno, Cal .; and John, the subject of this sketch.
John Schneider received his education in the schools of his native land and was graduated from normal school at Meschen in 1894. Four years later he came to this country and settled in Erie where he was employed in a tailor shop. In 1909 he engaged in business for himself at 14 West Eighth Street. In 1920 he removed to his present location, 930 Peach Street, at which time the partnership of Alexander & Schneider was
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ROBERT J. SALTSMAN
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formed. It is among Erie's best known and high grade tailoring estab- lishments.
On Sept. 15, 1903, Mr. Schneider was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Melzer of Erie, and they have four children: Minnie, born Jan. 6, 1905, a graduate of Academy High School and Erie Business College; J. Walter, born Feb. 13, 1907; Richard Edward, born Nov. 7, 1909; and Ruth Virginia, born June 13, 1919.
Mr. Schneider holds membership in St. Paul's United Evangelical Church, is a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Elks Lodge, the Cham- ber of Commerce and the Optimist Club. He is a Republican and stands high in the community.
Michael Liebel, Jr., president of the Vulcan Rubber Company, repre- sents a family fittingly assigned a conspicuous place in the history of the city of Erie. He was born here Dec. 12, 1870, and is the son of Michael and Clara (Uhr) Liebel.
Michael Liebel was a native of Germany, born June 17, 1843, a son of John and Barbara (Hammer) Liebel, who passed the closing years of their life in Erie. He was 14 years of age when his parents came to America and located in Erie, where he served an apprenticeship at the shoemaking trade. In 1861 he engaged in the boot and shoe business, in which he continued for a period of five years. He made careful invest- ments in local realty and his interests in this line eventually became very extensive, and he also identified himself in a capitalistic way with various enterprises of importance. He died in May, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Liebel were born three sons: Eugene, who died in 1923; Michael, Jr., the subject of this sketch; and Frederick W., who died in 1896.
Michael Liebel, Jr., gained his early educational training in the public and parochial schools of Erie, after which he was graduated from Canisius College, Buffalo, N. Y., in 1887. For a brief interval after leaving col- lege he was employed in the Buffalo office of the Nickel Plate Railroad, and he then returned to Erie, where for five years he was employed in the office of Jackson Koehler, at that time conducting one of the leading breweries of this section of the state. In 1898 he organized the Cascade Brewing Company, and served as secretary and treasurer until 1890 when it was consolidated with the Erie Brewing Company, under which title the enterprise was continued until the time of prohibition. Mr. Liebel is president of the Vulcan Rubber Company, manufacturers of tires, tubes,
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and hard rubber accessories, and he is also president of the Erie Reduc- tion Company.
The political allegiance of Mr. Liebel is given to the Democratic party, and he has shown a commendable interest in all that has tended to conserve the progress and prosperity of his native city, which has honored him by calling him to serve in the chief executive office of the municipal government. In September, 1906, he received the appoint- ment of the office of mayor, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Mayor Robert J. Saltsman. At the election in 1907 he was chosen by the popular vote to fill the remainder of the unexpired term until April 1, 1908. In the election of Feb. 7, 1907, he was elected to the mayoralty for a full term. In 1916 Mr. Liebel was elected to Congress from the 25th district and there served on the Naval Committee in the 64th Congress.
Mr. Liebel is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Elks, Eagles and Moose lodges. He is an enterprising and progressive business man and is widely known.
Jacob F. Zink has been a successful and well known business man of Erie for several years. He was born in this city, Nov. 2, 1877, and is the son of Charles and Elizabeth Zink.
Charles Zink was a pioneer merchant of Erie, engaged in the shoe business for many years at 1130 State Street. He is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Zink were born five children as follows: Anna, married Foster Palmer, lives in Erie; Jacob F., the subject of this sketch; Mamie, married Martin Volmer, lives in Erie; Florence; and Lottie, married Jack George, lives in Erie.
Jacob F. Zink was educated in the public schools of Erie and began his business career with Black & Gummer Company, in whose employ he remained four years. In 1900 he purchased the Erie Clothes Pressing Company, and three years later became the owner of the Erie Bill Posting Company. He was one of the organizers of the U. S. Laundry Company, which he later sold, then establishing his present business, which is located at 110 East Sixth Street. Mr. Zink owns one of the finest dry cleaning establishments in the city and employs 25 people. Three serv- ice trucks are in operation.
Mr. Zink is a Republican, a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, a 32nd degree Mason, and belongs to the Elks Lodge and Chamber of Com- merce. He is a member of the National Association of Cleaners and Dyers.
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Wilbur M. Graham, who has been successfully engaged in the build- ing and contracting business in Erie for 30 years, is a native of this county. He was born in Summit Township, Feb. 3, 1863, and is the son of Ebenezer and Mary (Keeler) Graham. Mr. Graham was a leading farmer of Erie County during his life and is now deceased. There were 12 children in the family, as follows: Emma, George, Maggie, Alfred, Eva, Elizabeth, Cora, Elmer, Wilbur M., Burt, Carl and Iona.
After attending the district schools of Summit Township, W. M. Graham engaged in farming with his father and in 1888 removed to Erie, where he worked at his trade as carpenter. In 1893 he engaged in the contracting business and during his many years of building activity met with marked success. Among the residences built in the city by Mr. Graham, are the homes of Dr. G. A. Reed, John Jordon, W. Pitt Gifford, Edward Reed, Mr. Hayes and Dr. J. C. Elviage.
Mr. Graham was married on Sept. 22, 1888, to Miss Leona Marsh, of Waterford, Pa., and they have two children: Lyle, born May 11, 1890, engaged in business with his father; and Frances, born Oct. 19, 1894. She married Leslie Dudley and they live at Westminster.
Mr. Graham is a Democrat, a member of the Simpson Methodist Epis- copal Church, a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Shrine, and he also belongs to the Builders Exchange. 'He is well known in the county, where he has a reputation for good citizenship and progressive ideas.
Henry E. Scott is well and favorably known in Erie, where he is identified with the Chas. Messenkopf & Company as vice president. He was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1889, and is the son of James H. and Gertrude W. Scott. James H. Scott resides in Philadelphia and has been in the government service for 30 years.
Henry E. Scott was educated in the public schools of his native city and was graduated from Central High School there in 1906. He was connected with the Independence Trust Company of Philadelphia from 1907 until 1911, with Graham-Parsons & Company of Philadelphia from 1911 until 1917, and from 1917 until 1920 represented the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland in this territory, which comprised the eight north- western counties of Pennsylvania. During the various loan campaigns during the World War, Mr. Scott made a splendid record in organization work and the sale of government certificates. Since 1920 he has been identified with Charles Messenkopf & Company, one of the leading invest-
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ment houses in this section of the state, as vice-president of the company. The officers are: Chas. Messenkopf, president; Henry E. Scott, vice president; and A. W. Hunter, secretary and treasurer. Offices are in the Marine Bank Building.
On June 15, 1922, Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Ethel Sipple, of Erie.
Politically, Mr. Scott is a Republican. He holds membership in the United Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Masonic and Elk lodges, the Shrine, Erie and Lawrence Park Golf clubs, as well as the Rotary Club. He is accounted one of the reliable and successful business men of the community.
Helen M. Schluraff, president of the Schluraff Floral Company, is among the well known and successful business women of Erie. She was born at Avonia, Pa., March 6, 1886, and is the daughter of George S. and Margaret (Love) Stone.
George S. Stone was born at Avonia, in Erie County, and was a promi- nent business man of that section. He was an extensive shipper of grain, potatoes and farm products, and died Sept. 25, 1908. On Sept. 27, 1871, he was married to Miss Margaret Love, of Warren, Ohio, and they were the parents of the following children: Mabel, lives at Patchogue, L. I .; Arthur, lives at Atlanta, Ga .; Carlton, lives in Erie; Helen M., the subject of this sketch; Georgia, deceased; and Dorothy, lives in California.
Helen M. Stone attended the public schools of Erie and in 1902 was graduated from Central High School. After attending Wilson College at Chambersburg, Pa., from which she was graduated in 1906, Miss Stone was married on Sept. 27, 1906, to Vern Schluraff, the son of George Schluraff. To them were born two children: Dorothy Jane, born Dec. 29, 1909, now a student at Southern Seminary, Buena Vista, Va .; and Robert, born Jan. 27, 1913, at home.
Mrs. Schluraff took over the management of the business in 1915 and is president of the concern, which is Erie's leading and most up-to-date floral business. The greenhouses on West Lake Road, cover 35,000 square feet. An attractive shop is located in the Masonic Temple Building.
Mrs. Schluraff is a Republican and served as a member of the State Committee, being the first woman from Erie to serve in this capacity. She is vice president of the Business and Professional Women's Club; first president of the League of Women Voters; vice president of the
Helen M. Sehlenaff
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Fireside Building & Loan Association, being the first woman elected to an office in any building and loan company; and she was for two years president of the Zonta Club. She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Women's Club, and the Eastern Star.
The officers of the Schluraff Floral Company are: Helen M. Schluraff, president; Giles H. Marquis, vice president; I. D. McQuistion and Pitt Gifford, directors.
Burns Darsie, secretary and treasurer of the Central Bank & Trust Company, is among Erie's leading business men. He was born on a farm in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of Hugh Smith and Malinda (Cochran) Darsie.
Hugh Smith Darsie was engaged in general farming during his life and died Aug. 18, 1908. The early history of the Cochran family fol- lows: James and John Cochran, brothers, emigrated from Scotland to Ireland and thence to America. James is believed to have returned to Ireland for his family. There is no further record concerning him, his life, or his fate. John, the head of the "Cochran Family of Fayette County, Pa.," married into the Sanford family, of English origin. They took up their abode in Chester County, Pa., in 1745. Eight children were born to them, among them being Samuel, born July 24, 1750. He was a soldier in the Patriot army. He fought in the battles of Paoli, Brandywine and Germantown. He spent that ever tragical winter of 1777-78 in the American army with George Washington, commander-in- chief, at Valley Forge. His first wife was Esther John, daughter of Daniel John, a leading Friend or Quaker, of Chester County, Pa., and in honor of whom the city of Johnstown, Pa., is named. Samuel Cochran came with his family to Fayette County, Pa., where he purchased from Capt. Joseph Huston what is familiarly known as the "Cochran-farm," one mile from Dawson. Six sons were born to Samuel and Esther (John) Cochran, of whom Mordecai, born in 1797, was the youngest. He mar- ried Susanna Welch, of his native vicinity, and to them was born Malinda, mother of the subject of this sketch. She was born at the old homestead near Dawson, May 7, 1847, the tenth in a family of 13 children, five boys and eight girls. Her brothers, James, Alexander and Lutellas, were pioneers in the manufacturing and marketing of coke, which has made Fayette County famous. They bear the distinction of having floated to Cincinnati on barges of their own construction the first coke that was
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ever marketed in the Queen City. Of this influential and prominent fam- ily, there survive Mary Ann Cochran and M. M. Cochran, Uniontown, Pa .; and Mrs. Margaret Sarah Strickler, Bradford, Pa.
On March 14, 1867, Malinda Cochran was married to Hugh Smith Darsie and they settled on the Darsie farm in Tyrone Township, then owned by Mr. Darsie. She became the mother of eight children, six of whom survive, as follows: Catharine, principal of the Fifth Ward School, Homestead, Pa .; George, minister of the First Christian Church, Mt. Sterling, Ky .; Burns, the subject of this sketch; Dana, teacher of mathe- matics in the Academy High School, Erie; Hugh S., trust officer of the Real Estate Trust Company, Washington, Pa., and also minister there for ten years of the Lone Pine Christian Church; and Pera Nelle, music teacher. Mrs. Darsie died May 27, 1924.
Burns Darsie attended the schools of Fayette County, Pa., and spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He was graduated from Bethany College in 1895. Mr. Darsie's business career began as a messenger boy in the Mechanics National Bank of Pittsburgh, where he worked his way up to teller. From 1903 until 1909 he served as a teller in the Federal National Bank, Pittsburgh, and in the latter year organized the bank at Claysville, Washington County, Pa., with which he was connected for two years. He then was identified with the Burwin & White Coal Com- pany as an executive until 1915, at which time he organized a bank at Farrell, Pa. In 1917 Mr. Darsie, with other leading business men of Erie, organized the Central Bank & Trust Company, which has since enjoyed a splendid growth. Since January, 1925, it has been located in its new building at 18th and State Streets. The Central Bank & Trust Company conducts a general banking and trust business and is capitalized at $200,000.
On July 1, 1903, Mr. Darsie was united in marriage with Miss Mari- etta Bryce, of Toledo, Ohio, and the daughter of Stephen Thomas and Ada (Webber) Bryce, both deceased. Mr. Bryce was president of the Bryce Heating & Ventilating Company of Dayton, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Darsie have been born three children: Marietta, born May 21, 1904, attends Sweet Briar College; Burns, Jr., born July 23, 1906; and Hugh Stephen, born July 1, 1907.
Mr. Darsie is a member of the Christian Church. He has an exten- sive acquaintance in Erie and is highly esteemed.
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Warren G. Lowe, one of Erie's enterprising and progressive young business men, is a World War veteran. He was born at Pottsville, Pa., April 13, 1901, and is the son of E. M. and Alice Lowe.
E. M. Lowe, who resides at Warren, Pa., is serving as county commis- sioner and president of the Poor Directors Association of Pennsylvania, having been elected to the latter office in 1924. To Mr. and Mrs. Lowe five children were born: Louis, Marjorie, Warren G., Harold and Raymond.
After attending the public and high schools of Warren, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1922, Warren G. Howe went to Montana where he remained a year. He then became associated in business with his father. In 1923 the Erie Patent Block Co., Inc., was organized with the following officers: E. M. Lowe, president; Harold Wickstrom, vice presi- dent; Louis Lowe, treasurer; Warren G. Lowe, secretary; and Harold Lowe, director. The company manufacturers Straub patent cinder blocks and the plant has a capacity of 750,000 blocks per year.
During the World War, Mr. Lowe enlisted in the Navy in April, 1917, and was aboard the U. S. S. Dubuque, a convoy ship carrying troops to Brest, France, from New York City. He was later stationed in southern waters, where he suffered an attack of malaria in South America. Mr. Lowe later served on the ships U. S. S. Vixen and U. S. S. North Dakota, being discharged July 27, 1919.
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