USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One > Part 58
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SAMUEL BLAIR
MRS. SAMUEL BLAIR
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an orderly under General Harrison in the War of 1812, and he was one of the old time school teachers. Mrs. Wells was born Jan. 22, 1800, and died May 6, 1848. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blair, as follows: Frederick W., a farmer of Girard Township, Erie County, who is serving his third term as a member of the Pennsylvania State Legisla- ture; Mary Ellen, lives in Girard with her mother; and Dr. James Dana, a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and a promi- nent and successful physician of Franklin, Pa.
Mr. Blair was a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder for many years. He was a worthy member of the community in which he lived.
Will Noble, assistant cashier of the Second National Bank, Erie, was born in this city, Jan. 13, 1876, and is the son of Roswell H. and Mary (Shank) Noble.
Roswell H. Noble was born at Whitehall, N. Y., in 1838 and his wife was born in Erie in 1848. Before coming to Erie he engaged in farming in New York but has since lived retired.
Will Noble has spent his entire life in Erie. After attending Public School No. 7 he studied at the Erie Business College and later became a member of the faculty of that school. Since 1897 he has been identified with the Second National Bank and has risen from stenographer to assist- ant cashier.
On Aug. 16, 1910, Mr. Noble was united in marriage with Miss Jen Myra Hoover of DuBois, Pa., and the daughter of Nathan L. and Mary (Blum) Hoover, both deceased.
Mr. Noble was treasurer of the Erie Art Club for seven years, which is composed of local artists and patrons. He is widely known for his pen and ink sketches, which are used for commercial purposes by various magazines. The club has 250 members. Mr. Noble is a Republican. He has an extensive acquaintance in Erie and stands high in the community.
Samuel W. Wagner, chief clerk for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Erie, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born at Lock Haven, Jan. 16, 1879, and is the son of George R. and Anna (Weiss) Wagner, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Wagner was a carpenter and lived at Lock Haven, Pa.
Samuel W. Wagner was reared and educated at Lock Haven and after his graduation from high school in 1895 learned the printer's trade. After
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four years he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad as a stenographer in the Master Mechanic's office at Renovo. Since April 1, 1919, Mr. Wagner has been chief clerk in the Erie offices in charge of the Renovo division, between Erie and Renovo.
On April 16, 1907, Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Clara E. Hollings- worth of Renovo.
Mr. Wagner is a Republican, a member of the Central Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge.
Kemper W. Rilling is well and favorably known in Erie, where he is identified with the Second National Bank as assistant cashier. He was born in this city, Oct. 15, 1883, and is the son of W. H. and Harriet (King) Rilling.
W. H. Rilling was a native of Erie, as was also his wife. He was identified with the Griswold Manufacturing Company for many years and died in 1892. His wife died in 1917.
After completing his schooling in the Erie public schools, Kemper W. Rilling entered the employ of the Second National Bank in 1902 as a messenger, and from that has risen to his present executive position.
On Oct. 27, 1917, Mr. Rilling was married to Miss Blanch Senseman of Erie, and a daughter of George W. and Ellen Senseman.
Mr. Rilling is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, the Zem Zem Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Elks. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Walter R. Kellam, president of the Kellam Motor Company, is a lead- ing business man of Erie and a veteran of the World War. He was born at Lyons, Neb., March 9, 1887, and is a son of Norman R. and Maggie Kellam.
Norman R. Kellam brought his family to Erie from Nebraska in 1899. He is proprietor of the Paris Cloak House, 826 Peach Street, and ranks among the successful merchants of the city.
Walter R. Kellam received his education in the public schools of Lyons, Neb., and is a graduate of Erie High School. He was employed in the drafting room of the Erie Engine Works for 11 years, after which he was made manager of the Fisk Rubber Company branch in Erie, which position he held three years. At the outbreak of the World War he en- listed in the navy and was in the transport service for two years, making
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16 trips overseas. He was on the S. S. "Tenadares," which was wrecked nine miles off the French coast. He was later stationed on the "Mercury" and the "Northern Pacific," and at the time of his discharge held the rank of lieutenant. After two years in the study of architectural engi- neering, Mr. Kellam returned to Erie, and in 1922 established the firm of Kellam & Reynolds, Lincoln and Ford dealers. In 1924 the present business was organized and they are Willys-Knight and Overland dealers. Mr. Kellam is also president and treasurer of the Erie-Oregon Fruit Com- pany, extensive apple growers of Oregon.
On Oct. 9, 1917, Mr. Kellam was united in marriage with Miss Ruth A. Sundberg, of Erie, and the daughter of Charles A. Sundberg. They have a daughter, Doris R., born Dec. 5, 1918.
Mr. Kellam is a Republican, a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Elks Lodge. He is a man of integrity and ability, who is making a success of his business.
Gerald N. Carter, president and general manager of the Lawrence Garage, Inc., is an enterprising and progressive business man of Erie. He is a native of England, and the son of W. B. Carter, who was employed on the Civil Service Tax Commission of England.
G. N. Carter was educated in the schools of England and was a student at Exeter School, Devonshire. In 1911 he went to Canada as a repre- sentative of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. In 1914 he returned to Europe with the first contingent of Canadian soldiers to participate in the World War. He later joined a British regiment, the Royal War- wickshires, and served with that regiment for two years in Egypt, India and France, attaining the rank of captain and was adjutant of the Sev- enth Battalion until his retirement. In 1916 he was wounded in action in France. After the close of the war, Mr. Carter came to the United States in 1919 and was identified with the Goodyear Company until the organi- zation of his present business in Erie.
The Lawrence Garage, Inc., was organized in 1923. Construction was begun in 1923 and the garage was open for business March 1, 1924. It is a modern, fire-proof building, with accommodations for 100 cars. The company are distributors for the Goodyear tires in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties, Pa., and Chautauqua County, N. Y. The Lawrence Garage owns the only electric vulcanizing plant in the state and is also equipped with a 300-ton hydraulic press, used in the application of solid
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tires. The officers are: G. N. Carter, president; and Harry S. Twichell, vice president and sales manager. Mr. J. M. Kelley owns the building.
Mr. Carter was united in marriage with Miss Allene Bidwill of De- troit, Mich. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of Lodge No. 23-33 E. C. Baluchistan, India. He is also identified with the Kiwanis and Optimist clubs.
C. F. Bliss, president of the Ajax Iron Works of Corry is a prominent citizen of Erie County. He was born in Corry, Jan. 2, 1880, and is the son of Frank and Hettie (Braman) Bliss.
Frank Bliss was a native of New York, as was also his wife. He came to Corry many years ago and in 1879 organized the Ajax Iron Works. He served as mayor and as a member of the council for three terms. He was a Republican and a 32nd degree Mason. Mr. Bliss died in 1909 and his wife died in 1920. They had two children: Lewis R., deceased, and C. F., the subject of this sketch.
After completing his schooling in the public schools of Corry, C. F. Bliss engaged in the manufacturing business with his father. The Ajax Iron Works is among the leading industries of Erie County and employs 200 people.
On Nov. 9, 1918, Mr. Bliss was married to Miss Harriet Raymond, a native of Corry, born in 1883, and the daughter of Murray and Phynie (Bishop) Raymond, both deceased. They were three children in the Ra,"- mond family: Nell, married L. W. Olds, president of the Climax Manu- facturing Company, Corry ; Frank, president of the Raymond Manufactur- ing Company of Corry; and Mrs. Bliss. To Mr. and Mrs. Bliss has been born one child, Murray.
In politics Mr. Bliss is identified with the Republican party. He is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs to the Shrine. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his community.
George A. Fluegel, who is successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Erie, is a native of this city and is the son of A. B. and Mary (Mehler) Fluegel, now deceased.
George A. Fluegel attended the public schools of this city and later graduated from the Erie Business College. Soon after graduating he joined the ranks of the engineering department of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company remaining for a period of five years. Thereafter, he spent
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C.F. Bliss.
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two years with the National Steel Foundry Company of Erie and then devoted several years to the publishing and advertising business.
In 1915 he engaged in the real estate business, being associated with James D. Walker, builder, and after two years established his present business with offices at this time and for the past several years in the Ariel Building at Eighth and State Streets. He has done much to pro- mote home ownership in this city, having sold many hundreds of homes during the past ten years in various parts of Erie to persons with limited means and who would still be paying monthly rentals, whereas today many of these same persons have their own homes paid for, while others have sold and repurchased, taking advantage of handsome increases in valuations. Mr. Fluegel is a member of the local Real Estate Board, the Multiples Listing Association of the Real Estate Board, the National Association of Realtors and a member of the Erie Association of Insur- ance Agents.
In addition to his regular real estate brokerage business he has con- structed a number of fine homes and two-family dwellings and is now extensively engaged in building individual and distinctive homes to still further promote home ownership in this city.
In 1914 Mr. Fluegel was married to Margaret T. O'Lone, daughter of William and Joanna O'Lone, also a native of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Fluegel have four children, two sons, George Junior and Thomas Lee, and two daughters, Mary Margaret and Joan Loretta.
Mr. Fluegel is among the progressive and reliable business men of Erie and is widely known throughout the city.
Harry S. Twichell is recognized as a representative business man of Erie, where he is connected with the Lawrence Garage, Inc., as vice president and sales manager. He was born in Buffalo, N. Y., July 13, 1881, and is the son of Henry Hoyt and Susie R. (Perry) Twichell.
Henry Hoyt Twichell was a widely known breeder of thoroughbred Morgan and Black Hawk horses, and owned a farm of 300 acres near Buffalo, N. Y., on which there were seven large stables. Horatio O. Perry, maternal grandfather of Harry S. Twichell, was related to Commodore Perry. He invented the first screw propellor, which was manufactured for many years in the King Iron Works of Buffalo.
Harry S. Twichell grew up in Buffalo and attended the public schools. He was graduated from DeVaux School and after completing his school-
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ing was employed by the Reed Tobacco Company, Buffalo, for eight years. He then managed a tobacco store for Joseph T. Snyder in the Brisbane Building for five years and on Feb. 10, 1914, came to Erie as manager of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He continued in this capacity until the local branch was discontinued in 1918, at which time he became a traveling representative for the same company in this terri- tory. In March, 1920, he managed the company's branch in Buffalo, and remained there until the time of his present connection in Erie.
The Lawrence Garage, Inc., was organized in 1923, and completion of the fine, up-to-date and fire-proof building was on March 1, 1924. It ranks among the finest garages in the state of Pennsylvania and already has done a large volume of business. Messrs. Twichell and Carter, presi- dent and vice president, respectively, are the distributors in Erie, Craw- ford and Warren counties, Pa., and Chautauqua County, N. Y., for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
On June 10, 1912, Mr. Twichell was married to Miss Estelle S. Schultz, of Buffalo, N. Y., and they have two children: Lois Patricia and Edward Stratton Twichell.
Politically, Mr. Twichell is a Republican. He is a member of the Episcopal church and belongs to the Lawrence Park Golf Club and the Erie Advertising Club, and B. P. O. E. No. 67, Erie. He is a citizen who holds the high regard of the entire community.
Malcolm A. Yount is one of the enterprising and successful young business men of Erie, where he is engaged in the advertising business. He was born at Hawthorne, Pa., Aug. 3, 1889, and is the son of J. H. and Minerva K. (Martz) Yount.
J. H. Yount, who has engaged in the mercantile business at Hawthorne for 30 years, is a well known citizen of that section. His wife is deceased.
Malcolm A. Yount spent his boyhood at Hawthorne and attended the public schools there. He was graduated from Albright College, Myers- town, Pa., in 1911, and immediately went to Seattle, Wash., where he served as chief clerk for the Pullman Company until 1916. He was then associated with the Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, Mich., and later with the Prest-O-Lite Company of Indianapolis, being located in Pittsburgh. He also spent some time in New York as a representative of this firm, and in October, 1920, came to Erie as business manager of the Dispatch Herald. In August, 1922, Mr. Yount established the Yount
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Company, a leading advertising agency in this part of the state. Terri- tory is also covered in New York. Mr. Yount does general advertising work and handles all the necessary features in connection with advertis- ing campaigns. Among his clientele Mr. Yount numbers the following well known firms: Jarecki Mfg. Company; Erie Varnish Company; Erie Railways Company; Central Market House Association; Erie County Elec- tric Company; Erie Window Glass Company; Erie Real Estate Board; Erie Chamber of Commerce; Erie Retail Merchants Board; Johnson Lum- ber Company ; Lawrence Hotel; Chas. S. Marks & Company; Millroy Lum- ber Company ; Marine National Bank ; R. B. Way Company ; Stow Lumber & Coal Company ; Vulcan Rubber Company ; Thomas McCaffery Company ; Pulakos; Jones Furniture Company; Jamestown Upholstery Company, Jamestown, N. Y .; Level Furniture Company, Jamestown, N. Y .; Burn- ley Battery & Mfg. Company, North East, Pa .; Metro Stations, Inc., Olean, N. Y .; Standard Trailer Co., Cambridge Springs, Pa .; and the Saegertown Mineral Water Company, Saegertown, Pa.
On March 31, 1922, Mr. Yount was married to Miss Grace Dexter Minnis of Sheakleyville, Pa.
Mr. Yount is a Republican, a 32nd degree Mason, and belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, Erie Golf Club and Elks Lodge.
William M. Lias is a well known business man and leading citizen of Erie, where he conducts the Sterrett Advertising Service. He was born at Dayton, Pa., Sept. 23, 1888, and is the son of John W. and Rebecca (Marshall) Lias. Mr. and Mrs. Lias reside at Dayton, Pa.
W. M. Lias grew up in his native town and attended the public schools there. He was graduated from Dayton Normal College and Grove City College, after which he taught school for three years in Armstrong County, Pa. After 12 years of selling experience, Mr. Lias located in Erie in 1916. In 1920 the Sterrett Advertising Service was established by L. G. Meyer and Major Tom Sterrett, who conducted it together for nine months. It was later known as the Tom Sterrett Company and in July, 1921, Mr. Lias purchased a half interest in the business from Mr. Sterrett. In March, 1922, he became sole owner. It is a general adver- tising agency and handles both local and national advertising campaigns. The following well known business firms are among the clients of the Sterrett Advertising Service: Erie County Milk Association, Gust Krack, Inc., Kraus Department Store, Erie Business College, J. Zink, Erie Mantle
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& Tile Company, Erie Fixture Supply Company, Dr. C. K. Barton, the Schaffner Bros. Co., Standard Trailer Company, Erie Paint Company, Herald Paper Box Company, E. D. Rose, contractor, and The Union Fish Company.
On May 7, 1920, Mr. Lias was united in marriage with Mrs. E. Marie Hannold Chapman, of Erie, and the daughter of Samuel and Mary Ellen (Watkin) Hannold. Mrs. Lias is identified with the Sterrett Advertising Service as office manager.
Mr. Lias holds membership in the United Presbyterian Church. He is a man known as an upright and reliable citizen.
Henry F. Obermanns. Prominent among the successful business men men of Erie is numbered Henry F. Obermanns, general superintendent of the Hammermill Paper Company. He was born near the City of Kempten, in the most southern part of Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 12, 1882, and is the son of Heinrich Obermanns. His father at that time was superintendent of a paper mill in that locality and it is interesting to note that Mr. Ober- manns' father's as well as his mother's ancestors followed this trade.
After traveling through Germany, settling in various places where Mr. Obermanns' father expected to gain experience, he finally settled in the most northern part of Germany at Hammermuehle in 1889. This factory was the mother of the present Hammermill Paper Company and the president of this concern, M. Behrend, was the father of the local com- pany's president, Mr. E. R. Behrend. The school facilities of the little village were rather inadequate, and Mr. Obermanns' parents found it neces- sary to send him away from home at the early age of seven. After attending a number of schools and also the high school at Kolberg, Pom- merania, he finally returned home to enter upon a three year's apprentice- ship course in the paper mill, at the age of 16. During this time he was not only instructed in all the phases of paper and pulp making as practiced at this plant, but also spent one year in the repair shop operated in con- nection with the paper mill, where he became a fairly good machinist.
In order to enlarge his paper making experience with the necessary theoretical knowledge, Mr. Obermanns attended the School of Technology at Chemnitz, Kingdom of Saxony, for three semesters, where he grad- uated in the fall of 1902. For one year he worked in several paper mills in various capacities until his desire for more knowledge, particularly spe- cialized knowledge, for paper making brought him to Vienna. This
HOberman
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was at that time the only paper making school on the European conti- nent. Having graduated from this school with excellence and not hav- ing been strong enough for military service, he left Germany early in July, 1904, in order to improve himself in paper making and study American ways and methods. Mr. Obermanns arrived in Erie, July 20, 1904, and without difficulty found employment at the Hammermill Paper Company. Due to his absolute ignorance of English, it was of course necessary to start as an ordinary laborer. He was soon so pleased with the American social conditions that after five weeks' residence in Erie he applied for and obtained his first papers for citizenship. In his work in the mill he succeeded in cultivating the good will of his superiors and it was not very long before he found himself advancing. Unquestionably his European experience in paper making was of considerable assistance to him.
In 1907, Mr. Obermanns was sent to Europe in order to assist in the starting of two paper machines, which had been patterned greatly after American ideas, and he used this opportunity also to marry Miss Meta Klotz, with whom he returned again to Erie, on July 20, 1907. His earn- ings were very small, yet they were sufficient to provide for a small home. In August, 1908, his son, Henry Ernst, was born, and Mr. Obermanns now has great hopes that in him he will have another member of the Ober- manns family who will assist to perpetuate the paper industry. Mr. and Mrs. Obermanns also have two daughters: Grace Ursula, born in 1910, a student at East High School; and Susanna Elizabeth, born in 1918.
Having advanced in 1910 to the position of night superintendent, Mr. Obermanns thought it advisable to leave his familiar surroundings to get experience in other fields. Between 1910 and 1914 he was employed as superintendent, and manager or assistant to the general manager in some of the largest paper mills of the United States and Canada. He had, however, not lost sight of the Hammermill Paper Company and it was always his desire to again return to Erie whenever an opportunity offered itself. This happened in 1914 and he gladly accepted his present position as general superintendent. Previous to returning, however, he decided to again visit his parents in Germany. While there he was caught in the turmoil which resulted in the outbreak of the European war and after considerable difficulty he finally succeeded in returning to Erie in September, 1914.
While Mr. Obermanns work has been more or less absorbing, he has not had many opportunities to devote himself to civic affairs. He is
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one of the organizers of the Engineers Society of Northwestern Pennsyl- vania as well as the newly formed Technical Federation. He was one of the five members who formed the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper industry, a body of pulp and paper makers which today includes over 600 of the leading technical paper men of the country.
Mr. Obermanns is a Republican, a member of the United Evangelical Church, and is identified with the Tyrian Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shrine, Yacht Club, University Club, and the Optimist Club, the Elks, and the Engineering Society. He is well and favorably known in Erie and is proud of his connection with the Hammermill Paper Company, which has not only reached a reputation of national but also world prominence.
John V. Mehl has for many years been a prominent and successful business man of Erie, where he owns and manages the Dispatch Printing & Engraving Company. He was born in this city in 1867 and is the son of John and Barbara (Haft) Mehl.
John Mehl, deceased, was a well known building contractor in Erie. He was a native of this city, as was also his wife. They are deceased and buried in Trinity Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Mehl were born eight children: John V., the subject of this sketch; Henry, engaged in the clothing business, Sharon, Pa .; Mrs. Emma Fisk, lives in Brooklyn, N. Y .; and Catherine Mehl, who also lives in Brooklyn, N. Y. The others are deceased.
John V. Mehl attended the public schools of Erie and at an early age learned the book binding business. He was associated with the Ashby Printing Company for three years, and was foreman of the Herald Print- ing & Publishing Company for 15 years. He later purchased stock in the Dispatch Printing & Engraving Company and has been associated with this firm for 25 years, and during that time became sole owner of the business. His son, Edmund J., is associated with him as treasurer of the firm.
The Dispatch Printing & Engraving Company is one of the largest and most complete printing establishments in the county. It is equipped throughout with electric machinery and employs 50 people. The plant is located at 31 North Park Avenue, Perry Square. The Dispatch Printing & Engraving Company does a general printing and binding business and also carries a complete line of stationery.
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In 1888 Mr. Mehl was united in marriage with Miss Catherine K. Mahoney, a native of this city, and the daughter of Leary and Catherine (Kinney) Mahoney, both deceased. They have had three children: Mary and Ruth, both deceased; and Edmund J., further mention of whom is made below.
Politically, Mr. Mehl is a Republican. He is affiliated with St. Peter's Catholic Cathedral, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Elks lodge, and Rotary Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard for six years. Mr. Mehl is a sub- stantial citizen and a progressive business man.
Edmund J. Mehl was born in Erie, July 2, 1896. He attended Central High School and from there went to Georgetown University and was graduated from that school in 1918. He has since been associated in business with his father.
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