USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 11
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On May 20, 1896, Mr. Myers was married to Miss Gertrude Carpenter of Erie, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have no children.
Mr. Myers is a Republican, and belongs to the Chamber of Commerce.
Miss Florence M. Dawley, who is secretary and treasurer of the Perry Specialty Company, ranks among the prominent young business woinen of Erie. She was born at North East, Pa., Sept. 11, 1891, and is the daughter of A. J. and Susan (Perry) Dawley.
A. J. Dawley was born at North East in 1867 and now resides at St. Louis, Mo., where he is connected with the Sewell Oil Company. During his early life in North East he engaged in the livery business. His wife is a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., born in 1870. She is a grand niece of Oliver Hazard Perry. To Mr. and Mrs. Dawley four children were born as follows: Florence M., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. John Ban- nister, resides in Erie, was a teacher before her marriage; Perry A., a World War veteran, lives at San Jose, Cal .; and Marjorie G., lives in Erie.
Florence M. Dawley received her education at North East, and after leaving school commenced her business career with the Fisk Rubber Com- pany. She was later connected with the Miller Rubber Company, and since 1923 has served as secretary and treasurer of the Perry Specialty Company, which has been an outgrowth of the Miller Rubber Company.
Politically Miss Dawley is a Republican. She is a member of the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Zonta Club of which
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she is president, having been elected Jan. 2, 1925, and is a member of the Y. W. C. A. The Dawley family is well known and highly respected in Erie County.
Charles A. Kimmel, proprietor of one of Erie's pioneer business houses, is a substantial and widely known business man. He was born in Michi- gan, Jan. 5, 1879, and is the son of J. A. and Emma (Hummel) Kimmel.
J. A. Kimmel, retired, was born at Fairview, Pa., in 1845. For a num- ber of years he followed general farming and stock raising in Michigan, and in 1886 came to Erie, where he engaged in the livery business. Sev- eral years later he engaged in the shoe business at 1625 Sassafras Street, which was established in 1871 by his father. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel have three children: Charles A., the subject of this sketch; Luella Mannig, lives in New York city; and Rollo, lives at Ashland, Ky.
Charles A. Kimmel received his education in the Erie schools, and when a young boy was employed in his grandfather's shoe store, and later by his father. Since 1900 he has had charge of the business, which has be- come one of Erie's leading shoe stores.
On April 26, 1906, Mr. Kimmel was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Lytle, the daughter of Fleet and Laura (Durst) Lytle, residents of Erie. Mr. Durst, retired, was employed by the Pennsylvania railroad for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel three children have been born: Elsworth and Edwin, twins, born April 5, 1907, and Barbara, born in 1909.
Mr. Kimmel and his family hold membership in the Lutheran Memor- ial Church, and the Kimmel family has always been representative of the best citizenship of Erie County.
E. H. Suerken, who is widely known in Erie as an enterprising and successful business man, was born here, April 24, 1876, and is a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Kolb) Suerken.
John B. Suerken was born in Germany and came to this country many years ago. He was a well known merchant of Erie where he was en- gaged in the jewelry business for 25 years. He died when E. H., the subject of this sketch, was but nine months of age. His wife was born in Erie and died in 1918 at the age of 76 years. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are deceased, except E. H.
E. H. Suerken was reared and educated in Erie and in early life was a prominent musician. For several years he owned a bicycle shop and
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was the agent for the Oldsmobile gas and steam automobiles, at 13th and State streets, and later engaged in the theatrical business, building some of Erie's earliest amusement centers. In 1916 Mr. Suerken became in- terested in the grain business and is now one of the leading grain brokers of the city with offices at 619 Marine Bank Building.
Mr. Suerken was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Crouch of Erie, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Crouch. Mr. Crouch is deceased and his widow resides in Erie. To Mr. and Mrs. Suerken two children have been born: Maxwell, born in 1907, and Nancy, born in 1913.
Mr. Suerken is a Republican, attends the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge. He is an energetic and industrious man, highly esteemed throughout the community.
Robert J. Firman was born in the Township of Harborcreek, Erie County, Pa., May 30, 1880, and is the son of James and Maria (Glenn) Firman who, for many years, were prominent and respected citizens of Harborcreek Township.
His early education was gained in the public schools of Harborcreek Township, afterwards graduating from the State Normal School at Edin- boro, Pa., and later from the Law Department of the University of Michi- gan. After gaduating fom the Normal School he taught in the public schools of Harborcreek Township for two years. Not content with teach- ing as a vocation he determined to prepare himself for the law. In the fall of 1903 he entered the Law School of the University of Michigan, and pursued the studies of his chosen vocation, graduating from that institu- tion in June of 1906. In June of 1908 he was admitted to the general practice of law in the several courts of Erie County, Pa., and has since been admitted to the several appellate courts of the State and United States.
In December, 1906, he married Mary Camp Allen of Harborcreek, only child of W. H. and Lovisa (Elliott) Allen, and to the issue of this marriage are two children: W. Allen, born Oct. 28, 1910, and Robert J., Jr., born Oct. 30, 1912.
In politics Mr. Firman is a Republican and as a Republican has served his party two terms as its chairman; his government as Deputy United States Marshal; his county as district attorney.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Harborcreek of which institution he is a member of the board of trustees. He is a thirty-second
ROBERT J. FIRMAN
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degree Mason, and a member and officer of Zem Zem Temple; he is also a member of the Erie Chamber of Commerce; Erie Lodge No. 67, Order of Elks; Lake Shore Lodge of Odd Fellows, and other fraternal organi- zations. Socially he is a member of the Erie Club, the Shriner's Club, the Erie Yacht Club, the Erie Maennerchor, and the North East Golf Club.
He is an able and successful lawyer, and enjoys a varied and lucra- tive practice.
Where he resides at the Village of Harborcreek he has extensive land holdings, large acreages of which are now under cultivation in grapes; the land itself being very valuable because of its location near the City of Erie, and being suitable for subdividing in building sites.
Mrs. Katherine W. Bauman is a substantial and highly esteemed citi- zen of Erie. She is a native of Erie County and the daughter of Michael W. and Henrietta (Able) Willrich.
Michael W. Willrich, deceased, was a member of a prominent pioneer family of Erie County. He and his wife are now deceased. They were the parents of four children: Jacob, Elizabeth, Katherine, the subject of this sketch, and John, all residents of Erie.
Katherine W. Willrich was reared and educated in Erie and was married to Louis J. Bauman, also a native of Erie, and a son of Gustave and Magdalene (Haas) Bauman.
Louis J. Bauman owned and operated the first rug cleaning plant in Erie, having engaged in the business with his father. Their first location was at 644 East 5th Street, and in 1898 he removed to 138 West 4th Street, the present location. Mr. Bauman installed the first compressed air rug and carpet cleaner in Erie and successfully conducted the business until the time of his death, Nov. 7, 1910. He is buried in Erie cemetery. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Bauman has continued in charge of the business, and is now assisted by her two sons, Morrill A., and Allan J. The business is known as Bauman Association General Cleaners.
To Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Bauman five children were born, as follows: Mrs. Elsie A. Strick, lives in Erie; Mrs. Lucille Peckham, lives in Erie, and they have one son, Paul Edward; Morrill A .; Allan J .; and Louis F., a high school student.
Mrs. Bauman and her family are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and rank among the ambitious and progressive citizens of the community.
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Bernard M. Deck, a substantial citizen of Erie, engaged in the grocery business at 621 West 26th Street, is a native of Erie. He was born July 24, 1876, and is the son of Conrad and Mary (Hoffman) Deck.
Conrad Deck, who now lives retired, was for many years a leading cigar manufacturer of Erie. He was born in Germany, Feb. 6, 1837, the son of John and Margaret (Welsh) Deck. In 1861 he came to this country and located in Erie, going to work for George Bartles, where he remained for one year. He then worked 18 months for C. M. Conrad, when he bought him out and conducted the factory on 5th Street. Later he operated on French Street and Park Row. For the past ten years Mr. Deck has lived retired. He resides at 214 East 4th Street. He was mar- ried in 1863 to Miss Anna M. Hoffman, the daughter of Nicholas Hoffman, of Erie, and to this union the following children were born: Mrs. Mar- garet Reemer, lives in Erie; John, lives in California; Conrad, Jr., lives in Erie; Adam, Peter, Mrs. Anna Koon, and Mrs. Catherine Gehrleim, all live in Erie; Amanda, treasurer of the Underwood Typewriter Company in Erie; Edith, a teacher, lives in Erie; P. W., a sketch of whom appears in this history; and Bernard M., the subject of this sketch.
Bernard M. Deck received his education in the Erie schools and when a young boy learned the cigar making trade in his father's factory. He engaged in this business until 1914, at which time he entered the grocery business at his present location. Mr. Deck carries a fine line of groceries and meats, and also has a soda fountain and cigar business in connection. He has an extensive trade.
In June, 1902, Mr. Deck was united in marriage with Miss Frances Mary Eichenlaub, a native of Erie, and the daughter of Joseph B. and Elizabeth (Haas) Eichenlaub, residents of Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Deck had three children, all of whom are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Deck are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and he belongs to the Elks lodge.
Mrs. Alma B. Totman is a well known and highly esteemed business woman of Erie. She is the proprietor of the Totman Auto & Carriage Works at 1215-17 French Street. She was born in Melbourne, Australia, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (McCruddon) Smith.
Thomas Smith traveled throughout the world as a silk broker. He was born in England in 1853, and died at Melbourne, Australia, in 1918. His wife, a native of Australia, died in 1914 at the age of 45 years. Mr. and
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Mrs. Smith had two children, Alma B., the subject of this sketch; and Clement M., who lives in Australia.
Alma B. Smith spent her early life traveling with her parents and was educated in Europe. At the age of 19 years she was married to J. R. Totman of Erie, the son of H. M. Totman.
H. M. Totman was born in Connecticut and came to Meadville, Pa., and in 1892 established the Totman Carriage Works at Erie, Pa., which was later conducted by his son. He died in 1917 and is buried in Lakeside cemetery, Erie. J. R. Totman was born at Meadville, Pa., and was edu- cated in the public and high schools of Erie.
To Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Totman two children were born: James R., born July 19, 1909; and Thelma V., born October 14, 1914.
Mrs. Totman and her family are members of the Episcopal Church.
Horace J. O. Younghans, a prominent and successful business man of Erie, engaged in the insurance business at 1101 State Street, was born at Conneaut, Ohio, March 11, 1869. He is the son of John A. and Laura (Greene) Younghans.
The Younghans family is among the well known pioneer families of this section. John A. Younghans was a native of Erfurt, Saxony, Germany, born in 1844. When he was six years of age his parents came to this country and located in Erie, where he engaged in the shoe business. He served throughout the Civil War, having enlisted in the navy. About 1897 he became associated with the Holland Manufacturing Company of Erie, Pa., as a stockholder and traveling salesman. During the latter part of his life he was a traveling salesman and represented the American Beauty Stove Company. He served on the Erie City Council for two terms. He died November 13, 1921, and his wife, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania, died July 8, 1911, at the age of 60 years. Mr. and Mrs. Younghans are buried in Erie cemetery. They were the parents of three children: Horace J. O., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Gertrude J. Pilgram, lives in Erie; and Laura, married Edward Clark, a native of London, England, both deceased.
Horace J. O. Younghans attended the public schools of Conneaut and was also educated in Tennessee. In 1880 he located in Erie with his par- ents where he was employed in a shoe factory and later he became a ma- chinist. In May, 1900, he began writing insurance for the Prudential Life Insurance Company. He has been located at his present address since
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March 23, 1923. He specializes in casualty insurance and to some extent deals in real estate.
In 1895 Mr. Younghans was united in marriage with Miss Philomena Roth of Erie. To this union a daughter was born, Dorothy L., a musician.
Mr. Younghans is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Maccabees. He is a public spirited citizen and holds the high regard of all who know him.
Timothy Jay Mahoney is among the representative young attorneys of Erie, where he is a member of the firm of Nagorski, Firman & Mahoney, with offices in the Palace Building. He was born in this city, Feb. 22, 1890, and is the son of M. L. and Ellen (Hughes) Mahoney.
M. L. Mahoney, deceased, was a native of this city, as is his wife. For a number of years he operated W. L. Scott's pleasure yacht, Steamer "Mystic," and later engaged in business in Erie. He died April 29, 1912, and is buried in Trinity Cemetery. His wife resides at 113 West Third Street, Erie. To Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney were born five children: Thomas Hughes, lives in Erie; Harrison Gerald, lives in Los Angeles, Calif .; Mary A., and Robert F., live in Erie; and Timothy Jay, the subject of this sketch.
After attending the parochial and public schools of Erie, Timothy Jay Mahoney entered Georgetown University, Washington, D. C., from which he was graduated in 1921 with the degree of LL. B. In October of that year he was admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia and in December was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar. Mr. Mahoney began his business career in 1910 in the employ of the Erie Dispatch and until 1918 was connected with that newspaper as well as the Herald and Times. From 1920 until 1921 he served as chief of The Pay Division of the Public Health Bureau of U. S. Treasury Department, at Washington, D. C. While in the university he held the office of managing editor of "Ye Doomsday Booke," the graduating year book of all the departments of Georgetown University.
During the World War Mr. Mahoney served 18 months in the in- fantry branch of the U. S. Army and was stationed at Fort Thomas, Ky., and Camp Meigs, Washington, D. C.
On Sept. 1, 1919, Mr. Mahoney was married to Miss Arvilla Renz, a native of this city, a daughter of George F. and Maud A. (Lutz) Renz, natives of Erie, and a sister of Dr. O. W. Renz and Dr. M. F. Renz, also
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TIMOTHY JAY MAHONEY
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of Erie. George F. Renz died May 8, 1917, and his wife resides at 548 East Eighth Street, Erie. To Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney have been born two children: Timothy Jay, Jr., and Nedra Mary.
Mr. Mahoney is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the University Club, Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, Knights of Colum- bus, and is past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, Erie Council No. 278. He is a Republican.
William Swenson, a well known and dependable citizen of Erie, was born in Sweden, Sept. 21, 1881, and is a son of Swan and Johanna (Yol- son) Swenson.
Swan Swenson has spent his entire life in Sweden and is now living retired. He and his wife are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living.
William Swenson spent his boyhood in his native land where he learned his trade as cabinet maker. At the age of 19 years he came to this country and settled in Erie where he has since lived. He owns a shop at 513 West 11th Street and does all kinds of upholstering and cabinet work.
On Dec. 12, 1904, Mr. Swenson was married in Erie to Miss Marie Christopher, who came to this country from Denmark, at the age of 18 years. They have six children, as follows: Wilbur, Gordon, Elizabeth, Alice, Paul and Harvey.
Mr. Swenson is a Republican and a member of the Swedish Salvation Army Church.
G. M. Gerbracht is a substantial citizen of Erie, where he is engaged in the grocery business at 1102 West 22nd Street. He was born in Erie, Jan. 12, 1890, and is the son of Jacob A., and Louise (Albracht) Ger- bracht.
Jacob A. Gerbracht is a native of Erie, born at 524 West 6th Street, July 9, 1864. He is the son of Antone and Margaret (Weber) Gerbracht, and has spent his entire life in Erie. After working at his trade of moulder for 20 years, he engaged in the grocery business in 1908. Mr. Gerbracht's place of business, known as the Erie grocery, is located at 1002 West 6th Street. On April 28, 1888, Mr. Gerbracht was married at Dunkirk, N. Y., to Miss Louise Albracht, of Erie, and to this union 15 children were born, ten of whom are now living, as follows: Louise Bern- hart, lives in Erie; G. M., the subject of this sketch; Earl, lives in Erie;
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William, a veteran of the World War, associated in business with his father; Mrs. Martha Steimer, Mrs. Anna Schack; Mrs. Ruth Lewis, Flor- ence, Thomas, and Donald, all residents of Erie. Those deceased are: Charles, Margaret, John, Katherine R., and Jacob.
G. M. Gerbracht was educated in the public schools of Erie and in 1916 engaged in the grocery business at 1061 West 22nd Street. Several years later he sold this business and moved to his present location. Mr. Gerbracht carries a high grade line of groceries and also deals in cigars and tobacco.
On May 17, 1911, Mr. Gerbracht was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Youngbauer, of Erie, and to this union one child has been born, Catherine, born in 1912.
Politically Mr. Gerbracht is a Democrat and he and his family hold membership in the Catholic Church. He is a progressive man and well liked throughout the community.
Benjamin F. Evans, retired, is a member of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families in Erie County. He was born on a farm in Mill Creek Township, Jan. 31, 1857, and is the son of Uriah and Dorothy (Knodle) Evans.
Uriah Evans was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and came to this county with his parents when he was five years old. He engaged in the lumber business in Mill Creek Township. He settled on a farm in Mckean Township, where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Evans died at the age of 78 years and his wife, a native of Germany, died when she was 79 years old. They are buried in Talmadge Cemetery, Mill Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Evans were the parents of six children, three of whom are now living: Benjamin F., the subject of this sketch; Miss Eliza- beth and Charles W., who reside on the old home place.
Benjamin F. Evans spent his boyhood on the farm and received his education in the district schools. In 1881 he came to Erie, where he worked at his trade as a carpenter. Later, he was employed by Jacob Minnig, well known grocer and then became associated with P. Minnig, grocer, in whose employ he remained for 28 years. Mr. Evans was stock keeper and also served as adjuster between the railroads and his firm for dam- aged goods. In 1913 he was elected tax collector of Mill Creek Township and served four years. In 1918 he retired from active business. He lives at 301 Peach Street, where he owns a modern and attractive home.
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Mr. Evans was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Jane Waidley, a native of Erie County, and the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Minnig) Waidley, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans two children were born: Lee W., who was killed in an automobile accident on July 5, 1915, at the age of 29 years; and Ruby Dorothy, a graduate of Erie High School, took a kindergarten teacher's course. She has been a teacher of the kinder- garten school for 13 years, the last seven of which have been spent in Perry School. She resides with her parents.
Mr. Evans is an independent voter. He and his family hold member- ship in the New Jerusalem Church, and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Evans is held in high regard throughout the entire com- munity and is an excellent citizen.
Arthur H. Beyer, who is successfully engaged in the jewelry business in Erie, is a veteran of the World War. He was born in Erie, April 15, 1893, and is the son of Emil and Louise (Brevillier) Beyer.
Emil Beyer was born in Germany in 1855. At the age of 25 years he came to the United States and located in Erie, where he engaged in the jewelry business with his brother, Joseph, who had established the busi- ness in 1892. At the death of his brother in 1900, Mr. Beyer became owner of the business which he successfully conducted until the time of his death in 1919. His wife, a native of Erie, is now 68 years of age. There were two children in the Beyer family: Arthur H., the subject of this sketch ; and Edmund, who died at the age of eight years.
Arthur H. Beyer received his education in the public schools of Erie and was graduated from Central High School in 1914. He was engaged in his father's store until the outbreak of the World War, when he en- listed in the navy. After a year's service he was commissioned ensign and served in that capacity four months. Mr. Beyer spent two years in the Philadelphia Horological School. His place o fbusiness is located at 1602 Peach Street, and is one of the attractive jewelry shops of the city. He carries a complete line of jewelry, silverware, watches and clocks.
On Oct. 2, 1920, Mr. Beyer was married to Miss Eleanor Gray, of Erie, and to this union has been born one child, Mary Louise.
Mr. Beyer is a Republican, a member of the Elks lodge and belongs to the American Legion. He is well known in his community, where his family has always been held in high esteem.
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Francis Thomas Nagorski has attained distinctive prestige as one of the able and popular members of the bar of Erie County and has also gained marked recognition as a progressive business man of Erie. He was born in the Village of Wiszyn, near Dantzig, in Pomerania, then West Prussia, Germany, now Poland, Sept. 18, 1879, and is the son of John and Frances (Klawiter) von Nagorski. In 1888 the family came to the United States and in May of that year took up their residence in Erie.
The family name of Nagorski was corrupted by erroneous spelling initiated by an uncle, Alois Nagorski, who was an early settler in Erie, and who upon his naturalization wrote his name Nagosky. This last spell- ing is wrong and was caused, perhaps, by a desire to simplify the name and make it less difficult to pronounce.
Mr. Nagorski received his early education in the public schools of his native land and was about 11 years of age at the time that the family immigrated to America. He was reared in Erie and continued his primary education in St. Stanislaus' parochial school, after which he took up his preparatory work in Sts. Ciril and Methodius Seminary at Detroit, Mich.
In 1895, his father who was a building contractor and was engaged in the construction of the St. Stanislaus' Church in the City of Erie, became afflicted with paralysis, and Francis T. Nagorski was compelled to quit school. He finished his preliminary education in the Central High School of Erie, Pa., with the class of 1898, and afterwards entered the Law School of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1904 with the degree of LL. B. On July 1, 1905, he was admitted to the bar of Erie County; he is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of Pennsylvania.
He became interested from the very beginning of his legal career, in the material, economical and moral improvement of the Polish immigrant. He has defended the Polish people from unjust attacks, and has from time to time written illuminating articles in the press, dispelling prejudice and disseminating truthful information. In co-operation with Rev. An- drew Ignasiak, he organized the East Side Building and Loan Association in the year 1907, for the purpose of stimulating savings and creating funds to facilitate the building of homes and improving living conditions. This association has been very prosperous, and he is still its solicitor. He was also one of the initiators of the Bank of Erie, now the Bank of Erie Trust Company, of which he is a director and solicitor. Besides the inter-
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