USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 12
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I
FRANCIS THOMAS NAGORSKI
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
est in the material side of life, he has taken active part in the promotion of education and social improvement of the people among which he has cast his lot. He was a secretary of the Saint John Kanty College Associa- tion which built the Saint John Kanty College, south of Wesleyville, near the City of Erie. He was director of the Erie's Community Chest for one term, and he is president of the Community Young Men's Association, an institution which is endeavoring to do work on the east side of the City of Erie after the manner of the Y. M. C. A.
He takes active part in the problems of the American citizens of Polish descent in this country, and in Americanization work amongst the people of his descent. The most influential of these organizations, and which will be remembered during the late great war rendered such ef- fective service, is the Polish National Alliance, of which he is a member and president of the local lodges. He is a member of the University Club, and the Elks.
In 1918 and 1919 he represented his constituents in the city council as finance director and vice-mayor.
He was married in 1910 to Hedwig Dymsia, of Homestead, Pa., and the issue of this marriage are three children: Francis T., Jr., born April 29, 1911; Robert, born March 12, 1915; and Hubert, born Dec. 17, 1921.
He is a Republican in politics. In the year 1916 in the campaign for assembly, he came within 34 votes of being elected over the combination Republican-Democrat candidate. His defeat, however, was a victory for the Republican party because his winning precincts also gave Henry A. Clark a fine vote, which resulted in the election of Mr. Clark to Congress. Mr. Clark won by 613 votes from his Democratic opponent, Charles N. Crosby.
N. R. Kellam, owner of the Paris Cloak House, is among the well known and successful business men of Erie. He was born in Maine, April 9, 1862, and is the son of Wesley and Selenia (Porter) Kellam.
Wesley Kellam was a native of Maine and died in 1866. His wife was born in Nova Scotia and died in 1888. There were four children in the Kellam family, all of whom are now living.
N. R. Kellam received his education in the schools of Maine, and when a young man engaged in market gardening. When he was 24 years of age he went to Lyons, Neb., and became a miller for the Lyons Brothers Milling Company. In 1900 Mr. Kellam came to Erie and established his
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present business at 708 State Street, which was part of the old Tom Hughes estate. In 1919 he removed to his present location, 826 Peach street. Mr. Kellam specializes in the sale of women's wear, and the Paris Cloak House is among the leading shops of its kind in the city.
In 1887 Mr. Kellam was married at Milwaukee, Wis., to Miss Margaret Forbish, and they have two children: Walter R., a veteran of the World War, engaged in the automobile business in Erie, married Miss Ruth Sunberg, of Erie; and Doris.
In politics Mr. Kellam is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the First Methodist Church and belongs to the Elks lodge and the Rotary Club. He is esteemed throughout the community as a substantial and reliable citizen.
J. Ross Barney, a prominent builder and developer of restricted home- sites of Erie, was born on a farm in Green Township, Erie County, Pa., Oct. 15, 1882, and is the son of J. M. and Mary (Lavery) Barney.
J. M. Barney, retired, is a native of Erie County, born in Green Town- ship, in 1859. During his life he followed general farming and met with success. His wife died in 1919 at the age of 64 years and is buried in Green Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Barney eight children were born, of whom J. Ross, the subject of this sketch, is the oldest son.
J. Ross Barney acquired his education in various schools and colleges including Edinboro Normal School and Grove City College. After gradu- ating from these institutions and receiving his degree, he took two years post graduate work under Dr. Bowne, of Boston University, and Dr. Ormond, of Princeton University, specializing in philosophical research work, and has one of the best collections of books on philosophical and theosophical work. Mr. Barney finds time to continue his studies and devotes several hours each week to study and meditation.
After graduation our subject spent four years as principal of schools in this state and later became interested in real estate development and building of fine homes. He named his subdivision Chestnut Hill and was a pioneer in this field of work, being the first to restrict his property to homes with $25,000.00, and has built several that cost considerable more.
Mr. Barney is well equipped with his wide experience in building and development of allotments and has the advantage of having his own mill doing his mill work and finish on the job.
Mr. Barney owns another large subdivision called Moreland Farms and has several homes already completed.
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In addition to the Erie projects, he has complete management and de- velopment and exclusive sale of Sheridan Park, the largest and most ex- pensive projects ever attempted in Buffalo. The improvements are now completed in over eight miles of street frontage at a cost of over five million dollars. Sheridan Drive, a 180 ft. boulevard, is the only street in the world costing over two hundred thousand dollars per mile for pave- ment.
On Aug. 15, 1907, Mr. Barney was united in marriage with Miss Myrtle E. Frantz, a native of Cambridge Springs, Pa., the daughter of George D. and Sarepta (Fullerton) Frantz. To this union have been born four children, as follows: J. Milton, born April 8, 1911; Dorothy, born April 29, 1913; Marjorie L., born January 2, 1918; and Marian Ruth, born July 23, 1921.
Mr. Barney is a Republican, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the University Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Master Builders Association, and the Erie Builders Exchange. He is a progressive citizen of Erie and has an extensive acquaintance throughout the com- munity.
Charles A. Feisler, superintendent of the Northwestern Humane So- ciety of Pennsylvania, is one of the well known and dependable citizens of Erie. He was born there Aug. 8, 1876, and is a son of Louis E. and Mary (Bowers) Feisler.
Louis E. Feisler was born in Mill Creek Township, Erie County, in 1846. He engaged in railroading during his active career and has lived retired since 1915. His wife, who was also a native of Mill Creek Township, died in 1884, at the age of 40 years. Her parents settled in Erie County more than a century ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Feisler six children were born, three of whom are now living.
Charles A. Feisler grew up in Erie and attended the public schools. He was very ambitious and at 14 owned a paper route besides working in a barber shop evenings. When he was 18 years of age he opened a barber shop at 1509 Sassafras Street, which he conducted for six years. His next business venture was a pool room, bowling alley and barber shop, at 1511 Peach Street, which he owned until 1904. He then pur- chased a hotel at 26th and Peach Street, which was known as the South Erie Hotel. In 1914 this was sold and Mr. Feisler engaged in the automo- bile business with M. Nelson, agent for the Hudson automobile. Since
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1918 he has held his present position. His wife is matron of the Erie County Detention Home.
On Sept. 30, 1903, Mr. Feisler was married in Buffalo to Miss Mayme Haaf, of Erie, a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Grant) Haaf. Mr. Haaf lives at Erie. His wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Feisler have a daughter, Marion Dorothy.
Politically, Mr. Feisler is a Republican. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and belongs to the Elks, Eagles and Moose lodges. He has always been a progressive and enterprising citizen.
Joseph Crane Williams, mayor, is among Erie's representative and influential citizens. He was born in this city at 837 East Sixth Street, Jan. 8, 1877, and is the son of Joseph H. and Nancy B. (Crane) Williams, sketches of whom appear in this history.
Mr. Williams began life as a newsboy on the streets of his home town and attended the public schools. His business career began as a messen- ger boy for the Pennsylvania Railroad in the freight house office at Parade and 15th Streets. He then was employed as a clerk with the W. L. Scott Coal Company and during the years, 1903 and 1904, he acted as superin- tendent of the company's dock in Chicago, returning to Erie Jan. 1, 1905. Here he served as clerk in the Susquehanna Coal Company office until December, 1911, when he began his term of office as city treasurer, to which he had been elected in November, 1910. Mr. Williams held this office until April, 1916, at which time he was appointed chief clerk of the county commissioners. He served in this capacity until January, 1920, when he again took office as city treasurer, being re-elected in the fall election of 1920. On Jan. 7, 1924, he took office as mayor of Erie, having been elected in the November, 1923, election without opposition.
On July 31, 1901, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Loverna Schuwerk, who was born at Mckean, Erie County, the daughter of Max M. and Jenny L. (Stafford) Schuwerk, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Erie County. Mr. Schuwerk was born Nov. 5, 1852, and his wife was born Jan. 25, 1852. He died Oct. 23, 1911, and his wife died March 25, 1917. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams a daughter has been born, Jane Loverna Williams, born March 20, 1906. She is a student at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa.
Mr. Williams is affiliated with the First Methodist Church of Erie, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge and Shrine, Chamber of Commerce,
PHOTO
Joseph Williams Williams
JOSEPH H. WILLIAMS
MRS. NANCY B. WILLIAMS
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, Elks Lodge, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a Republican and during his long term of public service as an official he has been most progressive and efficient.
Joseph H. Williams, deceased, was a substantial and highly esteemed citizen of Erie. He was born at Burlington, N. J., Oct. 29, 1839, a son of Samuel S. and Sarah (Hutchinson) Williams, the father a native of Burlington, N. J., and the mother of Bucks County, Pa.
The Williams family is an old and highly esteemed family of New Jersey, and John N. Williams, the paternal great-grandfather of the Erie Joseph H. Williams, served in the Revolutionary War in a New Jersey regiment. He met his death at the Battle of Monmouth, and his son Daniel, the grandfather of Joseph H., was born near that battle ground in Monmouth County, and died in Burlington, N. J., and the maternal grandfather of Mr. Williams died in Bucks County, Pa. The latter was an Englishman by birth.
Joseph H. Williams spent the early years of his life in his native city of Burlington and in 1861 he volunteered in three month's service in the Civil War, but being refused on account of the company being full, he again volunteered in February, 1864, in Company F, 186th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the struggle. Four of his brothers were also in the war, two serving in the 112th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, one in the Third New Jer- sey Regiment and one was in the Construction Corps. Previous to join- ing the army, Joseph H. Williams had learned the bricklayer's trade and coming to the City of Erie in 1872 he began contracting and building and continued along that line of work until his death. Mr. Williams, in com- pany with Robert T. Shank, built some of the leading business places and beautiful homes of Erie and during its existence was one of the largest contracting firms in the county. Among the fine residences constructed by them was the home of Mrs. C. W. Strong. He died Dec. 23, 1913.
On Oct. 14, 1870, Mr. Williams married Miss Nancy B. Crane, a sketch of whom and a history of the Crane family appear in this volume.
Mr. Williams was a Republican and served as a member of the School Board for 16 years and was instrumental in the founding of the public library in Erie. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was identified with the Masonic Lodge and the following branches: P. M. Perry
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
Lodge No. 392; Temple Chapter No. 215, R. A. M .; P. T. I. G. M. Jerusa- lem Council No. 33, R. & S. M .; E. C. Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 30 K. T .; Zem Zem Temple, and Presque Isle of Perfection.
Mrs. Nancy B. (Crane) Williams, probation officer of Erie County, is among the highly esteemed women of Erie, and a member of one of the county's prominent pioneer families. She was born in this city, Jan. 12, 1852, and is the daughter of James and Priscilla (Roberts) Crane.
James Crane was the son of Abiatha Crane, one of the pioneers of Erie and a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He established the Crane Stone Quarry Company in Erie, which was owned by him until his death in June, 1852.
Nancy B. Crane was reared and educated in Erie and on Oct. 14, 1870, was united in marriage with Joseph H. Williams, now deceased. A sketch of Mr. Williams appears in this volume.
To Joseph C. and Nancy B. (Crane) Williams were born six chil- dren, as follows: Charles Hutchin, born July 31, 1871, married Clara Jackson, and they live at 117 East Fifth Street, Erie; Joseph Crane, born July 8, 1877, mention of whom is made below; Max C., born Sept. 29, 1879, married Louise Greger, served as chairman of the Erie County Republican Committeemen from 1919 until 1924, and they live at 217 East Avenue, Erie; Robert K., born Oct. 28, 1882, married Mamie Olivett, lives at 823 East Sixth Street, Erie; Sarah, born Jan. 10, 1884, married C. V. Olsen, lives at 837 East Sixth Street; and Laura, born Jan. 31, 1885, married Hugo Nicolai, and they live at Irvington, N. J.
Mrs. Joseph C. Williams was appointed probation officer for girls in Erie County by Judge Walling in 1914 and in this work she has proven thoroughly capable and efficient. She is the first woman to hold the posi- tion of probation officer in Erie County. She is a member of the Wayne Park Baptist Church, and belongs to the Eastern Star, Hiram Brown Circle, Ladies of the Grand Army, and is a teacher of the Women's Bible Class. She is a Republican.
The Crane Family. The following is taken from the Cleveland Sun- day Leader of April, 1903: "History of an Illustrious Family. Many descendants of Abiathar Crane, one of Erie's pioneer settlers, now reside in this section. The Cranes are among the earliest pioneers of Erie . County, Elihu, Miles, and Abiathar Crane, coming from New England and settling in the western part of the county in 1797, in the vicinity of
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Cranesville. Abiathar Crane later moved to Erie and located in its east- ern suburb. No family in the county has a more honorable record than that of the Cranes. Jasper Crane, who came from England in 1637 with Alice, his wife, was the emigrant ancestor. Their son, Jasper, was one of the committee of safety to protect the New Haven colony against De Ruyter, the Dutch Admiral, who cruised in the Long Island Sound and threatened the settlements. During the Revolutionary War, the Con- necticut colony, to increase facilities for coast defense, put into service three boats or galleys, one being called 'The Crane,' named in honor of the family who stood so loyally by the colony. It was sent to New York to assist in its defense under General Washington and even the exact cost of the 'Crane' has been recorded, £1,013, 6s, 10d.
"Of the other Cranes who gave service to their country there was Ebenezer Crane, a private of the militia, designated as the 'Lexington Alarm.' Memebrs of the family served as privates, corporals, and cap- tains, not only in the Revolutionary War and all colonial wars, but in that of 1812 and the Mexican War. Anyone who can claim a Crane as an ancestor has no trouble in proving eligibility to the various patriotic socie- ties, Colonial Dames or Revolutionary Daughters and Sons. Love of coun- try has ever been a distinguishing trait of the family as well as upright business principles. No descendant so far as is known, has ever been a criminal, a pauper, or a suicide. The family is descended from Lord Arundell's family, and inherit the blood of Charlemagne and Hugh Capet, both of whom claimed to spring from Pharmond, and from him to Ante- nor, king of the Crimenians, B. C. 443. Chilton, near Gudbury, in Suffolk, is the home of the Cranes. They lived at Chilton Hall, a moated manor or some distinction and were lords of the manor. The Cranes in England have borne five coats of arms, whether all of one family is not certain, although there is reason for believing that they were special grants made for special services. The several Armorials are lacking in mottoes with one exception.
"A member of the Crane family of Cheshire county, England, on notic- ing his neighbor Corbett's motto, 'God Feeds the Crows,' wrote for his motto, 'He who feeds the crows will not forget the Cranes.' In Chilton Church is an elaborate marble monument to the memory of Liv. Robert Crane, who was knighted by James I. Of Jane Anne Arundell it is recorded that she left by will, which was proved in 1521, money for wax tapers for the day of her burying and afterwards for use at mass, also money for bells to ring dirges at her obsequies. A John Crane was clerk
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of the kitchen to James I, a position of much honor. A Robert Crane of Suffolk, was one of the gentlemen chosen by King Charles II to be made knight of the Royal Oak. He had an estate of $75,000 per year."
Annette Young, the efficient clerk of courts of Erie County, is a native of this county. She is a daughter of James Brown and Phoebe Jane Young. The father was born in Ireland in 1832 of English and Irish parentage. He came to Erie County when a small child and died in 1879. The mother was a native of Erie County and of Scotch descent. She was reared in this county, educated in the public schools and Water- ford Academy and taught school. She died April 28, 1925.
Miss Young was educated in the public schools, taught school for one year, and was employed in business offices for five years. She was a resi- dent of Redlands, Calif., for four years, where she was deputy city clerk. She was appointed deputy clerk of courts of Erie County, Dec. 1, 1912, and May 1, 1922, was appointed by the governor to fill out the unexpired term of the late Ross Cutter as clerk of courts, and was elected to that office for a four year term, 1924 to 1928, at the November, 1923, election.
Miss Young is a Republican, a member of Park Presbyterian Church, Woman's Club, Zonta Club, National Federation of Business and Profes- sional Women's Club. She is a capable public official and has a wide acquaintance in Erie County.
Robert Edward Weschler, who ranks among the well known business men and substantial citizens of Erie, was born there Feb. 2, 1877, the son of Leo B. and Pauline (Kimmeth) Weschler.
Leo B. Weschler was born in Erie, the son of Jacob Weschler, one of the city's pioneer citizens, and old time malt dealers. Mr. Weschler died in 1891, and his wife is also deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Robert E., the subject of this sketch; Charles L., Joseph S., Frank J., Harry J., and Frances.
Robert Edward Weschler attended St. Joseph's school in Chicago, the Erie public schools, and Clark's Business College. He entered upon his business career as a salesman selling the old Graphic newspaper, of which John Miller was the editor. From that line of work he entered the employ of M. A. Krug, in the shoe business, and was associated with that business house for 13 years. In 1901 Mr. Weschler engaged in the shoe business with his brother, Charles L., on State Street. With the
ANNETTE YOUNG
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
passing years his business has enlarged and he is now proprietor of one of the largest shoe houses in the city. In 1903 the business was incor- porated with Mr. Weschler as president and Harry J. Weschler as secre- tary, which offices they both now hold.
Mr. Weschler was married to Miss Mae C. Scharrer, of Erie, and a daughter of one of its oldest residents, Jacob Scharrer. Mr. and Mrs. Weschler have four children, as follows: Joseph, a graduate of Central High School, engaged in business with his father, married Miss Beatrice Duffy of Erie; Mildred, a graduate of Academy High School, now a student at Seton College, Greensburg, Pa .; Robert, a high school student; and Helen Frances, also a student.
Mr. Weschler is a Democrat, a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Elks lodge, and the Board of Commerce. He has served as a member of the board of education for 21 years and has served as president of the board for three terms. Mr. Weschler and his family are highly esteemed citizens of their community and have many friends.
George L. Kelly is an enterprising and successful business man of Erie. He is a member of the firm of Kelly & Green, commercial photog- raphers, located at 116 West 11th Street. Mr. Kelly was born at Tazewell, Va., March 29, 1884, and is the son of John P. and Mary (Groseclose) Kelly.
John P. Kelly is a native of Marion, Va., born in 1850. During his active life he engaged in general farming and stock raising and now lives retired. His wife, who was born in Virginia in 1844, died in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly had nine children.
George L. Kelly received his education in the schools of his native state and is a graduate of Emory and Henry College, in Virginia, and also of the University of Chicago. After teaching high school at Duffield, Va., for five years, Mr. Kelly taught for three years at Ottumwa, Iowa. He then came to Erie where he taught social science in the high schools for eight years. Messrs. Kelly & Green specialize in commercial photog- raphy and wholesale kodak finishing. Their business covers a radius of 200 miles around Erie.
On Aug. 20, 1920, Mr. Kelly was united in marriage with Miss Gladys Short of Erie, and the daughter of Alfred and Helen (Horton) Short. Mr. Short died in 1914 and his wife resides at Erie, Pa. Mrs. Kelly is a
(53)
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
graduate of the University of Florida and taught school for six years in Erie before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have one son, Donald, born May 5, 1924.
Mr. Kelly is a Democrat and a member of the First Methodist Church. He is a leading and representative citizen of his community.
John Henry Buys, who ranks among the substantial and highly es- teemed citizens of Erie, was born in Summit Township, Erie County, in 1839. After attending the district schools he attended Waterford Acad- emy, Erie County, after which he engaged in general farming. Later, he worked at the blacksmith trade, and after several years became in- terested in the coal business. For a number of years Mr. Buys was con- nected with the Whitman Coal Company, Erie. Since 1916 he has been an invalid and confined to his home at 260 West 8th Street.
On Aug. 10, 1876, Mr. Buys was united in marriage with Miss Marietta Tarbell, a native of Chicago, Ill., and the daughter of James and Margaret (Demars) Tarbell, who settled in Erie County in 1797. The Tarbell family located on a farm in Mill Creek Township and were well known pioneers of this section. Mrs. Buys has a brother living, Eugene Tarbell, who re- sides in Florida. To Mr. and Mrs. Buys two daughters were born: Mar- garet, who was drowned July 4, 1903, at the age of 26 years, and she is buried in Erie Cemetery; and Elizabeth, who married B. Emmons, and she died June 3, 1908, at the age of 31 years, and is buried in Erie Ceme- tery.
Politically, Mr. Buys is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Central Presbyterian Church and have an extensive acquaintance is Erie, where they have spent so many years.
Carl C. Guerrein, one of Erie's enterprising and successful young busi- ness men, was born there March 26, 1896, and is the son of Leo and Bar- bara (Fischer) Guerrein.
Leo Guerrein was born in Germany in 1868 and came to this country in 1892, locating in Erie. He established a wholesale cheese business in 1895 at 2509 Peach Street, where the business was located until 1916, at which time it was moved to 1014 Holland Avenue. On December 16, 1916, Mr. Guerrein retired from business. He resides at 2509 Peach Street. Mr. Guerrein has been successful in his business undertaking and owns several pieces of valuable real estate. including the Hippodrome Theater.
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His wife, a native of Sondernheim, Germany, died at the age of 40 years, leaving six children, of whom Carl C., the subject of this sketch is the oldest.
Carl C. Guerrein has always lived in Erie. After attending the public schools he engaged in business with his father. He manufacturs high grade cheeses and besides his extensive local trade ships his product to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and surrounding territory ; he also imports cheese and fish from Europe.
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