USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 18
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Mrs. Morrison's family is among the honored pioneer families of Erie County. Her father, Willie O. Keep, was born on the old homestead in Conneaut Township, Dec. 19, 1866, and on July 21, 1888, was married to Miss Eliza J. McArthur. Mr. and Mrs. Keep, who reside at Albion, are the parents of the following children: Mrs. Morrison, Pliny M., Cleora Sally, Andrew M., Milton H., Marshall, and Adella L. The Keep family have lived in Erie County since 1797, Marsena Keep having come here in that year from Long Meadow, Mass. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and died at Keepville, the town of which he was the founder, in 1851.
Asa Morrison is identified with the Republican party and belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an enterprising citizen and representative of the successful type of business men of the community.
George N. Marshall, well known retired farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Erie County, was born on the farm where he now lives in North East Township, April 22, 1840, and is the son of Robert and Martha (John- ston) Marshall.
Both Robert Marshall and his wife were natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. They were married in Ireland and came to America in 1829 and located at Solon, Ohio, where they lived until 1836. They then decided to return to Ireland and had reached Buffalo, N. Y., when the mother was taken ill with cholera. At Buffalo they met a friend, Ed Graham, who told them of Erie and induced them to return to Erie County, which they did when the mother recovered her health. They settled in North East Township, buying 50 acres of land and then followed farming until the death of Robert Marshall, Dec. 25, 1875. His widow died Nov. 9, 1894. They were the parents of seven children: James, Maria J., Eliza- beth, Margaret, Robert W., George N., the subject of this sketch, and Thomas O. All are now deceased except George N.
George N. Marshall received his education in the district schools of North East Township and was successfully engaged in farming until 1904, when he retired. He owns 92 acres of land.
On Aug. 18, 1869, Mr. Marshall was united in marriage with Miss Emma L. Edgerton, and they have four children: Minnie, married Frank Rater, lives near the Marshall farm in North East Township; Margaret.
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at home; Frank, lives at home and operates the farm; and Adgate, mar- ried Catherine Spacht, lives near the old homestead.
Mr. Marshall is independent in politics and has a wide acquaintance in the community where he has spent his entire life.
Lewis W. Olds, deceased, was among the prominent and influential citizens of Erie County. He was born in East Mill Creek Township, July 21, 1822, the son of Asa Gilbert Olds, a native of Alstead, N. H., born Nov. 15, 1793, and who, when a child, was taken to Williamstown, Vt., where he resided until the spring of 1816, when he came to East Mill Creek, Erie County. Here he died Dec. 8, 1877. He married April 16, 1821, Lucy Church, a native of Winchester, Conn., who bore him five children: Lewis W., the subject of this sketch; Nelson, Erskine, Clarissa E., and Emily J. John Church, father of Lucy (Church) Olds, enlisted when 18 years of age in the Patriot Army at Saybrook, Conn., and went with Arnold to the siege of Quebec in 1776. He was present at the battle of Saratoga and assisted Arnold off his horse when there wounded.
Lewis W. Olds received a part of his early education in a small Icg school house in the country with a slab bench for a seat. He finished his academic course at the Erie Academy and was married in Erie, May 9, 1848, to Louisa E. Ackerly, born at Middletown, N. Y., April 10, 1826. To this union were born the following children: Inez Tayntor, a sketch cf whom appears elsewhere in this history; Clark, born at East Mil Creek, July 14, 1850, died Aug. 14, 1922, was married to Lidia Kaetor of Cortland, N. Y., who died Dec. 18, 1919, and they are buried in the Erie Cemetery ; Nettie, born Sept. 17, 1854, married on Dec. 17, 1884, to Frank M. Lamb, who died Oct. 14, 1920, and she resides at 617 Chestnut Street, Erie, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history; Phila, born Nov. 20, 1857, the widow of James W. Cole, and she lives at Greencastle, Ind., a sketch of whom also appears in this history; William C., born Aug. 17, 1859, resides at Norfolk, Va .; Florence Elizabeth, born Nov. 9, 1863, died Oct. 10, 1909; and Charlotte, born Sept. 3, 1865, married Dec. 26, 1894, to John C. Thomas, an attorney, and they live in Erie.
Lewis W. Olds commenced the manufacture of pumps in East Mill Creek in 1844 and moved his pump works to Erie in 1853, and was the first man in the United States, and probably in the world, to reduce the old log pump to an article of commerce. In 1869 he lost heavily through a fire, but later regained his fortune and at the time of his death,
LEWIS W. OLDS
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June 25, 1908, was the owner of a great deal of real estate. His wife, who was born in Delaware County, Pa., April 26, 1826, died Aug. 12, 1901.
Mr. Olds was a member of the Masonic Lodge, having joined the order at Westfield, N. Y., before a chapter was organized in Erie. He was a staunch Republican, and took an active interest in all public and civic affairs, being especially interested in historical and geneological matters. Mr. Olds was a man of strong ideas, firm in his convictions and master of every situation in which he found himself.
Emery Fisk Bristol, known in Albion as an excellent citizen and suc- cessful business man, is a member of a well known pioneer family of Erie County. He was born in Girard Township, Nov. 6, 1871, and is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Mills) Bristol.
Samuel Bristol was born in Concord Township, Erie County, in 1836, the son of Miles and Betsy (DeForest) Bristol, a farmer and school teacher who migrated from New York State at an early date. Sarah Mills Bristol was born in New York June 20, 1832, the daughter of Augustus and Ann (Owen) Mills, who came to Erie County in 1844. Samuel Bristol spent his entire life in Girard Township and was a successful farmer. He died in 1898, and his wife died in 1918. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: Carson, deceased; Ellen, the widow of Walter Jennes, living in Erie; Achaia, married William Chapman, lives at East Springfield, Pa .; Miles, O., a merchant at East Springfield; George A., a merchant at West Springfield; and Emery Fisk, the subject of this sketch.
Emery Fisk Bristol received his education in the schools of East Spring- field and Girard Township. At the age of 18 years he was employed as a clerk in a general store at Springfield owned by Townsend Webster. In March, 1910, Mr. Bristol established his present business, which is one of the leading business enterprises in the community. It is the only furni- ture store in Albion and one of the largest in this section of the county.
In June, 1895, Mr. Bristol was married to Miss Carrie Ferguson, de- ceased. To this union a son was born, Howard, who was educated in the public schools of Albion and the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied dentistry. He is now practicing his profession at Conneautville, Pa. He was married to Miss Leone Locke, and they have a son, Robert. Dr. Bristol is a veteran of the World War. On Sept. 29, 1898, Mr. Bristol was mar- ried to Miss Harriet Barnes, of Albion, and the daughter of Robert and .Lucy Barnes, both deceased. They have a son, Charles V., a student at
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Albion High School. Mrs. Bristol was graduated from Edinboro State Normal School in 1893 and was a teacher in the schools of Conneautville Township before her marriage.
Mr. Bristol is a Republican, a member of the Methodist church and belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Howard Barns is a successful and well known young business man of Albion, and a veteran of the World War. He was born at Albion, May 24, 1893, and is the son of H. J. and Kate (Barnes) Barns.
H. J. Barns is a native of this place and the son of Robert Barns who established the present dry goods business in Albion in 1850. H. J. Barns is still actively engaged in this business, and is among the prominent mer- chants of Erie County. He has served as a member of the Albion city council and the local school board for many years and is highly esteemed. Howard, the subject of this sketch, is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Barns.
Howard Barns attended the public and high schools of Albion and was graduated from Allegheny College. He has since been interested in the dry goods business with his father and became part owner in 1919. Dur- ing the World War Mr. Barns volunteered for service and enlisted in the officers training school at Camp Green, N. C.
On June 10, 1919, Mr. Barns was united in marriage with Miss Lyda S. Sparling, of Erie, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sparling, residents of Erie. They have a daughter, Marjory Ann, born March 11, 1923.
Mr. Barns is a Republican, a member of the Methodist church, a 32nd degree Mason,and belongs to the Conneaut Country Club. He is popular among his wide circle of friends in Erie County.
Rial B. Wright, now living in Littlehope, Greenfield Township, is among Erie County's substantial citizens. He was born in North East Township, Feb. 19, 1865, and is the son of Sherman and Eunice (Tousey) Wright.
Sherman Wright was a native of Canada and at an early date settled in New York, coming to Erie County in 1855. He died Jan. 20, 1910, and his wife died in 1908. They are buried in North East cemetery. R. B., the subject of this sketch, is their only child.
R. B. Wright was reared and educated in North East Township and began business for himself when 18 years old, running a threshing ma- chine for 11 years. From 1883 until 1903 he engaged in the saw mill .
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and lumber business at North East and from that time until 1923 lived in Alabama, where he was engaged in the same business. Since 1923 he has lived at Littlehope, Greenfield Township. He owns a farm which was purchased by him in 1909.
On March 18, 1886, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Emma A. Cris- pen, the daughter of James and Adeline Crispen of East Bradford, Pa. They have three children: Edna May, married E. M. Sweet, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history; Lola P., married Leo King, lives near Wesleyville, Pa., and they have four children, Arthur, Robert, Doris and Louis ; and James, engaged at Greenfield with E. M. Sweet.
Mr. Wright is justice of the peace, has served as road supervisor and school director. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is esteemed throughout his com- munity as a reliable man.
George W. Steward, a leading citizen of Albion, and a member of one of the early pioneer families of Erie County, was born in Elk Creek Town- ship, Erie County, July 3, 1870, and is the son of Perry D. and Celia (Win- chester) Steward.
Perry D. Steward, deceased, was a native of Erie County and the son of Jonathan Steward, who settled here during the very early days. The former engaged in general farming during his early life and later followed the carpenter trade in the city of Erie. He died in 1912, and his wife, who was born in Elk Creek Township in 1851, resides with her son George W. To Mr. and Mrs. Steward the following children were born: George W., the subject of this sketch; Grace H., married Charles Cummings, lives at Providence, R. I .; Shirley Munson, deceased; Nellie, married F. S. Powell, lives in Erie; and Belle, first married Herbert Cleveland, deceased, and lives in Albion, Pa., with her second husband, Frank Woodard.
George W. Steward received his education in the district schools and for several years engaged in farming with his father. He learned the carpenter trade and until 1917 was interested in the building business. He then purchased the Albion Hotel, which he has since successfully conduct- ed. It is well known throughout this section for its excellent food and good service.
On Nov. 24, 1894, Mr. Steward was married to Miss Rhoda E. Warren, who died in January, 1914, leaving four children: Clifford P., a World War veteran, married Sadie E. Morrow, of Paterson, N. J .; Thora C., mar-
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ried Earl T. Cherry, of Albion, and they have a son, Wallace Milton; Arthur, lives in Cleveland, married Margaret Williams; and Francis, de- ceased. On Dec. 23, 1914, Mr. Steward was married to Mrs. Hattie E. Jones, a daughter of George and Cora Capin, both deceased. They have a daughter, Grace H., born Sept. 14, 1915.
Mr. Steward is a Republican and belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
Charles A. Mertens. Numbered among the representative members of the bar of Erie County is Charles A. Mertens, who is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Erie. He was born in this city, May 30, 1875, and is the son of August and Louise (Ester) Mertens, both natives of Germany, who were married in Erie.
Charles A. Mertens was educated in the public schools of Erie and was graduated from high school in 1893. In the following year he began reading law in the office of H. J. Curtze, of Erie, and in 1897 he was admitted to the bar of his native county, and since that time has been admitted to practice in the state and federal courts. After being admitted to the bar he continued to be associated in practice with his former pre- ceptor, Mr. Curtze, until 1903, since which time he has conducted an individual professional business, with offices at 14 East Eighth Street. He has shown distinctive ability as a trial lawyer and has proved a safe and conservative counsel. His practice runs extensively into the line of real estate and orphan's court practice on which subject he is con- sidered an authority.
Mr. Mertens has ever manifested a zealous interest in the cause of the Republican party, and in its behalf has rendered effective service. In 1900-01 he represented Erie County in the State Legislature, where he made an excellent record as a careful and conscientious worker for effective legislation. In 1904-05 he was chairman of the Republican County Committee of Erie County, and during the incumbency of this position he showed much ability and discrimination in marshaling the forces at his command.
Mr. Mertens was married in 1914 to May L. Fehrenbach, and to them have been born six children as follows: Francis, Charles A., Jr., Adolph A., Edward H., John Robert, and Donald A.
Mr. Mertens and his family hold membership in St. John's Lutheran Church and he is identified with the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been an active worker in this organization
CHARLES A. MERTENS
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having served as grand master of the I. O. O. F. Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania from 1923 until 1924. He also belongs to the Elks Lodge, the Kahkwa Club, Erie Yacht Club, and other social organizations in his home city.
Frank E. Jenkins is among the substantial and highly esteemed citi- zens of Albion. He was born in Crawford County, Pa., May 21, 1878, and is the son of George M. and Minerva (Watson) Jenkins.
George M. Jenkins was a native of Crawford County, born May 3, 1855. He was engaged in general farming and stock-raising the greater part of his life and met with success. He and his wife are deceased. She was the daughter of Conrad Watson, an early settler of Crawford County. To Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were born six children, as follows: Frank E., the subject of this sketch; Mae, married E. J. Wright, lives at Albion; Iva, married Fred Salisbury, lives in Conneaut Township, Erie County; John, born April 12, 1889, a teacher in the Girard (Pa.) schools; Gladys, born June 16, 1894, married Park Irwin, lives at Albion; and Doris, born in September, 1897, married LeRoy House, deceased, and she later married M. Mitchell, and lives in Denver, Col.
After completing his schooling in the public schools, Frank E. Jenkins followed general farming until he reached the age of 26 years, when he suffered a serious illness and was left an invalid. He has since engaged in business in Albion and in 1916 purchased his present business from Free- man & Ocker, and conducts what is known as the Jenkins Billiard Hall. Mr. Jenkins has met with success in this business venture and has a large patronage.
Mr. Jenkins is a Republican and has a wide acquaintance in the com- munity.
Mott DeWolfe, who is engaged in the coal business at Albion is one of the well known and successful business men of that section. He was born in Conneaut Township, Erie County, Jan. 4, 1882, and is the son of Augustus and Alida (Marsh) DeWolfe.
Augustus DeWolfe, deceased, was born in Springfield Township, Erie County, July 7, 1857, and died in 1912. He was an extensive land owner and a leading citizen of his community, having served for many years as school director and road commissioner. His wife, a native of New York, resides with her daughter, Mrs. B. E. Kinney. To Mr. and Mrs. DeWolfe,
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six children were born, as follows: Dallas M., a fruit farmer, lives in the Isle of Pines, Cuba; Cora, married B. E. Kinney, lives at Cherry Hill, Erie County ; Blanche, a doctor of chiropractic, lives in Washington; Mott, the subject of this sketch; Rush, lives in Erie, is a World War veteran; and one child died in infancy.
Mott DeWolfe was reared and educated at Albion and engaged in farm- ing with his father until 21 years of age, when he became connected with the Bessemer Railroad as a trainman and later as station agent. In 1914 he became interested in the coal business in which enterprise he has met with success.
On July 2, 1903, Mr. DeWolfe was united in marriage with Miss Pearl C. Bancroft, who was born in Conneaut Township, the daughter of J. J. and Louise (Thompson) Bancroft. A strange coincident concerning the lives of Mr. and Mrs. DeWolfe is that they were born in the same house and in the very same room. They have no children.
Politically Mr. DeWolfe is a Republican and he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Emmett C. Wilson. One of the well known and highly esteemed of the younger attorneys of the city of Erie is Emmett C. Wilson, who has offices with Miles B. Kitts at 25 East 8th Street. He was born in this city, Aug. 23, 1900, and is the son of Clyde C. and Mamie M. (Deck) Wilson.
Clyde C. Wilson was a native of Sharpsville, Pa., and his wife was born in Berlin, Germany. He attended medical school for several years, but engaged in business later, being a successful merchant of Erie for a number of years. He is deceased and his wife resides in Erie. They had two sons: Emmett C., the subject of this sketch; and Grant, who also resides in Erie.
After receiving his early education in the public schools of Erie, Emmett C. Wilson was graduated from the School of Economics at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his degree in law at the same institution in 1924, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession in Erie.
On Oct. 31, 1923, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Aline McElhainey, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., and the daughter of Alexander and Henrietta (Gagel) McElhainey. They were born at Marion, Ind., and now reside in Pittsburgh, Pa. Another daughter, Lillian McElhainey, married Raymond Mater, and lives at 1339 Elm Street, Youngstown,
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Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson a son has been born, Emmett C., Jr., born Sept. 5, 1924.
Mr. Wilson is an independent voter. He is a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, and belongs to the Delta Theta Phi fraternity, of which he served as treasurer for one year. He was also a delegate to the na- tional convention of the fraternity several years ago, and in the capacity of tribune for the succeeding year. He also holds membership in the Delta Sigma Rho, an honorary debating fraternity. During the World War, Mr. Wilson was a member of the Students' Army Training Corps.
Fred D. Spaulding is a progressive and enterprising business man of Albion, where he is local manager and representative of the Atlantic Re- fining Company. He is a native of this county, born in Conneaut Town- ship, July 20, 1878, and the son of Randall D. and Florence (Kinney) Spaulding.
Randall D. Spaulding, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Conneaut Township and was the son of Dexter Spaulding, one of the first settlers of Erie County. Randall D. Spaulding was a stone mason by trade and also owned a small farm at Cherry Hill. He held many public offices and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He died in March, 1918, and his wife lives at Conneaut, Ohio, and is now 71 years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding were born five children: Fred D., the subject of this sketch; Imogene, married O. L. Brewster, lives at Conneaut, Ohio; Dexter W., postmaster and editor of the Conneautville (Pa.) Courier; and two children died in infancy.
Fred D. Spaulding was educated in the district schools and when a boy learned the painter's trade, which he followed for five years. He then entered the employ of the Bessemer Railroad as a brakeman, and was later promoted to conductor. Mr. Spaulding also owned a well improved farm of 50 acres, which he sold in 1918 and he has since lived at Albion and held his present position.
On Oct. 31, 1898, Mr. Spaulding was united in marriage with Miss Deborah Badger, a native of Conneaut Township, Erie County, and the daughter of Henry and Eleanor (Nash) Badger. Mr. Badger died March 7, 1925, and his wife died in 1900. Before her marriage, Mrs. Spaulding was a teacher. To Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding a daughter was born, Eleanor, born May 7, 1902. She attended the public and high schools of Albion and after her graduation in 1920 spent a year at St. Luke's Hospital, Cleve-
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land, Ohio, and also a year at Battle Creek, Mich. She is now a student at Western Reserve University, Cleveland, where she has taken a special course in public health.
Politically, Mr. Spaulding is a Republican. His family are members of the Methodist church and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his family have a wide acquaintance in Erie County and are favorably known.
Robert W. Shepard, manufacturing optician, located at 115 West Ninth Street, is among the reliable and successful business men of Erie. He was born in Union Township, Erie County, Dec. 22, 1881, and is the son of Royal D. and Malinda L. (Johnson) Shepard.
Royal D. Shepard, also a native of Union Township, was born in 1851. He ran the stage coach from Wattsburg to Erie during the early days and was later employed at the Hanna docks in Erie. After a number of years in the employ of the Soldiers Home at Erie, he engaged in the grocery business at Erie. He has lived retired since 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard, who have been married 49 years, are the parents of the follow- ing children: Eugene H., engaged in the real estate business at Erie; Estella, the wife of Dexter D. Morey, lives in Erie; Aurie, who died at the age of five years; and Robert W., the subject of this sketch.
Robert W. Shepard received his education in the public schools of Erie and in 1899 began the study of optometry. After completing a course at South Bend, Ind., he was graduated from the Philadelphia Optical College and for the past 18 years has followed his profession in Erie. In connection with the practice of optometry, Mr. Shepard conducts a manufacturing plant in which he makes all of the tools for specially ground lenses, requiring only about a half hour for making a tool for any special lense. The plant is modern and up-to-date in every detail. The business was started in 1906 with an apprentice and has grown to such an extent that six skilled assistants are now employed. He has estab- lished one of the important business institutions of the community.
On June 21, 1905, Mr. Shepard was united in marriage at Holyoke, Mass., with Miss Alice M. Chapin of Batavia, N. Y. They have three children: Mildred A., born June 11, 1908; Arthur J., born Nov. 18, 1910; and Donald D., born Dec. 18, 1913.
Mr. Shepard is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs to the Erie Consistory, Mt. Olivet Com-
ROBERT W. SHEPARD
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mandery and Zem Zem Shrine. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Erie Golf Club and the Erie Yacht Club. Mr. Shepard is held in high regard throughout the community and is an excellent citizen.
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Mrs. Nettie (Olds) Lamb, who now resides at 617 Chestnut Street, Erie, is a native of this city. She was born at 511 Chestnut Street, Sept. 17, 1854, and is the daughter of Lewis W. and Louisa E. (Ackerly) Olds. A biography of Lewis W. Olds appears elsewhere in this history.
On Dec. 17, 1884, Nettie Olds was united in marriage with Frank M. Lamb, a native of Erie, born Dec. 14, 1854. He was a banker and identi- fied with the Keystone Bank of Erie until the time of its failure. He later removed to Montgomery, Ala., in 1900, where he promoted the Graphite Milling Company, and where he died Oct. 14, 1920. He is buried in the Erie cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Lamb two children were born: Clark Victor, born in Erie, May 2, 1887, superintendent of the U. S. Engineers at Columbus, Ga., served with the 319th U. S. Engineers during the World War, married to Nettie Savage Kieth of Camden, Ala .; and Catherine Louise, born at Erie, June 27, 1891, married on Oct. 15, 1913, to J. Douglas Murphy, and they reside in Erie, where he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business.
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