History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two, Part 26

Author: Reed, John Elmer
Publication date: 1925
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 784


USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 26


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Mr. Sapper has a son, Frederick W., Jr., now a student at Western Reserve Academy, Hudson, Ohio.


Politically Mr. Sapper is a Republican. He holds membership in the Park Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic, Elks and Eagles lodges, and the Chamber of Commerce. He has an extensive acquaint- ance in Erie County.


F. W. SAPPER


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John Elmer Reed, the subject of this sketch and the author of this work, was born Feb. 27, 1865, in Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pa., in the log house where his father was born, on an eighty acre farm.


His ancestry is Scotch and English, the first of the families having entered America in the early part of the eighteenth century, settling in southeastern Pennsylvania. His great grandfather, Joseph Reed, was a captain of a company of the York County (Pa.) Militia of the Sixth Battalion, organized in 1776 composed of eight companies. The battalion was commanded in 1777-8 by Colonel William Ross, a relative of Joseph Reed from the same county. Mr. Joseph Reed was also a ferryman and tavern keeper on the Susquehanna River, owning a popular ferry below Harrisburg, as well as a large tract of land at that place.


Joseph Reed married Janet Ross for his second wife, having three children, Elizabeth, George and William. George Reed was born August 2, 1777, at the Ferry, and later married Miss Mary McCreary, a daughter of John McCreary and Rebecca (Clark) McCreary, whose farmstead was just across the river in Lancaster County. George Reed and wife re- moved to Millcreek Township, this county, in 1804, taking up an exten- sive tract of land in the Gore Tract, where they improved and resided until their deaths. They reared a large family on this farm: Joseph Reed, the elder of the children later marrying Jane Grubb, the daughter of Judge John Grubb of Millcreek Township, and settling upon the farm where our subject was born. These had three children, born in that log house: John Grubb Reed (father of our subject), George and Mary Alicia. J. G. Reed married Candace Eliza Blair, a daughter of John Wallace Blair of Girard Township, and Candace (Strong) Blair.


Joseph Reed, son of George, was born Jan. 1, 1807, in Millcreek Town- ship. He married on Sept. 19, 1837, and died Sept. 17, 1844. His father, George Reed, married Feb. 28, 1804, and died April 6, 1857. John Grubb Reed was born on Sept. 27, 1838, married March 15, 1864, and died Nov. 7, 1923. Mary McCreary, wife of George Reed, was born Jan. 14, 1776, and died Dec. 19, 1859. Jane (Grubb) Reed, wife of Joseph, was born Feb. 25, 1810, married Sept. 19, 1837, and died Dec. 31, 1846. Candace Eliza (Blair) Reed, wife of J. G., was born Jan. 1, 1840, and died May 9, 1901.


John Grubb Reed and his wife Candace Eliza, had six children: John Elmer, the subject of this sketch, born Feb. 27, 1865; George Arthur, an Erie physician and surgeon, Feb. 27, 1869; Joseph Wilbur, March 27,


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1871, married Sept. 5, 1901, died of tetanus April 3, 1910; Mary Ellen, Aug. 7, 1873, unmarried; Edith Jane, Sept. 16, 1876, married P. E. Car- penter, July 7, 1923; James Ross, a specialist in the eye and ear is located in Pasadena, Calif., born Feb. 24, 1880, married first Nina Katharine Blinn on June 1, 1910, who died Nov. 22, 1911, leaving one child, John Edmund, born Oct. 18, 1911; he married second Miss Margaret Violet Macey on April 30, 1914, and they have five boys.


John Elmer Reed attended the Millcreek public school in his own (the "Love" neighborhood), Edinboro State Normal 1882-3, 1883-4; Clark's Business College in Erie, 1884-5; taught the "Rohrer School" in Mckean Township two years, and the "Zuck School" in Millcreek Township for three years; read law in the office of Hon. Emory A. Walling, in Erie for four years, assisting in the office work, and was admitted to practice in the Erie County courts June 28, 1895. During his reading of law he was married to Miss Elizabeth Cora Brown, of Hamilton, Ont., they hav- ing one son, Robert Cameron Reed, born March 27, 1901, in Erie. Our subject was for some years identified with the Erie Tool Works, helping to place that business on a substantial financial footing. He practiced law in Erie for some years, and later became the senior partner in the law firm of Reed, Wait & Spofford, with offices in the Masonic Temple in Erie. This firm has an enviable reputation in the district for fair dealing, and for an able presentation of its cases before the courts of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.


Mr. Reed joined the Westminster Presbyterian Church at Westmin- ster, west of Erie in early life; was active in its work, and in the work and organization of the young peoples' societies of the church, being the first president of the Lake Shore Union of the Christian Endeavor So- cieties of this county. On his marriage they removed to Erie, and joined the Central Presbyterian Church of that city, of which they and their son are now members. Mr. Reed and his wife are the owners of a popular lake-side summer resort ten miles east of Erie, known as Shorewood, where they have a large shore-side inn, picnic grounds, bathing beach and summer cottages, and where they have lived for the past six years. His son Robert is the manager of the inn. He is also the owner of lake side property in Girard Township, called Erie Lakeland, adapted to sum- mer colony purposes. Our subject is the secretary of the Erie County Historical Society, and has contributed historical articles to the press from time to time; is the secretary-treasurer of the Weis Library, eight


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miles southwest of Erie; is a member of the Erie County Bar Associa- tion, and of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association. Through his descent from Thomas Cooper, the father-in-law of Hon. John Grubb, he was ad- mitted to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution on Jan. 3, 1924. He served for many years with Messrs. Joseph M. Force and Cassius L. Baker on the Registration Committee of the Erie County Bar Association, and until registrations were effected under the Supreme Court rules and examinations. His great grandfather, Hon. John Grubb, was the first American to come to the lake shore country, and to become a permanent inhabitant here. He was in command of a company of militia who arrived here from Pittsburgh in June, 1795, guarding the engineers who were laying out the future city from Indian attacks; he became a major, and later was an associate judge of our court when it stood in the park, being on the bench with the other members when Henry Francisco was tried here for murder; and was later one of the Commis- sioners of Erie County, the first justice of the peace in Millcreek Town- ship, and a most prominent man in the county. He was here at the har- bor with his soldiers when Seth Reed and family landed on their way from Buffalo. Mr. Grubb and his family were prominent members of the old First Presbyterian Church in Erie.


Walter K. Stow is a progressive business man of North East where he is extensively interested in the grape industry. He was born at To- ledo, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1887, and is a son of William L. and Anna J. (Steele) Stow.


William L. Stow was born at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., Sept. 8, 1839. For many years he lived at Toledo, Ohio, where he was general freight agent for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. He died June 14, 1903, and is buried at Buffalo, N. Y. His widow resides in Erie.


Walter K. Stow attended the public schools of Toledo and Buffalo and was graduated from Cornell University in 1911. He immediately engaged in agricultural pursuits and purchased the farm of James L. Spoffard. Later he sold this land to Roy Strickland and now owns two farms of 110 acres each. He specializes in the raising of grapes and fruit and is interested in the Keystone Grape Cooperative Association. He is also vice president of the Stow Lumber & Coal Company.


On Feb. 17, 1916, Mr. Stow was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet B. Jones, born at Pittsburgh, Sept. 5, 1890, and the daughter of


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the late Dr. William and Hannah (Short) Jones. Dr. Jones was a lead- ing physician of Pittsburgh. His widow resides at North East. Mrs. Stow was educated in Pittsburgh and attended Vassar College. Mr. and Mrs. Stow have a son, Walter K., Jr., born Oct. 19, 1916.


Mr. Stow is a member of the Presbyterian Church, the University Club of Erie, the North East Club and the North East Golf Club. He also belongs to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Scalp and Blade Society of Cornell University.


Dr. L. R, Umburn, one of the well known physicians of Erie County, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Albion for a number of years, is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Indiana, Pa., April 14, 1885, and is the son of Joseph and Susie (Crum) Umburn.


Joseph Umburn, a native of Somerset County, Pa., was born in 1848 and now lives retired at Albion. Practically his entire life he was inter- ested in the oil business. His wife died in 1913 and is buried at Waynes- burg, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Umburn four children were born: H. C., born in 1876, superintendent of the Roxanna Oil Company of Oklahoma; Fran- cis, born in 1880, a bookkeeper, lives at Fairmount, W. Va .; Edith Um- burn, deceased; and Dr. L. R., the subject of this sketch.


Dr. L. R. Umburn received his early education in the public schools of Waynesburg and was graduated from high school there in 1903 and later from Waynesburg College. He received his degree as Doctor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh in 1910 and after completing his interne work at Hamot Hospital, Erie, he established his practice at Albion, where he has since been located with the exception of the period spent in service during the World War.


Doctor Umburn enlisted in the National Guard of Pennsylvania in 1903 and served until 1911 as a member of Company K, Tenth Regi- ment, N. G. P. In June, 1917, he enlisted in the United States Medical Corps and was called into service on Aug. 27th and sent to Fort Ogle- thorpe, Georgia, where he remained for six weeks. He was then trans- ferred to Camp Pike, Ark. He sailed for France as a member of the 87th Division and was promoted from lieutenant to captain in December, 1918, and in March, 1919, was made a major. Doctor Umburn saw active service in the war zone throughout the war and during the engagements at Verdun and the Meuse Argonne he was attached to the 80th Division.


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In September, 1919, he was discharged at Camp Dix, N. J., with the rank of major. He is now a major in the Medical Officers Training Reserve Corps. Doctor Umburn is a member of the American Legion Oakley Cobb Post No. 567 of Albion and is past commander. He also is identified with the La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux of Erie.


In 1917 Doctor Umburn was united in marriage with Miss Marian Burns, a resident of Albion, now deceased. He was married in 1922 to Miss Ora Newton, of Los Angeles, Calif.


Doctor Umburn is a staunch Republican and belongs to the Elks lodge. He is identified with the American Medical Association and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. He has served as deputy county medical inspector and as deputy coroner of Erie County. As a physician and a citizen, Doctor Umburn ranks high in the com- munity.


Clare Gordon Cherry, secretary and manager of the Albion Telephone Company, is a successful and representative business man of Erie County. He was born in Spring Township, Crawford County, Pa., Dec. 14, 1883, and is the son of Edward M. and Alice (Knapp) Cherry.


Edward M. Cherry is a prosperous farmer of Erie County and resides one and one-half miles northwest of Albion. He is a native of Wisconsin and his wife was born in Crawford County. They have six children: Claude N., a mail carrier, lives at New Castle, Pa .; Truman T., a farmer, lives with his parents; Grace, married George W. Breese, lives at Albion; Earl, lives at Conneautville, Pa .; Myron M., lives at Albion; and Clare Gordon, the subject of this sketch.


Clare Gordon Cherry spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his education in the public schools of Albion and attended Edin- boro State Normal School. After several years as a teacher in the schools at Cherry Hill, Keepville and Tracy, Erie County, Mr. Cherry became interested in the electrical business at Albion, later going to North Caro- lina and New Orleans, La. In 1907 he returned to Albion where he was associated with Rogers Brothers, and later with the Erie Mutual Tele- phone Company. He was employed by the Erie City Iron Works for some time and in 1912 entered the employ of the Albion Telephone Com- pany as a lineman. Two years later he was appointed manager and in 1921 was promoted to secretary and manager of the local concern. He is a director of the First National Bank of Albion and is chief of the fire


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department, being appointed to that office in January, 1925. He has served as a member of the city council since 1921 and is a Republican.


In October, 1922, Mr. Cherry was united in marriage with Mrs. Sylvia (Laughlin) Eldridge, a native of Wexford County, Mich., born Aug. 12, 1887, and the daughter of C. C. and Ada (Brown) Laughlin, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Laughlin is deceased and his wife lives in Pennsyl- vania. They had two daughters: Mrs. Cherry; and Estella, born Nov. 28, 1880, married William Hodgkin, lives at Newberry, Mich., where he is engaged in the lumber business. By her former marriage Mrs. Cherry has four children: Gertrude Eldridge, born Jan. 10, 1906, lives with her mother; Leslie N., born Nov. 13, 1910, a student at Wellsburg, Pa .; Elsie M., born Sept. 1, 1913; and Fred L., born April 8, 1917.


Mr. Cherry is one of the dependable citizens of his community and is favorably known.


Chauncey V. Lick, who lives retired at Albion, is a worthy descendant of an old and honored family of Erie County. He was born at Edinboro, Jan. 3, 1859, and is the son of John L. and Eliza (Goodrich) Lick.


John L. Lick, deceased, was born in Erie County in 1830, the son of Aaron Lick, who came to Erie County during the early days. The former engaged in farming during his life and met with success. He died in Ontario, Canada, in 1873, and his wife, who died in 1914, was the daughter of Calvin and Hope Goodrich, who settled at Edinboro in 1836. To Mr. and Mrs. Lick the following children were born: W. S., born in 1849, died in 1917; Mary, the widow of William Surft, lives at Edinboro; Rosa, born in 1856, died in 1923, was the wife of Leroy Baker, who lives at Edinboro; C. V., the subject of this sketch; John L., born Feb. 1, 1861, lives at Albion; Nellie, born in 1865, married Dr. H. O. Gibson, a dentist, lives at Edinboro; Frank, born in 1868, lives at North East, Pa .; and two sons who died in infancy.


After completing his schooling in the schools of Albion, C. V. Lick learned the harness maker's trade, which he followed successfully for 48 years. In 1882 he established his own business at Albion and until the time of his retirement in September, 1924, conducted the largest harness and retail carriage business in this section. He was also a dealer in farming implements. In 1890 Mr. Lick also engaged in the under- taking business, but sold this interest in 1905. Before his retirement he served as vice president of the Citizens National Bank.


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On Dec. 1, 1880, Mr. Lick was united in marriage with Miss Mary Dietz, a native of Conneaut Township, Erie County, born Sept. 9, 1859, and a daughter of Adam and Amanda Dietz, natives of Erie County. Mr. Dietz is deceased and his widow resides at Portland, Ore. To Mr. and Mrs. Lick were born three children: Milo Vernon, born April 6, 1883, lives at Wesleyville, Pa., is a World War veteran; Dr. Maxwell John, born Oct. 25, 1884, was graduated from Albion High School, Allegheny College and the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, now engaged in the practice of his profession at 49 West Eighth Street, Erie, was married July 22, 1915, to Miss Mary E. Mclaughlin, a native of Springboro, Pa .; and Florence Elizabeth, born July 19, 1887, was grad- uated from Meadville High School and the Meadville College of Music, was married June 14, 1910, to Elmer D. Loose, an attorney, lives at Erie, Pa.


Mr. Lick has served as a member of the school board and the city council for many years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge.


Walter L. Peake, attorney, of Corry, is among the representative citi- zens of Erie County. He was born at Wellsboro, Pa., March 7, 1883, and is the son of Frank C. and Ella (Close) Peake.


Frank C. Peake is a prominent farmer and stockman of Wellsboro, Pa., where he has spent his entire life. He is a Republican and has held several county offices. Mr. and Mrs. Peake have three children: Erwin, a merchant, lives at Wellsboro; Walter L., the subject of this sketch; and Luva, at home.


Walter L. Peake attended the public and high schools of his native town and is a graduate of Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. The next four years he was engaged in teaching school, and studying law with Merrick & Young, attorneys, of Wellsboro, after which he practiced law at Knox- ville, Pa., for five months. In March, 1912, he removed to Corry where he has established an excellent practice.


On Oct. 18, 1911, Mr. Peake was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Strang, the grand-daughter of B. B. Strang, at one time speaker in the house of representatives. Mrs. Peake was born at Westfield, Pa., and is the daughter of Francis D. and Alice (Tremper) Strang. Mr. Strang, who died Oct. 11, 1912, was a well known merchant of Westfield, where his widow resides. They were the parents of three children: Hugh B.,


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attorney, lives at Westfield, Pa .; Grace, married Charles Crane, attorney, lives at Madison, N. Y .; and Mrs. Peake. Mr. and Mrs. Peake have one child, Walter Strang Peake, born Feb. 3, 1925.


Mr. Peake is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, a 32nd degree Mason, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Elks lodge. He is a capable lawyer and is intensely inter- ested in every movement for civic improvement.


Theobald M. M. Flynn, M. D., F. A. C. S., is a successful and well known physician and surgeon of Erie, where he has practiced his profes- sion since 1914. He was born in this city, Nov. 26, 1875, and is the son of the late Thomas and Mary E. (Walsh) Flynn.


Thomas Flynn was born in Ireland, Sept. 29, 1829. He studied archi- tecture in Dublin and after settling in Ottawa, Canada, was superintendent of the Ottawa Construction Company and was in part charge of the Dominion Parliament buildings in that city. In 1854 he came to Erie, where he became a leading architect and contractor. Among his out- standing works is the Pennsylvania Railroad stone bridge work from Philadelphia to Harrisburg by Sunbury, the Catholic Cathedral, and the O'Brien vault in Trinity Cemtery, Erie, Pa. He died Sept. 14, 1881. Mr. Flynn was prominent in politics in his time and served as select councilman five terms. He was a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. His wife, who was born at Lockport, Erie County, Pa., Oct. 21, 1839, died Dec. 12, 1918. She was the daughter of James and Anna (Barrett) Walsh. To Mr. and Mrs. Flynn, who were married May 5, 1874, four children were born: Dr. Theobald M. M., the subject of this sketch; Thomas W., an actor, lives in New York City; James Patrick, a tobacco grower, lives in Spain; and Rev. John J., a priest, located in Brooklyn, N. Y.


After his graduation from Central High School, Erie, in 1893, Theo- bald M. M. Flynn entered the employ of the Scott Coal Company, where he remained 13 years. In 1911 he received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania as Doctor of Medicine. His interne work was done at the Philadelphia Lying In Hospital and he was also an interne at Chil- dren's Sea Shore House, Atlantic City, and St. Joseph's Hospital in that city. He spent several months doing sanitary survey work for the United States Public Health Service at Wilmington, Del., and in 1914 came to Erie. Doctor Flynn specializes in pelvic surgery and obstetrics and has


DR. THEOBALD M. M. FLYNN.


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taken post graduate work in Brooklyn, Boston, New York City and Chi- cago. He has been a member of Hamot Hospital staff for four years and a member of St. Vincent's Hospital staff for 10 years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Medical Association, a member of the American Association for the Advance of Science, a member of the Clinical Society of Erie, and he also belongs to the Erie General Dispensary staff. Doctor Flynn is a skilled physician and surgeon and has an extensive practice.


On March 24, 1913, Doctor Flynn was united in marriage with Miss Clara E. Welsh, of Erie, born Feb. 1, 1888, and the daughter of John and Ellen Welsh, of Ireland. They have three children: T. M. M., Jr., born Nov. 26, 1914; John T., Born Nov. 18, 1917; and Patricia Claire, born May 21, 1919.


Dr. Charles B. Kibler, a physician and surgeon of Corry, Pa., is well known throughout the community both as a successful man in his pro- fession and as an excellent citizen. He was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, and is a son of Fred and Eva (Hechtman) Kibler.


Fred Kibler came to this country from Germany when he was 12 years of age and located in Erie. He later removed to Bucyrus, Ohio, where he became a well known merchant. His wife was also a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kibler, deceased, were the parents of 12 children.


Charles B. Kibler was graduated with honors from the Medical De- partment of the University of Buffalo in 1870, and soon afterwards lo- cated in Corry, where he later founded the Corry City Hospital. He served as a member of the board of education for 20 years, and as its president for 11 years. He was sent as a delegate by the American Medical Association to the International Medical Congress in Berlin in 1890, afterward spending some time in the hospitals of London, Paris, Berlin, Dresden, Munich and Vienna. For a number of years Dr. Kibler was president of the Association of Erie Railway Surgeons, and belongs to the County, State and American Medical Associations, the New York Medical Legal Society, the British Medical and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. Dr. Kibler performed the fortieth operation for appendicitis in America.


On Oct. 26, 1871, Dr. Kibler was united in marriage with Miss Kittie L. Palmer, the daughter of Dr. J. M. Palmer of Corry. Mrs. Kibler is deceased. To Dr. and Mrs. Kibler were born three children: Bertha C ..


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who died in 1917; Florence Eva, married Joseph J. Desmond, banker, of Corry ; and Dr. John C., who is associated in practice with his father.


Dr. Kibler is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge and Shrine, as well as the Rotary club and the Elks lodge. He is a capable, energetic and public spirited man, one whose life means much to his community.


Charles E. Danielson, president of the Corry Box & Lumber Com- pany, is a highly esteemed and well known business man of Erie County. He was born in Warren County, Pa., June 16, 1872, and is the son of Louis Danielson.


Louis Danielson settled in Warren County, Pa., in 1860. He im- proved a large tract of land and became a successful farmer. He was a Republican and a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church. Mr. Daniel- son died in February, 1917. His widow resides at Chandler Valley, Pa. They were the parents of the following children: Charles E., the subject of this sketch; Theodore, deceased; Sophia, lives at Warren, Pa .; Alma, lives at Warren; Josie, married John Torson, lives at Warren; Arthur, a farmer, lives in Warren County; and Bennett, lives on the old home- stead.


Charles E. Danielson attended the schools of his native town and in 1916 came to Erie County and located at Corry. He has always been interested in the lumber business and in 1921 organized a company of which he is now president. The Corry Box & Lumber Company handles building materials of all kinds and does a large volume of business in the county.


On Jan. 17, 1904, Mr. Danielson was united in marriage with Miss Georgia Rexley, a native of Pennsylvania. They have no children.


Mr. Danielson is a Republican, and he and his wife are well known in Erie County.


Clyde F. Brown, manager of the Corry Bridge & Supply Company, ranks among the substantial citizens of his community. He was born in Concord Township, Erie County, July 31, 1870, and is the son of Lorenzo and Othelia (Patterson) Brown.


Lorenzo Brown, deceased, was a native of Pennsylvania. He fol- lowed farming and stock raising during his life and met with success. Mr. Brown was a Republican and served as road commissioner and school




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