USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 28
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On June 23, 1909, Mr. Hillstrom was married to Miss Clara Swanlund, a native of Princeton, Ill. They have three children: Armour, born at Jamestown, N. Y., in 1916; Clare, born at Corry, in 1920; and Mary Helene, born at Corry in 1922.
In politics Mr. Hillstrom is identified with the Republican party. He is president of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the school board and the local hospital board. Mr. Hillstrom belongs to St. Paul's Lutheran Church and is among the leading and representative citizens of his com- munity.
Frank L. Weeks, a well known and highly esteemed business man of Corry, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Painesville, Oct. 21, 1857, and is a son of Seth and Debra (Blydenburg) Weeks.
Seth Weeks was a native of Long Island and at an early date removed to Painesville, Ohio. In 1866 he located at Corry where he spent the re- mainder of his life. Mr. Weeks served throughout the Civil War with the 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was a Republican, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and belonged to the Universalist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Weeks the following children were born: William, de- ceased; Dr. John E., an eye, ear and throat specialist, lives in New York
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city; Frank L., the subject of this sketch; C. E., lives retired at Corry ; Albert, deceased; Harry L., deceased; and Mary Debra, the widow of Chapin Paddock.
Frank L. Weeks grew up in Corry and attended the schools there. When a boy of eleven years he began learning the painter's trade and since 1889 has owned a shop at Corry. Mr. Weeks is a decorating and painting contractor and during his long period of service in Corry has established a fine business.
On Jan. 16, 1874, Mr. Weeks was married to Miss Elizabeth Cook, a native of Panama, N. Y., and the daughter of Ebenezer Cook, who was a prominent citizen and politician of that section of New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Weeks were born four children, as follows: Minnie, married Frank Bogart, insurance, Warren, Pa .; Hazel D., at home; Dr. Webb W., who practices his profession in New York city, mention of whom is made below; and Margaret, married Richard G. Dawson, wholesale grocer, lives at Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks have six grand-children.
Dr. Webb W. Weeks is a veteran of the World War. He enlisted at Bellevue, N. Y., as a first lieutenant, and served throughout the war in the medical corps. He spent 14 months in France and at the time of his discharge had received the rank of major.
Mr. Weeks is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian church and belongs to the Masonic and Elks lodges. He is known for his integrity and his family is among the representative citizens of Erie County.
Milton Spaulding is a progressive young business man of Erie County. He is the authorized Ford dealer of Corry. He was born at Keetsville, Pa., June 17, 1894, and is the son of Ira and Caroline (Campbell) Spauld- ing.
Ira Spaulding, who now lives retired at Ashtabula, Ohio, is a native of Albion, Pa. He was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a car- penter for many years. He is a Democrat, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife died Aug. 1, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding were the parents of the following children: Rex, died at the age of 11 years; Milton, the subject of this sketch; Cecil, lives at Hubbard, Ohio; and Sherman, at home.
Milton Spaulding received his education in the public schools of Ashta- bula and began life as a railroader, being in the employ of the Bessemer
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Railroad for six years. Since August, 1920, he has had the Ford agency at Corry. He has an attractive salesroom and one of the up to date gar- ages of the community. He handles accessories and does general repair work. There is also a gasoline and oil service station in connection with the business.
On Nov. 11, 1918, Mr. Spaulding was married to Miss Mabel Forbes, a native of Albion, Pa., born May 8, 1899, and a daughter of C. R. and Olive (Randall) Forbes, residents of Albion, and the parents of the fol- lowing children: Jay, was killed in a railroad accident; Ray, mention of whom is made below; and Mrs. Spaulding. To Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding one child has been born, Lillian, born Aug. 1, 1920.
Ray Forbes met a tragic death on Aug. 17, 1920, while driving a Ford- son tractor. At the time of his death he had the Ford agency at Corry, which is now operated by Mr. Spaulding. Mr. Forbes was a World War veteran, having served overseas as a first sergeant.
Mr. Spaulding is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
Thomas Jensen, a substantial business man of Corry, is a native of Denmark, born Nov. 26, 1850, and the son of Jonas and Jane (Bestid) Jensen, natives of Denmark and both now deceased. There were two chil- dren in the Jensen family: Thomas, the subject of this sketch; and Jonas, deceased.
Thomas Jensen was reared and educated in his native land and in 1881 came to America. He located at Corry, where he received employment in a tannery. Later he was a stone cutter and worked on the erection of the local Presbyterian church. Mr. Jensen has been engaged at his present work as building contractor since 1899. He has erected a number of residences in Corry and is well known throughout the county.
On Nov. 6, 1874, Mr. Jensen was united in marriage with Miss Dorothy Worm, a native of Denmark, born March 4, 1854, and the daughter of Henry Worm, a pioneer settler of Corry, where he died in 1909. There were five children in the Worm family, as follows: John B., lives at Hamilton, Ohio; Mrs. Jensen; Hanna, died in 1922; Jacob, lives in Den- mark and is engaged in the creamery business; and Charlotte, married Jonas Jensen, deceased, and later married M. Robertson, lives at Warren, Pa. To Thomas and Dorothy (Worm) Jensen nine children have been born, as follows: Henry, born in Denmark, lives at Erie; Theodore, born
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in Denmark, has lived in Florida since 1915; John, born at Corry, civil engineer, lives at Bridgeport, Conn .; Joseph, lives at Jamestown, N. Y .; Hanna, married Rev. W. Montgomery, lives in Syracuse, N. Y .; Lena, married Marshall Merrick, lives at Erie; and the other three children are deceased. On Nov. 6, 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Jensen celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. They have 13 grandchildren and one great grand- child. The Jensen home is located at 322 East Street.
Mr. Jensen is a Republican and a member of the Christian Alliance Church, of which he is a deacon, chairman of the board of trustees and treasurer. He is an energetic man who stands well in the esteem of his many friends and acquaintances.
A. M. Thomas, who is successfully engaged in the milling business at Westminster, is a member of one of Erie County's oldest families. He was born in Mill Creek Township, Erie County, Nov. 7, 1858, and is the son of Christian and Nancy (Miller) Thomas.
Christian Thomas was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1817, the the son of Christian Thomas, who brought his family to Mill Creek Town- ship in 1833. They settled on a farm of 200 acres, which was owned by the Thomas heirs until 1914, when they sold the place. Christian Thomas, father of the subject of this sketch, learned the wheel wright trade, making spinning wheels for flax and wool and sold them to the early settlers. He later engaged in the milling business and in his last active years was a miller. Mr. Thomas died in 1896 and his wife died in 1886. She was also a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and settled in Erie County with her parents in 1827. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born four children: Sarah Ann, deceased; Mary Jane, deceased; L. C., lives in Louisiana; and A. M., the subject of this sketch.
A. M. Thomas was reared and educated in Mill Creek Township and began life as a farmer. In 1914 he purchased the mill from the Pure Food Canning Company, which he operated until 1920. He then was appointed manager of the Girard Canning Company of Girard, Pa., and two years later returned to his farm. In 1923 Mr. Thomas again pur- chased the mill from P. M. Nelson. He deals in flour, feed, coal and cement, and does a large volume of business throughout the county.
On Jan. 1, 1880, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Katie L. Schu- macker, Fairview, Pa., the daughter of John and Catherine (Gornfloe) Schumacker, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have a son, Burton
A. M. THOMAS
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E., who is engaged in the milling business with his father. He was mar- ried to Miss Nettie Mae Brown, of Mill Creek Township, and they have three children, Ethel Mae, Jeanette, and Amos Richard.
Mr. Thomas is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Asbury, Pa., and he has served as Sunday School superintendent for 16 years. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen and the Thomas family are representative people of Erie County.
Oliver Casler, retired, is a veteran of the Civil War and a highly es- teemed citizen of Erie County. He was born at Sherman, N. Y., July 10, 1845, and is the son of Abraham and Maria (Clute) Casler.
Abraham Casler was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., July 16, 1800, and in 1833 removed to Sherman, where he improved 125 acres of land and became a successful farmer and stockman. He died Feb. 21, 1852; his wife was born in 1804 and died Oct. 28, 1894. They were the parents of the following children: Ellen, married Robert Wallace, deceased; Abra- ham, deceased; Matilda, married Henry Bowen, who was killed during the Civil War, and she is deceased; Robert, deceased; Peter, a Civil War veteran, now lives retired at Sherman, N. Y .; John, a Civil War veteran, died in 1902, in Michigan; Jacob, a Civil War veteran, deceased; Oliver, the subject of this sketch; and Rachel, married Francis Ellis, both de- ceased.
Oliver Casler received his education in a log school house at Waite's Corners, near Sherman, N. Y. At the age of 16 years he was employed as a farm hand and earned four dollars per month. When he was 18 years of age, Mr. Casler enlisted at Cleveland, Ohio, in the 124th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and 16 days after his enlistment took part in the battle of Chickamauga, in which he was wounded. He later took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and many other important battles and skirmishes of the war. He was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865. Mr. Casler then went to Warren County, Pa., where he operated a saw mill. He later engaged in farming and stock raising and became an extensive grain farmer. In 1918 he removed to Corry where he now resides.
On June 10, 1866, Mr. Casler was united in marriage with Miss Emma Carrier, a native of Warren County, Pa., born April 18, 1848, and a daugh- ter of George and Julia (Carley) Carrier, who were the parents of the following children: Burton; Ella, the widow of George Morrison, lives at Waterford, Pa .; Eva, deceased; Byron, lives in Erie County; and Mrs. (63)
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Casler. To Oliver and Emma (Carrier) Casler were born five children, as follows: George Abraham, died in infancy; William H., born Feb. 18, 1869, a building contractor, lives in Corry; Rachael May, born Dec. 26, 1870, married Charles De Jens, and she died in 1921; Mira, born May 24, 1875, married Frank Swartz, lives in Warren County, Pa .; and Leona, born March 1, 1883, married Jay Richerson, grocer, lives at Corry. Mr. Casler has seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
In politics Mr. Casler is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republis. This post was organized July 1, 1867, and has never missed holding a regular meeting and the last meeting was the 3001st.
Charles L. Mather, now living retired at Corry, is one of the oldest pioneer citizens of Erie County. He was born in Chatauqua County, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1831, and is the son of Francis W. and Mary (Tillottson) Mather.
Francis W. Mather was a native of New London, Conn., and the son of Nathaniel Mather, who served throughout the Revolutionary War. At an early age Francis W. Mather removed to Chatauqua County, N. Y., where he engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was also a carpenter and built several saw mills in that county. He died Dec. 29, 1870, and his wife, a native of Chenango County, N. Y., died Feb. 18, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Mather had three children: Nathaniel Oliver, deceased; Charles L., the subject of this sketch; and George A., lives retired on the old homestead in Chatauqua County.
Charles L. Mather attended school in a log school house and when a boy learned the carpenter's trade with his father. He later became a railroad carpenter in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad and in 1848 removed to Pennsylvania, locating at Crossingville, Crawford County. In 1861 he removed to Corry and in 1876 to Oil City, Pa. However, in 1879 he returned to Corry and has since resided at 332 West Washington Street.
On March 29, 1857, Mr. Mather was united in marriage with Catherine Nash of Crossingville, Pa., born Sept. 3, 1835, and the daughter of Michael and Mary (Callahan) Nash, natives of Ireland and early settlers of Penn- sylvania. Mrs. Mather died Sept. 5, 1906, and is buried in St. Eliza- beth's cemetery, Corry. To Mr. and Mrs. Mather the following children were born: Margaret Maria, lives in Chicago, where she is assistant super- intendent of the Scanlon schools; Eleanor, the widow of R. F. Livermore,
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lives in Corry ; Una, married C. F. Cronin, lives in Chicago, and they have a son, C. F. Cronin, Jr .; and M. Lena, a school teacher, resides in Corry with her father.
Mr. Mather is a staunch Republican and has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since he was 21 years old. He is well known and highly respected throughout the community, where he has spent so many years.
Jacob Franz, retired, has for many years been a prominent and suc- cessful business man of Corry. He was born in Germany, Oct. 16, 1840, and is the son of Casper and Barbara (Alberstadt) Franz.
Casper Franz was born in Germany in 1811 and died in 1843. His wife was born in Germany, Sept. 7, 1813, and died in 1890. They were the parents of three children: Fred, lives in Erie; Jacob, the subject of this sketch; and Catherine, the widow of James Carney, lives in Erie.
Jacob Franz came to America from his native land in 1852 and located in Erie, where he worked at his trade of cabinet maker. Nov. 12, 1862, he located at Corry where he engaged in the undertaking and. furniture business. He is one of Erie County's pioneer furniture dealers and was actively engaged in business until 1911. The Franz Furniture Company is now conducted by his sons.
On Oct. 11, 1870, Mr. Franz was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Barron, a native of Erie County, born March 16, 1851, and the daughter of Valentine and Margaret (Hepburn) Barron, natives of Germany, who settled in Erie County in 1835. There were seven children in the Barron family as follows: Jane, married William Pepper, both deceased; Anthony, deceased; Peter Jacob, lives retired at Fairview, Pa .; Thomas ; Mrs. Franz; Margaret, the widow of Edward Mclaughlin; and William, lives at Mc- Kane, Pa. To Jacob and Theresa (Barron) Franz were born four chil- dren, as follows: Jennie Margaret, born Oct. 24, 1871, married Joseph Speisman, lives at Corry ; Casper Frederick, born Jan. 17, 1874, engaged in the furniture business at Corry; Leo T., born May 4, 1882, has been employed in the postoffice at Corry for 22 years; and Leonard H., born June 9, 1887, also engaged in the furniture business at Corry. Mr. and Mrs. Franz have nine grandchildren.
Mr. Franz is a Democrat and served as a member of the council for nine years. He and his family hold membership in the Catholic church and are well and favorably known in Erie County.
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Guy S. Riley ranks among the enterprising and successful business men of Corry, where he is engaged in the electrical business. He was born at Springville, N. Y., in 1885, and is the son of William and Jennie .(Sherman) Riley.
William; Riley was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Riley, deceased, were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Guy S., the subject of this sketch; Clinton and Lawrence, who were reared in a Cleveland orphanage and later adopted by families in that city. Mr. Riley has been searching for these brothers for a number of years, but thus far has been unable to locate them. A sister, Hazel, died in infancy.
Guy S. Riley received his education in Buffalo, N. Y., and when a boy manifested great interest in electrical work. He followed this trade in Albany and Buffalo for several years and in May, 1924, located at Corry, where he and his wife conduct an up-to-date electrical store. They handle radios and supplies and Mr. Riley does general electrical work. The business is known as Riley & Riley and is located on Center Street.
In 1918 Mr. Riley was married to Miss Gladys Iona Mumford, a native of New York, born Dec. 6, 1901, and the daughter of Otto and Martha (Kepphardt) Mumford. Mr. Mumford lives in Buffalo. His wife died in 1904. They were the parents of two children: Mrs. Riley ; and Norma who lives in Buffalo. To Mr. and Mrs. Riley have been born three children: Guy S., Jr., born May 9, 1919; Dorothy, born in 1921; and Clinton L., born in 1924.
In politics Mr. Riley is identified with the Republican party. He and his wife stand high in the community and already have a wide circle of friends.
Walter H. Merrick, who has the agency for the Studebaker Corpora- tion at Corry, is among Erie County's most substantial and enterprising citizens. He was born at Shamburg, Pa., April 23, 1877, and is the son of Austin W. and Mary (Haynes) Merrick.
Austin W. Merrick, deceased, was a Civil War veteran, having served with the 111th Pennsylvania V. I., and was a prominent citizen of Corry, Pa. He was born in Pleasantville, Pa., and for a number of years was a well-known oil operator in that section. After removing to Shamburg, he served as postmaster for a number of years. He was a life-long Repub- lican and a member of the G. A. R. He died March 11, 1916. His wife
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died March 8, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Merrick had five children; Grace, de- ceased; Walter H., the subject of this sketch; Nellie A., and Elizabeth, both at home; and Marshall R., living at Erie.
Walter H. Merrick attended the public schools of Corry and when a young man engaged in the milling business with his father, later pur- chasing the business. In 1912 he became the local distributor for the Studebaker line. He has an up-to-date salesroom and a modern, well equipped garage, in connection with carrying a complete line of automo- bile accessories, and renders exclusive service to Studebaker owners, far and near.
August 24, 1911, Mr. Merrick was united in marriage with Miss Helen E. Spiesman, a native of Corry, born on Jan. 18, 1888, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Kneib) Spiesman; the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Erie.
Mr. and Mrs. Merrick have three children; Helen Grace, born May . 20, 1913; John A., born May 3, 1916; and William R. Born June 3, 1919.
Mr. Merrick is a Republican; a member of the Episcopal church, be- longs to the Masonic Lodge; the Chamber of Commerce; Kiwanis Club; and other local organizations.
George Nollanger, who now lives retired at Corry, is among the inter- esting pioneers of Erie County. He was born in France, Sept. 29, 1829, and is the son of David and Mary (Higley) Nollanger.
David Nollanger was a native of France and an early settler of New York. He removed to Corry at an early date, but later lived at Warren, Pa., where he died. There were three children in the Nollanger family: George, the subject of this sketch; Joseph and Anthony, both deceased.
George Nollanger came to America on June 11, 1852, and ten years later came to Corry, where he established the first barber shop. His shop was located on the present site of the Citizens National Bank and was among the first business places of the town. Mr. Nollanger retired from business in 1899, and has since lived retired. Among his well known customers of the early days he remembers P. T. Barnum, the famous circus man. The first man that Mr. Nollanger shaved in Erie County was James Patterson, in a saloon.
On Oct. 24, 1865, Mr. Nollanger was united in marriage with Miss Mary Burres, who was born in Switzerland, Feb. 18, 1841, and the daugh- ter of Ewing and Mary Burres, early settlers of Geneva, N. Y. There
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were three children in their family: Elizabeth, died in 1921; Mrs. Nol- langer; and Ida, deceased. To George and Mary (Burres) Nollanger eight children were born, as follows: Valentine, lives at Corry; Ida, married Charles Henryetta, lives at Meadville, Pa .; Joseph, lives in Chicago; Elouise, lives at Westfield, Pa .; Anna, deceased; George, engaged in the wallpaper business at Erie; Leo, lives at Franklin, Pa .; and Arthur, de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Nollanger have five grandchildren.
Mr. Nollanger is a staunch Democrat and a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church. He is a citizen who holds the high regard of the entire community.
Emmett M. Putman is a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Erie County. He is engaged in the milling business at Corry. Mr. Put- man was born in Warren, Pa., Sept. 17, 1850, and is a son of Valentine . and Martha (Mackres) Putman.
Valentine Putman was a native of Boston, Mass., and the son of Edson Putman, who was among the first settlers of Pennsylvania. Valentine Putman engaged in dairy farming during his life and moved to Corry at the time it was settled. His wife was a native of Vermont. To Mr. and Mrs. Putman the following children were born: Emmett M., the subject of this sketch; Edson and Albert, both deceased; Alice, married Charles Ripley, and they are both deceased; Winifred, the widow of Albert John- son, lives at Spring Creek, Pa .; Grant, deceased; and William, lives at Jamestown, N. Y.
Emmett M. Putman received his education in a log school house and began life as a teacher at Corry, after having attended Chamberlain In- stitute at Randolph, N. Y. After four years he became associated with a local milling concern, owned by Aaron W. Francis. In 1896 he pur- chased a half interest in the mill and ten years later became sole owner. Mr. Putman is one of the leading millers of this section and ships his products all over the country. He has been interested in this business for 53 years.
On Feb. 17, 1874, Mr. Putman was united in marriage with Miss Lucina Pierce, a native of North East, Pa., born Aug. 13, 1847, and the daughter of Arnold Y. and Wealthy (Austin) Pierce, the former a native of Con- necticut and the latter of Canada. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce the follow- ing children were born: Delphine, married John Higgins, deceased, and she resides at North East, Pa .; Byron, a Civil War volunteer, who was
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killed during the battle of Fredericksburg; Sylvador, deceased, was a Civil War veteran; Mrs. Putman; and Ephriam, deceased. To Emmett M. and Lucina (Pierce) Putman one daughter was born, Cora, born Nov. 30, 1878, was married on June 20, 1904, to William Parker, who is en- gaged in the milling business at Columbus, Pa. They have two children: Esther, born in 1909; and Emmett, born in 1913.
Mr. Putman is a Republican, a member of the Methodist church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always been an energetic man who stands well in the esteem of his neighbors and fel- low citizens.
Ellis E. Harvey, a well known business man of Corry and substantial citizen of Erie County, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Wayne Township, Erie County, March 10, 1884, and is the son of Edward James and Emma (Fitch) Harvey.
Edward James Harvey, a leading agriculturist of Wayne Township, is the son of James H. Harvey, who came to this country from England and settled here during the early days. Mr. Harvey owns and operates 150 acres of land on the state road in Wayne Township, and is an ex- tensive grain farmer and stockman. He is a member of the Christian church and has served as Sunday School superintendent for a number of years. To Mr. and Mrs. Harvey were born eight children, as follows: Grace, married E. P. Waltz, lives in Wayne Township; Gertrude J., mar- ried Alton Crosscut, lives in Wheelock Township; Ellis E., the subject of this sketch; Frank, a teacher, lives in Wayne Township; Iva, married Merrill Waters, lives at Clymer, N. Y .; Paul, lives at Wheelock, Pa .; Flor- ence, married Hobart Herline; and Carlisle, a veteran of the World War, connected with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, at Toledo, Ohio.
Ellis E. Harvey attended the schools of Wayne Township, and when a young man became associated with H. W. Parmalee, cement contractor, of Corry. In 1904 he purchased the business, which he has since con- ducted in a successful manner.
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