USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 29
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On Dec. 25, 1905, Mr. Harvey was married to Miss Anna Spencer, a native of Crawford County, Pa., born Oct. 10, 1888, and the daughter of E. O. and Electa (Miller) Spencer, residents of Wayne Township, and the parents of the following children: Alton C., lives in California; May, married Marshall Miller, lives at Spartansburg, Pa .; LaVerne, lives at Seattle, Wash .; Lulu, at home; Edith, married George Conright, lives at
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Corry; Mrs. Harvey; Lillian, married Ray Holley, lives at Corry; and LeRoy, lives at Rochester, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have been born two children: Edward, born May 7, 1907, and Max H., born April 20, 1912.
Politically Mr. Harvey is a Republican. He is a member of the Chris- tian Missionary Alliance Church, of which he is trustee and treasurer.
Morris Schaffner, of Schaffner Brothers Company, proprietors of the largest meat packing house in northwestern Pennsylvania, is among Erie's representative and successful business men. He was born at Hessen, Ger- many, Nov. 28, 1866, and is the son of Henry and Regina (Sedel) Schaff- ner. The father, who was a butcher died in the old country in 1893 at the age of 56 years, and in 1898 the mother came to Erie to reside, where she died in 1912.
In 1881, as a boy of 14 years, Morris Schaffner came to this country alone, joined some friends in Cleveland, and two years later opened a small butcher shop. In 1884 his brother Jacob emigrated to the United States and the two became associated in Cleveland under the name of Schaffner Brothers. In January, 1887, they moved their business to Erie, opening a retail and wholesale store at 1327 Peach Street. In 1888 they com- menced to devote themselves exclusively to the wholesale trade, and in 1906 they purchased an entire block on East 15th Street, breaking ground for the erection of the great plant which they now occupy. The most approved methods of artificial refrigeration are in use, the cellars and coolers giving ample assurance that all meat products will be handled with every safeguard as to cleanliness and general sanitary conditions. A large trade is also done in manufactured meat. In 1906 the business was incorporated and the present officers are as follows: Morris Schaffner, president; Jacob Schaffner, vice president; Milton Schaffner, treasurer; and Henry G. Schaffner, secretary.
Mr. Schaffner is also extensively interested in farming and stock raising, the Schaffners being among the largest land owners in Erie County. "Conneaut Valley Farm," located in Conneaut Township, Erie County, has a national reputation, having produced some of the best Shorthorn cattle in America. Morris Schaffner is a member of the Ameri- can Shorthorn Breeders Association of Chicago, Ill. He has made many exhibits of his cattle at fairs winning prizes wherever shown.
On Nov. 28, 1886, Mr. Schaffner was married to Miss Carrie Schuster of Buffalo, and they have three children: Milton, treasurer of the com-
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MORRIS SCHAFFNER
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pany; Alfred, also engaged in the business with his father; and Minnie married Martin D. Levi.
Mr. Schaffner is a Democrat, a member of the West Eighth Street Temple, of which he served as president for 17 years, and he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Erie Maennerchor, Erie Yacht Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He served as president of the B'nai B'rith and is a member of the Grange Lodge of Conneaut Town- ship. At one time Mr. Schaffner served as fire commissioner of Erie.
E. A. Kelsey, who lives retired at Corry, is a prominent pioneer citi- zen of Erie County. He was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1838, the son of Erastus Darwin and Debra (Ackley) Kelsey.
Erastus Darwin Kelsey was a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., as was also his wife. He was a successful farmer and also engaged in the lumber business. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey, deceased, had six children: Maroa, died in 1916; Daphoramy, deceased; Saphronia, deceased; E. A., the sub- ject of this sketch; Orinda, first married Herman Dye, deceased, and later married William Wheat, and they live retired in Los Angeles, Cal .; and Loverna, deceased.
E. A. Kelsey was reared and educated in New York state and in May, 1861 came to Corry where he entered the employ of the A. & G. W. Rail- road, now the Erie Railroad. He began as a telegraph lineman and re- mained in the service with this company for 38 years, 22 years of which he was in complete charge of the company's telegraph lines between Sala- manca and Dayton, Ohio. With Charles Sweetman he holds the distinc- tion of being the oldest employe of the company now living. Mr. Sweet- man was an engineer for 59 years, running between Titusville and Corry. Mr. Kelsey helped clear away the timber on the railroad right of way be- tween Corry and Union City. After retiring from railroad service, Mr. Kelsey was in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company for 17 years. He was located in Erie for a number of years as chief lineman and gen- eral inspector of the telephone company. Mr. Kelsey lives at 601 South Center Street.
In 1862 Mr. Kelsey was married to Miss Rachael Hurst, who was born at Leavittsburg, Ohio, in 1838. To them was born a son, Charles Ells- worth Kelsey, born Jan. 8, 1863, died Aug. 18, 1922, leaving a widow, Stella Burr Kelsey, who lives in Kane, Pa. Mr. Kelsey's first wife died Jan. 5, 1866. He was married Sept. 12, 1882, to Alice Beacon Anderson, a
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native of Ripley, N. Y., born May 22, 1847. They have an adopted daugh- ter, Mabel Adele, who married Claud D. Messenger, and they live in Corry.
Mr. Kelsey is a Republican and has held many township and county offices. He is a member of the Methodist church and is well and favorably known throughout Erie County.
John A. Farnham, retired, is a veteran of the Civil War and an honored pioneer citizen of Erie County. He was born in Wayne Township, Sept. 22, 1841, and is the son of Walter and Rhoda (Turner) Farnham.
Walter Farnham was born in Connecticut and came to Pennsylvania at the close of the War of 1812, in which he had served. He was a gradu- ate of Yale University, and taught school for a number of years, later engaging in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Farnham had 14 children, as follows: Olive, married Hugh Wilson, both deceased; Cordelia, married Manning Fuller, both deceased; Eliza, married Thomas Spinks, both deceased; Chloe and Mary, deceased; Rhoda, married Josiah Jackson, both deceased; Sallie, the widow of Henderson Kelly, lives at Chandler's Valley, Pa .; George, died in infancy ; John A., the subject of this sketch, Jane, married George Thompson, both deceased; Cynthia, deceased; Ellen, married William Loell, lives at Ripley, N. Y .; Laura, the widow of David Ray, lives in Chautauqua County, N. Y .; and Charles, deceased.
John A. Farnham was reared and educated in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in Company F, 154th New York Volunteer Infantry. He engaged in many important battles and skirmishes during the war and was wounded during the battle of Get- tysburg. Following the close of the war Mr. Farnham located at Corry, where he became a well known building contractor.
On April 30, 1866, Mr. Farnham was married at Champaign, Ill., to Miss Louise Hall, a native of Vermont, and to this union two children were born: Nellie, lives in Corry; and George, also a resident of Corry. Mrs. Farnham died March 17, 1886, and is buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Corry. On Aug. 14, 1889, Mr. Farnham was married to Mrs. Sarah (Par- ker) Dunham, a native of Erie County, born Dec. 12, 1842, and the daugh- ter of Dean and Mary (Shaddock) Parker, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the parents of the following children: Henry, deceased; Mrs. Farnham; Jonas, lives retired in Erie County; Frank, lives at Summit, Pa .; Mary, deceased; Major, lives retired at Summit, Pa .; Eva, married Eugene Hill, lives at
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Erie; and James, deceased. By her first marriage Mrs. Farnham had three children: Delia, born Jan. 17, 1874, married on Sept. 3, 1893 to Hanford Duke, lives at Corry ; Jessie, born March 30, 1875, died Aug. 18, 1913; and Grace, born Oct. 27, 1877, died in infancy.
Mr. Farnham is a Republican and served as a member of the city council for several years. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Masonic lodge. He and his family are highly esteemed in the community.
Henry F. King, who lives retired at Corry, was for many years a leading manufacturer of Erie County. He was born at Wattsburg, Pa., Dec. 25, 1837, and is the son of Hollis and Sally (Babcock) King.
Hollis King was born near Quebec, Canada, in 1811, and at an early date removed to Pennsylvania where he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at Columbus. He also owned 450 acres of land near Corry. He also owned a large portion of the land upon which the city of Corry is located. He was a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church and belonged to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He served as justice of the peace at Corry in 1865, and also associate judge of Erie County for a number of years. He died Dec. 18, 1891. His wife died Dec. 25th of the same year. To Mr. and Mrs. King were born five children: Henry F., the subject of this sketch; Ezra L., a Civil War veteran, deceased; G. Oscar, also a Civil War veteran, now deceased; John J., was killed while in service during the Civil War in 1864; and Bertha, the widow of Gaylord Bly, lives at Ashville, N. Y.
Henry F. King received his education in the district schools of Colum- bus, Warren County, Pa., where he spent his boyhood. He began life as a photographer at Columbus, Pa., and was later located at Union City, Wattsburg, and Pittsfield, Pa. He came to Corry in 1861 and established a machine shop. The business was known as King-Schafer & Company. Mr. King's father was associated in business with him for a number of years, until his death, and at that time Mr. King became sole owner of the business, which became known as the Corry Novelty Works. Mr. King retired from active business in 1916. He is the inventor of the King portable engine. As an honor from the state he was awarded a medal for his invention.
In 1876 Mr. King was united in marriage with Mrs. Delilah (Robin- son) Reynolds, the widow of J. B. Reynolds. By her former marriage
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she had two children, Guy Reynolds, who resides in California, and Min- nie, deceased. Mrs. King died in March, 1877, and on Feb. 18, 1883, Mr. King was married to Miss Frances Braman, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., born in 1846, and a daughter of Paul and Cynthia (Bent- ley) Braman, who were the parents of the following children: Rinaldo, deceased; Adley, married Daniel Parkhurst, both deceased; Martha, re- sides at Corry; Paul J., lives in Chautauqua County, N. Y .; and Mrs. King.
In politics Mr. King is identified with the Republican party. He is a substantial citizen, esteemed throughout his community for his upright- ness of character.
Stephen J. Downs, the well known and efficient postmaster of Union City, is a native of that place. He was born April 9, 1877, and is the son of Stephen and Anna (O'Callahan) Downs.
Stephen Downs came to this country from Ireland during the early days and located first in Iowa, but later removed to Pennsylvania. He was among the first settlers of Union City where he became a substantial citizen. He was a staunch Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Downs died in 1904 and his wife died July 10, 1919. They were the parents of the following children: Andrew, a cigar manufac- turer, lives in Wisconsin; Julia, died at the age of 22 years; Michael, lives at Union City; Mary P., married T. J. Watson, lives at Conneaut, Ohio; Elizabeth, the widow of M. J. Hanlon; Rev. John C., deceased; Stephen J., the subject of this sketch; and Anna M., who died Feb. 27, 1925, and is buried at Union City, Pa.
Stephen J. Downs was educated in the parochial schools of Union City and attended business college at Meadville, Pa. He began his busi- ness career as a woodworker here and later became cashier and account- ant for the Standard Chair Company of Union City, in which capacity he served for ten years. In 1916 Mr. Downs received his appointment as postmaster under President Wilson and was reappointed under President Harding's administration.
On Nov. 18, 1922, Mr. Downs was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet Maud Kennedy, a native of Cleveland, and a daughter of Patrick J. and Mary (Burke) Kennedy, natives of Ireland. Mr. Kennedy is de- ceased and his wife resides in Union City. They were the parents of the following children: Mary, married James Haney, lives at Montclair,
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N. J .; Mrs. Downs; Grace, married George Schrecht, lives in Cleveland; John, a student; and William J.
Mr. Downs is a Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is a progressive citizen and well liked throughout his community.
Miss Katherine M. Stone, of Corry, ranks among the representative and well known women of Erie County. She was born in this county and is the daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine Jane (Potter) Stone.
Jeremiah Stone was a native of New York State as was also his wife. At an early date he removed to Pennsylvania and settled at Corry where he engaged in the grocery business with his brother, Nathaniel, later dealing in vehicles, farm implements, etc. Mr. Stone died June 13, 1914, and his wife died Feb. 8, 1908. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Milton D., deceased, was the husband of Minnie B. Elderkin, and they had one son, Robert Edward, who resides at Spokane, Wash .; Watson, deceased, was the husband of Adelaide Williams, and they had one son, Paul Williams, who is engaged in the jewelry business in Corry ; Herbert Potter, married Ethel L. Halliday, who passed away on March 29, 1925, leaving three children, Katherine Halliday, Mary Lawrence and Herbert Potter, Jr., who resides in Warren, Pa., with their parents; and Katherine M., the subject of this sketch.
Miss Katherine M. Stone was reared and educated in Corry, graduat- ing from the Corry High School and for a number of years served as Court Stenographer in Chautauqua County, N. Y., under Judges Fisher and Ottaway. During the World War she served as secretary of the local Red Cross. After serving as First Reader of the Christian Science Church for three years, she was appointed clerk of the church here, in which she is an active worker. Miss Stone is also interested in club work and has a wide circle of friends in the community. She resides at 218 East Smith Street.
David S. Rowe, retired, was for 52 years connected with the Erie Rail- road as ticket agent at Corry. He was born at Columbus, Warren County, Pa., March 29, 1843, the son of Henry and Helen (Smith) Rowe.
Henry Rowe was born in Ulster County, N. Y., March 29, 1806, and his wife was born in Chenango County, N. Y., June 3, 1807. They were among the early settlers of Warren County where Mr. Rowe improved a
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large tract of land and engaged in general farming. He died April 8, 1872, and his wife died April 16, 1879. They were the parents of the following children: William, born July 19, 1830, died April 22, 1860; Fran- cis A., born April 29, 1833, a Civil War veteran, lives at Conneaut ; James, born in 1836, died at the age of three years; and David S., the subject of this sketch.
D. S. Rowe was educated in a log school house in Warren County, and attended Edinboro Normal School, being one of the first students enrolled at that institution. In 1865 he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad as local ticket agent, which position he filled continuously until 1917.
On Dec. 12, 1867, Mr. Rowe was married to Miss Emily R. Gilson, a native of Canada, N. Y., born Dec. 11, 1840, and a daughter of Eben and Esther (Lytle) Gilson, natives of Chatauqua County, N. Y., and the parents of the following children : Mrs. Rowe; Marion, Cassius, Rosamond, all deceased; W. L., lives at Bradford, Pa .; E. P., lives at Corry; and Jack- son, deceased.
To D. S. and Emily R. (Gilson) Rowe were born three children: Wil- liam D., born July 27, 1876, lives at Corry ; Rodney H., born Dec. 11, 1881, lives at Corry ; and H. Langdon, born Feb. 29, 1884, lives at Corry. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have three grandchildren, Helen, David S., and Dorothy Rowe.
In politics Mr. Rowe is identified with the Democratic party, and he is affiliated with the Masonic lodge. He is a public spirited citizen and holds the high regard of all who know him.
Noah P. Kilburn, who lives retired at Corry, is a highly respected pioneer citizen of Erie County. He was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1828, and is a son of John M. and Hannah (Cook) Kilburn, both natives of New York.
There were ten children in the Kilburn family as follows: Mercy, deceased; N. P., the subject of this sketch; Rastus, a Civil War veteran, lives retired at Perrysburg, N. Y .; Alvin, a Civil War veteran, lives re- tired at Salamanca, N. Y .; Washington H., a Civil War veteran, deceased; Marvin, who died in 1921; Theva, Sarah, and Orilla, all deceased; and one child died in infancy.
When N. P. Kilburn was young his parents moved to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he received his early education. When quite young he became an apprentice to the jeweler's trade at Gowanda, N. Y., and
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in the fall of 1856 engaged in business for himself at Forrestville, N. Y. Four years later he removed to Randolph and in August, 1862, came to Corry and engaged in business, being the first jeweler in the town. In 1874 Mr. Kilburn sold his business and went on the road as a traveling salesman in the sewing machine, needle and oil line for six years, during which time he traveled in nearly every state in the union. He later re- turned to Corry where he again engaged in the jewelry business.
In 1846 Mr. Kilburn was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Nich- ols, a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y. She died in 1862 leaving one child, Ellen, deceased. Mr. Kilburn was later married to Miss Susan Owens, of Corry. To them were born two children: George P., lives at Akron, Ohio; and Jennie, who married Frank McVaugh, lives at Oil City, Pa. Mrs. Kilburn died in August, 1905.
Mr. Kilburn is a member of the Baptist Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Re- publican.
Dr. Henry L. Stem, who has practiced his profession at Union City for the past 33 years, is among the capable physicians and surgeons of Erie County. He was born at Waterford, Pa., Oct. 5, 1869, and is the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Rice) Stem.
Lewis Stem was among the earliest settlers of Erie County, having come from his native home at Easton, Pa. He was a blacksmith by trade and in 1865 was proprietor of the Eagle Hotel at Waterford, which he con- ducted for a number of years. He died in 1900 and is buried at Kent, Ohio. His wife died when Henry L., the subject of this sketch, was but a few days old. Another son, Andrew C., resides at Kent, Ohio.
Dr. Henry L. Stem was reared by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rice. He was graduated from Waterford Academy in 1888 and in the fall of 1889 began the study of medicine in the Homeopathic Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. In the fall and winter of 1890-91 he attended the Hahnneman Medical College, Chicago, returning to the Cleveland Med- ical College in the fall of 1891. He was graduated from that institution with honor in the spring of 1892 and in April of that year located at Union City, where he has established an excellent practice.
On Oct. 5, 1889, Dr. Stem was united in marriage with Miss Ada B. Cheney, a native of Jamestown, N. Y., and to this union two children were born: James C., who was graduated from Oberlin College in 1922, now
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engaged in the insurance business at LeRoy, Ohio; and Elizabeth, born Dec. 23, 1905, a student at Ohio Wesleyan University. Mrs. Stem died May 9, 1916, and is buried in Evergreen cemetery. On Feb. 5, 1918, Dr. Stem was married to Miss Lana M. Wilson, a native of Union City, born April 6, 1880.
Dr. Stem is a member of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, and is iden- tified with the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a Republican.
Henry Althof, retired, has been prominently identified with the manu- facturing interests of Erie for many years. He was born at Ehringshau- sen, Prussia, Germany, Jan. 24, 1849, the son of Henry and Anna Margaret (Schmidt) Althof.
Henry Althof, deceased, brought his family to this country many years ago and settled in Erie, where he engaged in the manufacture of iron fences, railings, stairs, gratings, and all kinds of iron work, the busi- ness being known as the Ornamental Iron Works. Mr. and Mrs. Althof had five children: August, Frederick W., Susan, and Elizabeth, all de- ceased; and Henry, the subject of this sketch.
Henry Althof was educated in the schools of Erie and after serving his apprenticeship as blacksmith and ornamental iron worker under his father, he was associated with him in his business until 1872, when a partnership was formed with J. Gorr and W. Baas, under the firm name of , the Erie City Iron Fence & Wire Works. The business was located at 1214 State Street and after the dissolution of the partnership in 1901, Mr. Althof conducted the business at 1318 Turnpike, with Mr. Baas. The latter retired in 1910, the business thereafter being conducted at 1821 State Street until 1915, when Mr. Althof disposed of his business to his sons, who increased the business to such an extent that it was necessary to erect a new factory building at 121-23 East 23rd Street. It is known as the Henry Althof's Sons Company Wire Works.
On May, 26, 1874, Mr. Althof was united in marriage at Erie with Miss Georgianna Nolte, a native of Hanover, Germany, and the daughter of Henry and Justina (Vollmer) Nolte, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Althof have four sons, Henry A., Edward W., Arthur L., and George T., proprietors of the business established by their father. Three daughters, Rose, Emma, and Emilie are deceased, and a son, Carl, died in infancy.
Mr. Althof is a Republican, a member of St. John's Evangelical Luth- eran Church and his wife belongs to the Ladies of the Maccabees. Mr.
HENRY ALTHOF
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Althof is a substantial and well known citizen of Erie, and his family stands high in the community.
Henry August Althof, vice president of the Henry Althof's Sons Company, represents a family fittingly assigned a conspicuous place among the manufacturing agencies of Erie. He was born in this city, Dec. 24, 1879, and is the son of. Henry and Georgianna (Nolte) Althof, sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. There were eight children in the Althof family as follows: Rose Elizabeth, born March 1, 1876; Emma Louise, born Feb. 21, 1878; Henry August, the subject of this sketch; Edward W., born Feb. 11, 1882; Emilie, born July 2, 1884; Arthur Louis, born June 30, 1886; George T., born March 22, 1889; and Carl, born July 8, 1891.
Henry August Althof received his education in the public schools of Erie and began his business career as an errand boy for I. A. Forman & Brother. Since the time of his father's retirement in 1915, Mr. Althof has served as vice president of the business that was established by his father many years ago.
On June 15, 1905, Mr. Althof was united in marriage with Miss Cath- erine Rose Knabel, a native of Erie, and a daughter of Anton and Caroline (Obble) Knabel, natives of Germany. Mr. Knabel died June 11, 1915, and his wife died Dec. 31, 1920. There are three children in the Althof family: Harold Henry, born Jan. 12, 1907; Catherine Marie, born April 27, 1908; and Richard, born Nov. 18, 1914.
Mr. Althof is identified with the Repubilcan party and is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is an enterprising and successful business man and is widely known.
Edward W. Althof, secretary and treasurer of the Henry Althof's Sons Company, is a well known business man of Erie. He was born in this city, Feb. 11, 1882, and is the son of Henry and Georgianna (Nolte) Althof, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.
Edward W. Althof attended the public schools of Erie and was grad- uated from Central High School in 1913. In 1911 he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a messenger boy and remained in their service for 16 years, being assistant cashier at the time of his resignation. He was then employed by Jacob Haller, wholesale grocer, and served in the capacity of bookkeeper for one and one-half years. In 1918 Mr. Althof purchased a fourth interest in the business established
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