USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 32
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Horace Scruby, both deceased; and Nellie, married Rev. A. B. Miller, lives at Jamestown, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Burt four children were born: Dr. Judson M., a physician, Caledonia, N. Y .; Fred Bishop lives at James- town, N. Y .; Lucy, married John Steves, Union City ; and Bertha, married Harrison Ingraham, Binghamton, N. Y.
Mr. Burt is a Democrat, a member of the Baptist church and belongs to the Masonic lodge.
Samuel Edward Kamerer is among the successful and well known busi- ness men of Erie County. He is the owner of the J. F. Kamerer Company, one of the most important of the industrial interests of Union City, which has gained a wide reputation as lumber and handle manufacturers. He was born in this city, Aug. 28, 1876, the son of Jacob Frederick and Mar- garet H. (McIntyre) Kamerer.
Jacob F. Kamerer, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born at Wurtenberg, Germany, April 4, 1839, the son of John and Dor- othy (Breakley) Kamerer. In 1847 the family came to the United States and choosing Mckean Township, Erie County, as their place of settlement, they became useful and well known residents there. Jacob Kamerer fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until 1861, when he went to Canada. During the same year he volunteered for service in the Civil War and was a member of Company F, 169th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. After the close of the war he went to Oil Creek, Pa., as an oil speculator, and the following year to Fayette County, Pa., where he engaged in drilling oil wells. This proved an unsatisfactory venture and he returned north and located in Union City where in 1872 he began the manufacture of lum- ber, shingles, and broom handles. He died Jan. 8, 1901. He was a Demo- crat and served as mayor of Union City for two terms. He held member- ship in the Baptist Church and was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. To Mr. and Mrs. Kamerer one son was born, Samuel Edward, the subject of this sketch, with whom the mother now makes her home.
Samuel Edward Kamerer was educated in the schools of Union City and at an early age engaged in business with his father, in which he has since been interested.
On Jan. 25, 1898, Mr. Kamerer was married to Miss Etta McLallen, of Washington Township, Erie County, and the daugher of H. M. and Eva (Hotchkiss) McLallen. Mr. McLallen died Aug. 7, 1909, and his wife died
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Dec. 21, 1912. They had six children: Minnie, married H. W. Pollock, lives in California; Stella, married W. C. Johnson, lives in Washington Town- ship, Erie County ; Mrs. Kamerer ; Abbie, married Clyde M. Shreve, lives in Union Township, Erie County ; Anna, married E. O. Racoup, lives at Cam- bridge Springs, Pa .; and Ward, lives at North East, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Kamerer have no children.
Politically Mr. Kamerer is a Democrat. He is identified with the Ma- sonic lodge and the Odd Fellows.
William R. Beckman is among the progressive and successful mer- chants of Erie, where he conducts a well established grocery business. He was born at 117 West 4th Street, Erie, Pa., Jan. 25, 1867, and is the son of Henry and Annie (Oaks) Beckman.
In 1837 the Beckman family came to America from Hanover, Ger- many, and located in Erie. The present grocery firm of Henry Beckman & Son was established in 1860 at the foot of State Street and has de- veloped into the finest establishment of its kind in the city. Shortly after arriving in the city, Henry Beckman's father was drowned, and Henry was forced to make his way in the world at an early age. He entered the employ of Mr. Rindernecht, a pioneer grocer. Later he pur- chased an interest in the business and finally became sole owner. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Beckman two sons were born: William R., the sub- ject of this sketch; and Samuel O., who conducted the Erie Chemical Works for 30 years and now lives retired in Monrovia, Cal., and has two children: Ann Oakes, wife of J. N. Bugbee, and Olive G., wife of Albert P. Seymour. Both live in California.
William R. Beckman grew up in Erie and received his education in the public schools. He has always been interested in the business estab- lished by his father and in 1919 purchased his brother's interest in it. Mr. Beckman carries a complete line of high-grade domestic and im- ported goods and has an extensive trade. His store is located at 506 State Street. He also owns the old homestead where he was born, and a 55-acre vegetable farm in Erie County, produce from which is sold in his store.
On Sept. 21, 1891, Mr. Beckman was united in marriage with Miss Sarah K. McKnight, a native of Erie, born April 8, 1867, and the daughter of John S. and Sarah (Cook) Mcknight. John S. McKnight was born on a farm in Crawford County, Pa., April 29, 1830, and at the age of 21
HENRY BECKMAN
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years located in Erie. After coming to Erie he worked for the Erie & North East Railroad, now a part of the New York Central System, for 11 years. He was an elder in the first United Presbyterian Church for 33 years, and a charter member of the Y. M. C. A. He was one of the organizers of the Erie Cemetery Association. He became a well known grocer of this city and continued in that business until 1882, when he entered the insurance business. He died in 1920 and his wife is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McKnight had four children: Mrs. Alfred K. (McKnight) Riblet, died in 1891; Jessie, died in 1869; Mary E., a teacher in the Erie schools; and Mrs. William R. Beckman. To Mr. and Mrs. Beckman three children were born: Margaret Eleanor; Henrietta, a bookkeeper in the Erie Trust Company; and Irland, mention of whom is made below.
Irland McKnight Beckman was born Sept. 28, 1897, in Erie, Pa., and received his preparatory education in the high school, Erie, Pa., and the Roxbury Tutoring School, New Haven, Conn. He was in the class of 1919, Yale University for a year, and at Sheffield he took the mechanical engineering course. In 1918-19 he entered the United States Military Academy, West Point, N. Y., but later resigned. He then went to Cleve- land, Ohio, where he bought and sold war bonds for Otio & Company for 15 months, when he resigned to finish his college education. He then entered the University of Pennsylvania and took a two years course in finance at the Whorton School, after which he made application for the position of state bank examiner and was appointed junior examiner for about three months and later senior examiner for one year. On Sept. 28, 1924, he was appointed third deputy secretary in the banking department, and now has offices in the State Capitol at Harrisburg, Pa.
The Beckman family is representative of the best citizenship of the community.
Frank Lincoln Glenn, a citizen of Union County, highly esteemed for his integrity and industry, is a native of Erie County. He was born in Erie, Dec. 22, 1861, and is the son of Samuel and Eliza Jane (Graham) Glenn.
Samuel Glenn was a native of Mercer County, Pa., born July 25, 1817. In 1840 he came to Erie where he worked at his trade of wood turner in the employ of Henry Shank. Later he engaged in farming on 49 acres of land in Summit Township, Erie County, and in 1871 settled in Union City,
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where he was employed by J. W. Hunter. He died June 22, 1900, and his wife, a native of Erie County, died April 13, 1881. To Mr. and Mrs. Glenn five children were born: Perry G., deceased, served as probate judge for many years in Minnesota; Samuel Edward, died in 1880; Eliza J., lives in Union City; Frank Lincoln, the subject of this sketch; and Alexander C., died in 1896.
Frank Lincoln Glenn was reared and educated in Union City and after completing his high school course was a teacher in Erie County for five years. He then went to Minnesota, where he was employed as a school teacher. However, in 1898 he returned to Erie and served in the employ of the local post office as a carrier for 12 years. He has since lived in Union City, and is the only hand wood turner in the city. He lives at 17 Wattsburg Street. .
On March 18, 1891, Mr. Glenn was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Davis, who was born at Corry, Pa., March 18, 1867, and to them were born five children: Marian, born Feb. 2, 1892, died April 14, 1900; Ger- trude Edith, born March 10, 1894, married April 1, 1914, to LeRoy E. Hart, lives at North East, and they have a son, William Glenn Hart, born Dec. 11, 1915; Lawrence Dayton, born Feb. 27, 1897, lives in Erie; Robert M., born April 10, 1904; and Mildred E., born Nov. 4, 1906.
Mr. Glenn is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are favorably known and dependable citizens of Erie County.
Comer B. Main, prominent druggist of Union City, is among the pio- neer business men of Erie County. He was born at Jordan, Onondaga County, N. Y., May 1, 1856, and is the son of Perry and Anna (Shaw) Main.
Perry J. Main, a native of Connecticut, but later of New York, came to Erie County in 1865 and settled at Union City, where he was em- ployed as a cooper. To Mr. and Mrs. Main were born five children: Almer- ian, deceased; Alduretta, married Rudolph Fuller, both deceased; Jerome B., deceased; Comer B., the subject of this sketch; and Henry H., lives in Lincoln, Neb.
Comer B. Main was educated in the public schools of Union City and at an early age engaged in the drug business in the employ of various druggists of the city. He has been unusually successful in his work, in which he has engaged for over 50 years, and he is the oldest business man
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on Main street. He has been in his present location since 1890, and is the owner of the building.
On Nov. 16, 1880, Mr. Main was married to Miss Ada Sherwood, a na- tive of Union Township, Erie County, born July 1, 1861, and the daughter of Burman and Jane (Courtney) Sherwood, the former a native of New York and the latter of Erie County. Mr. Sherwood was born March 22, 1810, and was six years old when his parents settled near Waterford. He became a prominent citizen of his time and served as road. commissioner and school director. He died Sept. 24, 1900, and his wife died Jan. 31, 1896. They were the parents of 14 children, Mrs. Main being the young- est. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Twentieth Century Club, and an active member of the First Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Main have two adopted children: (1) Henry Ross Main, born Jan. 30, 1898, served throughout the World War with Com- pany A, 112th Infantry, was wounded and gassed while in service, mar- ried Dorothy Crippen, and they have two children: Yvonne C., born Dec. 2, 1921; and Lura Lee, born Jan. 25, 1923. (2) Lura Ross Main, born Feb. 13, 1899, married Albert L. Bloss, also a World War veteran. He is a prescription druggist for the Liggitt Drug Store, of Erie.
Mr. Main and his family hold membership in the Baptist church. He is a Democrat.
Harry A. Lane is among Union City's dependable citizens. He was born at Rochester, Ind., Aug. 18, 1881, and is the son of William A. and Emma E. (Clark) Lane.
Both William A. Lane and his wife were natives of Indiana, where they spent their entire lives. He was a baker and for many years conducted a shop at Rochester, Ind. He died Feb. 3, 1917, and his wife died April 20, 1899. They had four children: Harry A., the subject of this sketch; George W., in the government mail service at Chicago, Ill .; Zella, married Wesley Ward, lives in Union City ; and Roy, a World War veteran, lives at Rouseville, Pa.
Harry A. Lane attended the public schools of Rochester and began his business career in Hammond, Ind. In 1905 he removed to Erie County and entered the employ of the Union City Chair Company, with whom he has since been identified. He is now a foreman.
On Sept. 13, 1902, Mr. Lane was married to Miss Anna L. Bentley, of Union City, born March 5, 1882, and the daughter of Herbert and Sarah
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(Barnett) Bentley, natives of Erie County. Mr. Bentley is deceased and his widow resides in Union City. They had five children: May, married Adolph Allen, lives in Montana; Blanche, married A. E. Hatch, lives in Montana ; Florence, married Charles Davidson, lives in Union City ; Mrs. Lane; and Lou, married Del Casler, lives in Erie County. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have a son, Herbert, born Aug. 9, 1903.
Mr. Lane is a Republican, a member of the Methodist church, and is Sunday School superintendent, and he is also affiliated with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family have a wide acquaintance in the community and are favorably known.
Frederick K. Riedel is a veteran of the World War and a highly esteemed citizen of Union City, where he is engaged in fish culture and is superintendent of the local hatchery. He is a native of Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pa., born Feb. 24, 1887, and the son of Fred- erick and Henrietta Riedel.
After completing his schooling in the public schools he became inter- ested in his present work in Union City. He was inducted into service during the World War and sent to Camp Mead, Maryland, with the 54th Depot Brigade, attached to the 306th Field Artillery, 79th Division and later to the 77th Division. After 12 months overseas service, in which he was engaged in many important battles and drives, Mr. Riedel was dis- charged at Camp Dix, N. J., May 10, 1919.
On April 20, 1922, Mr. Riedel was united in marriage with Miss Elsie Robinson, of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Riedel is a member of the Presbyterian church and belongs to the Masonic lodge. He is a Republican and is well known in Erie County.
Cornelius Martineau, retired, is a well known citizen of Union City and a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in New York city, Sept. 18, 1845, the son of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Betts) Martineau.
Cornelius and Elizabeth Martineau were natives of New York city where they spent their entire life. He died in 1867 and she died in 1871. They were the parents of 15 children, only two of whom are now living: Cornelius, the subject of this sketch; and Walter, a retired building con- tractor, lives in Staten Island, N. Y.
Cornelius Martineau was reared and educated in New York and was a member of the city police force there for 28 years. In 1896 he removed
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to Erie County and spent the following two years on a farm in West Green Township. He then lived in Erie until March, 1909, and has since resided in Union City.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Martineau enlisted in Company A, 82nd New York Volunteer Infantry and was in active service for four and one-half years.
In 1869 Mr. Martineau was married to Miss Sophia L. Young, born at Staten Island, N. Y., in 1845, and to them were born four children: Wil- liam, deceased; Clarence, retired police officer, lives in New York city; Louise, married Charles Wright, New York city; and Cornelia, deceased. After his wife's death, Mr. Martineau was married Jan. 3, 1894, to Miss Celia Bliley, who was born at Hammett, Pa., Aug. 5, 1864, and the daugh- ter of Ferdinand and Gertrude (Yosten) Bliley. Mr. Bliley died in Septem- ber, 1886, and his wife died Aug. 28, 1877.
Mr. Martineau is a Republican, a member of the Baptist church and be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
Leander A. Mason is an enterprising and progressive citizen of Union City, where he is engaged in the general merchandise business. He was born at Penfield, N. Y., Oct. 26, 1855, and is the son of Asa G. and Eliza- beth (Dingman) Mason.
Mr. and Mrs. Asa G. Mason, deceased, were the parents of the fol- lowing children: William, deceased, was a Civil War veteran; George B. lives in Toledo, Ohio; Anna, married Joseph Doty, a Civil War veteran, both deceased; L. A., the subject of this sketch; and A. G., lives in Cleve- land.
L. A. Mason began life as a newsboy in Cleveland, Ohio, and later lived in Detroit, Mich. He later lived on a farm at Bedford, Ohio, and was for 20 years associated with J. B. Lewis of Sandusky, N. Y. After various other business ventures Mr. Mason came to Union City in 1913 and since 1923 has conducted his present place of business at 30 North Main Street.
On June 27, 1914, Mr. Mason was united in marriage with Miss Ada Kamerer, of Union City, and the daughter of J. F. and Eliza (Johnson) Kamerer, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. Kam- erer was a prominent citizen of Union City and died Jan. 8, 1900. His wife died in 1875. They had four children: Fred, lives in Tennessee ; Mrs. Mason; Robert, deceased; and Edward S., a manufacturer of Union
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City, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. Mrs. Mason was first married to Grow Kellog, and they had one child, Neva K., who married Robert C. Smiley, and they have two children, Robert and Joyce. Mr. Mason had four children by a former wife: Minnie and Elizabeth, liv- ing at Seattle, Wash .; Charles L., died in infancy ; and Cora is married and lives at Arcade, N. Y. The Smiley family lives in Cleveland.
Mr. Mason is a Republican, a member of the Baptist church, and be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man highly esteemed in Erie County.
Arthur W. Barber is a successful business man and highly esteemed citizen of Union City. He was born on a farm in Wayne Township, Erie County, Nov. 24, 1873, and is the son of George W. and Martha E. (Hayes) Barber.
George W. Barber was born in New Hampshire and his wife was a na- tive of Amity Township, Erie County. At the age of 10 years with his parents he settled in Erie County at Corry, where he remained for six years. He then engaged in farming in Amity Township and in 1902 went to Washington, where he operated a saw mill for a number of years. Later, he returned to Erie County and now lives retired with his son, Arthur W., in Union City. His wife died Nov. 20, 1924. They were the parents of three children: Arthur W., the subject of this sketch; Oliver E., lives at Beaver, Pa .; and Edith E., married Brenton Hatch, lives in Erie.
Arthur W. Barber was educated in the schools of Wattsburg, Pa., and attended Clark's Commercial College, Erie. For 13 years he engaged in commercial photography and in 1900 became interested in the monument business at Wattsburg. In 1909 he located in Union City, where he has since conducted his business in a most successful manner. He has a well equipped factory and operates the finest monument works in this section of the state.
On June 29, 1904, Mr. Barber was united in marriage with Miss Ger- trude Parker, born in Wayne Township, Erie County, Aug. 14, 1878, and the daughter of Cephas and Julia (Adams) Parker. Mr. Parker served throughout the Civil War and died Dec. 31, 1912. His widow lived at Wattsburg, Pa., until her death, Feb. 15, 1925. They were natives of Wayne Township, Erie County, and the parents of the following children: Harley, died in January, 1923; Carrie, deceased; Mrs. Barber; and Lizzie
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married Joseph Hamilton, lives at Wattsburg, Pa. To Arthur W. and Gertrude (Parker) Barber have been born four children: Julia Elizabeth, born Dec. 4, 1905, was graduated from high school in 1925; Doris Marie, Born Oct. 18, 1909; Olive Irene, born April 20, 1912; and Melvin L., born Oct. 8, 1913.
Politically, Mr. Barber is a Republican. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and have a wide acquaintance in the com- munity in which they live.
James O'Rourke, deceased, was for many years a prominent and suc- cessful farmer of Union Township. He was born in Ireland, and was a son of John and Honorah (Haley) O'Rourke.
The O'Rourke family came to this country from Ireland many years ago and located at Columbus, Ohio. After ten years residence there they removed to Erie County and settled on the present O'Rourke farm in Union Township. John O'Rourke died in 1883 and his wife died in 1877. They are buried in the Union City Catholic Cemetery. There were six children in the O'Rourke family. James, the subject of this sketch, Cath- erine, Michael, Thomas, Michael, and Mary, all of whom are deceased.
James O'Rourke was 15 years of age when his parents came to America. He engaged in general farming and stock raising his entire life and met with success. He died May 29, 1897. His widow lives on the home place in Union Township, where she has spent 50 years. She now owns 84 acres of land.
In 1875 Mr. O'Rourke was married to Miss Bridget Frawley, a native of Canada, and the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Burns) Frawley. Mr. Frawley settled in Canada after coming to this country and later lived in Kentucky. In 1867 he removed to Corry, Pa., where he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad. He died April 8, 1904, and his wife died Jan. 25, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Rourke 11 children were born, as fol- lows: Thomas, lives at home; John, lives in Erie; James, died in 1907; Hanorah, married Frank Hanlon, lives in Union City; Mary, died in 1917; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Nicholas Costello; Francis, died in infancy; Catherine, Agnes, and Rosella, all deceased; and Joseph, mention of whom is made below.
Joseph O'Rourke, who operates the home farm, is a veteran of the World War. He was inducted into service and served with Company E, 18th Infantry. Mr. O'Rourke was seriously wounded during the Meuse-
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Argonne offensive, Oct. 9, 1918, and spent three years in hospitals under- going operations and receiving treatments.
James O'Rourke was a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church. He was known in his community as an upright and reliable citizen.
Dr. William G. Allen is widely and favorably known among the suc- cessful young physicians and surgeons of Erie. He was born at Mattock, Iowa, in April, 1888, and is the son of William and Jennie (Murdock) Allen.
William Allen was born in Scotland and after coming to this coun- try located in Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. His wife, a native of Joliet, Ill., died at the age of 33 years, leaving six children, as follows: Eleanor, lives in Minnesota; Dr. William G., the subject of this sketch; Alice, died when 19 years of age; Bertha and Belle, died in in- fancy; and Gilbert, resides in Erie.
Dr. William G. Allen attended the public schools of Norcross, Minn., and in 1906 was graduated from high school. After attending Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Mass., he was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1918, where he received his degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. His interne work was done at Hamot Hospital, Erie, Pa., after which he began his practice in Erie at 101 East 18th Street, where he has been very successful. Doctor Allen is a member of the staffs of Hamot Hospital and the Infant's Home.
On Dec. 22, 1915, Doctor Allen was married to Miss Edna Brogan, a native of Philadelphia.
Doctor Allen is identified with the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical Association, and the Erie County Medical Society. He is a member of the Masonic and Elks lodges.
Clifford F. Hober, superintendent of the Merrell Soule Company, is one of the well known and successful business men of Union City. He was born in Potter County, Pa., April 14, 1893, and is the son of Francis M. and Rosetta (Canfield) Hober.
Francis M. Hober was a native of Steuben County, N. Y., and his wife was born in Pennsylvania. Many years ago he removed to Potter County, where he engaged in general farming. He died Jan. 21, 1914, and his wife died Jan. 22, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Hober had five children: Eugene, deceased; Mabel, married B. C. Hendryx, lives at Akron, Ohio; Ruby, de-
DR. WILLIAM G. ALLEN
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ceased, was the wife of C. A. Merritt; Clifford F., the subject of this sketch ; and one child died in infancy.
Clifford F. Hober was educated in the public schools at Honeoye, Pa., and in June, 1914, entered the employ of the Merrell Soule Company, at Arcade, N. Y., transferred to Gainesville, N. Y., in 1920 as superintendent. On June 6, 1921, he was transferred to the local plant as superintendent, which is his present position. The local plant of the Merrell Soule Com- pany was built in 1913 and is one of the leading industries of Union City. Thirty men are employed and during the busy season 100,000 lbs. of milk are handled daily. The officers of the Merrell Soule Company are: F. C. Soule, president, Syracuse, N. Y .; I. S. Merrell, vice-president, Syracuse, N. Y .; and A. C. Beardslee, general superintendent, Arcade, N. Y. Twelve plants are operated throughout the United States and six in Canada. Their products include : butter, cream, and powdered milk.
On June 7, 1913, Mr. Hober was married to Miss Isabel LeBar, a native of Pennsylvania, born Dec. 14, 1893, and the daughter of W. S. and Alice (Whitney) LeBar, residents of Union City. To Mr. and Mrs. Hober have been born two children: Robert M., born June 10, 1920; and Ardrath M., born March 2, 1923.
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