USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 34
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Mr. Woodard is a Republican, a member of the Episcopal Church and. belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an upright and industrious man and is held in high regard in his community.
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Walter Hess, superintendent of schools at Waterford, is a veteran of the World War. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Oct. 16, 1895, and is the son of Jacob and Susan (Lawrence) Hess.
Jacob Hess, a prosperous farmer, of Lancaster County, Pa., is a native of that county, as is his wife. They had two children: Walter, the sub- ject of this sketch; and Mabel, deceased.
After completing his early education, Walter Hess attended Millers- ville State Normal School, and in June, 1923, was graduated from Pennsyl- vania State College, after which he came to Waterford as superintendent of schools. He was also connected with the schools of Bucks County, Pa.
During the World War Mr. Hess was inducted into service and sent to Camp Meade, Md., as a member of Company F, 304th Engineers. He served overseas for more than a year and participated in many important battles of the war. He was discharged July 30, 1919.
On June 12, 1923, Mr. Hess was married to Miss Mary Rice, a native of Adams County, Pa., and the daughter of Clayton Rice. There are five children in the Rice family: Luther, a farmer, Adams County; Alma, a teacher, at Saxtons River, Vt .; George, deceased; Mrs. Hess; and Edwin, lives in Adams County. Before her marriage, Mrs. Hess was a teacher.
Mr. Hess is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is held in high regard throughout the community and is an excellent citizen.
Dr. Vere K. Worster is among the prominent young physicians and sur- geons of Erie County, and is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Waterford. He was born at Gardenville, N. Y., April 15, 1895, and is the son of Frederick A. and Ella D. (Woodruff) Worster.
Frederick A. Worster was born at Ripley, N. Y., and his wife is a na- tive of Pennsylvania. They settled at Edinboro, Pa., many years ago, where Mr. Worster engaged in farming. He is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Worster, who now live retired, have four children: Ethel, married Whittier Horn, lives at Stillwater, Pa .; LeVieve, married Elton Cram, lives at Akron, Ohio; Vere K., the subject of this sketch; and Dorothy, a high school teacher, Union City.
Dr. Vere K. Worster received his early education in the public schools and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1920. The following year he engaged in the practice of his profession at Water-
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ford in the offices of Doctor Rowe Woodruff, who died Aug. 28, 1921. Doc- tor Worster succeeded to his entire practice. He also conducts a private hospital at Waterford, which is among the most modern and up to date institutions of its kind in this section.
On July 28, 1921, Dr. Worster was united in marriage with Miss Wini- fred Cornell, a native of Corning, N. Y., and a daughter of George and Ella (Holly) Cornell, residents of Corning, and the parents of the following children: Ruth, married James Taggart, lives in Cleveland; Clyde, lives in Corning ; and Arthur, at home. Doctor and Mrs. Worster have a daugh- ter, Patricia, born April 24, 1924.
Doctor Worster is a Republican, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a substantial citizen of his community and a prog- ressive man in his profession.
William C. Kibler, who has served as assistant cashier of the R. S. Battles Bank of Girard for 54 years, ranks among the pioneer bankers and highly esteemed business men of Erie County. He was born at Girard, Feb. 15, 1854, and is the son of Frederick and Eva (Heckman) Kibler.
Frederick Kibler came to this country from Germany during the early days and settled at Bucyrus, Ohio. Later he removed to Girard, where he became a successful merchant. To Mr. and Mrs. Kibler, now deceased, were born 10 children, as follows: Frederick S., a Civil War veteran, de- ceased; John B., a Civil War veteran, lives retired at Girard; Chris, a Civil War veteran, deceased; Henry, was a soldier in the Civil War, and died at Paducah while in the service; Jacob, who was engaged in business at Girard for many years, now deceased; Dr. Charles B., prominent phy- sician of Corry, Pa .; Caroline Louise, the widow of Elsen Blakeslee, lives at Seattle, Wash .; George W., engaged in the mercantile business at Girard; William C., the subject of this sketch; and Frank, lives in Girard.
William C. Kibler has spent his entire life in Girard and was educated in the public schools. He has been identified with the R. S. Battles Bank since 1871 in the capacity of assistant cashier. This institution was or- ganized in 1859 under the firm name of Battles & Webster and dissolved in 1876. It has since been known as the R. S. Battles Bank. Mr. Battles died in 1904. He organized the Citizens National Bank of Corry and was a leading business man of Erie County during his life. The R. S. Battles Bank, which is the oldest and one of the most dependable banking institu- tions in the county, is privately owned. Mr. Kibler has various business
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interests and is secretary and treasurer of the Erie City Manufacturing Company, president of the Erie Casket Company, and secretary of the Climax Manufacturing Company of Corry.
Mr. Kibler was married first in 1882 to Miss Sophia Croft, a native of Girard, and to them three children were born: William F., who has been connected with the R. S. Battles Bank as a bookkeeper since 1900; Edward A., also a bookkeeper with this institution, is a World War veteran, having served in France with the 3rd Division; and Lloyd W., associated with the Erie Casket Company, is also a World War veteran. Several years after the death of his wife, Mr. Kibler was married to Miss Ellen A. Petti- bone, of Girard. To this union two sons were born. Charles P., was born 1898. He died while in service during the World War, Nov. 1, 1918, and is buried at Girard; Richard G., born in January, 1906, and is attending college.
Mr. Kibler is identified with the Republican party and is one of the oldest members of the Masonic Lodge at Girard.
Dr. Fred C. Hart, a successful physician of Girard, was born at Brook- lyn, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1862, and is the son of Clinton and Olivia (Alling) Hart.
Clinton Hart was a native of Hartford, Conn., who at an early age set- tled in Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1866 he removed to Cleveland and from there to Ashtabula, Ohio. For a number of years he operated a dairy farm at Austinburg, Ohio, and owned 142 acres of well improved land. He died in 1911 and his wife died in 1916. Mr. Hart was a Republican and a mem- ber of the Congregational Church. There were three children in this family: Fred C., the subject of this sketch; Mary, lives at Austinburg, Ohio; and Louis, an attorney, lives in Chicago.
Dr. Fred C. Hart was educated in the public schools and was graduated from Oberlin College. He received his degree as Doctor of Medicine at Western Reserve University, Cleveland, in 1892, and spent the following year in that city as house physician at Lakeside Hospital. He began the practice of his profession at Fairview, Pa., in 1893, where he remained for 17 years. He has been located in Girard since 1910 and has a well estab- lished practice.
On May 25, 1893, Dr. Hart was married to Miss Orpha E. Orcutt, a native of Austinburg, Ohio, born Aug. 25, 1865, and the daughter of Oran and Melana (Winchester) Orcutt, natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Orcutt
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was born Aug. 7, 1819, and died Feb. 3, 1882. His wife was born July 19, 1824, and died in October, 1896. They had two children: Edith, the widow of Fred Miles, lives in Washington; and Mrs. Hart. To Doctor and Mrs. Hart were born three children: Edith M., a graduate of Oberlin College, and a teacher before her marriage in May, 1924, to Dale Hatha- way, and they live at Chillicothe, Ohio; Fred C., Jr., a student at Grand River Institute; and Gilbert Alling.
Doctor Hart is identified with the Erie County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Association and the American Medical Asso- ciation. He is a stanch Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. Doctor Hart is a capable, energetic, and public spirited man, one whose life means much to his community.
Oscar D. Willcox is among the well liked and successful business men of Girard. He was born at North East, Pa., Dec. 3, 1885, and is the son of Marcus A. and Melissa (Dawley) Willcox.
The Willcox family came from Massachusetts to Erie County during the early days and settled at North East, where Marcus A. Willcox en- gaged successfully in the mercantile business. He died Oct. 5, 1909, and is buried at North East. His wife lives with her son in Girard.
Oscar D. Willcox attended the public schools of Jamestown, N. Y., where his family lived for several years. He also attended Allegheny College and worked at his trade as a toolmaker. For six years he was a railway con- ductor on the Jamestown & Lake Erie Railroad, after which he was con- nected with the General Electric Company as a toolmaker. In 1918 Mr. Willcox came to Girard and established the Girard Steel Stamping Com- pany, which has developed into a leading industry of the city. He manu- factures steel stamps and has a well equipped factory.
On Sept. 3, 1908, Mr. Willcox was united in marriage with Miss Ger- trude Malmm, a native of Sweden, born Dec. 11, 1887, and the daughter of John and Adeline (Peterson) Malmm. Mr. Malmm died Dec. 3, 1907, and his widow lives at Jamestown, N. Y. They had seven children: Mrs. Will- cox; Ruth, married Charles Firth, lives at Jamestown, N. Y .; Henry; Albert, a World War veteran, lives at Jamestown, N. Y .; Minnie, at home; and three children died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox have no children.
Mr. Willcox is a Republican and has served as justice of the peace at Girard since November, 1922. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is favorably known in the community in which he lives.
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John A. Becker is a prominent citizen and successful business man of Erie. He was born at the same address where his business is now located, Oct. 19, 1871, and is the son of John and Pauline (Gerhleim) Becker.
John Becker, deceased, was a native of Germany, born in 1835. At the age of 17 years he came to America with his parents and settled in Erie, where he became a tile and brick manufacturer. He established a shoe business in 1892, which is now owned by his son. Mr. Becker died in 1921 at the age of 86 years and is buried in Trinity Cemetery. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and a leading citizen of his time. His wife, also a native of Germany, came here with her parents when she was nine years of age. Her father, John Gerhleim, owned a large brick yard in Erie for many years. She died in 1901 at the age of 66 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Becker four children were born, as follows: Elizabeth, a dressmaker, lives at 415 West 10th Street; John A., the subject of this sketch; Anna, married Peter Emling, lives at 415 West 10th Street; and one child died in infancy.
John A. Becker grew up in Erie and attended the public schools. When a young boy he engaged in the shoe business with his father, where he has since remained. Mr. Becker carries a high-grade line of shoes and has one of the finest shops in the city, located at 418 West 18th Street. The family residence is in the rear of the store.
Mr. Becker was united in marriage with Miss Della Ford, the daugh- ter of Jerry and Catherine (Lang) Ford, well known pioneers of Erie, and a compete sketch of whom appears under the name of Richard E. Ford elsewhere in this history. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have no children.
In politics Mr. Becker is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and belongs to the Elks and Moose lodges. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are highly esteemed citizens and have many friends throughout the county.
Thomas J. Rick, justice of the peace, is a well known and highly es- teemed citizen of Girard. He was born in Fairview Township, Erie Coun- ty, June 4, 1862, and is the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Mclaughlin) Rick.
Michael Rick, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Germany, and in 1835 came to the United States with his parents and settled on a farm in Fairview Township, Erie County, where he remained
JOHN A. BECKER
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until 1905, at which time he retired. He died in 1918, and is buried at Girard. Mr. Rick was a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. His wife, a native of Erie County, died March 17, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Rick had six children, as follows: Mary A., deceased, was a school teacher in Erie County for 22 years; John A., lives at Girard; Thomas J., the sub- ject of this sketch; Charles E., lives in Kansas City, Mo .; William G., lives at Girard; and Jennie E., deceased.
Thomas J. Rick attended the public schools of Erie County, Edinboro State Normal School, and Cumberland University in Tennessee, where he studied law. He began the practice of his profession in St. Louis, but 16 years later removed to Girard, where he has since lived. He has served as justice of the peace for 14 years.
In 1884 Mr. Rick was married to Miss Agnes Colt, a native of Clinton, Mo., born Oct. 11, 1862. She died Dec. 22, 1885, leaving a son, Michael, who is also deceased.
Mr. Rick is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church.
F. A. Lloyd, who is successfully engaged in the general insurance busi- ness in Girard, was born in Waterford, Erie County, May 21, 1856, and is the son of Watts B. and Sarah (Middleton) Lloyd.
Watts B. Lloyd was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., April 8, 1807, and settled in Erie County in 1840. He was a general farmer and stockman and improved 170 acres of land in Waterford Township. He served as a minister of the Methodist Church during the early part of his life and was pastor of the Methodist Church at Girard for several years. Mr. Lloyd was a Democrat and held many township offices. He died October 4, 1874, and his wife, who was born in Erie County, July 26, 1808, died Sept. 12, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd were the parents of the following children: Wesley P., born Feb. 22, 1833, was a Civil War veteran and is deceased; Rev. Sylvester W., born Jan. 31, 1837, a minister of the Methodist Church, lives retired in California and is 88 years of age; Emily, born June 26, 1844, the widow of Patrick Hamilton, lives in California; Milton E., born May 13, 1839, lives at Rock Island, Ill .; Melvina, born Oct. 31, 1846, de- ceased; Mary Ann, deceased; John Clark, born March 5, 1851, deceased; and F. A., the subject of this sketch.
F. A. Lloyd was reared on his father's farm and educated in the dis- trict schools. He began life as a painter and decorator and worked at this trade continuously for 37 years. In November, 1912, Mr. Lloyd was elect-
(67)
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ed justice of the peace at Girard and served efficiently in this office until 1924. He is now notary public and also an insurance dealer. He served as township assessor for eight years and as assessor of the borough of Girard for 20 consecutive years.
On Aug. 20, 1879, Mr. Lloyd was united in marriage with Miss Nellie A. Eaton, a native of Franklin Township, Erie County, born Sept. 30, 1856, and the daughter of Hiram and Mary Eaton. To Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd three children were born: Clark A., born July 18, 1881, held a government po- sition at Yuma, Ariz., until his death, Feb. 15, 1924; Laura Pearl, born Oct. 18, 1884, married Charles C. Barron, an extensive farmer in Idaho; and Carl R., born Nov. 4, 1887, connected with the main office of the Car- negie Steel Company at Youngstown, Ohio, married Miss Hazel George, of North Girard, Pa., and they have two children, Betty Jane and Doro- thy. Mr. Lloyd is a World War veteran, having enlisted with the Marine Corps at San Francisco, Calif. He studied government wireless work and was sent to Honolulu and later to China, where he remained for two and one-half years. He re-enlisted and was sent to France with the Marines and later transferred to the 27th Division. Mr. Lloyd was seriously wounded and gassed while in action and discharged from service March 15, 1919.
Mr. Lloyd is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
William M. Culbertson, a well known citizen of Girard, who is exten- sively interested in Erie County, is a member of the Culbertson family, which has been conspicuous in Erie County and Pennsylvania for three generations. He was born in Covington, Ky., Nov. 30, 1859, and is the son of Hon. William C. and Margaret (Alexander) Culbertson.
Hon. William C. Culbertson, deceased, was one of the foremost citizens of Erie County during his life. He was born in Edinboro, Pa., Nov. 27, 1825, the son of Andrew Columbus and Margaret Culbertson. In 1795 William Culbertson, great grandfather of W. M., came to Erie County and purchased a large tract of land from the Holland Land Company, in the vicinity of the present site of Edinboro, part of which he afterwards disposed of to his brothers and others. Two years later he brought his family to their new home. Thus it will be seen that the Culbertson fam- ily were among the sturdy pioneers who took the initial steps in convert- ing the unbroken wilderness of Northwestern Pennsylvania into what is
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now one of the most beautiful and productive sections of the country. Andrew Columbus Culbertson was born in Williamsport, Pa., June 29, 1795, and was but two years old when brought to Erie County. His son, William C., received his education in the public schools and remained with his father until 21 years of age, and then engaged in business for himself. He began lumbering on the Allegheny River in Jefferson County, Pa., and in Kentucky, his mill and sash, door and blind factory being located at Covington, Ky., where he resided and made his headquarters. In 1863 he removed to Girard, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died May 24, 1906. In 1866 Mr. Culbertson went to Michigan and began the purchase of large tracts of timber, which he continued until he had purchased over 62,000 acres in Michigan and Wisconsin. The Girard Lumber Company was organized in 1881, with headquarters at Menominee, Mich., and this business is still in operation. Mr. Culbert- son's interests were so extensive and distributed as to be almost impos- sible of description or estimation, yet in all these undertakings he was universally successful. Among the self made men of northwestern Penn- sylvania who had achieved success by their own individual efforts he stood high. In politics Mr. Culbertson was a stanch Republican and in 1888 was elected to congress. Mr. Culbertson was married to Miss Mar- garet Alexander, a daughter of the late Dr. James A. Alexander of War- ren County, Pa. She died May 4, 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Culbertson the following children were born: Cordelia A., died in 1922; Kate E., lives in Pasadena, Cal .; James A., died in 1917; Belle, deceased, Feb. 15, 1913, was the wife of Frank May, who lives at Pasadena, Cal .; Margaret, who died in September, 1924; W. M., the subject of this sketch; Charles B., lives in Pasadena; and Archibald, who died June 17, 1883.
W. M. Culbertson attended the public schools of Girard and Edinboro State Normal School. At an early age he engaged in the lumber busi- ness with his father at Covington, Ky., and later conducted a milling busi- ness at Girard, and for last 15 years he has been engaged extensively in the manufacture of cement at Baltimore. Mr. Culbertson is a director of the National Bank of Girard and is actively interested in many important business enterprises in Erie County. He owns a farm of 1,025 acres in Crawford and Erie Counties.
In August, 1880, Mr. Culbertson was married to Miss Florence Nece, who was born in Girard, May 27, 1860, the daughter of Josiah and An- nabel (Kirkpatrick) Nece, who were the parents of the following chil-
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dren: Anna, deceased, was the wife of A. J. Thompson; Katherine, mar- ried C. R. Jones, lives retired at Girard; Mrs. Culbertson; Lillian, lives at Bancroft, Neb .; and Ella, deceased, was married to Charles Railsback, lived in Omaha, Neb. To Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Culbertson five children were born: Anabel, married William S. Taft, a well known educator of Harrisburg, Pa .; James, a contractor, lives at Girard, is a World War veteran; William C., an employe of the Erie Malleable Iron Works, lives in Erie, and is a veteran of the World War, having served as a captain ; Florence, married H. C. Young, assistant to the vice president of the Bell Telephone Company, Philadelphia; and Margaret, who lives at home.
Mr. Culbertson is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian church and a 32nd degree Mason.
Frank Marshall Drew, retired, is among the excellent and highly es- teemed citizens of Erie County. He resides in Girard. Mr. Drew was born in New York City, June 30, 1852, and is the son of Frank N. and Louise (Magness) Drew.
Frank N. Drew was prominent in the theatrical world for many years and was related to the well known Drew family, from which Ethel Barry- more is descended. He was born in Ireland in 1830, near Dublin, and after coming to America settled in Philadelphia and later in New York City, where he spent many years in theatrical work. He died in February, 1903, and is buried in the Girard Cemetery. His wife died in 1878. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Magness, who settled in Maryland in 1589. To Mr. and Mrs. Drew two children were born: Frank Marshall, the subject of this sketch; and John, who is engaged in the real estate business in Seattle, Wash.
Frank Marshall Drew received his education in the schools of New York and attended a military academy. He became interested in the theatrical profession at an early age and traveled with the Barnum Circus for nine years also. Mr. Drew has lived retired here since 1923.
Mr. Drew was married first on Feb. 16, 1876, to Miss Kate Drury, who was born at Girard in 1854, and died in May, 1888. Three children were born to them: William N., born July 29, 1879, was a theatrical manager, died in 1911; George M., born Nov. 8, 1881, lives at Wheeling, W. Va .; and Frank D., born July 5, 1885, who is associated with the William Fox Film Corporation, Detroit, Mich. Mr. Drew was married June 19, 1889, to Miss Blanche Cornelia Collard, a native of Brownstown, Mich., born Nov.
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22, 1858, and the daughter of John Harmon and Martha Mary (Long) Collard, deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Alice W., married Chandler Wells, lives retired at Wyandotte, Mich .; Emma R., married George Vrooman, both deceased; George, deceased; Ada C., married Charles Worden, lives retired in Michigan; Mrs. Drew; Grace, the widow of Robert Campbell, lives in California; and Martha Jane, married Wilmer Evans, lives retired in Michigan. Mr. Collard died in 1875 and his wife died in 1865. To Frank Marshall and Blanche Cor- nelia (Collard) Drew were born three children: Emma B., born May 3, 1896, married Amory Haskell, lives in Pittsburgh; Robert W., born Jan. 3, 1899, lives at Toledo, Ohio, where he is connected with the William Fox Film Corporation. He is a World War veteran who during his service in the navy qualified as a sharpshooter and was stationed at Wissahicken Barracks, Cape May, N. J .; and Arthur C., an expert mechanician, born Aug. 6, 1901, lives at home.
Mr. Drew is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian church, and belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Elks and the Eagles. Both he and his wife take an active interest in the affairs of their community and have a wide acquaintance in Erie County.
Frederick X. Bowman is a prominent citizen and substantial business man of Girard, where he is connected with the West Ridge Transportation Company. He was born in Fairview Township, Erie County, Oct. 13, 1886, and is the son of Joseph and Hannah (Leube) Bowman.
The Bowman family settled in Mckean Township, Erie County, many years ago. Joseph Bowman was born here and has spent his entire life in this county and now lives retired at Mckean. During his active busi- ness career he engaged in real estate. His wife died Nov. 12, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman had one son, F. X., the subject of this sketch.
F. X. Bowman was educated in the public and high schools of North East and in 1905 entered the employ of the Erie Transit Company, with whom he remained for 13 years. For a number of years he was super- intendent of this business. In 1918 Mr. Bowman became connected with the Pennsylvania state highway department, and in 1923 he organized the West Ridge Transportation Company, which he manages. He owns real estate in the city of Erie and Girard.
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