USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 36
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Henry M. Riblet was educated in the public schools of Erie and also Erie Academy, from which he was graduated in 1864. During the period from December, 1860, until the fall of 1864, he worked in the shop of his father, who was a cabinet-maker, until he had acquired a thorough under- standing of the cabinet-maker's trade, which it had been his good fortune to supplement with a reasonable knowledge of the carpenter and builder's trade. On the 3rd day of October, 1864, when nearly 19 years of age, he entered the office of Gunnison & McCreary, attroneys of Erie, as a law student, pursuing his studies with them continuously except for a period of four months in the winter of 1866-7, when he taught the district school in the Love District of Millcreek Township, Erie County. He was ad- mitted to the bar of Erie County, Oct. 3, 1867, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession, locating on the third floor of building No. 1523 Peach Street. Reasonable success attended his efforts as a practicing attorney and on Nov. 19th of that year, Mr. Riblet was united in marriage with Miss Pauline Hayes Carpenter, second daughter of James M. and Pauline Blue (Hayes) Carpenter, who perished off Manistee, Mich., in a storm on Lake Michigan on the morning of Nov. 4, 1869. The body of Captain Carpenter not being recovered, the mother was buried in the Painesville (Ohio) Cemetery, Nov. 17, 1869. On the 5th day of December following, Henry M. Riblet and his wife established a home on East 11th Street, Erie, where, on the 19th of October, 1861, their only child, a daughter, was born. Their home was continued at this place until March 27, 1876, when they removed to a farm in West Millcreek, Millcreek Town- ship, Erie County, where they continued to reside together until the death of the wife on May 25, 1879. She was buried in the cemetery in the city
HENRY M. RIBLET
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of Erie, May 27, 1879. Mr. Riblet continued to maintain his home on the farm, and on March 30, 1881, was married to Miss Gertrude Agnes, second daughter of Charles, Jr., and Mary (Daggett) Gaillard, mention to whom is made below.
Charles Gaillard, Sr., came to Fairview, Erie County, from Lancaster County, Pa., in June 1830, and settled on a farm. About 1860 he removed to the town of Fairview and served as justice of the peace for many years. He had four sons: Charles, Jr., Jerome, John, and Theodore, and one daughter, Elizabeth. The only living male member of the Gaillard family in Erie County is John Gaillard, son of John Gaillard, of Fairview. Charles, Jr., was married to Mary Daggett, who was born Feb. 25, 1838. He died at Artesia, Cal., and she died in Erie. Gertrude Agnes (Gaillard) Riblet was born in Fairview Township, Erie County, Nov. 11, 1860. On June 14, 1882, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Riblet, who was named Charles Gaillard Riblet. He died Nov. 9, 1883, and is buried in Erie Cemetery. On Dec. 1, 1883, Mr. Riblet and his family removed to Erie, occupying the premises at 144 East 8th Street, which continues up to the present time to be their home. Here, on May 6, 1884, was born to them a daughter, who received the name of Mary Gertrude Riblet, and who ex- pired on the 6th day of October, following. She is buried in Erie Ceme- tery. On Aug. 12, 1885, a son was born, Harry Gaillard Riblet, mention of whom is made below. On the 1st of June, 1870, Henry M. Riblet re- moved his office to 1519 Peach Street, where he remained until the 1st of April, 1872, when he removed to 1606 Peach Street. In this office he remained until the first day of October, 1878, when he removed to the corner of 13th and Peach streets, where he continued until March 30, 1894. He then removed and for the last time, to the corner of 11th and Holland streets. He died March 6, 1921, and is buried in Erie Cemetery.
Harry Gaillard Riblet was graduated from Allegheny College in 1910, where he studied civil engineering. He was married Oct. 1, 1912, to Miss Ida L. Baldwin, of Erie, and they have three children: Henry J., born July 21, 1913, a student at Gridley High School; Frances Gertrude, born April 24, 1915, a student at Jones School; and Helen B., born Oct. 17, 1922. Mr. Riblet is a member of the Masonic Lodge and belongs to the University Club.
Mrs. Henry M. Riblet is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and belongs to the Women's Club and the Y. W. C. A. She has always taken an active interest in church and club work and has an
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extensive acquaintance in the city of Erie, where she has spent so many years.
The Riblet family, which is among the oldest in the county, settled here in 1802, when John Riblet came here from Maryland with his family of five children and his sister, Mary Zuck. In 1779 he had married Cath- erine Keiber and to them two sons were born, John, Jr., and Michael. Mr. Riblet settled and improved a tract of 200 acres in Harbor Creek Township, Erie County, and built one of the first sawmills in the county. He died in 1835 at the age of 80 years and is buried in Erie Cemetery.
Glenn M. Goss, retired, ranks among the well known and substantial citizens of Girard. He was born on a farm in Franklin Township, Erie County, Jan. 8, 1870, and is the son of Charles and Eliza (Foltz) Goss.
Charles Goss was a native of Springville, N. Y., who came to Erie County in 1868 and settled on a farm in Franklin Township. He be- came a prosperous farmer and stockman and owned a well improved farm, which is now owned by his son. Mr. Goss died June 5, 1919, and his wife died March 29, 1915. They had two children: (1) Nettie, who married E. M. Pratt, lives at Girard, and they have two children; Mabel Alice, who married George Kuebel, and they live in Erie; and Marshall G. Pratt, who lives in Girard. (2) Glenn M., the subject of this sketch.
Glenn M. Goss received his education in the public and high schools of Girard and attended Grove City Business College. He has always been interested in stock raising and specialized in the breeding of O. I. C. Chester White hogs. Since retiring from his farming interests, Mr. Goss is extensively engaged in real estate. He still maintains his home on the farm where he has spent so many years.
Politically, Mr. Goss is a Republican. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church and a highly esteemed member of his community. He is unmarried.
William C. Schaffer, treasurer and manager of the Lake Erie Foundry Company, is an enterprising and successful man of Girard. He was born in Erie, July 30, 1870, and is the son of Ferdinand and Catherine (Shur- mer) Schaffer.
Ferdinand Schaffer came to this country from Germany with his parents and settled at Mckean, Pa. He engaged in general farming in Erie County until 1883, when he removed to Albion, Pa., and later to
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Ohio. He died in Michigan. Mr. Schaffer was a Republican and a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. There were three children in the Schaffer family: William C., the subject of this sketch; Emma, married William Hutner, lives in Erie; and Henry, a farmer, lives in Michigan.
William C. Schaffer was reared and educated in Erie. He learned the moulder's trade, which he followed for several years and in 1902 with other business men of Girard, he organized the Lake Erie Foundry Com- pany, which ranks as one of the well established and substantial busi- ness enterprises of Erie County. The officers are: John A. Zurn, Erie, president ; John Schneider, Erie, vice president; William C. Schaffer, treas- urer and manager; Harry Foye, Girard, secretary; and William Kohler, Girard, superintendent.
On Dec. 26, 1898, Mr. Schaffer was united in marriage with Miss Carrie M. Fisher, of Sharpsville, Pa., born Oct. 5, 1872, and the daughter of Conrad and Electa (Hicock) Fisher, both deceased. Mr. Fisher served throughout the Civil War and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Another daughter, Minnie, married George Straub, and they live in Baltimore, Md. To Mr. and Mrs. Schaffer two children were born: William, born Dec. 29, 1891, deceased; and Arda May, born Oct. 8, 1905, lives at home.
Mr. Schaffer is a Republican, a member of the Methodist church, and belongs to the Masonic lodge. He served as mayor of Girard for two terms and is a representative citizen of the community in which he lives.
George J. Veith is an enterprising and progressive citizen of Girard, where he is engaged in threshing and also operates a saw mill. He is a native of this county, born July 20, 1870, and the son of Jacob and Mary (Voultz) Veith.
Jacob Veith was born in Mckean Township, Erie County, and was a millwright by trade. He died Aug. 27, 1897, and his wife, a native of Germany, died March 2, 1914. They had seven children: Frank, Henry, Edward, Emily, all deceased; Kate, deceased, was the wife of Henry Kuhl; George J., the subject of this sketch; and Leonard.
George J. Veith grew up on a farm in Fairview Township and at- tended the district schools. He engaged in dairy farming for 10 years and has since operated a threshing machine, coming to Girard in 1906.
Mr. Veith was married to Miss Ocea O. McKee, a native of Mill Creek Township, born in January, 1872, and the daughter of John and Sarah C.
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(Brown) McKee, natives of Erie County and the parents of the follow- ing children: Marilla B., married John F. Henry, lives in Erie; Mary E., married J. C. Katzman, associated with the West Ridge Transportation Company, Girard; John E., lives at North Girard; Samuel T., lives in Fostoria, Ohio; and Mrs. Veith. Mr. McKee served throughout the Civil War and died March 26, 1885. His wife died July 5, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Veith have two children: George, born in August, 1897, engaged in busi- ness with his father, married Miss Josephine Clayton, of Cranesville, Pa .; and Marie, born July 10, 1899, lives at home.
Mr. Veith and his family hold membership in the Lutheran church. He is a Republican and has served as tax collector in Girard Township for three terms.
Frank Semler, a substantial and well known citizen of Girard, was born in the present Semler home in Girard, Dec. 8, 1856, and is the son of Jacob and Nancy (Reynolds) Semler.
Jacob Semler, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer of Erie County. He was born in Germany and after coming to this coun- try worked at his trade as a shoemaker. He also owned a farm of 50 acres in Springfield Township, Erie County, which he improved. Dur- ing the Civil War Mr. Semler served with Company A, 15th Regiment of Illinois Infantry. At the outbreak of the war he was living at Wood- stock, Ill. He died Oct. 22, 1908, and his wife, a native of Girard, died many years previous. They had three children: Frank, the subject of this sketch; Albert, deceased; and Fred, lives in Omaha, Neb.
Frank Semler attended the schools of Girard and when a young man was employed by an uncle at Cambridge, Pa., as a stationary engineer. He maintains his residence here but is employed at Gunnison Brothers as an engineer.
On Nov. 3, 1892, Mr. Semler was married to Miss Carrie Strickland, a native of Springfield Township, Erie County, born Feb. 10, 1865, and the daughter of William and Mary Jane (Cross) Strickland, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. Strickland died March 12, 1909, and his wife died March 10, 1868. They had three children: Alice, the widow of G. A. Fullerton, lives in Warren County, Pa .; Eva, the widow of W. B. Fleet, lives in Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Semler. By a second marriage Mr. Strickland had a son, Francis, who still operates the grist mill on the old homestead in Crawford County, Pa. To Frank and
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Carrie (Strickland) Semler three daughters were born: Ruth, married Arthur Monroe, engaged in the automobile business at Girard; Mary J., lives at Greenville, Pa .; and Esther, married Nicholas Julio, lives at Fair- view, Pa. By a former marriage Mrs. Semler had two children: Mabel, married George Snadeker, lives at Cranesville, Pa .; and Grant Scott, lives in Buffalo, N. Y.
Oliver Cross, great grandfather of Mrs. Semler, came to Erie County from Vermont at an early date and homesteaded 300 acres of land in Springfield Township. He married Miss Margaret Porter. Their son, Jason Cross, was a leading citizen of Erie County during his life and was a prosperous farmer. Mrs. Semler is a fourth cousin of Commodore Perry.
Mr. Semler is a Republican and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
John D. Murray is a leading business man of Girard, where he has been identified with the Girard Wrench Manufacturing Company since 1877. He was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1853, and is the son of Captain James M. and Mary (Colgan) Murray.
Capt. James M. Murray, a native of Ireland, came to this country at an early date and for several years was connected with the Lake Shore Railroad as road master at Cleveland. He later removed to Jamestown, N. Y., and operated the first passenger boat on Lake Chautauqua, which was known as the "C. C. Dennis". He later owned the "Chautauqua". Captain Murray was a prominent citizen of Jamestown and held many public offices. He and his wife are deceased and buried there. They were the parents of six children, as follows: James, deceased; John D., the sub- ject of this sketch; Delia, married M. J. Pierce, lives retired at James- town, N. Y .; A. W., lives retired at Jamestown, N. Y .; Mary, lives at Jamestown, N. Y .; and William, deceased.
John D. Murray spent his boyhood at Jamestown, N. Y., and was edu- cated in the public schools. He learned the machinist's trade in the em- ploy of the H. G. Brooks Locomotive Works, Dunkirk, N. Y., and after three years came to Erie, where he was associated with the city for five years. Since coming to Girard in 1877 Mr. Murray has served as super- intendent of the Girard Wrench Manufacturing Company.
On Dec. 1, 1876, Mr. Murray was united in marriage with Miss Mary Tate, who was born in Erie in 1859, the daughter of William and Mary
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Tate, natives of Scotland, and both now deceased. Five children were born to them, as follows: Mabel, married H. A. McMurray, lives at Green- ville, Pa .; William J., employed by the Chandler Motor Company, Cleve- land; Mary, the widow of M. J. Crowe, lives with her father in Girard and has two children, Virginia, born in 1913, and Helen, born in 1915; James, lives in Erie; and A. R., a World War veteran, lives in Erie. Mrs. Murray died Sept. 23, 1923, and is buried at Girard.
Mr. Murray is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church. He is a man of excellent character, industrious and competent.
George Hawkes, president of the First National Bank of North Girard, is a prominent citizen of Erie County. He was born at Northamp- tonshire, England, near Sulgrare Manor, the home of George Washing- ton's ancestors, Nov. 7, 1862, and is the son of Frederick and Sarah (Ward) Hawkes.
Frederick Hawkes was an extensive farmer and spent his entire life in England. He and his wife are now deceased. They were the parents of the following children: George, the subject of this sketch; Maurice, lives in England; Elizabeth, the widow of John Clark, lives in Cleveland; Frederick, lives in Dayton, Ohio; Sabrina, married Edwin Stokes, lives in England; Kate, married James Underwood, lives at Rolla, Mo .; John, lives in Dayton, Ohio; and Nellie, married William Parnell, lives in Eng- land.
George Hawkes was reared and educated in England and came to the United States in 1890. He lived at Fort Madison, Iowa, for several years and for 30 years was identified with the American Fork and Hoe Company as a traveling representative. After his retirement he settled at North Girard, where he has served as justice of the peace, and presi- dent of the Chamber of Commerce.
The First National Bank of North Girard was organized in February, 1923, with the following officers: George Hawkes, president; W. J. Mc- Maniss, vice president; and Clarke Pain, cashier. The directors are: George Hawkes, W. J. McManiss, Glen Way, Carl Hannah, Frank Mc- Carty, David Garloch, and R. B. Miller.
On July 24, 1890, Mr. Hawkes was married to Miss Annie Thackery, a native of Huntingdonshire, England, and a daughter of George and Susanna (Blench) Thackery, natives of England, and the parents of the following children: George, William, and John, all deceased; Susanna, the
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widow of Frederick Laughton, lives in England; Philip, deceased; Mary, lives in England; Blench, deceased; Mrs. Hawkes; Joseph, and Elizabeth, both deceased. Mr. Thackery died Jan. 2, 1882, and his wife died Dec. 30, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes have no children.
Mr. Hawkes 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 influential citizen and stands high in his community.
Frederick G. Mohring, one of Erie County's most successful fruit farmers, is a resident of North Girard. He was born in Erie County, June 7, 1876, and is the son of John F. and Katherine (Kauderer) Mohring.
J. F. Mohring came to this country from Germany in 1873 and settled in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in general farming. He now lives re- tired in Girard Township. Mr. Mohring is a Republican, a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife is also a native of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Mohring four children were born, two of whom died in infancy. The remaining two are F. G., the subject of this sketch; and Charles N., a building contractor, lives in Cleveland.
F. G. Mohring grew up on his father's farm and received his educa- tion in the district schools. He began farming on rented land but soon became the owner of his present well improved farm of 72 acres in Girard Township. A modern residence was built by Mr. Mohring in 1916, which is one of the finest homes in this section of the county. He specializes in grape culture and is widely known as a successful fruit farmer.
On March 7, 1899, Mr. Mohring was married to Miss Katherine Struchen, a native of Springfield Township, Erie County, born March 21, 1880, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kramer) Struchen, na- tives of Switzerland and Germany, respectively. Mr. Struchen died Aug. 1, 1891, and his wife died May 20, 1916. They had three children: Mrs. Mohring; John, a railroader, lives in Cleveland; and Oscar, a telegrapher, lives at Chenango, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Mohring two children were born: Helen Marie, born Aug. 25, 1900, was graduated from Edinboro State Normal School in 1921, now teaching in the public schools in Cleve- land, Ohio; and Clyde Frederick, born Sept. 1, 1902, engaged in farming with his father.
Politically, Mr. Mohring is a Republican and he has been township assessor. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a reliable citizen of the community in which he lives.
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Hermann Jerome Curtze, who has just celebrated his fiftieth year as an attorney in Erie, is known as "the grand old man of the Erie County bar." During those 50 years of law practice Attorney Curtze has served hundreds of clients, is still active in the profession and is almost a daily visitor at the courthouse, most of his work being before Judge Henry A. Clark in Orphan's Court. He was born in Erie, Nov. 30, 1847, the son of Frederick and Mary Ann (Beckmann) Curtze, the former a native of Corbach, Germany, and the latter of Annweiler, Germany.
Frederick Curtze came to the United States in 1836 and located in Erie, May 2, 1840. The Beckmann family came from Germany and set- tled in Fairview Township, in 1837. Mr. Curtze was by trade a silver and goldsmith. Shortly after his arrival in Erie, he took up the vocation of teacher of the German language, and later and for many years, engaged in business as a manufacturer of and dealer in oil cloths. He was a justice of the peace for 20 years. He died April 14, 1891, and his wife died Oct. 25, 1864.
Hermann Jerome Curtze was educated in the city schools and at Prof. Hermann Leo's Select School, Erie. He studied bookkeeping at Hick's Mercantile College, Buffalo, and returning to Erie was bookkeeper for the wholesale firm of Johnson & Brevillier for nearly three years. He then went to Europe and completed his education at the gymnasium of Corbach, the University of Heidelberg and at the University of Leipsic, taking the degree of Doctor of Laws at the former university. Returning after an absence of five years to Erie, he studied law under the preceptor- ship of Col. Benjamin Grant, was admitted to practice Jan. 4, 1875, was for a time in the office of James C. and F. F. Marshall, and has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession alone.
Mr. Curtze was married June 4, 1878, to Henriette Goehling of Brook- lyn, N. Y., and a daughter of Rev. Charles and Babetta Goehling. Mr. and Mrs. Curtze have had no children but have reared and educated sev- eral and have also sent a number of boys through college.
Mr. Curtze is greatly interested in art and has in his home a number of copies of well known oil paintings, among them being: "The Archi- tect," a Rembrandt, the original of which hangs in an art gallery at Cassel, Germany; a panel representing the progress made by the Univer- sity of Heidelberg on its 300th anniversary, by Professor Keller. The original is 30 ft. long, containing life-size figures and hangs in the Uni- versity of Heidelberg. Mr. Curtze's copy, made by Arthur W. Woelle, is
HERMANN J. CURTZE
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3x7 feet ; "The Penitent Magdalene," a Battoni; "Lavinia," by Titian, an Italian head, the original being made 500 years ago and now in the Berlin galleries ; "The Wash by the Moor," by Kraus, painted by him for the Kaiser, and which hung in his private collection; "An Inn Scene," made by Teniers in the 15th century; "With Grandmother," by Artz; "Ricks Mill Scene," by Ruisdael; "The Fisher Maid," by LeFevere; "The Good Shep- herd," and the "Madonna," by Murillo, the originals of which hang in the royal galleries at Vienna and Berlin. Mr. Curtze also has in his possession a number of fine marbles, among them being "Beatrice and Scienza," by an Italian artist, who has contributed many rare pieces to the Compo Santo at Genoa, Italy ; "Joan of Arc," imported from Venice; and "Spring- time," by Romanelli, of Florence, Italy; "Morning and Night," by Thor- waldsen, and "Pauline Borges," by Canova.
Mr. and Mrs. Curtze are members of St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church and have always taken an active interest in all church affairs. Mr. Curtze has been treasurer of the Erie County law library for 35 years and still holds that position. He is president of the Board of Man- agers of the Erie Cemetery.
In January, 1925, in speaking of Mr. Curtze's 50 years of service as a member of the Erie County bar, Attorney John B. Brooks spoke as follows: "Hermann J. Curtze can well be styled 'the grand old man of the Erie County bar.' A quarter of a century ago when I first knew him he had been for many years one of the leaders of what was recognized to be one of the best bars in the state of Pennsylvania. He is still in active service, is still a leader, and stands very high in the estimation of this community, not only as a lawyer but as a citizen of the highest type. A typical lawyer of the old school, highly educated, cultured, studious, industrious, courteous, painstaking and honest, Mr. Curtze early attracted clients and for many years has had a large and lucrative practice; being recognized as an authority on conveyancing, preparation of wills, and all matters pertaining to the Orphan's Court and equity practice. By loyalty to his clients he has endeared himself to them and by serving them so well has been a factor for great good in this community. His manner of living is worthy of emulation by all of us, and I sincerely hope that for many years to come we will be able to greet Mr. Curtze at the court- house and at our gatherings, and be greeted by him in that courteous and affable manner for which he is noted."
Judge Uriah P. Rossiter said of the veteran attorney: "No man at
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this or any other bar ever stood higher for integrity, ability and courtesy. His exalted ideals of professional ethics, his devotion to his clients and his loyalty to the court have been an example for all of us to emulate.
To Attorney Curtze the practice of law has always been a vehicle through which to establish the right, and no matter what his personal views as to the wisdom of the law may have been, he has tenaciously adhered to the doctrine that the inclinations of the individual are sub- ordinate thereto. I hope he continues in life, as he always will in memory, as an ideal example of what an attorney ought to be and a judge aspires to -a scholar, a lawyer and a genial kindly gentleman, upright, honest, fear- less and fair."
George Whiteman, who ranks among the popular merchants of North Girard, was born there June 7, 1888, and is the son of Matthew and Frances Emma (Tobin) Whiteman.
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