USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 40
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Hon. Emory A. Walling. After two decades of service as President Judge of the Sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Justice Walling came to his present place upon the bench of the Supreme Court of Pennsyl- vania, a jurist of long experience and proved ability. He was born in Greenfield Township, Erie County, June 11, 1854, and is the son of Thomas and Laura (Elliott) Walling.
Thomas Walling was born at Wallingford, Conn., and his wife was a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y. He was a farmer and at an early age removed from Connecticut to New York State, thence to Ohio, and later to Pennsylvania. While living in Ohio he served as justice of the peace. He died Feb. 25, 1863, and his wife died Feb. 9, 1895. They are buried in the Grahamville cemetery, North East Township, Erie County. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walling had five children: Lucinda, deceased, was the wife of Joseph C. Harity; Thomas A. lives at North East, Pa .; Roby J., deceased, was the wife of George S. Wilkinson; Asenath E., married
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Thomas O. Wilkinson, lives at Finley Lake, N. Y .; and Emory A., the subject of this sketch.
Emory A. Walling's educational training was obtained in the public schools, State Normal School, Edinboro and Lake Shore Seminary, North East. In 1878 he successfully took the bar examination and began pro- fessional work in Erie County, Pa., there gaining a degree of legal prom- inence and public favor that resulted in his election as district attorney of that county. He filled this position from 1881 until 1884 and in the latter year was elected to represent his district in the Pennsylvania State Senate, there serving a four year term, and at its close returning to private prac- tice. From 1897 to 1916 he was President Judge of the Sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania; on Jan. 3, 1916, he became a judge of the Su- preme Court of Pennsylvania. In 1920 Justice Walling received the degree of L.L.D., from Allegheny College.
On April 21, 1880, Judge Walling was united in marriage with Miss Grace E. Marshall, a native of North East Township, Erie County, and a daughter of Robert W. and Laura C. (Edgerton) Marshall, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York State. Mr. Marshall died in 1899 and his wife died in 1921. To Justice and Mrs. Walling were born five children: William B., an attorney, Erie; Ralph G., retired naval officer, St. Petersburg, Fla .; Laura C., married Harry L. Sawdey, 710 Cherry Street, Erie; Marion E., married W. L. Crawford, upper State Street, Erie; and Marietta M., married Lewis S. Mosher, 1023 West 8th Street, Erie.
Justice Walling is a Republican in politics and his religious faith is that of a Methodist. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, Grange, and the Elks. He is identified with the State and American Bar Associations, the Kahk- wa, Shrine and University clubs of Erie; and the Art and Manufacturers clubs of Philadelphia. His home is 552 West Eighth Street, Erie, Pa.
F. J. Waldinger, assistant treasurer and director of the S. M. Flick- inger Company of Buffalo, Rochester and Jamestown, is a prominent busi- ness man of Erie and one of the city's successful merchants. He was born in Summit Township, Erie County, April 20, 1885, and is the son of Ferdinand and Sybilla (Wolf) Waldinger.
Ferdinand Waldinger, deceased, was born in Rheinbaiern, Germany, Nov. 20, 1841, and was the son of Joseph and Margaretha (Ziehl) Wald-
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inger. He came to America in 1866 and settled in Erie County. He be- came the owner of a well improved farm of 112 acres in Summit Town- ship, where he spent the remainder of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Waldinger 11 children were born.
F. J. Waldinger spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Summit Township and was educated in the public and parochial schools of Mill Creek Township. At the age of 15 years he became a grocery clerk and four years later engaged in business for himself in Erie at the corner of 23rd and Sassafras Streets. From 1905 until 1923 Mr. Waldinger re- mained in that location and during the last five years of that time was a wholesale grocer. In 1922 he began the erection of his present place of business at 2001-09 Wallace Street, and on June 1, 1924, he became a member of the firm of S. M. Flickinger Company, wholesale grocers. This company operates 44 stores in Erie and throughout the county, 31 of them being located in the city of Erie.
On June 15, 1909, Mr. Waldinger was married to Miss Mary Franz, of Erie, and the daughter of Joseph Franz, a resident of this city. They have two children: Helen, a high school student; and Paul.
Mr. Waldinger is identified with the Republican party in politics, is a member of the Catholic Church, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and the Elks, Eagles and Moose lodges. He is a man esteemed in his com- munity for his integrity, and spirit of co-operation in all civic affairs.
Otto Herbst, one of the leading attorneys of Erie County, who is sur- cessfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Erie, is a native of this city. He was born March 10, 1887, and is the son of Edward and Emma L. (Neuberger) Herbst.
Edward Herbst, a native of Baden, Germany, came to America, in 1881, and settled in Erie, where he has since resided. His wife was born here in 1855, her parents having come here from Germany in the early 50's. Mr. and Mrs. Herbst have one son, Otto, the subject of this sketch.
Otto Herbst attended the public schools of Erie and after completing his high school course in 1905, he took a business course and was em- ployed in local business offices for four years. He then entered the De- troit College of Law, from which he was graduated with the degree of L.L.B., June 20, 1912. The following day he was admitted to the bar of Michigan. He served as mayor's clerk in Erie under Mayor William J. Stern from 1913 to 1915 and was then appointed judge's secretary, serving
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under Judges Rossiter, Walling, and the late Judge Whittlesey. After practicing law for one year Mr. Herbst was appointed assistant district attorney in 1920, in which capacity he served until January, 1924. He has since engaged in private practice with offices at 701 State Street.
On Jan. 27, 1914, Mr. Herbst was united in marriage with Miss Marie L. Reader, of Erie, and they have two children: Otto Jr., born Oct. 13, 1915; and William Edward, born Feb. 7, 1922.
Mr. Herbst is a member of Perry Lodge F. & A. M., No. 392, and is a member of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm and the Grotto. He is a member of Erie Lodge No. 67, B. P. O. Elks, of which he is the present Exalted Ruler. He belongs to the Lions Club, Erie Lodge No. 66, L. O. O. . Moose, and the Glenwood Golf Association. He has always been a Re- publican and is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Ferdinand M. Plate, the capable recorder of deeds of Erie County, has spent practically his entire life in this county and is recognized as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of the community. He was born in New London, Conn., Jan. 16, 1874, a son of August F. and Catherine (Sobetz) Plate, both natives of New York City. The father was engaged in the manufacture of cigars for a number of years at Corry, Pa., and dur- ing the course of his career took an active part in politics, holding various minor offices. He was killed by an automobile, July 27, 1923. His wife died Sept. 20, 1903, and they are buried at Corry, Pa.
Ferdinand M. Plate was one of the following children born to his par- ents; Mrs. Charles E. Perkins, Franklin Street, Corry, Pa .; Mrs. August Ausnehmer, Park Street, Corry, Pa .; Mrs. William C. Ford, lives near Erie, Pa .; and Mrs. Josie Mourton, Park Street, Corry, Pa.
Mr. Plate was reared in Corry, and received his education in the public schools of that city. He began life as a newsboy and later clerked in a store, served as messenger boy, telegraph operator, and agent for the Union News Company. He was proprietor of a news, cigar and confection- ery store in Corry from 1894 to 1901. He then purchased the business of the Erie News Company at Erie, Pa., from George H. Forrester. He de- veloped this business into one of the largest independent wholesale news- paper and magazine agencies in the United States. He also conducted a parcel, baggage and mercantile delivery business in Erie at the same time .. In 1917 he sold his news and delivery business to Charles E. Huey and Frank E. Moorhead, of Indiana, Pa. He then engaged in the real estate
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business in Erie until the fall of 1923, when he was elected recorder of deeds of Erie County for a four year term, and is now serving in that ca- pacity.
During the Mill Creek flood, of 1915, Mr. Plate suffered severe loss. Water nearly reached the second floor of his home, which was located at 117 East 10th Street, and all his household furniture was completely ruined and the house was washed from its foundation. The stock and equip- ment of his Erie News Company and the parcel, baggage and mercantile delivery at 118 East Tenth Street was also destroyed, and his stables and garages were nearly all swept away in the flood.
On Oct. 1, 1896, Mr. Plate was married to Miss Odessie L. Hunter. She was born at Mill Village, Erie County, and is the daughter of James R. and Permelia (Abbott) Hunter, natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother died Sept. 30, 1893, aged 48, and the father, who is now past 90 years, resides with Mr. and Mrs. Plate. To Mr. and Mrs. Plate have been born the following children: Louise Plate McEntarfer, the wife of a Methodist minister, North Muskegon, Mich .; and Howard Neville Plate, a student in East High School, Erie.
Mr. Plate is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the First Methodist Church of Erie. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Foresters, Royal Arcanum, and the Union Club. He has a wide acquaintance and is one of the conscientious and popular public officials of Erie County.
Reuben Vance Canon is an enterprising and successful business man of Erie, where is identified with the Erie Taxicab Company as secretary. He was born at Sandy Lake, Mercer County, Pa., Aug. 18, 1868, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Powell) Canon. Mr. Canon was a well known farmer of Mercer County, Pa., and is now deceased.
After attending the public schools of New Lebanon, Pa., R. V. Canon attended McElwain Institute, Duff Business College, Pittsburgh, and Edin- boro State Normal School. He taught school for three years and served as principal of the Garland Schools, Warren County, Pa. From 1893 until 1900 Mr. Canon was connected with the Pittsburgh Post and the following five years served as paymaster for the River Coal Company at Pittsburgh. From 1905 until 1912 he was manager of the Eclipse Laundry Company of Pittsburgh, a concern which employed 250 people. He has since been in- terested in the Taxicab business in Erie, which was established in 1912.
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The Erie Taxicab Company owns and operates 20 yellow cabs, and is the largest and most reliable concern of its kind in the city.
On March 18, 1893, Mr. Canon was married to Miss Emma Carson, who died at Sandy Lake, Pa., July 12, 1917. He was married on April 13, 1921, to Miss Jennie Allison, of Hadley, Pa., and a daughter of John and Mary Allison. She died in 1923 and is buried at Hadley, Pa. Mr. Canon was again married June 10, 1925, to Alice Dearment of Newcastle, Pa.
Mr. Canon is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He is one of the substantial citizens of Erie and is well known.
Philip H. Morgan, local manager of the Merrell-Soule Company, whole- sale and retail dairy products, was born at Freedom, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1887, and is the son of William P. and Elinor (Higgins) Morgan.
After attending the public and high schools of Freedom, N. Y., Philip H. Morgan attended Bryant-Stratton Business College at Buffalo, after which he entered the employ of an Arcade (N. Y.) bank. The following year he engaged in the insurance business there and in 1916 was employed by the Arcade branch of the Merrell-Soule Company. In 1924 Mr. Mor- gan was transferred to Erie, where he represents this company.
On July 12, 1911, Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Ruth Williams of Freedom, N. Y., and they have three children: Warner, born March 11, 1913; Eleanor, born Feb. 8, 1916; and Elliott, born April 4, 1918.
Mr. Morgan is a Republican and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is a capable man and already has a large circle of friends in Erie.
Ruby Fern Austin is well known in Erie County as the capable post- master of Edinboro. She is a native of that place and the daughter of C. D. and Carrie (McGahen) Anderson.
Ruby Fern Anderson was educated in the public and high schools of Edinboro and was graduated from the Edinboro State Normal School in 1907. She engaged in teaching in the district schools of Erie County for six years and then spent five years in the training school of Edinboro State Normal, which is now known as the critic school.
On June 9, 1917, Miss Anderson was married to James Montgomery Austin, the son of James F. and Nellie Austin, residents of Erie. He was reared and educated in Erie and at the time of the outbreak of the World War was engaged in the printing business in Erie with his father. He en- listed in May, 1917, with Company G, Pennsylvania National Guards, and
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was sent to Camp Hancock, where his outfit became part of the 28th Division. Mr. Austin was among the first to arrive in France and was killed in service Aug. 9, 1918, during the battle of Chateau Thierry.
On Nov. 17, 1921, Mrs. Austin was appointed postmaster of Edin- boro, and she is assisted by her brother, Russell Anderson.
Russell Anderson received his education in the schools of Edinboro and in 1917 was graduated from Edinboro State Normal School. He was a teacher at Cranesville, Pa., until he became identified with the local post office, in 1921. He was married to Miss Verna Arnold, of Kane, Pa.
Mrs. Austin is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Eastern Star and White Shrine. She has a wide acquaint- ance throughout the community and is well liked.
Dr. Walter F. Wade is a successful and well known young dentist of Edinboro. He was born here April 11, 1898, and is the son of Frank and Effie (Taylor) Wade.
Frank Wade was a native of Edinboro where he spent his entire life. He is now deceased and his widow resides in the family home here. Mr. and Mrs. Wade had two children: Eleanor F., married H. W. Devine, lives at Edinboro; and Walter F., the subject of this sketch.
After completing his early education in the public and high schools of Edinboro, Dr. Walter F. Wade was graduated from Edinboro State Normal School in 1918. He then entered the University of Pittsburgh from which he received his degree as Doctor of Dentistry in 1923. He immediately established his practice in Edinboro.
On Oct. 20, 1923, Dr. Wade was married to Miss Ruth Gale, of Pitts- burgh, a daughter of Charles and Anna Gale, residents of that city.
Dr. Wade is a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is an enterprising young man whose success in life in already assured.
U. A. Gamble, secretary and general manager of the Union Storage Company, is among the successful young business men of Erie. He was born at Martinsville, Ill., April 25, 1891, and is the son of Harry K. and Grace Gamble. Mr. Gamble is engaged in the insurance business in Indi- anapolis, Ind.
U. A. Gamble was educated in the public schools and in 1913 was grad- uated from Wabash College. He then entered the employ of the Indian- apolis Gas Company, and two years later became connected with the Max-
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well Motor Car Company of Detroit, Mich. From 1917 until 1919 he was associated with the Nordyke & Marmon Company of Indianapolis, after which he became connected with the Ninth Street Terminal Warehouse Company of Cleveland. Upon the organization of the Union Storage Com- pany of Erie in 1923, Mr. Gamble was elected secretary and general su- perintendent.
The Union Storage Company is among the finest and most modern warehouses of its kind in the state and is capitalized at $700,000. The officers are: G. W. Olmstead, Ludlow, Pa., president ; C. Harrison Lund, at- torney, vice president; H. M. Chapman, vice president; W. S. Calderwood, treasurer; and U. A. Gamble, secretary and general manager.
On May 1, 1911, Mr. Gamble was married to Miss Ruthven Syler, of Indianapolis, and they have a daughter, Jane, born June 1, 1915.
Mr. Gamble is a Republican, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and be- longs to the University Club and Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
James Baldwin, retired, has for many years been a well known busi- ness man and leading citizen of Erie. He was born in Amity Township, Erie County, Aug. 17, 1848, and is the son of Washington and Luzetta M. (Brooks) Baldwin.
Washington Baldwin settled in Erie County in 1810, having come here from Washington County, N. Y. His wife was also a native of the same place. Mr. Baldwin was a stone mason by trade, but later engaged in general farming on 220 acres of land, which he improved in Amity Township. He was the first road commissioner of that township and died in 1891. Luzetta M. Brooks Baldwin was the first school teacher who taught school in Amity Township. This was in the Baldwin flats school district. To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, who were married in 1833, the following children were born: Mary R., born in 1834, died in 1836; Mary S., born in 1837, died in 1881; Frances Louise, born in 1839, died in 1845; Josephine Shepardson, born in 1841, lives at Fort Dodge, Iowa; Phoebe Jane, born in 1843, died in 1844; A. F., born in 1845, died in 1914; James, the subject of this sketch; Ida Eliza, born in 1851, died in 1853; William P., born in 1853; and Anson B., born in 1854, died in 1858.
James Baldwin was reared and educated in Amity Township and attended Waterford Academy. He later taught at the academy and then purchased a farm in Venango Township, Erie County, in 1874. Five years later Mr. Baldwin sold this farm and removed to Amity Township, where
JAMES BALDWIN
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he remained until 1905. In 1904 he sold the old homestead of 220 acres and about that time began his building operations in Erie, which made him wealthy. He commenced building operations in Erie though at first on a smaller scale, mostly with lumber furnished from timber taken from the farm on Baldwin Flats in 1890, 15 years before leaving the farm. Mr. Baldwin with his sons have erected over 2,000 residences in this city and many business blocks and stores. He is widely known throughout this section of the state as a dependable business man. Although living practically retired, Mr. Baldwin still deals in mortgages and owns many of the largest apartment houses in the city, which he manages. His son, G. Daniel Baldwin, is now a leading real estate operator of the city, and is also a builder of homes.
On Aug. 17, 1873, Mr. Baldwin was married to Miss Frances Titus, a native of Venango Township, Erie County, and the daughter of Daniel W. and Maria (Langdon) Titus, both deceased. To them the following children were born: Lottie, born in 1874, died in 1891; G. Daniel, born in 1876, mention of whom is made above; Don C., born in 1878, died in infancy; Mary Eliza, born in 1880; William Isaac, born in 1882; and Ida L., born in 1886.
Mr. Baldwin has written two books, his first one, "Visiting Abroad," a four month's trip across the sea, was written and published in 1912, and "Genealogy and Reminiscences of the Baldwin Family" was completed in 1916. He is a Republican and a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a highly esteemed citizen of Erie and representative of the successful type of business man of the community.
Dr. L. E. Seavy, Doctor of Chiropractic, is a native of Pennsylvania, and a substantial citizen of Erie. He was born at Mosiertown, Pa., Oct. 14, 1892, and is a son of T. G. and Edith (Kleckner) Seavy.
T. G. Seavy lives at Clarendon, Pa., and for a number of years has been actively engaged in business in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. His wife is a native of Meadville, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Seavy five children were born, as follows: George E., lives at Warren, Pa .; N. E., assistant superintendent of the Galena Signal Oil Company, Houston, Tex .; M. J., vice president and general manager of the Palo Company, New York City; L. E., the subject of this sketch; and Edna Reed, lives in Philadelphia.
L. E. Seavy attended the public schools of Warren, Pa., and after his graduation from high school in 1912 he became interested in the oil busi- (71)
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ness. In 1920 he entered the Eastern Chiropractic College, Newark, N. J., from which he was graduated in 1923. He then established his practice at Clarendon, Pa., but later took post graduate work at Columbia Uni- versity. Since Nov. 1, 1924, Doctor Seavy has been located in Erie, where he is associated in practice with his uncle, Dr. Morris M. Green. The lat- ter is well known in this city, having practiced his profession here for a number of years.
In October, 1924, Doctor Seavy was married to Miss Bernice Reyn- olds, of Warren, Pa.
Dr. Seavy is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. His office is at 612 Parade Street.
Earl P. Campbell, cashier of the First National Bank of Edinboro, is a veteran of the World War and one of Erie County's enterprising and suc- cessful business man. He was born at Edinboro, Oct. 24, 1889, and is the son of W. S. and Sarah A. (Pulling) Campbell.
W. S. Campbell is a native of Pennsylvania, as is his wife. They re- side in Edinboro and are the parents of the following children: Pearl E., S. J., George M., Lynn F., and E. P., the subject of this sketch.
E. P. Campbell was educated in the public and high schools of Edin- boro and after completing a course at Edinboro State Normal School, he became connected with the First National Bank in 1913. He has ad- vanced steadily from his position as bookkeeper to that of cashier of the bank, and is recognized as being most capable and efficient in his work.
During the World War Mr. Campbell served in the army and was stationed at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, where he did special work in the quartermaster's department.
Mr. Campbell was married Dec. 2, 1922, to Miss Mae Padden, a native of Erie and the daughter of Charles and Bertha Padden.
Mr. Campbell is identified with the Masonic Lodge.
The First National Bank of Edinboro was organized in 1904. It was previously known as the Peoples Bank. The officers of the bank are: G. W. Minium, president; C. K. Henry, vice president; E. P. Campbell, cashier; and Asa I. Skelton, assistant cashier. The First National Bank of Edinboro, which has a capital of $25,000 and a surplus of $25,000, is among the dependable and thriving banking institutions in this section of the county and has enjoyed a rapid growth. The directors are: H. A. Ghering, T. H. Crandall, T. R. Ehtridge, G. W. Minium, C. K. Henry, E. P. Campbell, V. L. Crandall, D. R. Harter, and Henry Fuller.
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Eugene Dunn, well known business man of Erie, is a native of that place, and a member of one of the county's oldest and most prominent pio- neer families. He was born in Summit Township, Feb. 10, 1857, and is the son of Oscar F. and Matilda R. (Ewing) Dunn.
The Dunn family settled in Erie County in 1790, having come here from Ireland. William Dunn, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the first white child born in the county. He served in the War of 1812 and was the son of Oliver Dunn. Oscar F. Dunn was born in Summit Township, in 1824, and was a prominent farmer of this section for a num- ber of years. He held many township offices and was active in the welfare of his community. He died in 1894 and his wife died when Eugene, the subject of this sketch, was but six weeks old. There were three children in the Dunn family : one child died in infancy ; Etta J., died at the age of 60 years; and Eugene, the subject of this sketch.
Eugene Dunn grew up on his father's farm and attended the district schools. At an early age he engaged in general farming with his father and later became interested in the oil business. He has also engaged in the dairy and restaurant business in Erie, and now conducts a grocery business at 2826 Plum Street. He also deals in ice cream, confectionery, cigars and tobacco.
On Dec. 23, 1887, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage with Miss Alice Tate, of Summit Township, and the daughter of Ezeriah and Mary (Ag- new) Tate, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunn the following children were born: Oscar, died in infancy; Ruby, married Earl Seifford, and she is deceased; Edith Dunn, lives in Erie, and has one child, Marian Edith; and Ruth Cooper, lives in Erie and has one child, William Eugene.
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