USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 42
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have two children: Edith M., was graduated from the schools of Belle Valley and Edinboro State Normal School. Since 1912 she has been a teacher in the schools of Erie County and is now teaching at Corry. Their son, Edward Everett, was born in 1897. He was married to Miss Hazel Appleman, and they live on a farm in Mill Creek Township.
Politically, Mr. Cook is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Belle Valley Presbyterian Church and are highly esteemed citi- zens of the community in which they live.
DeWitt B. Sammons is among the prosperous and widely known farm- ers of Erie County and the owner of 270 acres of well improved land in Amity Township. He was born in this county, June 25, 1871, and is the son of George and Frances A. (Harrington) Sammons.
George Sammons was born at Sharon, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1832, and was reared and educated in New York, and from there came with his parents to Erie County in 1855. He was the son of Benjamin J. and Anna (Hess) Sammons, natives of New York. He became an extensive land owner of this section and was a prominent citizen. He died March 16, 1910, and his wife, who was born Sept. 2, 1835, died Nov. 16, 1888. To them the follow- ing children were born : William H., lives near Wattsburg; Frances B., mar- ried George Reed, lives near Erie; Martha L., married U. S. Fuller, lives in Erie; Fordyce F., lives in North Dakota; Georgianna, deceased, was the wife of Gerry Bemis; and DeWitt B., the subject of this sketch.
DeWitt B. Sammons was educated in the public schools and at- tended Edinboro State Normal School. When a young man he purchased a farm in Erie County and has added to his land holdings until with his sons he now owns over 500 acres of land. He specializes in dairy farm- ing and has registered stock. His farm is well improved and is among the attractive spots in the county.
On Sept. 30, 1892, Mr. Sammons was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Grace Tanner, a native of Amity Township, and the daughter of Amos and Mary (Faulkner) Tanner, both deceased. Mr. Tanner, a well known pioneer of Erie County, died in 1892 and his wife died in 1914. To Mr. and Mrs. Sammons were born four children: Edna A., married Carl Baldwin, lives at Arcade, N. Y .; Mabel Gertrude, doing foreign missionary work in India, was graduated from Edinboro State Normal School, Grove City College, and the Women's Medical College, Philadelphia; DeForest Tanner, married Miss Olga Carpenter, the daughter of Doctor Carpenter of Linesville, Pa., and they have three children, Charles DeWitt, Grace
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and Doris; and Wm. Dana, who is engaged in farming in Erie County, married Miss Jean Watson, of Butler, Pa. An adopted son, Everett, was born in April, 1910.
In politics Mr. Sammons is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a highly esteemed citizen of Erie County.
Ernest Keppel, president of the Corry Wrench Company, is a pro- gressive business man of Erie County. He was born in Germany, Feb. 27, 1851, and is the son of Charles and Margretta (Fageline) Keppel.
Charles Keppel came to this country from Germany in 1853 and settled in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained six years. He then removed to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he improved a farm of 85 acres from raw prairie. Ox teams were used in clearing the wilderness and their first home was a log cabin. Mr. and Mrs. Keppel, deceased, were the parents of the following children: Henry, a banker, lives at Corry; Mary, married John Danker, deceased, later married Joseph Her- tick, also deceased; Ernest, the subject of this sketch; Charles, lives at Fair Plains, N. Y .; John, deceased; and Lizzie, married Charles Rider, lives at South Dayton, N. Y.
Ernest Keppel was two years of age when his parents came to this country. He was educated in the schools of New York and in early life engaged in farming. He later became interested in the lumber business and in 1910 organized the Corry Wrench Company, which has enjoyed a steady and rapid growth.
On April 7, 1872, Mr. Keppel was married to Miss Margaret Snyder, who was born in Germany, May 20, 1853, the daughter of John and Mary Snyder, both deceased. There were four children in the Snyder family ; Mrs. Keppel; Carrie, deceased, was the wife of Henry Dar; Benjamin and Charles, both deceased. To Ernest and Margaret (Snyder) Keppel the following children have been born: Lena, married William Donahue, lives in New York; Mary, married E. J. Reinhardt, lives at Corry; Charles, engaged in business with his father; Henry, John, Walter, all live in Corry ; Lizzie, married Vernon Bowles, lives in Corry; Florence, married Henry Bales, lives in Corry; and Clara, married Albert Lynn, lives in Corry.
Mr. Keppel and his family are members of the Lutheran Church and are among the substantial and highly respected citizens of Erie County.
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The Roth Cadillac Company, one of the leading business enterprises of Erie, was organized in 1917 by Jacob Roth, pioneer automobile man of this section. He is a native of Germany and the son of the late Gottlieb and Barbara (Reisenweber) Roth.
The Roth Cadillac Company had its origin in 1892 when Jacob Roth engaged in the bicycle business with his brothers at 18 West Ninth Street.
ROTH-CADILLAC COMPANY
ROTH-CADILLAC COMPANY, ERIE, PA.
In the years following the business was located at the following addresses : 1027 State, 1018 State, 1017-19 State. 1117-23 State, and in April, 1922, it was removed to its present location, 20-22 East Eighth Street. In 1898 Messrs. Roth combined their bicycle business with the automobile in- dustry and in 1903 discontinued the former altogether.
Since 1903 the Roth Cadillac Company has been distributors for the Cadillac automobile in northwestern Pennsylvania and Conneaut, Ohio. The sales and service buildings are the largest in this section of the state, containing 40,000 square feet, two floors used for show rooms, stock rooms,
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accessory store, garage, storage, repairing and repainting. Ramps are used instead of elevators. The building is well lighted, ventilated and steam heated, giving ideal conditions for efficient workmanship and pains- taking care in all repair and reconditioning work.
Jacob Roth is senior member of the firm; John Roth, general mana- ger; Louis Roth, sales manager; and Clara B. Roth, secretary and treas- urer. The Roth Cadillac Company are members of the Automotive Asso- ciation of Erie, the Pennsylvania Automotive Association, and the Na- tional Dealers Association.
Gottlieb Roth, deceased, was a native of Germany, born in 1848. He brought his family to this country in 1882 and settled in Erie, where he worked at his trade as a tailor. Later he engaged in the grocery business at 18th and State Streets. He died in 1896 and his wife, Barbara (Reisenweber) Roth, died in 1891. They are buried in Erie Cemetery.
To Mr. and Mrs. Roth the following children were born: Jacob, a well known building contractor of Erie, and founder of the Roth Cadillac Company; Mrs. George I. Ecker, lives in Erie; Louis, sales manager of the Roth Cadillac Company; Barbara, died at the age of six years; John, general manager of the Roth Cadillac Company; Andrew, a salesman for the Roth Cadillac Company ; Clara B., secretary and treasurer of the Roth Cadillac Company; and Blanche, died in infancy.
Herbert D. Inman, a representative farmer and stockman of Venango Township, is a member of one of Erie County's oldest families. He was born on a farm near Wattsburg, Sept. 2, 1872, and is the son of Charles and Emily (Drake) Inman.
Charles Inman was a native of Erie County, born in 1834, and the son of Sylvester Inman, who settled in Erie County in 1824, having come here from Herkimer County, N. Y. Charles Inman became one of the most prominent farmers of this section and at one time owned 1,000 acres of land. He died in 1904 and his wife, a native of Erie County, died in 1910. They were the parents of five children: Dora, married D. C. Orton, lives in Erie; Sylvester C., deceased; Fred M., lives in Union City, Pa .; George L., deceased; and Herbert D., the subject of this sketch.
Herbert D. Inman received his education in the district schools and attended Wattsburg High School, Waterford Academy, and Ohio North-
(72)
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ern University. He then went to Champaign, Ill., where he engaged in the brokerage and real estate business. He has always been interested in farming and stock raising and owns 240 acres of good farm land. He specializes in dairy farming and is a breeder of registered stock.
On July 16, 1910, Mr. Inman was united in marriage with Miss Mamie Price, a native of Indiana. Before her marriage she was engaged in nursing at Champaign, Ill. Mrs. Inman is the daughter of Scott and Martha (Parrish) Price. Mr. Price died in 1924 and his widow resides with Mr. and Mrs. Inman.
Politically Mr. Inman is a Republican. He is a member of the Meth- odist Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge.
Isaac B. Brown, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of a family that has lived in Pennsylvania since the early days. He was born in Elk County, Pa., Feb. 20, 1848, the son of Rasselas Wilcox and Mary Potter (Brownell) Brown.
Rasselas Wilcox Brown was a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and settled in Pennsylvania in 1836. He improved 300 acres of land in Elk County and became a successful farmer and stockman. He died June 27, 1887, and his wife died April 12, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of the following children: Jefferson L., who served during the Civil War with Company C, 185th New York Volunteer Infantry, and later as a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, died Dec. 12, 1897; William Wallace, also a Civil War veteran, having served with Company K, 23rd New York Volunteer Infantry, and later served with a Pennsyl- vania outfit, has served as a member of the legislature and as assistant attorney general under President Roosevelt, now lives retired at Brad- ford, Pa .; Olive Jane married Silas W. Moyer, both deceased; Mary Ann, married George R. Allen, both deceased; Eunice A., the wife of William E. Hewitt, both deceased; and Isaac B., the subject of this sketch.
Isaac B. Brown enlisted as a private in the Union army in 1864 at the age of 16 years and served in the Third Division, Ninth Corps, Army of the Potomac, until the close of the war, when he devoted one year to study at Smethport Academy, and three years at Alfred University, from which he was graduated in 1869. He then taught school at Ridgeway, Elk County, and subsequently located in Corry, where he commenced the study of law and was admitted to practice in 1877. In 1878 he was nomi- nated for the Assembly by the Republicans in the Second district of Erie
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County, but was defeated by a combination of Democrats and Green- backers. In 1880 he was nominated and elected. He served six years in the Assembly of Pennsylvania, having been three times successively chosen by the Republicans of the district. In 1886 he was a candidate against Hon. C. W. Mackey and Hon. L. F. Watson for the congressional nomination in the district composed of Erie, Venango, and Warren coun- ties, but was defeated. In 1887 he was appointed deputy secretary of internal affairs by Hon. Thomas J. Stewart, then secretary of internal affairs, and in 1891 he was re-appointed to the same position. In 1894 he was prominently mentioned for the nomination for secretary of inter- nal affairs, but withdrew before the Republican state convention was held. In January, 1895, he was appointed by Governor Hastings to the position of secretary of internal affairs to fill the unexpired term of Thomas J. Stewart, who had resigned to accept the appointment of adjutant general of Pennsylvania. During the session of 1885 he introduced and secured the passage of the bill for the establishment of the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home at Erie. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having served on the staff of the commander in chief and he was several times elected a delegate to the national encamp- ment. He served 15 years in the National Guard of Pennsylvania as sec- ond lieutenant and captain of the 16th and 17th Regiments and brigade judge advocate of the staff of Gen. James A. Beaver. Mr. Brown served as president of the Survivors' Association of the Third Division, Ninth Corps, Army of the Potomac, for 20 years.
Mr. Brown died at Corry, Jan. 16, 1925, and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery. Full military honors were accorded his memory and the mem- bers of the J. J. Andrews Post No. 70, G. A. R., were honorary bearers, the active bearers being members of Lieut. A. W. Thompson Post No. 264, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Members of Company A, 112th Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, acted as guards of honor, as escort and firing squad.
On June 25, 1870, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Hannah Parting- ton, who was born in England, April 5, 1849, the daughter of Richard and Mary (Radcliffe) Partington. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac B. Brown were born three children: Lillian, born April 16, 1871, died Sept. 28, 1891; Sarah Mary, born Nov. 24, 1881; and Rasselas Wilcox, born Dec. 13, 1887.
Sarah Mary Brown was married Oct. 25, 1905, to Harold Arthur Gil- bert, a graduate of Yale University, manager of the Pennsylvania Collap-
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sible Tube Company, lives at Williamsport, Pa. Their children are: Eliz- abeth, born Aug. 9, 1908, a student at Kemper Hall, Kenosha, Wis .; and Wallace Brown Gilbert, born April 23, 1911, died July 22, 1911.
Rasselas Wilcox Brown is a mechanical engineer and general manager of the Corry Water Supply Company, Corry, Pa. He married Miss Bon- nell Jourdet, and they have three children: Rasselas Wilcox (3rd), born May 16, 1920; W. Pendleton, born April 26, 1922; and Margaret Bon- nell, born Oct. 27, 1924. Mr. Brown is a veteran of the World War. He was graduated from Bordentown Military Institute and served as senior captain of the corps of cadets for ten years. During the World War he was captain of Company A, 112th U. S. Infantry, and was wounded in action. After his recovery he was detailed to the Third British Army under General Bing.
Isaac B. Brown was recognized as a substantial and progressive citi- zen of Erie County and had an extensive acquaintance throughout the community.
George H. Selkregg is an enterprising citizen of North East and representative of the successful type of business man of the community. He was born in North East, Aug. 3, 1862, and is the son of Harley and Mary (Mills) Selkregg.
George H. Selkregg received his education in the public schools of North East and was graduated from Eastman College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. For several years he was associated in business with his father at North East, who conducted a hardware store. In 1888 he established the florist and greenhouse business now conducted by him at North East. Mr. Selkregg has an extensive business and ships his plants to all parts of the country. He is a member of the Florist Telegraph Delivery and the Society of American Florists and American Rose Society.
On Oct. 25, 1887, Mr. Selkregg was married to Miss Frances E. Rei- mund, a native of Findlay, Ohio, born March 16, 1871, and the daughter of Adam and Frances (Neff) Reimund, natives of Germany and both now deceased. Mr. Reimund was a Civil War veteran and for a number of years operated a carriage works at Findlay, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Selkregg five children were born: Edwin R., mention of whom is made below; Fred M., mention of whom is made below; Harriet Frances, born May 31, 1892, married David A. Flemming, lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and they have two children, David A., and Frances Flemming; James L., born
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Sept. 24, 1894, married Eileen Stettler, a World War veteran, having served with the aviation, now engaged in business with his father; and Charlotte Elizabeth, born May 28, 1896, lives at home.
Edwin R. Selkregg was born at North East, Oct. 9, 1888. He attended the public and high schools here and in 1916 was graduated from the Massachusetts College of Agriculture as an etymologist. He followed his profession in the employ of the U. S. Government in Georgia until March, 1923, when he became associated with his father. He is a member of the Etymologists Society of Washington, D. C., and belongs to the North East Club. Mr. Selkregg was married to Miss Mary Boynton, a native of Massachusetts, and they have four children: James Boynton, born March 27, 1918; Roxanna W., born Jan. 19, 1920; Susan, born Oct. 24, 1921; and Catherine, born Aug. 23, 1923.
Fred M. Selkregg was born at North East, July 5, 1890, and was graduated from the local high school in 1908. In 1913 he was graduated from State College of Pennsylvania, after which he became connected with the Ingersoll-Rand Company of New York, N. Y., as their represen- tative in Honolulu, where he remained two years. He is still identified with that company and lives in Davenport, Iowa. He is a World War veteran having served in France with Company M, 23rd Engineers. He also took a four-months' course at a college in Toulouse, France, where he received a diploma from the college. Mr. Selkregg was married to Miss Mildred Kreiger of Chicago and they have two children: Fred M., Jr., born in Honolulu, and Patricia, born at Davenport, Iowa.
The Selkregg family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church and have a wide acquaintance in Erie County.
Dr. Ross W. Thompson is a successful and well known physician and surgeon of Erie County and a veteran of the World War. He is engaged in the practice of his profession at Wattsburg. He was born at Racine, Beaver County, Pa., Dec. 20, 1877, and is the son of Robert Milton and Louise J. (Roberts) Thompson.
Robert Milton Thompson, a native of Beaver County, Pa., was born Oct. 10, 1847, and now lives retired at Beaver Falls, Pa. He was a rail- roader for 45 years and from baggage master was promoted to station agent at Homewood. He is a Republican and has served as justice of the peace and school director for many years. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of
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Pythias. His wife, a native of Ohio, was born Dec. 18, 1849, and died in March, 1917. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born four children: Anna, deceased; David Robert, married Maud A. Wilson, and they have two children, Howard David, and Eulalia Blanche, who married Fred Ritts, and lives at Atlanta, Ga .; Ira, deceased; and Dr. Ross W., the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Ross W. Thompson was reared at Beaver Falls and after attend- ing the public schools there was graduated from Geneva College. He received his degree as Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pitts- burgh in May, 1902, and after completing his interne work at Mercy and Maternity Hospitals, Pittsburgh, he established his practice at Mckean, Pa., where he remained until December, 1911. From that time until 1912 he was located at Blandburg, Pa., at which time he removed to Wesley- ville. From 1914 until 1924 he served as a surgeon for the New York Central Railroad and in April, 1924, opened his office at Wattsburg.
In 1900 Doctor Thompson became a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard and served a term of three years with Company B, 10th Regiment. In 1917 he volunteered for service in the World War and on July 16th of that year was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Medical Officers Reserve Corps. He was sent to Camp Jackson, S. C., where he remained until the close of the war, being discharged March 23, 1919.
On Jan. 1, 1903, Doctor Thompson was married to Miss Cordelia Thompson a native of Butler County, Pa. They have no children.
Doctor Thompson is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Elks Lodge, Knights of Malta, and Moose Lodge. He is identified with the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, the Erie County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Doctor Thompson is eligible to practice medicine in the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri and California.
Eldred G. Smith, who conducts a men's furnishing business at Albion, is a substantial and well known citizen of Erie County. He was born at Meadville, Pa., Aug. 19, 1876, and is the son of Nathan R. and Mary (Smith) Smith.
Both Nathan R. Smith and his wife are natives of Crawford County, and reside at Meadville, where for many years he has ranked among the leading merchants. He owns a high grade men's clothing store and the
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business is now conducted by his sons. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith the fol- lowing children were born: Cassius, a member of the firm of Smith Bros., clothiers ; Grace, married R. Platt, lives in Cleveland, Ohio; H. G., a mem- ber of the firm of Smith Bros., Meadville; and E. G., the subject of this sketch.
After completing his high school course at Meadville in 1893, E. G. Smith was graduated from Meadville Commercial College in 1895. He immediately became interested in the clothing business and in 1899 went to Corry, Pa., as manager of the R. F. Livermore Company, with whom he remained until 1902. He then returned to Meadville as an associate member of the firm of Smith Bros., and on May 15, 1910, established his present business at Albion, which is known as the Smith Clothing Company. Mr. Smith handles high grade merchandise exclusively and a complete line of men's furnishings, shoes, etc.
On April 15, 1899, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Maude + Fairchilds, a native of Meadville, and the daughter of Calvin and Alpha Fairchilds, both deceased. They have two children: Gerald, born May 13, 1900, is associated in business with his father and is a veteran of the World War, having served with the Navy; and Virginia, born Aug. 17, 1908, is a student at Albion High School.
Mr. Smith and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church and he belongs to the Elks Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He is a Spanish American War veteran, having enlisted in Com- pany B, 15th Infantry, National Guards of Pennsylvania, on April 19, 1898. He was later transferred to the Fifth United States Regulars and sent to the Phillipines, where he served until Feb. 10, 1899.
Mr. Smith has many friends in Erie County and he and his family are among the representative citizens of their community.
Charles Ladd is a leading farmer and stockman of Amity Township. He was born in New York City, Jan. 15, 1875, and is the adopted son of H. E. and Martha (Sammons) Ladd.
H. E. Ladd, deceased, was a native of New Hampshire and an early settler of Venango Township where he successfully engaged in general farming until his death in 1902. He served as justice of the peace for three terms and was familiarly known throughout Erie County as Squire Ladd. His wife, a native of New York, died in 1907, and they are both buried in the Wattsburg cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Ladd had five children:
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Hiram, Harlan, and Benjamin, all deceased; Anna Aurelia, married J. J. Rouse, lives at Wattsburg, and Mary Alice who married Charles Ladd, the subject of this sketch.
When a small child Charles Ladd was adopted by the Ladd family and has since lived in Erie County. For many years he was associated in farming with his foster father. Mr. Ladd owns one of the fine farms of Amity Township and operates 108 acres.
Mr. Ladd was married to Miss Mary Ladd, and they have a daugh- ter, Martha C., who was graduated from Edinboro State Normal School in 1925. Mrs. Ladd taught music for several years.
Mr. Ladd is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican and a sub- stantial citizen of his community
Rev. Adolph L. Benze, deceased, was born in the historic old Fortress of Thorn, Prussia, Germany, Sept. 18, 1833, the son of Frederick and Eva Maria (dePomalianski) Benze, the latter of whom was a representative of a prominent family of the ancient Polish nobility. At the time of the birth of Reverend Benze his father was a cavalry officer in the Austrian army. Later he received his honorable discharge with the rank of captain and was then appointed prison inspector of a large district. He was born at Velpke, Brunswick, Germany, the descendant and one of the heirs of an old and influential Brunswick family, whose history is authentically traced back to 1650. He died in 1854 and his wife died in 1839; they are both buried at Neustadt, Prussia, Germany.
Adolph L. Benze secured his early educational training at Neustadt, Germany, and after two years of travel in Hungary and Germany, he came to America in 1854, at which time he was 21 years of age. He located at Lancaster, Pa., and later completed his classical education in Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, where he was graduated. Having decided to prepare himself for the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, he was soon afterward matriculated in the theological seminary connected with the same college, and here he was graduated in 1864, in which year he was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran ministerium of Pennsylvania. His first call was to the pastorate of the Lutheran church at Warren, Pa., where he remained eight years. In May, 1872, he received a call to the pastoral charge of St. John's Lutheran Church, Erie, leaving as a memorial to his skillful administration a flourishing congregation and
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