USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume Two > Part 8
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Politically, Doctor Barton is a Republican. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the County, State and National Dental Associations. He is also a member of the Psi Omega fraternity.
James D. Walker is among the highly esteemed and prominent business men of Erie County. He was born at Erie, Jan. 28, 1874, and is the son of James and Jane (Johnson) Walker.
James Walker, deceased, was a native of Scotland. At the age of 23 years he came to this country and settled in Erie County, Pa., where he engaged in general farming. In later life he was a merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Walker were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Anna Howe, deceased; Francis J., deceased; Thomas W., lives retired at Erie; Mrs. Elizabeth Gwinnell, lives at Erie; Mrs. Jane Jack, lives at Erie; Mrs. Mar- garet Bennett, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Warfet, lives at Erie; and James D., the subject of this sketch.
James D. Walker grew up in Erie and attended the public schools there. When a boy he learned the printer's trade and later became a builder of homes. He has been actively engaged since 1897 in the pur- chasing of large plots of land and the erection thereon of very fine dwell- ings. In addition to the real estate and building business Mr. Walker has since 1918 manufactured hardwood and cloth covered caskets-the plant which is one of the largest of its kind in the world, is located between 9th and 10th Streets on the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks at Erie, Pa. Mr. Walker is president and owner of Erie Burial Case Co., of Erie. He is president of the Elmira Casket Company of Elmira, N. Y. His real estate offices are located in his beautiful new fireproof building at 703 Peach Street.
Mr. Walker has a son, Everett David, who was born in 1895. After attending the public and high schools of Erie, he spent three years at
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Swarthmore and Cornell Universities, and one year at Columbia Uni- versity, New York City. He then enlisted in the World War and sailed for overseas where he served for 18 months. He returned to the United States in May, 1918. January, 1917, he went into training camp at Ogle- thorpe, Ga. He served in the ordnance department. He is now engaged in the manufacturing business with his father.
In politics Mr. Walker is identified with the Republican party. He is affiliated with the Central Presbyterian Church of Erie, and belongs to the Elks lodge, the Board of Commerce, the Real Estate Board, the Erie Motor Club, the Yacht Club and the Kahkwa Club. Mr. Walker is well known in his community.
Reg H. Howell, registrer of wills in Erie County, is a native of Erie. He was born at 21 West 2nd Street, Oct. 5, 1872, and is the son of Chauncey G. and Isabelle (Mehaffey) Howell.
Chauncey G. Howell, deceased, was born in Erie in 1841 and his wife was born there in 1842. She was the daughter of Hugh Mehaffey, a very early settler of Erie. Mr. Howell was associated with the grocery firm of French & McKnight, on State Street, and died in 1883 in Detroit while on a lake trip to Detroit, Mich. His wife died in 1914. They had two sons: Harry P., who died Oct. 14, 1923, at the age of 56 years, and Reg H., the subject of this sketch.
Reg H. Howell was educated in the public schools of Erie and began life as a messenger boy for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway at $22.50 per month. He remained in their employ for 13 years and at the time of his resignation was soliciting agent. He then engaged in the life insurance business representing the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, N. J., and he was thus engaged until his appointment as deputy sheriff, in which capacity he served one year. He was then made assistant postmaster of Erie under Isador Sobel, and on March 15, 1911, he again engaged in the insurance business with the above named company, with whom he was associated until 1915. Mr. Howell was then elected county registrer and recorder, taking office Jan. 1, 1916. He was reelected registrer and recorder in 1919 and in 1923 was elected registrer of wills, when the office was automatically divided by law.
Mr. Howell was married, March 5, 1899, to Miss Florence A. Dorsch, of Erie, the daughter of John Dorsch. They have a daughter, Virginia, who was graduated with honors from Erie High School in the class of 1925.
R. H. HOWELL
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Mr. Howell is a Republican and is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Erie Maennerchor, Elks and Moose lodges. He is widely known throughout Erie County and is highly esteemed.
Dr. John J. Koehler is among the enterprising and successful young dentists of Erie with offices at 701-702 Commerce Building. He is a na- tive of Philadelphia, born July 23, 1898, and a son of Dr. C. E. and Catherine A. (Ackerman) Koehler.
Dr. C. E. Koehler, deceased, was a well known dentist of Erie, where he practiced his profession for 20 years. He died at the age of 45 years and his widow resides at 344 East Eighth Street, Erie. To Doctor and Mrs. Koehler were born three children: Marion Devine, lives in Erie; Dr. John J., the subject of this sketch; and Catherine, dietician at the University Hospital, Philadelphia.
John J. Koehler was graduated from Central High School, Erie, in 1917, and after completing a year's study at Western Reserve Univer- sity, Cleveland, he enlisted in the Medical Reserve Corps for service dur- ing the World War. He was transferred to the Pittsburgh University Dental School, where he received his degree of Doctor of Dentistry in 1921. He has since been located in Erie.
Doctor Koehler is a Republican, a member of the Lutheran Memorial Church, and belongs to the Masonic lodge and Shrine, the Elks and the Delta Sigma Delta fraternity. He is a member of the Erie County Dental Society, the Pennsylvania State Dental Association, the Lake Erie Dental Society, and the American Dental Association. Doctor Koehler has an extensive acquaintance in Erie and is held in the highest esteem.
S. H. Drown, a member of the firm of Drown-Russell Company, real estate and insurance dealers, ranks among the progressive and enterpris- ing business men of Erie. He was born on a farm in Green Township, Erie County, Sept. 12, 1876, and is the son of Hosea and Melvina M. (Hil- born) Drown.
Hosea Drown was born in Green Township, July 13, 1833, and his wife was also a native of the same township, born March 31, 1848. He followed general farming during his life and met with success. He died in 1912 and his wife died in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Drown had four children: Myron Cyril, lives at Erie; S. H., the subject of this sketch; Arthur L., (50)
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engaged in business with his brother, S. H .; and Mrs. Bertha Catherine French, lives at Newark, Ohio.
S. H. Drown was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools and also attended the Erie public schools. On Feb. 1, 1901, he engaged in the real estate business at 716 State Street, where he re- mained until 1911, at which time he removed to his present location in the Marine National Bank Building. The firm of Drown-Russell Company was organized on Jan. 1, 1918.
On Sept. 12, 1901, Mr. Drown was married to Miss Bertha L. Russell, the daughter of Thomas J., and Amy (Campbell) Russell, residents of Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Drown have no children. In politics Mr. Drown is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Central Pres- byterian Church, a 33rd degree Mason, the Zem-Zem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Erie, and belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Erie Real Estate Board.
Isaac Baker. Among the most prominent pioneer business men and influential citizens of Erie is Isaac Baker of the firm of Isaac Baker & Son, clothiers, 629 State Street. His many years residence in this city have been spent not only in establishing this extensive business but in promoting the public interests of Erie in many directions. He is a native of Germany, born in the province of Rhine, Aug. 22, 1847, and the son of Bernard and Barbara Baker, both natives of Germany.
When the family came to the United States in 1849, they located at once in Erie, but after remaining here for about two months removed to Girard, Pa., which remained the family home for eight or nine years, during which time the father engaged in general merchandising. Mr. Baker then returned to Erie with his family, where he established a cloth- ing and dry goods business, and was thus engaged until the time of his death, his wife having died several years previous. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born six children, namely: Isaac, the subject of this sketch; Sarah, deceased; Emma Ostheimer, lives in Erie; Helen, deceased; Frank, deceased; and Henry, engaged in the real estate business in Cleveland.
Isaac Baker was reared in Girard and Erie, received his education in the public schools of these two places and at the age of 14 years became his father's regular assistant in the conduct of his business, subsequently becoming a member of the firm. Upon the retirement of the senior mem- ber of the firm from active business, Isaac Baker and his brother-in-law succeeded to the business, their store then being located at 510 State
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Street. In about 1869 they purchased what was then known as the Cald- well Block on the southeast corner of Fifth and State streets, which they remodeled into what became the leading wholesale and retail clothing store, as well as merchant tailoring house in Erie or this portion of the state. The original style of the firm was B. Baker but upon his son's association with his brother-in-law, Jacob Ostheimer, it became Baker & Ostheimer. Upon the retirement of the latter, Alfred Baker, son of Isaac, was admitted into the firm, which then became Isaac Baker & Son, as at present. The business has been in its present location since 1906, a modern four story, brick building. During the time Mr. Baker was engaged in the wholesale business he became well known among the business men in the following counties of Pennsylvania: Crawford, Mercer, Butler, Venango and Law- rence.
Mr. Baker is acknowledged not only to be one of the leading merchants of Erie but among its most public spirited and progressive citizens, his interest in all forms of public education and charitable work being especially deep. He was one of the original promoters of the Erie Public Library, having been one of the board which permitted the city to own its own library and largely through his energy and wisdom this institution has become one of the leaders of its kind in the state. As stated he has also been identified with the local board of education and has been a member of the board since 1885 and for two terms served as its president. He has also been a trustee of St. Vincent's Hospital since its organization. He is also at the head of various social and religious organizations of the city and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and is also a director of the Security & Savings Bank, of which he was an organizer. Mr. Baker is a member of the Jewish faith and served as president of the Jewish temple in Erie, for a number of years.
At the age of 24 years Mr. Baker was married to Miss Bertha Einhorn, a native of New York City, and the daughter of Rev. Dr. David Einhorn, one of the most noted reform rabbis of his time. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker are: Clara, the widow of J. Mayer, a prominent merchant of Cleveland for many years; Alfred, a member of the firm of Isaac Baker & Son, married Blanche Goldman, of Baltimore, Md .; Edward M., a graduate of the University of Chicago, lives in Cleveland, where he is president of the Cleveland Stock Exchange; Belle, lives at home; and Florence, married Rabbi Max C. Currick, lives in Erie.
Mr. Baker is a member of the Erie and University clubs.
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Peter LeSueur, principal of the Erie Conservatory of Music since its inception in 1913, has had a long and distinguished career in the realm of music. He began the study of the piano at the age of seven and the organ a year later. At nine he was appointed organist of the Aquila Road Church, Jersey, England, which fact was commented upon in an article on "Musical Prodigies" in the San Francisco "Argonaut." He was organist of the Victoria Street Congregational Church at 16; winner of the medal offered by the "Western Daily Mail," Cardiff, for original com- position, and of numerous prizes offered by various musical journals for compositions, articles on musical history and musical knowledge. He did considerable concert work as piano soloist and accompanist and gave many organ recitals.
After passing the Preliminary Arts examination for Bachelor of Music, Oxford University, he matriculated at New College in 1892, getting through the Intermediate Mus. Bac. exams in due course. Before taking his final exams he received at the hands of Mr. A. J. Eyre, organist of the Crystal Palace, London, after competitive examination, the valuable colonial appointments of Solo Organist and Music Master of the Meth- odist College, St. John's, Newfoundland, and Organist and Choirmaster of Gower Street Church. Four years later he received leave of absence and successfully took the final exams for Bachelor of Music under Sir John Stainer, the University Professor of Music; Sir C. Huburt H. Parry, the Choragus, and Sir Walter Parratt. Mr. LeSueur has also taken the Fellowship diploma of the Royal College of Organists, London (the high- est diploma obtainable in the organ playing world), with Sir George C. Martin, Organist of St. Paul's Cathedral, London; Sir Frederick Bridge, Organist of Westminster Abbey, and other famous musicians as exam- iners. He also passed the searching requirements for the diploma of Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, London. Mr. LeSueur held his Newfoundland appointments for ten years, during which time he taught piano, organ, voice and theoretical branches, making a brilliant reputation for himself as a pedagogue. Some hundreds of pupils passed through his hands and many are now occupying honored positions in the musical world. He was founder and conductor of St. John's Choral and Orchestral Society and received the honor of presentation to the present King and Queen of England at Government House, St. John's. He came to Erie in 1905 as organist and choirmaster of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathe- dral, which position he now holds. He was made a Fellow of the American
yours Sincerely, Peter Le Sueur
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Guild of Organists in 1912, and asked to form a Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Guild, but the pressure of his many musical activities compelled him to decline. He was director of Thiel College Conservatory of Music for five years and relinquished this position to devote his entire time to the exacting requirements of his Cathedral and Conservatory duties in Erie.
Mr. LeSueur was born at Jersey, England, Jan. 9, 1871, and is the son of Peter and Miriam LeSueur, the latter deceased. There were six children in the LeSueur family: Peter, Florence, Mabel, Charles, Maude and Percival.
In August, 1905, Mr. LeSueur was married in St. John's Church, Westminster, London, England, to Miss Muriel Kate Hunter Watts. They have a son, John Hunter, born in Erie July 8, 1912.
Mr. LeSueur is a Republican, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathe- dral and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
Ethard A. Rhoads is among Erie's prominent young business men. He was born at Omaha, Neb., March 31, 1903, and is a son of Clyde and Jennie (Blair) Rhoads.
Clyde Rhoads, deceased, was born at Claypool, Ind., May 12, 1870. For 22 years he operated a feather mattress plant in Indiana, which he sold in 1915. Since 1915 the Rhoads family has resided at Erie, where Mr. Rhoads was successfully engaged in the transfer business for many years. He died in 1922 and is buried at Silverlake, Ind. His wife was born at Silverlake, Ind., in 1873, and lives at 240 West 18th Street, Erie. She is the owner of the Clyde Rhoads Transfer Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads one child was born, Ethard A., the subject of this sketch.
Ethard A. Rhoads received his education in the public and high schools at Erie and is a graduate of the New York Military Academy. He is now in charge of his father's business, which is among the leading enterprises of its kind in the city. Mr. Rhoads operates 14 automobile trucks and does all kinds of moving and trucking.
On Aug. 28, 1922, Mr. Rhoads was united in marriage with Miss Leona Brady, of Greenville, Pa., and they have one son, Robert, born June 26, 1923.
Mr. Rhoads is a Democrat, a member of the United Brethren Church and belongs to the Eagles lodge.
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John J. Quinn, funeral director, is among the substantial and well known business men of Erie. He was born there, April 22, 1893, and is a son of W. J. and Sarah (McMahon) Quinn.
W. J. Quinn was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, born in 1845. At the age of ten years he came to this country with his parents and settled at Providence, R. I., where he was educated. He served through- out the Civil War as a captain in the Rhode Island cavalry and after the close of the war removed to Erie, where he engaged in the under- taking business. Mr. Quinn was actively engaged in his profession for 45 years, and died suddenly on Nov. 22, 1919. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and a highly esteemed member of his com- munity. His wife was born in New York City in 1855 and died March 23, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn were the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living.
John J. Quinn attended the schools of Erie and in 1912 became associated in business with his father at his present location, 133 East 4th Street. He served during the World War in the school of arms at Camp Lee, being in service from September, 1917, until December, 1918. On Feb. 3, 1925, Mr. Quinn was married to Harriet Burgess Parke, born in Erie, Pa., a daughter of John F. and Sarah (Burgess) Parke. Mr. Parke is deceased and Mrs. Parke resides at 315 West 7th Street, Erie Pa.
Politically Mr. Quinn is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club, the Erie Yacht Club and the American Legion. He is a member of the Erie Morticians Association, the Penn- sylvania Funeral Directors Association, as well as the national organ- ization.
William Hagenlocher, who ranks among the successful real estate operators of Erie, was born there, Oct. 13, 1886, the son of Jacob and Anna (Rose) Hagenlocher.
Jacob Hagenlocher was born in Germany, as was also his wife. In 1870 he came to this country and located at Erie, where he entered the employ of the Erie City Iron Works. For the past 18 years he has lived retired. His wife died in 1919 and is buried in Erie cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Hagenlocher were the parents of the following children: Mary, de- ceased; Henry, lives in Erie, where he is engaged in the manufacturing
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business; Charles, engaged in the real estate business at Erie; George, deceased; Frank, lives in Erie; William, the subject of this sketch; Anna, who is employed in her brother William's office; Lena, a trained nurse, lives in Erie; Ernest, engaged in the electrical supply business in Erie; Edith, married Hubert Brubacker, lives in Erie; and Emma, who died in 1923.
William Hagenlocher received his education in the public and high schools at Erie and after completing his schooling became interested in the manufacturing business. In 1909 he sold his manufacturing plant and engaged in the real estate business at 1108 State Street. Two years later he removed to his present location at 27 East 8th Street.
On June 23, 1914, Mr. Hagenlocher was united in marriage with Miss Lillian E. Blass, of Erie. She is a daughter of Adam and Mary Blass, residents of Erie. To Mr. and Mrs. Hagenlocher has been born one daugh- ter, Martha Jane, born in May, 1916.
In politics Mr. Hagenlocher is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Lutheran Memorial Church of Erie and belongs to the Masonic and Elks lodges and the Knights of Pythias. He is a public spirited citizen who holds the high regard of all who know him.
Leo J. Burgoyne, a successful and well known merchant of Erie, who is engaged in the grocery business at 461 East 6th Street, is a native of Erie. He was born March 2, 1881, and is a son of John J. and Mary (Hanley) Burgoyne.
John J. Burgoyne, deceased, was born in Harbor Creek Township, Erie County, in 1854. He served as a mail carrier for a number of years and was in the service when there were only 18 men employed at the Erie postoffice. He later engaged in the livery business at 7th and French streets. He died in 1909, and is buried in Trinity cemetery. His wife is a native of Erie where she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Burgoyne were the parents of six children, as follows: Sarah, a teacher, lives in Erie; Mrs. Agnes Taylor, lives in New York; James, employed by the General Electric Company, lives at Erie; John J., ticket agent at the union station, Erie; Leo J., the subject of this sketch; and Susan, at home.
Leo J. Burgoyne was reared in Erie and attended the public and high schools there. When a young man he entered the employ of the Dispatch Printing & Engraving Company of Erie, where he remained until 1917. He then established a grocery business at 5th and Wallace streets, which
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he sold in 1921. He then purchased the grocery business of William Schwab, which was established in 1900. He handles a staple line of groceries, candies, cigars, tobacco and patent medicines, and is among the leading merchants of the community.
On Aug. 24, 1920, Mr. Burgoyne was married to Miss Rosella Cauley, a native of Hollywood, Cal., and a daughter of John J. and Mary (Welch) Cauley, residents of Hollywood, Cal. Mrs. Burgoyne is a graduate of Mount Mercy Academy, Buffalo, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Burgoyne one child has been born, Rosella, born Oct. 7, 1923. Their residence is located at 333 East 6th Street.
Mr. Burgoyne is a Republican and he and his family hold membership in the St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
Karl E. Morrison is a leading architect and prominent citizen of Erie. He was born at Lowville, Erie County, March 23, 1886, and is the son of Albert G. and Elizabeth (Ensign) Morrison.
Albert G. Morrison was born at Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, and his wife was a native of North East, Pa. In early life he was a merchant and also engaged in general farming. Later he became interested in the insur- ance business and represented the Metropolitan and Mutual Life of New York and the New York Life Insurance Company. He now lives retired in Los Angeles, Cal. His wife died June 1, 1913. To Mr. and Mrs. Morrison four children were born as follows: Walter L., born June 9, 1884, a mining engineer, Portland, Ore .; Karl E., the subject of this sketch; Leon A., born June 8, 1889, a mail carrier, Erie; and Gertrude, born Oct. 28, 1896, married N. N. Kilburn, Erie.
Karl E. Morrison was reared on the Downing farm in Erie County and attended East Mill Creek school, Erie High School, and Syracuse Uni- versity. He followed his profession in the employ of the state of New York and was also connected with various architects' offices in New York and New England. Mr. Morrison formed a partnership with Frank A. Shutts in 1912, and they are widely known. They are the designers of the Central Bank & Trust Company Bank building, and the office of the Erie Lighting Company, besides many commercial buildings and fine residences.
On June 18, 1913, Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Edna Wolfgang, of Albany, N. Y., and the daughter of Fred A. and Jane A. (Zinn) Wolf- gang, natives of New York. They reside at 271 Elm Street, Albany, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have four children: Ralph K., born April 20, 1914;
KARL E. MORRISON
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K. Raymond, born March 9, 1918; Earl C., born May 1, 1920; and Jane E., born Nov. 26, 1921.
Mr. Morrison is president of the Erie Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and in 1923 was delegate to the national convention in Chi- cago. In 1921 he served as vice president of the Erie Builders Exchange. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Masonic Lodge, Shrine, University Club, Y. M. C. A., Chamber of Com- merce and a charter member of the Kiwanis Club.
C. N. Lochner is a veteran of the World War and a prominent young business man of Erie. He was born in Erie, May 11, 1890, the son of A. C. and Lena (Mangold) Lochner.
A. C. Lochner was a native of Erie, born in 1862. His parents had settled here the previous year and were among the leading pioneers of the county. Mr. Lochner engaged in the grocery business for 35 years and died in April, 1914. His wife's family settled here in 1858 and she was the daughter of Frank Mangold. She resides in Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Lochner had five children, as follows: Carrie, C. N., Mrs. Julia Spaeder, Marcella and Amanda, all of whom reside in Erie.
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