History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 100

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc > Part 100

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JOSEPH BOYD, painter, Erie, was born near Newry, County Armagh, Ireland, Feb. 10, 1835, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Bittles) Boyd, who were parents of seven children-Samuel William, Joseph, Maria, Elizabeth, John and Adam. Our subject emigrated to America, and came to Erie City in 1851, where he has followed his trade of painter ever since. Mr. Boyd was married, in March, 1864. to Matilda Kennedy, who bore him eight children, seven of whom are now living-William Kennedy, Robert, Charles, Joseph Pressly, Frank, Samuel Edward (deceased), Harry Wilson and Clara Matilda.

JOHN BOYLE, City Treasurer of Erie, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 23, 1821. At seventeen he engaged as an apprentice to the blacksmithing trade, in Dauphin Co .. Penn., but after following this occupation there for a few years, came to Erie and assisted in building the steamer "Michigan," and after its completion engaged upon it as its fireman, doing ship's armor duty. but after a few years retired, and soon after estab- lished himself in the blacksmithing business. He subsequently returned to the steamer Michigan, where he remained four years. Later he engaged in railroading on the L. S. & M. S. Ry., but retired from this at the end of seven years, when he carried on the hotel business for 12 years. He was married in Detroit, Mich., in 1846, to Elizabeth Boyle, who has borne him two sons and two daughters-Margaretta G .; Henrietta, wife of Wm. Knoll. an insurance agent; John Edward, a journalist; and Joseph C., a literary student. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle are members of the Roman Catholic Church. The former has always been an active worker in developing the public and social life of this city. He served in the City Council, and has filled his present official position since the spring of 1880.

C. BRANDES, physician and surgeon, office and dwelling 124 and 126 East 8th St., Erie, was born in Germany March 29, 1819, son of F. Brandes. The Doctor acquired his literary education in Germany, and took the degree of A. M. at Brunswick. He also obtained his medical education in Germany, and in 1845 came to America and to this city. where he has since resided. Here the Doctor immediately began the practice of his pro- fession, and has succeeded in establishing himself among the prominent physicians of Erie.

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GUSTAV F. BREVILLIER, retailed manufacturer, Erie, was born Sept. 8, 1830, in Lichtenfels, Bavaria, Germany. After attending a common and a high school in Thur- ingia till 1846, and the Polytechnic Institute at Vienna, Austria, until 1848, he came to this country, where he expected to find ready employment as a draughtsman or civil engi- neer, but failing in this, he concluded to learn a trade. He worked as an apprentice and as a journeyman soap-boiler, until the autumn of 1852, when, in company with a large number of other young men he came West to seek his fortune. Arriving at Erie he con- sidered the location a good one, and commenced on a very small scale the manufacture of soap and candies, at the corner of Holland and 6th Sts. After about ten years of unre- mitting labor, the business assumed considerable proportions, and extended over a large territory. In 1871, on account of failing health, Mr. Brevillier retired from business, and, together with his family, made a visit to Europe, and returned after an absence of four years. Mr. Brevillier was among the first manufacturers of Erie to utilize natural gas for heating and illuminating purposes. In 1854, he married Miss Johanna Stuebner, of Gera, Germany; this union has been blessed with nine children, five of whom survive. Mr. Brevillier held, in former years, many honorary offices in different societies, and lias acceptably served in the Common Council and City School Board.

C. M. BRIGGS, of the Erie Ice Company, Erie, was born Oct. 13, 1829, in Rome, N. Y., son of Lyman and Asenith (Jefferson) Briggs, natives of Vt., who came to Erie Co. in 1844; the former died there in 1869; his widow still resides in Erie City. They were par- ents of four children, our subject being the only one now living. He received his education in N. Y State, and was married. Oct. 9, 1851, to Sarah, daughter of Hiram Slocum, and a native of Penn., born in 1832. To this union were born four children-Anna, wife of F. C. Lewis, have one child-Charles; Harriet A., William S. and Ida H. Our subject is a member of the A. O. U. W., the K. of H., and is a Knight Templar.

WILLIAM A. BROWN, retired merchant, Erie, was born in this county March 20, 1803, son of Robert and Jane (Hayes) Brown, of German and English descent, the latter a native of Penn. Robert Brown was a Virginian, hotel-keeper by occupation, and came to Penn. in 1795, settling near the head of Elk Creek, in Erie Co. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject's maternal grandfather, James Hayes, was a Captain in the Rev- olutionary war. William A. Brown was educated in the subscription schools of Erie, and for a time clerked in a store. At the age of twenty, he embarked in business for himself, carrying on a general store for several years. He then received his brother-in-law, George A. Elliott, into partnership, which existed until the latter's decease. Mr. Brown has been a resident of Erie City since 1842. Besides his mercantile business, he worked a farm for several years. In 1842, he was united in marriage with Helen Ewing, adopted daughter of Thomas Reese. Mr Brown has been Township Trustee and City Councilor. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church; in politics, he is a Republican.

CONARD BROWN, deceased, was a native of this county, born in 1812, son of Con- ard Brown, who came to Erie Co. about 1790. Ile and his father werc traders and farm- ers, and early pioneers of Erie Co. Our subject spent most of his life on a farm in Mill Creek Township (now within the corporation of Erie City). where he died in 1869. He was married to Elizabeth Ann Barr, a lady of Scotch descent. They were parents of eight chil- dren-Washington, killed in 1861, during the war; he was Captain of Company I, 145th P. V. I., organized by himself in Erie County; Mary L., at home; Kate, wife of J. B. Cessna, of Bedford Co .. Penn .; Elizabeth A., deceased; Conard, Jr., resident of Erie City; M. M., born in Erie Co. in 1852, he graduated from Rochester, N. Y., Uni- versity in 1878, and at present is engaged in brokerage business in this city; Ella N., at home, and Hattie L., deceased. Our subject at the time of his decease was owner of 175 acres valuable land, and other real estate. He was a member of the Lutheran Church; Mrs. Brown is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

S. H. BROWN, Erie, was born iu this county March 24, 1816, son of Geo. and Marga- ret (Brewster) Brown, former a native of Penn., of German descent, latter a native of Ire- land. Geo. Brown was a farmer, came to Erie Co. in 1803, and resided in Mill Creek Town- ship. He served his country in the war of 1812; was parent of seven children, three still residing in Erie Co. Mr. Brown worked on a farm in his native county until he was twenty-one years old, and then learned the brick-laying trade, which he followed for some time in this city. On Jan. 27, 1857, he married Mary Ann P. R., only daughter of Jolin Rice. of Harbor Creek Township. She was born in Erie Co. Sept. 21, 1834. By this union was born, in Harbor Creek, March 19, 1858, one child-Rees R., a dealer in boots and shoes in this city; he was a graduate of Iron City College in 1877, and then followed book-keeping two years. In 1880, he embarked in the boot and shoe business with I. W. Gensheimer, under firm name-Gensheimer & Brown. Our subject and wife are members of Simpson M. E. Church. In politics he is a Republican.

R. B. BROWN, editor and publisher of the daily and weekly Observer. Erie, was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., Nov. 9, 1837, son of J. D. and Jane (Porter) Brown, the for- mer, who had been a school teacher, was a native of Ireland; the latter a native of Penn., of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject acquired a common school education in his native county, and also attended the Cumberland Valley Institute, Penn. Choosing the occupa-

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tion of printer, he served his apprenticeship in the Globe office, Huntingdon, and then taught school for several years; was for four years editor of the Brownsville, Fayette Co. Times, and in 1863 sold out and bought the Clarion, Penn., Democrat, which he continued to publish until 1877. In 1862, Mr. Brown enlisted in the 155th P. V. I., Co. E, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant; he also served in a Penn. regiment during Morgan's raid. In 1868, he was elected to the Lower House of Legislature from the district composed of Jefferson and Clarion Cos., and was re-elected in 1869. At the commencement of his 2d term, he received his party support for Speaker of the House. In 1872, served as Chairman of the Democratic State Convention; was Presidential Elector in 1876 from his district. Coming to Erie City in 1878, he bought the Weekly Observer, a paper started in 1830; he established the Daily Observer in 1881. Mr. Brown gives his personal attention to every department of the office, and publishes a paper satisfactory to its patrons.

DAVID BROWN, JR., tonsorial parlors and bath rooms, Erie, was born in this city, and is a son of David Brown, Sr., who was born and reared in Germany, coming to Erie about 40 years ago. Our subject was reared here, and when sixteen years old commenced his profession, which he followed as a journeyman until 1880, when he established his present business, which he has since conducted very successfully, introducing in the year 1883 the fashionable Langtry bang into Erie City. He was united in marriage, in 1878, with Julia Byrne, who was born in Barrie, Province of Ontario, Canada, but reared here. Three children have been born to this union, viz., James David, Robert Frederick and Catherine Mary. Mr. Brown and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church; he is a member of the C. M. B. A. Society.

G. W. BRUBAKER, contractor and builder, Erie, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Nov. 27, 1821. son of Benjamin Brubaker, who was a weaver and farmer, and settled here about 1829. His family consists of three sons and three daughters-Mary, wife of J. Evans, of Mich .; Levi. a carpenter in Fairview; Anna, wife of Walter J. F. Liddell. a machinist at Charlotte, N. C .; Peter, a carpenter and builder at De Pere, Wis .; Margaret, wife of Jo- siah Hayharger, of Girard, and G. W. The Brubakers were originally from Germany, and were pioneer settlers of Penn. Our subject wasreared and educated in his native place. At nineteen, he began life for himself as a carpenter and builder, and, as specimens of his work, may be mentioned the Seventh Street M. E. Church, Wayne Hall, Academy of Mu- sic, Farrar Hall, in Erie, and many other public buildings throughout his county and State. He was married, in North East, May 7, 1846, to Mary Bliss, born in North East, daughter of James L. and Ruth Bliss (deceased). The former was a boot and shoe merchant of that place. and is descended from a N. Y. State pioneer family. Mrs. Brubaker departed this life March 23, 1849, in full communion with the M. E. Church, and is buried in the Erie Cemetery; she left one daughter-Alice. Our subject, Dec. 25, 1849, was married to Abbie H. Bliss, a sister of his first wife, who bore him six sons and three daughters-Edwin E., builder; Eugene Benjamin, commercial traveler; Frank B., commercial traveler; Fred C., butter manufacturer; Mamie E., wife of J. G. Wilds. a merchant tailor, Utica, N. Y .; Laura; Everett E., merchandising; Jennie I .. and Willis Grant. They are active members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Brubaker has filled many of the municipal positions of Erie.

J. M. BRYANT, Collector thirteen years for Erie City, born in Franklin Co., N. Y., April 24, 1819, son of Philip and Sophia (Sheppard) Bryant, the former a farmer by occu- pation and a native of Conn., of Irish descent: the latter a native of Vt. of Scotch extraction. They came to Erie from N. Y. in 1834; were parents of nine children. Our subject, who is 5th in the family, was reared on the farm and educated at the common schools. He chose the trade of carpenter, followed it, with the exception of eight years spent in Ill., from the age of fifteen to fifty. Mr. Bryant was married in 1845, to Mary L. Mack- eneumber, a well-known school teacher of Erie City and County, who died in 1855, leav- ing two children, one now living-C. M., conductor of passenger train on the Nickel Plate R. R. Mr. Bryant's second wife was Mary J. Henry, whom he married in 1862. They are members of the First M. E. Church, of which he is Trustee. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. F. of long standing.

DR. J. BRYCE, surgeon and proprietor of Bryce's veterinary, surgery on French street, between 4th and 5th streets, Erie, was born and reared near Brantford, Ont. He received a good literary education in the schools of Mt. Pleasant, and engaged in a prelim- inary apprenticeship of horse-shoeing; then entered upon the study of veterinary surgery and after a 3 years' course, graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, in 1870. He practiced for one year in the land of his nativity, thenee came to Erie, where he has since followed his profession. In 1880, Dr. Bryce enlarged his establishment by add- ing a livery, and has now as good a stock as there is in the city. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

GEORGE BURTON, wholesale commission merchant, and dealer in produce and fruit, Erie, was born in N. Y. Sept. 24. 1829, son of David S. and Maria S. (Brown) Bur- ton, natives of Conn., of English descent. They were parents of eight children, of whom George is 6th. Our subject came to Erie Co. in 1843, and clerked in the drug store of his brother, John H. (who had come into the county some years before). till 1853, when the latter died. George thien took entire charge until 1856, in which year he went to Iowa,

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where he carried on same business for nine years. Returning to Erie in 1865, he embarked in the grocery business, and in two years founded a wholesale grocery in New York City. This lasted also two years, and Mr. Burton's next venture was a copartnership in the gro- cery business with George P. Griffith, which terminated at the end of two years. Our subject was also in business with Capt. Ben Wilkins for six years. Subsequently he took up his present business in Erie City" Mr Burton was married in Erie, in 1852, to Mary J., daughter of Capt. Thomas Wilkins. She died in 1877, leaving 3 children-Richard H., in Chicago, Ill .; George H., in Newark, N. J .; Mary A., wife of W. H. Price, in Chicago. Mr. Burton took for his second spouse, in 1880, Mrs. J. B. Brawley, daughter of Hon. G. J. Ball, of Erie City. Our subject and wife are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in which he has held the office of Warden and is now Vestryman. He is a member of the School Board; in politics, is a Republican.

A. P. BURTON, funeral director and general furnisher, Erie, was born in Erie City Sept. 4, 1836, son of David and Elizabeth (Erwin) Burton, the former of Scotch extraction, the latter a native of Penn., of German descent. David Burton came to Erie about 1810-11, and for many years was a wagou-maker, butcher, extensive dealer in cattle from 1863 to 1869, and was also a prominent coal dealer. He served in the war of 1812, and assisted in building Perry's fleet. Our subject was educated in the common schools and in Erie Academy. At the age of fourteen, he commenced life in the printing business, in which he was occupied seven years previous to engaging in the coal trade with his father in 1863. For two and one-half years he was clerk for Judge Sterrett in the post office at Erie. In 1876, he commenced his present business which he bas since carried on with considerahle success. Mr. Burton was married in 1857 to Susan M., daughter of George W. Precht, a farmer of Eric Co., of which she is a native. To this union were born six children, five living-Charles H., George D., Lewis E., Harry and William Ramsey. Mr. and Mrs. Burtou are members of the First M. E. Church, in which he has been Trustee, Steward and Class Leader. Our subject was at one time a Whig, but is now a Republican. Has been Councilman of Erie City two years.

LEWIS BUSH, meat market, Erie, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1824. He came to America in 1846, locating in New York City, but afterward went to Schuylkill Co., Penn., aud carried on a meat market until 1876, when he came here and established his present business. Our subject was united in marriage, in 1851, with Catharine Schneider, who was born and reared in Northumberland Co., Penn. This union has been blessed with four sons and three daughters-Charles F., Aaron F., H. Astor, Elmer Louis, Mollie, Helen and Katie. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church.

JAMES CAMPBELL, proprietor of the Morton House, Erie, was born in Ireland in 1835, and came to America and to Erie City wlien fifteen years old, with his mother, his father having died in Ireland. He attended school in Ireland, and, on coming to America, those in Erie City. After being employed about the Union Depot for four years, subject embarked in the grocery trade, which he continued for four years. He then entered hotel business, opening on State street, but soon afterward, in 1866, built the Eagle House, which he kept till 1879, when he purchased the Morton House, which he has successfully conducted since. This hotel contains forty-one rooms. In 1857, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Thomas Shaughnessy, and a native of Ireland. By this union were born ten children-M. F., clerking in his father's hotel; Nellie, wife of Joseph Epley: James, Peter, John, William, Charles, George, Mamie and Libbie. Our subject and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.

C. M. CARLSON, owner of the Nickel Plate Hotel, and dealer in groceries, corner 20th and Peach streets, Erie, was born in Sodermanland, Sweden, in 1836, and was raised there to the farming business. In 1873. he came to America, and settled here, and worked at the manufacturing business till 1877. when he engaged in his present business, which he has since successfully conducted. He was married in Sweden, in 1857, to Charlotte Erick- son. They have one son and six daughters-Charlotte Amelia (wife of A. Anderson, of Erie), Clara Matilda, August C., Anna. Jennie, Nellie and Ada. Mr. Carson is an active member of the A. O. U. W. and I. O. O. F. societies.

DR. JOHN S. CARTER, druggist and apothecary, opposite West Park, Erie, was born in Gettysburg, Adams Co., Penn., June 13, 1808, son of Samuel and Nancy (Paxton) Carter, natives of Penn., of Irish lineage: the former was a mechanic. Our subject received a common school training, and commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Jack- son, of Northumberland Co., Penn., and here he was engaged in the drug business for a time. In 1836, he removed to Erie City and clerked in the drug store of C. F. Perkins one year, when he bought the latter out, and in 1840 moved into the Reed Block, where he remained 19 years. His brother, who died in 1861, was a partner with him till that date. Since then, Dr. Carter has conducted the business in his own name, and has been contin- nously engaged in trade, probably longer than any other one now in actual business in Erie City. In 1859, he and his brother built a handsome store room, 4 stories in height, on North Park Row, filled with a stock of pure drugs. The Doctor was married in 1836 to"Julia E., daughter of Squire John D. Haverstick. Of the children born to this union but two survive-Mary, wife of Hon. E. C. Ingersoll, of III. (deceased); and Samuel, a resi-

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dent of N. Y. City, and Pres. of the Carter Medicine Co. Mrs. Carter dying in 1845, our subject married, in 1852, Ruth, a daughter of Rev. John Ingersoll, and sister of Hon. E. C. and Col. Robert G. Ingersoll. This lady died in 1881. The Doctor consciously taking no part in politics, professes to be a Christian of the primitive order, but is connected with no society or organization.

JAMES CASEY, retired R. R. Contractor, Erie, was born in Ireland Dec. 24, 1814, son of Thomas, a farmer, and Joanna (McCarty) Casey, natives of Ireland. They came to Canada with their family in 1821, and there spent the remainder of their days. Our sub- ject, the eldest of seven children, was reared on the farm, and received a good education. His first engagement as Contractor was on the Welland Canal, in Canada; this terminated in 1848, and he then secured a contract for the construction of the N. Y. & Erie R. R., and subsequently contracts on the N. Y. & Buffalo and State Line R. R., G. W. R. R. of Canada, L. S., E. & P., C. & R. I., and C. S. He came to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1835, and to Erie City in 1838. Mr. Casey was married, iu Canada in 1835, to Mary, daughter of Rich- ard Delaney, a native of Ireland. To this union were born eight children, five now living- Mary, wife of Richard O'Brien, agent E. & P. R. R., Erie City; Joanna, wife of Dr. Dun- nigan, of this city; James F., Private Sec. for his father; Very Rev. Father Thomas A. Casey, V. G., and Sister Mary Inez. The family are all members of the Catholic Church.

VERY REV. THOMAS A. CASEY, V. G., Rector St. Patrick's Cathedral, Erie, was born in St. Catharines, Ont., Jan. 1, 1846, seventh in the family of James and Mary (De- laney) Casey, natives of Ireland, the former a wealthy and influential citizen of Erie City, and widely known as : railroad contractor. Our subject received his education at the Col- lege, Niagara Falls, from which he graduated in 1868. He was ordained a priest in 1869, and appointed to the charge of the church at Tidioute, Penn., where he remained till 1870, in which year he came to Erie City to fill the position of Rector of St. Patrick's Cathe- dra .. Rev. Mr. Casey is brother to Sister Mary Iuez. All the family are devout members of the Catholic Church, and our subject has well proved himself a bold soldier for the faith, and stands in the highest respect in the whole community.

PROF.A. H. CAUGHEY, of firm of A. H. Caughey & Son, hooksellers and stationers, Erie, was born in this county, Nov. 1, 1827; son of Andrew and Martha (Canon) Caughey, natives of Penn., of Scotch-Irish descent. Andrew, who was a farmer, was born in Penn. in 1792, and came to this county in 1803. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1865. His family numbered five children; three reside in this county. Our sub- ject who is the youngest, received his education in Washington (uow Washington and Jefferson) College, Penn., where he graduated in 1849. He first studied law in Erie and was admitted to the practice of his profession in 1851, but after a time, not having much inclination for the pursuit of Blackstone and his compeers, he abandoned law, and, enter- ing the field of newspaper enterprise, bought out the office of the Commercial Advertiser, afterward called the Crescent, and latterly the Constitution, which he carried on success- fully for five years. From 1855 to 1867, he was Secretary of the Erie Canal Co .; assisted in establishing the book store of Caughey, McCreary & Co. in 1864; was elected Principal of the Erie Academy in 1868, where he remained six years; and was Adjunct Professor of Latin in LaFayette College from 1875 to 1879. In 1880, the Professor re-entered the hook business, in company with his son, which he has carried on ever since with much success. Mr. Caughey was united in marriage, in 1851, with Elizabeth, daughter of Will- iam W. Reed, Sr., and of English descent. By this union there is one child living, Reed, now married. Mr. Caughey is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and his wife a mem- ber of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He was Deputy Collector of Customs in Erie City in 1883. In politics, is a Republican.

CAPT. E. F. CHRISTIAN. of the Anchor Line, Erie, was born in the Isle of Man in 1834, and was reared to a seafaring life. At nine, he engaged in the English Merchant Ma- rine service, remaining till seventeen years old, when he came to America, and went on the lakes. In 1864, he retired from this, and embarked in merchandising as a grocer and ship chandler, and did au extensive business for four years. He then engaged in vessel agency, insurance business. and invested vessel property, in which he continued till 1876, wheu he took up his present industry, with which he has since been identified. For sev- eral years during this time he operated largely in oil lands. Our subject was married, in 1852, to Elizabeth G. Moran, a lady of fine literary attainments, and a native of N. Y. City. To this union have been born four children, viz., Charles E. and Wm. L. S., manu- facturers in Dubuque, Iowa; Miranda, wife of Benjamin F. Pierce, a hardware merchant of Erie: and Marion Josephine, a college graduate, now teaching. The family are mem- bers of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Christian is an active member of the Masonic order.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 100

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280