History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 112

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 112

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WM. O'LONE, First Assistant Engineer Water Works, Erie, was born in Quebec Oct., 1843. He remained in his native land until thirteen years old, when he went to New Or- leans, and began life for himself as a fireman on a steamboat, and as such continued until the breaking out of the war, when he came North, and located in Erie. He then became a local engineer for the E. & P. Ry., where he continued until 1876, when he was appointed to his present position. Our subject was married, Dec. 27, 1865, in Jamestown, Mercer Co., Penn., to Joan Conway, born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1848, and who came to this country with her parents, Michael and Mary Conway, of Jamestown, Penn. Nine children have blessed this union-Michael, Thomas, William F., John Henry, Mary Cath- erine, Letitia G., Nellie C., Josephine, Maggie and Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. O'Lone are mem- bers and regular communicants of the Roman Catholic Church. Since coming here, our subject has served as a member of City Council; has been a member of the Executive Committee for several years, and has occupied minor offices.

JACOB OSTHEIMER, of the firm of Baker, Ostheimer & Co., merchant tailors, Erie, was born Jan. 22, 1839, in Baden, Germany. He came to America when sixteen, and fol- lowed mercantile business in New York and Pennsylvania until 1860, when he located here, and engaged in merchandising, with which he has since been identified. He was united in marriage, March 8, 1860, with Sarah, daughter of P. Baker, of Erie. She was born in Germany, and departed this life here in 1872, leaving one son and a daughter- Isaac and Clara. She is buried in the Erie Cemetery. Mr. Ostheimer subsequently mar- ried a sister of his wife, Emma Baker, who has borne him a son and a daughter-Mortimer and Mamie. Mr. and Mrs. Ostheimer are members of the Synagogue. The former has served in the City Council and minor offices.

CAPT. DOUGLASS OTTINGER. This gallant gentleman, now four score years of age, and Senior Captain (now retired) of the U. S. Revenue Marine Service, was born in Germantown, Penn., Dec. 11, 1804. His father was an officer in the Revolution, on the side of the patriots. Capt. Ottinger was educated at the common schools of Philadelphia, and when but a boy, entered the Commercial Marine Service, being rapidly raised to the command of a trading vessel. When the Revenue Marine Service wasreorganized in 1832, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of a revenue cutter, by Andrew Jackson, and did service first on the cutter " Benjamin Rush " and twelve months afterward was transferred to the cutter "Erie." As he early gave considerable attention to the invention of life- saving appliances, for the use and rescue of ocean travelers, he was appointed by the Gov- ernment, in 1848, to establish and equip the first life-saving station built on our coast, and in a short time there were established, under his direct supervision, eight of these stations on the New Jersey coast. At the petition of a commercial organization of gentlemen, he was granted by the Government in 1849, a furlough, without pay, and he entered the serv-

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ice of the company, his first duty being to navigate their ship to the Gate City, on the Pacific coast. Reaching California, he was employed by the company to explore the coast, and while so engaged, he discovered and named Humboldt Bay, promptly apprising the U. S. Government of the fact. He remained in the employ of this company only a few months; about two years as commander on the Pacific mail line of steamers, between the Isthmus of Panama and San Francisco. This was a highly lucrative position, which he relinquished at the request of the Government. to take command of the revenue cutter "Lawrence," at a salary of $1,200 per annum. He proposed to resign his commission, but was informed by the Secretary of the Treasury that it was his services, not his resignation that the Government desired. Patriot that he was, he obeyed the request, and from 1851 to 1853, he commanded the cutter " Frolic;" his duty being to patrol the Pacific coast, in the interest of the revenue, from Oregon to San Diego, and also to act as police protector to the harbor of San Francisco, his being the only authority efficient to protect the shipping, some 400 vessels, and city from the general disposition to lawlessness that was at that time so prevalention the Western coast. From 1853 to 1856 he was stationed in the Gulf of Mexico, and afterward ordered to Lake Erie. When hostilities between the North and South began, he successfully navigated the revenue fleet of five vessels, from the lakes down the St. Lawrence, and around to Boston. This occurred in mid-winter, and in no part of Capt. Ottinger's experience were the qualities of an intelligent commander put to a severer test. In 1862 he commanded the revenue fleet off North Carolina. In 1864 he was directed to construct, according to his own model, a vessel for the revenue service. As a result, he gave to the department the " Commodore Perry," a vessel of uncommon speed and sea-worthiness. In 1870 he was made one of the commissioners to decide on the class of vessels best adapted to this branch of the service. Subsequently, he commanded the " Com- modore Perry," cn Lake Erie. Capt. Ottinger is made historical on account of his invention of the life car, a peculiar appliance to rescue persons from stranded vessels in storms where lifeboats would he swamped. Through its use, on its first trial, it was the means of saving from the British ship " Ayrshire," stranded on the New Jersey coast Jan., 1850, 201 lives, and shortly afterward, through its use on the same coast, during a fearful gale, there were rescued from the ship "Georgia " 271 passengers; and thousands of lives have been saved by its use on our own shores and in Europe, and the apparatus he put at the first life-saving stations of the United States; he gave it free of tax for patent. The whole world and all are free to manufacture and use this car. Capt. Ottinger receives no royalty except the consciousness of having created an implement that has already brought life and joy to thousands of his fellows, and bids fair to be employed in humane work so long as storms prevail upon the ocean. The Con- gress of 1858 recognized the value of this invention by voting to Capt. Ottinger the sum of $10,000. In 1883 Capt. Ottinger visited Europe, and while in England he received many testimonials of respect. In 1830 Capt. Ottinger married Emily, daughter of Rev. Watkinson, of Pemberton, N. Y .; their relations were most happy for the fifty years or more of their married life. He was bereft of her Jan., 1883. Capt. Ottinger has no children He is a genial gentleman, well preserved and very popular. He is a veteran sailor, and emphatically a Christian, being for many years Senior Warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Erie, Penn. We present a fine steel portrait of Capt. Ottinger in this work.

N. C. OUTWAIT, painter, Erie, was born in Boston, Mass., in 1833, son of Daniel Outwait, who was a ship-carpenter. Our subject was reared on the island of St. Thomas, West Indies, but at eleven went to sea, and followed the same for eleven years, when he took service on lake vessels for six years. Retiring from a sailor's life, he engaged in his present vocation, subsequently locating here, and has since been identified with the build- ing interests of the city. He was united in marriage, in 1858, with Victoria, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel Morgan, who came from Wales and settled here over forty-five years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Outwait have been born a family of four sons and four daughters- Ellabelle L., Benjamin A., S. Roger, N. C., Jr., Rachel B. and Sara I .; also Effort S. and Nannie M., now deceased. The family are members of the Central Presbyterian Church. Mr. Outwait is an active member in the Masonic, Odd-fellows and K. of P. societies.

THOMAS PASKETT, proprietor of stone quarry, residence Erie City, was born in London, England, Sept.29,1841, son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Booth) Paskett, natives of the same; the former a butcher. Our subject acquired his education and learned his father's business in his native land; there married, in 1863. Keziah, daughter of James and Mary Booth. natives of England. To this union have been born four children-Fannie J., Ada. Anna Elizabeth and Frederick C. Mr. and Mrs. Paskett are members of the Episcopal Church. Soon after their marriage (same year) they embarked for America, and after remaining in New York two years, came to Erie City, where he embarked in the butch- ering trade, in which he has been very successful: is owner of valuable property in Erie City, and of stone and sand quarries in Le Boeuf Township, this county. He is a Repub- lican in politics; served two terms in the Common Council and one in the Select Council of Erie City. and has been a delegate to the Erie County Convention.

JOSEPH E. PATTERSON, of the firm of Patterson & Hayes, merchants, Erie, was born in Springfield Township, Erie Co., Penn., July 25, 1841, son of Robert and Louise

Kung C. SlaFford

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(Ellis) Patterson. The former a farmer, was a native of this county, of Irish extraction; the latter of Mass., of English descent. They were the parents of two children-William S., deceased in 1878, and Joseph E. Our subject was educated in the common schools and Spring- field Academy. In about 1860, he entered mercantile business with his brother in Spring- field, this county, carrying it on for five years; in 1866, removed to Erie, and remained for two years further in same line of trade. Since then our subject has been engaged in the manufacture of galvanized ornaments, for beautifying the outside of buildings. This business is so extensive as to furnish employment for ten clerks. Mr. Patterson was mar- ried to Mattie M. Dyke, sister of Logan J. Dyke, who once served as Treasurer Erie Co. To this union were born-Georgia and Clyde. Our subject and wife are members of the Central Presbyterian Church.

SETH TODD PERLEY. attorney at law and claim agent, Erie, was born in Erie City in 1840, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McCartney) Perley, the former a native of Massa- chusetts, of English lineage, the latter a native of near Dublin, Ireland. They moved from New York to Erie City in 1840. Samuel Perley being a newspaper editor and pub- lisher, brought printing material with him and established the Erie Chronicle, which he continued until 1855. in which year he handed the paper over to his oldest son, Capt. James Perley, now in the Treasury Department, Washington, in which city Samuel Perley died in 1881. Samuel Perley was elected Prothonotary of Erie County in 1851, serving three years, but declined re-election. Of Samuel Perley's ten children, seven grew to maturity. Our subject, the only one of the family residing in Erie County, was educated in Erie and Girard Academies, and studied law under Col. Benjamin Grant and Hon. Edgar Cowan, the latter a United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Our subject has held several responsible positions in Washington; for four years he was in the Treasury Department. On his return to Erie, in 1865, he immediately engaged in his profession, and has pursued it ever since.

THOMAS PICKERING, liveryman, Erie, was born at East Islington, Yorkshire, En- gland, in 1843. He removed with his people to Oakville, Canada, where he was reared and educated. At twenty years of age, he came to this county, locating in this city, but subse- quently engaged in oil operations in this State. He retired from this, and subsequently started in his present business, which he has since successfully conducted. Our subject was united in marriage, in 1865, in Erie, with Kittie Knoll, who is a fine musician. This union has been blessed with one son-Hutsey. Mr. Pickering is an active member of the A. O. U. W. society.

W. W. PIERCE, of the firm of W. W. Pierce & Co., hardware, No. 719 State street, Erie, one of Erie's successful business men, was born Oct. 27, 1843, in the Empire State; son of Seneca and Lucy (Pitcher) Pierce, natives of New York and of English descent. Seneca was a tanner, and reared six boys and six girls. Our subject received a district school education, and at eighteen commenced clerking in a hardware store. In 1863 he emharked in business at North East, this county, and in 1864 came to Erie, where he has since continued in the same business, with more than average success. His business house, one of the finest in the county, is a four-story structure, 100x24 feet, and is well stocked. Mr. Pierce was married, in 1867, at North East, to Josephine, daughter of J. H. Haynes, a prominent man of that place. They have four children- William B., Louise H., George S. and Howard H. Our subject is a Democrat in politics; has served as member of the City Council; is a member of the School Board, Knights of Honor, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

HORACE L. PINNEY, deceased. was born in Connecticut in 1815, son of Elijah and Mahala (Grant) Pinney, the latter of Scotch extraction. The former came to Erie County about 1838, settling in Mill Creek Township with his father, who was a farmer. Our sub- ject taught school for sixteen winters in early life, in this county, but by occupation was a farmer through life. In 1844 he moved to Greene Township, this county, where he was a Justice of the Peace twenty-five years. Our subject married, in 1842, Mrs. Sarah Shan- non, daughter of William Saltsman. To this union were born six children, five now living: A. S. and E. H., twins, the latter a resident of Michigan, dealer in real estate, owner of 982 acres of valuable land; A. M., a farmer in Mill Creek Township; Rose E., at home; Kate M., wife of Dr. W. K. Byron, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. A. S. Pinney is a dealer in hardware, farming implements, wagons, carriages, etc., etc., on Peach street, Erie. He was born in Erie County, March 23, 1845, and acquired his education in the Belle Valley School and Erie Academy. His first occupation was clerking, and he is now proprietor of a first-class hardware store, which he is estimably well calculated to manage, having a practical knowledge of all its details. A. S. Pinney was married, in Erie City, in 1869, to Minnie Morse, born in New York State, daughter of A. A. Morse, a resident of Wisconsin. To this union there is one child-Nellie, born April 22, 1871. In politics Mr. Pinney is a Democrat. Our subject, Horace Pinney, died Feb. 20, 1878. In politics he was a Demo- crat. His widow is yet living in Erie County, now in her seventy-third year. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

S. T. POLLOCK, Tax Collector, Second Ward, Erie, was born Jan. 31, 1825, son of Matthew and Hannah (McClure) Pollock, natives of the north of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish

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extraction. They came to America in 1817, remaining for a few years in Lycoming Co., Penn., and in 1824 moved to Erie County, settling in Mill Creek Township. They were both born in the month of February, and both died in April, 1863, within a few days of each other. Matthew Pollock had been a farmer all his life. They were parents of Mar- garet, died in 1865, wife of M. Reed, had one son, W. J. Reed; D. C., a farmer; H. J .; John, died in 1849; Alexandria, died in 1837; M. G., Mary C. and S. T. Our subject is now owner of the home place and a residence in Erie City. He is unmarried, and has his two sisters residing with him. After receiving a good education, Mr. Pollock farmed until 1873, when he came to Erie City. In 1881 he was appointed Tax Collector for the Second Ward. The family are all members of the U. P. Church, of which their father had been a Deacon, and our subject is an Elder. Mr. Pollock and his brothers are Republicans in politics.

REV. JOSEPH H. PRESSLY, D. D., deceased, was born April 15, 1817, in South Car- olina, son of John T. and Jane (Herst) Pressly, natives of South Carolina, of Irish descent. Our subject acquired his education in Washington and Jefferson College, where he took his degree of D. D. His father was Professor of the Theological Seminary in Allegheny City, where our subject remained five years. After finishing his course in theology, Dr. Pressly came to Erie City in 1845, to take charge of the United Presbyterian Church there, of which he was pastor twenty-nine years. Our subject was married, in 1847, to Anna E. Smith, daughter of Thomas and Margaret H. (Stewart) Smith, former a native of Ireland, latter of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irisb descent. To this union were born nine chil- dren-John T., a farmer in Erie County; Joseph H., at Saginaw, Mich., in the employ of F. F. Adams & Co. (he married Hattie Waters, of Warren; their family consists of two children-Joseph H. and Ralph McDermit); Robert S., a farmer; Jennie, at home; William W., Maggie L., Mary M., Harry S. and Sarah Belle. Five of the children are members of the church. Rev. J. H. Pressly at first intended to pursue the study of medicine, but a quotation from the Bible, which his father used in a letter to him while at school caused him to devote his life to the ministry. He died Nov. 3, 1874, in Erie City, Penn. He was President of the School Board and Trustee of Erie Academy. In politics, he was a Repub- lican.

GILES D. PRICE, Clerk in County Commissioner's office, Erie, was born in North East, this county, Aug. 23, 1838, son of Erastus and Jane (Cosper) Price; the father a na- tive of New York, of English descent, died when our subject was one year old. The mother was a native of Erie Co., of Dutch descent. Our subject received a common school training, and chose the occupation of salesman, which he followed from the age of sixteen to twenty-two. He then went to Pike's Peak and worked in the gold regions four and one-half years, when he returned to Erie Co. and engaged in the milling business in Venango Township, Erie Co., ten years. In 1875 he was elected Prothonotary of Erie Co., and re-elected in 1878, serving in that capacity till January 1, 1882, and in 1883 was appointed to his present position. In October, 1866, he was married to Augusta, daughter of Henry O. Chase, of North East, Erie Co., whose family history dates back 200 years. To this union were born Harriet Jane, Olive Cosper, Mabel Gertrude and Eleanor Carr. Mrs. Price is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject was a Justice of the Peace while a resident of Venango Township. In politics he is a Republi- can.

W. J. QUINN, embalmer and funeral director, Erie, was born in Ireland, July 30, 1847, son of John and Mary Quinn, the former of whom died when W. J. was a child. In 1855 our subject came with his mother to America, settling in Newport, R. I., where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1861 he enlisted in the 1st R. I. Cav., Com. A, serving three years and participating in ahout twenty battles. Mr. Quinn was married, in New York City in April, 1883, to Sarah McMahon, of Irish descent, whose father was an officer in the Confederate army. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn are members of the Catholic Church. Our subject has been in business since 1878.

CHRISTIAN RABE, SR., wholesale wines and liquors and retail groceries and pro- visions, Erie, was born in Freienhagen, Waldeck, Germany, Aug. 1, 1830. He there learned the cooperage and brewing business. In 1857 he came to America, and subse- quently went to work in the brewing business in New York State. In 1861 he came to Pennsylvania, and there followed coopering. In 1862 he came to this city, and carried on a cooperage establishment, doing a nice business. In 1864 he was drafted into mili- tary service, but on account of his young family he gave up all his hard earned accumula- tions in business for the purchase of a substitute, and continued at work. He subsequently, however, left off coopering and took up merchandising, and has by dint of steady and persistent industry secured a very handsome competence, and is carrying on a well pay- ing business. He married, in New York State, Euphrosyne Mayer, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to this country about 1856. They have a family of four sons-Christian, Jr., William, Henry and Louis. Mr. Rabe is an active member of the Odd-fellows and Harugari societies.

HUGH RAMSEY, contractor, builder and manufacturer, Erie, was born in Scotland, Jan. 9, 1829; son of Thomas Ramsey, who was a farmer all his life. Our subject was

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reared on the farm, and educated in the common schools of his native land. When eighteen years old he commenced learning the trade of a carpenter, at which he served four years. He emigrated to New Brunswick in 1863; after a year went to Canada, where he worked at his trade till 1865, when he came to Erie City. After working at the same occupation here for two years be formed a partnership with a Mr. Constable at manufact- uring and building. This was not a success, and Mr. Ramsey lost $17,000. He then engaged in contracting and building on his own account, and is now doing a prosperous business, employing on an average twenty men; is also engaged in manufacturing the Cap Sheaf feed mill, which bids fair to prove a success. In 1858 our subject was married at Ardrossan, Ayrshire, Scotland, to Margaret Alexandra, by whom he has the following children: Thomas, William (both assisting their father, the latter as a book-keeper), Nellie, Lillie, Hugh, Jr., and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey are members of the Park Presby- terian Church.

DR. A. Z. RANDALL, Coroner of Erie Co., Erie, was born at Cold Creek, Allegany Co., N. Y., Oct. 13, 1840; son of Dr. Thomas Jefferson Randall, a physician in that county, and a graduate of Fairfield College, Herkimer Co., N. Y. In 1844 the family located in Edinboro, this county, where Dr. T. J. Randall remained prominently identified with his profession until his death, which occurred Jan. 25, 1873. The subject of this sketch received his literary education in the State Normal School at Edinboro, and after completing a long course of studies there he commenced the study of medicine with his father as preceptor, after which he attended two full courses of lectures at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor during the years 1862, 1863 and 1864, and finally graduating honora- bly at that institution on the 30th day of March, 1864. He then located at Wattsburg, where he practiced two years, thence came here, and, with the exception of nearly five years practice in Crawford Co., two years at Union City and nearly two years at Edinboro, has since been reputably connected with the medical profession here. He was appointed Health Inspector of the borough of South Erie in 1866, and Examining Surgeon of Pen- sioners in 1867, filling this important office until 1873. During 1867 and 1868 he was Sur- geon for the P. & E. Railway, and was appointed Vaccinating Physician of the city in 1882. He was previously elected Coroner of the county in Nov., 1881, to serve three years, receiving a very flattering vote from his constituents. April 29, 1863, he married Ellen Lucy Congleton, of Edinboro, a lady of fine literary attainments, and has three sons- Thomas Carlyle, Elmer Ellsworth and Grant Almont. Dr. Randall is an active member and Examining Physician of Garfield Lodge, No. 197, of the A. O. U. W., as well as a member of the Red Men, No. 252, Erie Tribe, and Examining Physician for the same. He has for years been a prominent member of the Erie County Medical Society, having held various offices in it while connected with the same, being at the present time one of the Censora. Politically he has always been a stanch Republican.

GEORGE D. REAVLEY, druggist, 916 Parade Street, Erie, was born near Alnwick, Northumberland, England, in 1841, where he was educated to his present business. When twenty years old he came to America, and settled in Erie in 1873, where he has since been prominently identified with the drug trade. He was united in marriage, in 1873, with Emma McKenney, who departed this life in 1877, leaving a daughter, Mabel, and is buried in the Youngsville Cemetery. Our subject was again married, in Oct., 1880, to Mrs. Jen- nie M. (Carlin) Zurn, who has a daughter-May. During the late war, Mr. Reavley did active service on the U. S. steamer "Curlew," of the Gulf Squadron, from which he was honorably discharged at the close of the rebellion. He is a member in the following societies: Odd-fellows, United Workmen, Sons of St. George and of the G. A. R.

THE REED FAMILY .- A history of Erie Co. would be "like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet out," unless some account were given of the Reed family, who may be said to have been the pioneers in its development. Col. Seth Reed, the founder of the family fortune, was a physician at Uxbridge, Mass. When the Revolution broke out, he was given command of a regiment, and fought at Bunker Hill. At what date he removed is not known, but we next hear of him in Ontario Co., N. Y., where he became possessed of a tract of land eighteen miles in extent by a trade with the Indians. Becoming impressed in some way with the favorable location of the new town of Erie, and believing that it would grow to be an important place, he sold out his Ontario Co. estate, and, with his wife and sons-Charles John and Manning-left for the frontier. At Buffalo he fell in with James Talmadge, who had fitted out a sail boat to run between that place and Erie, with whom a contract was made to bring the party and the few goods they had along to their destination. They reached the barbor of Erie on the evening of the last day of June or first day of July, 1795, and camped on the peninsula for fear of the Indians. Thos. Rees and a company of State militia under the command of Capt. John Grubb, with some friendly Indians, were quartered upon the Garrison ground. On seeing the fire in Mr. Reed's camp they were greatly alarmed, thinking a hostile band had landed there prelim- inary to an attack. Sentinels were kept on watch all night, and the troops were ordered to be ready at any moment to meet the expected foe. In the morning a boat, with men well armed, carrying a flag of truce, and accompanied by a canoe-load of friendly Indians, was sent over to the peninsula to ascertain the cause of alarm. On landing, which they

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 112

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