History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 113

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 113

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

did with extreme caution, they were surprised to find a white man and his family, who were, if possible, worse scared than themselves. Mutual explanations ensued, and both parties were agreeably disappointed to find that those they had mistaken for foes were in reality friends. Soon after his arrival Col. Reed proceeded to the erection of a place of shelter for his family. This, the first building on the site of Erie, was a one-story log cabin, covered with bark, and located at the mouth of Mill Creek. It had no floor, and strips of bark were used for carpets. Col. Reed concluded to open a public house, and labeled his cabin the "Presque Isle Hotel." Martin Strong, who visited Erie about this time, says the house was provided "with plenty of good refreshment for all itinerants that chose to call." In Sept., Col. Reed's sons-Rufus S. and George-came on by way of Pittsburgh, with Mrs. Thos. Rees and Mrs. J. Fairbanks. The Colonel remained at the mouth of Mill Creek until the ensuing seasou, when, after putting up another and better building, which he placed in charge of Rufus, he moved to a farm that he had located on the flats of Walnut Creek. on the present site of Kearsarge. Here he remained, in a rough cabin, until his death on the 19th of March, 1797, at the age of fifty-three. His house was about forty rods west of the Waterford road, in the rear of Capt. Zimmerly's brick resi- dence. The body of Col. Reed was buried on the farm at Walnut Creek, there being no regular place of interment in the county. The remains were removed three times-first to the United Presbyterian graveyard, at the corner of 8th and Peach streets ; second, to the Episcopal graveyard, and lastly, to the family lot in the Erie Cemetery. Hannah, his wife, died Dec. 8, 1821. in her seventy-fourth year. Chas. J. Reed went with his father to Wal- nut Creek, and occupied the farm after his death. He was joined in wedlock to Rachel Miller on the 27th of Dec., 1797. The event is notable as the first marriage in the county. The ceremony was performed in Erie by Thomas Rees, who had received a justice's com- mission, and the young couple rode to their Walnut Creek home in a plain sled kept at the fort. Mr. Reed died in 1830, and Mrs. Reed in 1851. George W. Reed, another of the sons, went two miles further up the creek, in Summit Township, and located a farm. From there he moved to Waterford and opened a public house. In 1826 he changed to Erie, where he continued in the hotel business a number of years: he returned to Water- ford in 1844, and died there in 1847. Rufus S. Reed, the most prosperous and best known of the sons, always remained in Erie. He was born at Uxbridge, Mass., on the 11th of Oct., 1775. While the rest of the family took to farming, his taste was altogether for busi- ness, in which he was extraordinarily successful. He started a store in 1796, which did a big trade with the Indians, the soldiers and the settlers. In 1797 he began an extensive fur trade with the Indians, which proved to be very profitable. His boats were running constantly on the lake, loaded with store goods one way and furs the other. He secured large Government contracts for supplying the western posts with beef, pork, flour aud whisky. His business becoming too large for him to conduct alone, he associated Giles Sanford in the mercantile branch, and the partnership continued many years. In 1817-18, he erected a grist mill and distillery on Parade Street, near Fifth. Seven years later he built another distillery on his farm, near the corner of Parade Street and the Buffalo road. He purchased large bodies of land and fed many cattle, which he either killed or drove to the Eastern market. He became an extensive owner of lake vessels, and was the foremost man in enterprise in the whole lake country. As a specimen of his genius, it may be stated that the law forbade the sale of ardent spirits to the Indians by the gill, quart or barrel. Mr. Reed evaded the statute, and preserved the peace of his conscience by having a hollow stick made, and selling the liquid by the yard. Rufus S. Reed was married twice, his first wife being Dolly, daughter of Jonathan Oaks, of Palmyra, N. Y. The ceremony was characteristic of the man. In 1798, he left Buffalo by lake with a lot of goods in small boats. The party stopped in the evening at the mouth of Smoke's Creek (now Hamburg, N. Y.), where Mr. Reed informed the men that he had a matter of busi - ness to attend to some three miles back in the country. He was gone all night, and returned in the morning accompanied by his wife. She died the same year, and was buried by the side of Col. Seth Reed, at Walnut Creek. In 1801 he married Agnes, daughter of Gen. William Irvine, who bore him oue son, the well-known Gen. Charles M. Reed. The marriage ceremony was performed by Thos. Robinson, a Justice of the Peace at North East. Rufus S. Reed died at the age of seventy, on the 1st of June, 1846, leaving the largest fortune that had been accumulated up to that time in the lake shore region. Gen. Charles M. Reed, the only child of Rufus S. Reed, inherited his father's great business abilities. He was born in Erie in 1803; after receiving the best education the schools of the time afforded, he was sent to college at Washington, Penn., and from there went to Philadelphia, where he read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1821. Returning to Erie, he almost immediately engaged in business with his father, and developed such aptitude for money making that it was a question which was the more skillful of the two. He early foresaw the advantage of steam in navigation, and became the largest owner of steamboats on the lakes. Some of his boats were fitted up magnificently, equaling the finest of the present day. While the canal was at the height of its prosperity, he realized all the ben- efits of that enterprise, and when the time came for building railroads, he quickly grasped their importance. In his early years he was fond of military display, and became a Brig-

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adier General of militia. He served a year in the State Legislature and a term in Con- gress. In politics he was first a Whig and then a Republican. He died in the mansion at the corner of West Sixth Street and the park, on the 18th of Dec., 1871, in the sixty- ninth year of his age. His fortune at the time of his death was variously estimated at from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000. None but the family and a few intimate friends know the exact amount, but it was certainly not less than the sum first named. Gen. Reed was married, in 1836, to Miss Harriet Gilson, of Watertown, N. Y., who is still living. They had a number of children, of whom only two sons, Charles N. and Lloyd G., survive; Hattie, one of the daughters, married Hon. Henry Rawle, and at her death left two chil- dren, who are heirs to their mother's portion of the large estate. It will be seen from the above that Charles M. and Lloyd G. are the fourth generation of the Reeds in Erie. All of the members of Col. Seth Reed's family are buried in the Reed lot in the Erie Cemetery.

W. W. REED, civil engineer and railway contractor, was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, April, 1824. His father, W. W. Reed, was the first white child born within the limits of Erie City, the date being Feb. 20, 1797. His mother, Elizabeth J. Reed, now in her eighty- seventh year, resides with her son. To this couple were born eight children, W. W. being the second in order of birth. The other surviving children are: Elizabeth, wife of Prof. A. H. Caughey; E. W., the present Postmaster of the city, and Sarah A., at home. Will- iam W. Reed, Sr., for a number of years was a prominent and successful merchant in Ashtabula, but meeting with financial reverses, the subject of our notice was forced to leave school at an early age and commence work. He shipped as cook on a schooner, and by strict attention to duty gained rapid promotion, ard in two years held the position of first mate, and made several trips with a vessel as acting master, hefore he was twenty years of age. Quitting the water he accepted a clerkship in a general store in Mercer Co., where he remained until the spring of 1849, when he obtained employment as civil engi- neer on the Erie & North East Railroad, which position he held for two years, when he accepted the appointment of resident engineer on the Northern Railroad in Canada. In 1859 he was elected General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania & Erie Canal, and served in that capacity until the canal was 'abandoned. In 1867 he was chosen President of the Board of Water Commissioners, of Erie City, and served twelve years. In 1876, 1878 and 1880, Mr. Reed was supported by a large majority of the Republicans of Erie Co. for the Republican nomination for Congress, in the Twenty-seventh Congressional District of Pennsylvania, but having incurred the hostility of the other counties in the district by his fight against the Pennsylvania system of giving all counties, large and small, the same number of delegates in a Congressional convention, he always failed to get the District nomination. Mr. Reed is an active, successful business man, and generally conducts his projects to a successful issue. He is unostentatious, but very liberal in dispensing charity. He has never married, but his attachment to his father's family is strong and beautiful; few are so faithful in the discharge of filial trusts. Though past three score years of age, Mr. Reed appears to be still in the prime of life.

EDMUND W. REED, Postmaster of Erie City, was born at Ashtabula, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1833, son of William W. and Elizabeth I. (Smith) Reed. Our subject acquired his educa- tion in Ashtabula High School and Erie Academy. Early in life he learned telegraphy and was an operator for three years. He also studied civil engineering and was employed with his brother, W. W. Reed, at this business for ten years. At the breaking out of the war, he promptly enlisted and was elected Second Lieutenant of Company K, 83d Reg., P. V. I. During the seven days' battle at Gaines' Mill, he was wounded in the breast, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. He was discharged in 1863, on account of disability. For the first two years after his return home he was unable to do anything. Later he engaged in the coal business, which he still continues. He was appointed Post- master of Erie City, July 1, 1881, by James A. Garfield, and took charge of the office July 18, 1881, and this position he still occupies. Mr. Reed was married, in Erie City in 1868, to Abbie P. Hilton, daughter of Maj. A. C. Hilton. To this union have been born four chil- dren-W. W., Archie Hilton (deceased), Rufus S. and Marion Winifred. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of St. Paul's Church, of Erie City.

THOMAS REES, deceased. The subject of this sketch was a native of Northumber- land Co., Penn., and though he did not bring his family to Erie as early as some of the other pioneers, still he was the first to begin business in the lake region. Mr. Rees, after taking an active share in the stirring events of the Revolution, was appointed Deputy State Surveyor as soon as the northwest was thrown.open to settlement. The commision was dated May 16, 1792. He opened an office in Northumberland Co., and in following year struck out through the forest and reached an Indian village on the banks of Lake Erie, a site now occupied by the city of Buffalo. In 1794 he visited Presque Isle, and made a survey on about four hundred warrants issued to him for survey. In the spring of following year, Mr. Rees went to his district with surveyors and others, who wanted to take up land. Mr. Rees was then agent for the Pennsylvania Population Company, and the first sales were all articled by him. He had a tent on the bank of the bay, which was the first real estate office ever established in Erie, and eighty-six years before J. W. Shan- non opened one on State Street in the Reed Block. Mr. Rees was the first Justice of the

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Peace appointed in Erie Co. In 1802 he removed from Erie to his property in Har- bor Creek, discontinned the real estate agency, and laid out his lands into separate farms, which have ever since been known as the "Rees Reserve," on which he lived until his death, which occurred in May, 1848.

DAVIS REES, General Freight Agent, P. & E. R. R., Erie, was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., Sept., 1843, son of Richard and Mary (Davis) Rees, former a native of New York of Welsh descent, latter a native of New Jersey, of Scotch lineage. Our subject's grand- father, William Rees, came from Wales to America in 1800, settling in Lewis Co., N. Y., and his great-grandfather, by his mother's side, Thomas Gordon, came to New York in 1740. Richard Rees was a merchant up to the time of his decease in 1862. He came to Erie City in 1852; was at one time in business in Brooklyn, N. Y. His wife was a sister of Judge Gordon, and Peter Styker, late President First National Bank of Philadelphia, was connected with her family. Our subject is the only member residing in Erie Co., of a family of six children, one deceased. He acquired his education in his native county, at Lewis University, N. Y., and in Erie City he graduated in 1860 from Lewis University. Choosing the vocation of clerk, he worked for his father in the dry goods business until 1863, since which date he has been in the employment of the R. R. Co., one year excepted. Mr. Rees is a Knight Templar.

WILLIAM F. RINDERNECHT, merchant. Prominent among the business men of Erie Co. is the senior member of the firm of William F. & J. J. Rindernecht, dealers in hats, caps and furnishing goods, 503 State Street; groceries and ship chandlery, 504 State Street, Erie. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 8, 1818; son of F. B. Rindernecht, a weaver by trade, who emigrated with his family to America in 1832. His wife died when William F. was a small boy. They were parents of four children. Our subject received his education in the High School of his native place, and having studied Latin and Greek, is a proficient scholar. He graduated the same year he came to America (1832). On his arrival in the United States, he followed various occupations, worked on a farm two years, then on a canal ten months. He next came to Eagle Village, now known as South Erie, where he clerked in a general store for Jacob Hanson for three years. Mr. Rindernecht served as Constable of Erie City from 1841 to 1843. He then embarked in the grocery business. which he continned in from 1843 to 1866, with good suc- cess. In 1866 he formed a partnership with John Eliot in a private banking concern which existed four years, and our subject is now in the furnishing and grocery trade. Mr. Rindernecht was married in 1846 to Mary Eliza Justice, a native of this city, daughter of Capt. John Justice, an early settler of this county, by trade a carpenter and ship builder. To this union were born two boys, both deceased when young. Our subject and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church. He has been School Director for several terms and a member of Erie City Council four terms. In politics he is a Republican.

C. F. ROOS, groceries and provisions, corner Eighth and Myrtle Streets, Erie, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1829. When fourteen years old, he came to America with his people, who settled in Mckean Township this county, where his father followed farming. The subject of this sketch learned carpentering, which he followed for nearly thirty years, when he retired from it, and, in 1883, engaged in his present business. He was united in marriage, in 1855, with Rachael Hershey, of Erie Co., hy whom he has had two sons and three daughters: Florence Eve (deceased); Henry F., in business with his father; Anna Amelia; Charles E. (in business with his father) and Calvin. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Roos has always taken a prominent part toward building up this city, and specimens of his workmanship can be found in many of the handsome residences and business houses of Erie.

LOUIS ROSENZWEIG, of the firm Allen & Rosenzweig, attorneys at law, office Dime Block, Erie, was born in Macon, Ga., April 25, 1844; son of Isaac and Bena (Backer) Rosenzweig, natives of Germany, and who came to America when children. Isaac Rosen- zweig was a general merchant and came to Erie City in 1845 or 1846. Our subject is a self- made man, having had his schooling at Erie City Public Schools prior to the age of four- teen. He clerked in his father's store till he attained his fifteenth year, when he took full charge of the business. Resolving to follow a professional career, he selected that of law and immediately entered on its study, devoting his evenings to it. In 1870 he entered the law office of E. Camphansen, Erie City, and was called to the bar of Erie Co. in 1872. July 23, 1874, he was admitted to the United States Courts and to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in 1878; was appointed Notary Public and elected Alderman in 1871, and a member of the Erie City School Board in 1880. In Jan., 1876, he formed the present law partnership with George A. Allen. Mr. Rosenzweig was married Oct. 19, 1864, to Minnie, daughter of Jacob Newburger, and of German descent. By this union were born four children-Grant, Etta, Hattie and Bert. Our subject aud wife are of the Jewish faith. In politics he is a Democrat.

FREDERICK A. ROTH, Chief Engineer of Erie City Water Works, Erie, was horn in Rhine Bavaria, Germany, May 5, 1843, and at fourteen learned his trade, that of a machinist. In Jan., 1860, he came to America and located here. The following year he enlisted in Co. G, 6th U. S. Cav., and after three years' active service was honorably dis-

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charged. He soon after visited his native country, but at the expiration of a year and a half returned here and engaged with the Humboldt Iron Works, where he remained for several years. In 1875 and 1876, he served as Assistant Engineer of the Water Works of Erie City, and in 1880 was appointed to his present position, which he has held since. Our subject was united in marriage here in 1866, with Lizzie Lochner, of same nativity as him- self. This union has been blessed with three sous and two daughters-Louisa, Frederick, Jr., Otto, August and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Roth are members of the Lutheran Church. He is also an active member of the A. O. U. W.

JOHN W. RYAN, farmer, Erie, is a native of this city, born Nov. 13, 1813; son of John, a hotel-keeper, and Lydia (Stewart) Ryan, natives of Dauphin Co., Penn. They were married in 1808, and came to Erie City in 1809; were parents of two children-John W. and Eliza Jane; latter married, in 1834, to Anthony Saltsman. Our subject acquired a school training in Mill Creek Township, and chose farming as a vocation. Being only four months old when his father died, he was left entirely on his own resources to make his way through the world. He is owner of a valuable farm inside Erie City corporation, with a handsome brick residence thereon. Mr. Ryan was married, in 1844, to Eliza A., daughter of John and Betsey (Harmon) Dodge, former a school teacher, native of Conn., latter of Maine. They are parents of five children, three now living-Charles W., dealer in agricultural implements, Toledo, Ohio; William, also dealer in agricultural implements, and Mary K., an artist. Alice, the youngest, is deceased. Edwin D., the eldest, who died in 1865, completed a thorough course at Yale College, graduating with honors. Mrs. Ryan is a member of the Universalist Church.

GILES SANFORD (deceased), was born in Norwich Farms, now Franklin, New London Co., Conn., Sept. 18, 1783. He was descended from John Sanford, President of Rhode Island in 1655, and who had been disarmed in 1637 for his sympathy with Wheel- right. These with Coddington, Hutchinson and other eminent colonial men, had purchased Rhode Island, and resided at Portsmouth. On the maternal side he was descended from Richard Edgerton, who, in 1655, was one of the thirty-eight original proprietors of Nor- wich, Conn. Mr. Sanford came to Erie in 1810, and for many years was a partner of the prominent and successful business man R. S. Reed, Esq. They were the only merchants in this region during the war of 1812, Erie being then a naval station and the depot for supplies for the Upper Lakes. Great business talent and energy were requisite to provide for the construction of Perry's fleet, with the country sparsely settled, the market for sup- plies distant, roads miserable and badly equipped, and almost no facilities for transporta- tion by water. The mercantile firm in his name, in 1823, had subsistence contracts with the Government for Fort Dearborn (Chicago), Mackinaw, Fort Howard (Green Bay) and St. Mary. Chicago had not even a name sixty years ago, providing sustenance for only 100 men, and this was sent all the way from Erie ! In 1824, when a delegate at the Canal Convention which met at Harrisburg, Mr. Sanford was instrumental in giving initiatory impetus to internal improvements, and was ever a generous and disinterested friend of all enterprises for the public good. He assisted substantially in the promotion of local agri- cultural and horticultural interests, and may truly be termed the father of our Natural History Society. Having been favored by the acquaintance and friendship of Hon. Henry R. Schoolcraft, and aiding him in one of his explorations in the mineral fields of the Northwest, an agreeable acquaintance and correspondence on literary subjects ensued, which continued for some years. Though not a professor of religion until middle age he was among the foremost in contributing to charitable and Christian objects. In conse- quence of his business connections, habits of observation and general information, he rendered valuable assistance in an excellent history of Erie Co., published by his daughter, Laura G. Sanford, in 1862, and from which our historian has derived much data. Mr. San- ford was married, at Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 6, 1816, to Laura Goodwin, a lady' of the first standing in every respect. He died Feb. 13, 1866. His immediate descendants are Lavinia S., the wife of J. C. Spencer, President of the First National Bank, Erie; Laura G. and Myron Sanford, the latter for many years a private banker and for ten years Cashier of the First National Bank, Erie, one of the first National banks (No. 12) organ- ized, which bank he established with the co-operation of Messrs. J. C. Spencer, the late Gen. Chas. M. Reed and others, in 1863.

WILLIAM SALTSMAN (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania in 1777, came to Erie Co. in 1796 with Squire Rees, and assisted in surveying this county. His father, Anthony Saltsman, was killed by the Indians on the Susquehanna. He, with two other men, was on the ice on the river when they discovered they were pursued by the Indians. The others wore moccasins, and thereby escaped, but Mr. Saltsman had on a pair of new boots which prevented him from getting away, and so he met his death. William, our subject, was married in 1800 to Jane Stephenson. They had ten children, only two living-Sarah, who married Samuel D. Shannon, and re-married to Horace Piney (deceased), now resides in Belle Valley, Erie Co .; and Jane, the youngest daughter, also a widow. She married Andrew Scott, whose sketch appears in this volume. Mr. Saltsman received his education in the subscription school in Center Co. He permanently settled in Erie Co. in 1800 near Wesleyville, where he built a saw-mill and afterward a grist mill, which is still standing.

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He was successful in his pursuits; in politics was a Democrat. He died in Mill Creek Township in 1829.

R. J. SALTSMAN was born in Erie Co., April 24, 1842, son of Jesse Saltsman (de- ceased), who was born in Erie Co., Jan. 6, 1814, son of William Saltsman. Jesse was a farmer and miller for many years in Erie Co., where he died in 1876 on his farm. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly A. Shadduck, is still living. They had two children, R. J. and Rose J. Our subject was educated in Erie Academy, and also in Allegheny Col- lege. He was connected with the Lake Shore Railroad from 1862 to 1865. He then en- gaged in the coal trade, which he has since continued with success. He was married, in Erie City, April 25, 1865, to Anna A., daughter of Thomas M. Austin, whose great-grand- father, also his father, were officers in the Revolutionary war.

DAVID SCHLOSSER, of the firm Schlosser & Fethiem, dealers in lumber of all kinds, Erie, is a native of Germany, born Dec., 1844, and son of Michael and Barbara (Copp) Schlosser. Our subject emigrated to America in 1865, settling in Erie Co., where he embarked in mercantile and lumber trade. At the end of five years he abandoned the mercantile branch, and has since pursued the lumber business in partnership with Mr. Fethiem. Mr. Schlosser was married in 1869 to Hannah, daughter of Henry Davis, de- ceased. Two children have been born to this union, Harry and Bennie. Our subject is a member of the Masonic order, and of the trade union.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 113

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