History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 114

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 114


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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VALENTINE SCHULTZ, dealer in groceries and provisions, Erie City, was born in Germany Nov. 11, 1827, son of Valentine and Margaretta (Adams) Schultz, natives of Ger- many. They came to America in 1846, remaining for a time in Connecticut, and in 1847 came to Erie City. Our subject was educated in his mother country. When he was nine- teen years old, he commenced to learn the trade of molder, which he worked at most of the time until 1857, in which year he embarked in his present business, which he has con- ducted ever since at the present stand. He is one of the oldest business men of Erie City, and by close attention to business, honesty in his dealings with his customers, he has become successful, and is well regarded as a merchant. He was married in 1852 to Mary Bootz, a sister of Jacob Bootz. They have the following children: William F. (in store with his father), Jacob, Frank D., George, Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Schultz are members of the Catholic Church in Erie. He was Township Treasurer from 1862 to 1863; was one of the first members in South Erie Council; was a member three years. One of his sons was elected a member of the council of 1883, when he was not yet twenty-three years old, being the youngest Councilman in Erie City. Mr. Schultz has given his children the advantage of a good education, and most of them attended the business college at Buffalo, N. Y.


FRED W. SCHUTTE, Constable, carpenter and contractor, Erie, was born Dec. 26, 1836, in Germany; son of Christian Schutte, who died in 1849. Our subject came to Erie from his native land, and after receiving a common school education, learned carpenter- ing, in which he has successfully continued since. He was united in marriage in Erie City, in 1858, with Melvina Sanders, of German lineage, who died here in 1877. By this union were nine children, seven of whom survive. Mr. Schutte was next married in 1882, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He has made all he possesses by his own exertions; is a Republican in politics; has been a member of the Common Council, and is at present serving as Constable in the Fourth Ward, Erie City.


JOSEPH S. SCOBELL, Train-master of the Western Div. of the P. & E. Ry., Erie, was born in Kingston, Canada, Feb. 1, 1850. At fifteen he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and took up telegraphing, but after a year returned to Canada, following the same occupation at Belleville and Brantford with the Provincial Telegraph Company. He subsequently came to Erie City, employed by the P. & E. Ry. In 1880 he was appointed to his present position. Mr. Scobell was married in Erie to Sarah C., daughter of Charles E. Midlam, of Erie. This union has been blessed by one daughter-Helen S. Our subject is an active member of the Masonic order. He is a Knight Templar; member of the Royal Arcanum; and is also a member of the A. O. U. W., and the Telegraphiers' Association. Mr. Sco- hell is a stockholder in the American District Telegraph Company, and is acting as its President.


ANDREW SCOTT (deceased) was born in Harbor Creek, this county, May 27, 1811, and became a resident of Erie City when fourteen years of age. Here he continued to reside, prospering with advancing years, but always aiding with liberal hand and hearty effort anything calculated to enhance the public welfare. His private benevolence was as unostentatious as widespread; the poor and suffering appealed to no one oftener, and never in vain; as a companion, his genial nature and racy humor were proverbial. He was High Sheriff of Erie Co. from 1838 to 1841, and Postmaster of Erie from 1841 to 1845; afterward and until his death he was actively engaged in commercial business at the harbor. He died Sept. 25, 1868, leaving his widow Jane (daughter of William Saltsman) two sons- Walter and John R. and three daughters-Isabel, Mary and Hattie. His remains lie in Erie Cemetery. His funeral was one of the largest and most profound and impressive demonstrations of public as well as private grief which has ever been witnessed in the city of Erie. In politics he was an old line Whig until the formation of the Republican party


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when he united with it. His father, Robert Scott, came as an early pioneer in 1800, and settled in Harbor Creek Township, this county. By occupation he was a farmer all his life.


WALTER SCOTT, Secretary and Treasurer of the Erie Gas Company, and a member of the firm of Scott & Arbuckle, insurance agents, office No. 26, North Park Row, Opera House Block, Erie, was born in this city July 21, 1846; son of Andrew and Jane (Salts- man) Scott, natives of this county. He attended the graded schools and the Academy in Erie. He first engaged in the coal business with his father, in which he remained until 1864, and then embarked in the wholesale grocery trade. This he carried on four years. After his father's death he took charge of the deceased's business until 1873, when he abandoned it, and entered the insurance business with Mr. Arbuckle, This firm, Scott & Arbuckle, represent fifteen good companies, fire, marine and accident. Mr. Scott was elected Cashier of Erie City Gas Works in 1879, and Secretary and Treasurer in 1883, which position he still holds. He was united in marriage, in 1880, with Alice, daughter of P. Hall, druggist in this city, and a native of Erie, Penn. This union was blessed with two children -- Winfield Hall and Carl Andrew. Mr. Scott has been a member of the Council of Erie for four years; was for one year Chairman of Common Branch, and now a member and Chairman of the Select Council. In politics he is a Republican.


WILLIAM L. SCOTT was born in Virginia in July, 1828, being the son of Maj. Robert L. Scott, U. S. A .; the father dying when his son was but seven years old, left the family in straitened circumstances; at an early age William was appointed a Page in Congress; while serving in that capacity he attracted the favorable attentiou of Gen. C. M. Reed, who induced him to locate in Erie in 1848; was employed by that gentleman as a clerk for two years; in 1850 engaged in the coal and shipping trade at Erie Harbor; first in partner- ship with M. B. Lowry and afterward with John Hearn; in 1861 he contracted to build that portion of the Erie & Pittsburgh R. R., which extends from Jamestown to New Castle, on the completion of which he built the link from the latter place to the Fort Wayne Road, becoming the principal owner of the same; soon after he was elected President of the Erie & Pittsburgh Company, a position he has held ever since; he also built the coal docks and established the coal depot at the mouth of Cascade Run. During the late war, Mr. Scott gave liberally to the Union canse, and rendered much service in the enlistment of troops; he is engaged in many of the most extensive railroad and other enterprises of the day, and is widely known as one of the wealthiest and most energetic men of the country. For some fifteen years past he has taken a prominent part in politics. He has twice filled the office of Mayor of Erie, first in 1866 and next in 1871. As one of the first Water Commis- sioners of Erie he aided in establishing the city water works. Mr. Scott was the Dem- ocratic nominee for Congress in 1866 and again in 1876. In 1876 and 1880 he was a del- egate to the Democratic National Conventions, on the last occasion being one of the four delegates-at-large from the State. He was also a member of the Democratic National Com- mittee from 1876 to 1884, and a frequent delegate to the Democratic State Conventions. He is also a liberal contributor to the campaign funds of his party. Mr. Scott married Miss Mary Matilda, daughter of John A. Tracy, of Erie; their children are: Minnie T., inter- married with Richard H. Townsend, of Philadelphia, and Anna Wainright, intermarried with Charles H. Strong, of Erie.


WILLIAM SCOULLER, retired farmer, Erie, was born in Scotland Aug. 8, 1811, son of James and Mary (Beard) Scouller. James, a miller, came to America in 1832, where he farmed most of the time till his death; he reared a family consisting of three sons and three daughters, and departed this life in 1858. Our subject received his school- ing in Scotland, and has been a tiller of the soil. He was united in marriage, in Mill Creek Township, with Sarah Davison, who was born and reared in this township. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Scouller is a Republican in politics.


GEORGE SEABROOK, Master Mechanic and Foreman of the L. S. & M. S. R. R. Shops, Erie, was born and reared in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1829. When eighteen years old, he began the trade of a machinist in the railway shops, and after a few years took charge of a locomotive as an engineer, and followed that pursuit for twenty-four years, during which time he lost his left leg while on duty. He retired from this position to take the one he has since reputably occupied. He was married, in Erie Co., N. Y., to Helen M. McDonald, of that county. They have three sons and one daughter: William George, in railway business; Charles H .. a machinist; George A. and Helen E. Mrs. Seabrook is an active member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Seabrook and his oldest son, William G., are members of the Masonic order.


GEORGE SELDEN was born in Hadlyme, New London Co., Conn., Sept. 28, 1790. When about fifteen years of age, he went to reside at Troy, N. Y., with his uncles, Charles and Joseph D. Selden, who were engaged in mercantile pursuits-the business he followed until his death, which occurred at Erie, Penn., May 23, 1857. In an address de- livered at the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the First Presbyterian Church of Erie, we find the following tribute to his memory; "He was tall, slender and dignified in his ap- pearance, and always commanded the respect of the community. He was mild and reticent in his manners, and, while an active business man, had always time to attend to the business


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of the church, and was always found in his place at the prayer meetings and other public services. Mr. Selden always impressed one as heing a very good man, with a great wealth of sterling good qualities covered up beneath his modesty and retiring disposition. He was a valuable counselor. His judgment could always be relied on, not only in the interests of the church but in that of his friends. No doubt he was greatly missed when he passed away." He was elected Elder of the church Dec. 29, 1832, which position he held until his death. Mr. S. descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His grand- father raised the first company of volunteers in New London Co., Conn., and was elected Colonel of the regiment. He was taken prisoner and died in New York a short time be- fore the city was evacuated. from a wound he received while in the service. The family settled in Hadlyme, Conn., in 1650; some of the descendants still reside on land the title of which has never been out of the family name. George Selden was married, Oct. 14, 1813, to Miss Elizabeth Grace Card, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Card, of Troy. N. Y. About the year 1819 he removed to Erie with his family, which then consisted of wife and two children. Mrs. Selden died Sept. 26, 1827, leaving five surviving children-Joseph, Samuel, Elizabeth, John C. and George. His second wife was Miss Emily Marvin, to whom he was married June 12, 1833. Children: Charles Townsend (deceased) and Jos- eph (deceased), who came with their parents to Erie. Joseph married Joanna L. Sill, daughter of Thomas H. Sill, Esq. They had four children, three of whom survive- Joanna Sill, George Dudley and Emma J. Joseph became associated with his father in business under the name of George Selden & Son in 1840, which copartnership continued until his death. Samuel (deceased) married Caroline Perkins, daughter of Dr. C. F. Per- kins, of Erie; they had five children-Mary L., Edward P., Caroline E., Charles C. and Samuel F. Samuel when a young man resided for several years in the Island of Cuba. On his return to his native land he married Miss Caroline Perkins, daughter of Dr. C. F. Perkins, and settled in the western part of the county and engaged in farming. In 1865 he removed to Erie; was elected Elder in the First Presbyterian Church Jan .. 1866. He embarked in business with his brother, John C., and Matthew Griswold under the name of the Selden & Griswold Manufacturing Company, and built up a large and suc- cessful trade in the iron business. Elizabeth M. married Samuel M. Fellows, of Troy, N. Y. Both deceased. John C. married Lydia M. Griswold, daughter of Matthew Griswold,


of Lyme, Conn. They had two children-Marion (deceased) and Grace Card. George married Anna M. Lawton, deceased, daughter of Charles Lawton, of Pottsville, Penn. John C. Selden in early life went as a clerk in a store in Troy, N. Y., where he remained until 1830, when he joined his brother George in California. After undergoing the various vicissitudes of early settlers in California, he returned to Erie in 1853, soon after which he became associated with his father in a general merchandise business on French Street, which was then the principal business street of Erie. This partnership continued a short time when he purchased his father's interest and changed to hardware business, in which he remained until 1872, when he retired. Since his withdrawal from regular busi- ness he has been more or less identified with various manufacturing interests in the city, and has always maintained an enviable reputation for honesty and integrity. George Selden when a mere hoy manifested a desire to see the world. He went to New York City where he shipped on a merchant vessel with Capt. Griswold for the East Indies and China. He continued his sea life until he became of age, soon after which he returned to Erie. He remained at home but a short time when he left for California to join the searchers for gold, and like the majority of the pioneers of 1848 and 1849, he had his ups and downs. Returning to Erie in 1853 he then engaged in manufacturing, and soon became associated with his present partner, John H. Bliss, in the manufacture of barrels for petroleum, which they continued until 1861 or 1862, when they purchased the Erie City Iron Works, which they have since enlarged to an immense capacity. Mr. Selden is a man of great en- ergy and perseverance, and would be uninfluenced by obstacles which would discourage an ordinary business man. He has patented many improvements in engines and mill ma- chinery, and mainly through his ability as an inventor, the products of the works have attained a world-wide celebrity. He, like all other members of the family, is a member of the Presbyterian Church.


J. T. SEVEN, of the firm of J. T. Seven & Son, art gallery and picture frame manu- factory, Erie, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 28, 1812, son of Frederick Seven, a school teacher. Our subject was educated in Germany and became a proficient scholar in Latin and French. After serving a four years' apprenticeship to the general turner trade, he came to America in 1845, and to Erie City Sept. 15, 1849, where he worked at his trade ten years, and then embarked in his present business. The art gallery is under his own immediate supervision, and the picture frame manufactory is conducted by his son, Theo- dore. Mr. Seven wasmarried, in Germany, to Catharine, daughter of Andrew Albright, a cloth manufacturer in Germany. To this union were born seven children, viz .: Erencine, wife of Ernest Walclin; Elisit, at home; Caroline, wife of Jacob Erchorn, merchant tailor; Margaret, wife of Charles Wunschel; Lottie, wife of William Sherwood; Theodore and Henry.


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HENRY SHATTUCK, retired farmer, Erie, was born in Erie Co., Penn., March 4, 1818, son of Spencer and Sally (Burton) Shattuck, natives of Connecticut, the former of English descent, and the latter of Irish lineage. They were parents of five children, four of whom now reside in Erie City. Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck are both deceased, the former, a Universalist in belief, dying in 1852; the latter, who was a member of the M. E. Church, departed this life in 1874. Our subject, who was the eldest child, wisely chose farming, his father's occupation; he at one time owned a grist mill in Mill Creek Township; has dealt extensively in live stock, and is owner of 369} acres of land in Mill Creek Township, part of which is inside the corporation of Erie City. Mr. Shattuck has been twice mar- ried, on the first occasion, to Emily Parker, who bore him five children-Irene, wife of Henry Russell, a son of Capt. Willard Russell; William S., farming in Mill Creek; Austin and J. H., in the West, where they own a cattle ranch, and John who died in 1852. Mrs. Shattuck died in 1852, and our subject, in 1860, married Phebe, daughter of John Coover, by whom he has Lemuel, Elbridge and Johu.


SAMUEL A. SHERMAN, shipping clerk for the American Fusee Co., Erie, was born in Wellsburg, Erie Co., Penn., Oct. 21, 1851, son of Charles and Olive (Powell) Sherman, both natives of New York, and of English descent, and a grandson of Samuel Sherman, one of the old pioneers of Erie Co., Penn. Charles Sherman, a farmer, and an early set- tler of this county, was parent of eight children, five of whom are residents of Erie Co. Our subject, the fifth in this family, was reared on the farm, and acquired his education in Wellsburg, and at Edinboro Normal School; for a time he acted in capacity of travel- ing salesman for the Wellsburg Spring Bed Co., but since 1874 has filled his present posi- tion.


G. W. F. SHERWIN, Civil Engineer and Water Commissioner. Erie, was born July 12, 1831, near Harbor Creek. His father, Dr. Ira Sherwin, physician, was a native of Windsor Co., Vt., a graduate of Castleton Medical College, same State, and came to Harbor Creek Township at an early day, purchasing land in the forest known as Irvine's Reserve. Here he farmed, followed his profession, and for two or three terms taught iu the first school- house built in the township. He married, Aug. 10, 1896, Sarah Wilson, born in Erie Co. Ang. 10, 1800, daughter of Wm. and Sarah (Barr) Wilson, natives of Mifflin Co., Penn., who bore him seven children, six living, viz .: Harriet E., wife of A. H. Tracy, of Mon- mouth, Ill. (have six children-Josephine F., Wilson S., Rodliffe Z., George A., Joseph P. and Harriet N.); John O., married to Elizabeth Anderson, resides in Nebraska (have five chil- dren-John O., Jr., Fred, McDowell, Sarah A. and Lucy): Sarah A., wife of S. N. West, of Traer, Iowa (have four children-John S., George M., William W. and Royal A.); Jo- sephine B., at home, has been Postmistress of Harbor Creek for eighteen years; Mary F., at home with the mother. Dr. Sherwin died in the fall of 1859. His widow resides in Harbor Creek; she has a wonderful memory, and clearly remembers when Perry and some of his force stopped at her father's house. G. W. F. Sherwin was reared on the farm, and attended the Erie Academy, and Keysville Academy, Ohio; there took a mathematical course, and at once launched into civil engineering. He began his profession in 1846, working at same during the summers and teaching during the winters. He then went to St. Louis, and surveyed for the North Missouri R. R., and later for the Belleville & Alton; was then chosen engineer in charge of Alton & St. Louis R. R., and made the first sound- ings for the bridge over the Mississippi River. In 1854 he was promoted Assistant Super- intendent and Paymaster on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, which he resigned in 1855; then went up the Missouri, and laid ont Sioux City, Iowa, and Niobrara, Neb., in which were 2,000 Indians at the time. He was chosen one of the original eleven Trustees of the Iowa Agricultural College, and was honorably appointed to deliver the dedicatory address, but was unable to attend the ceremony. Mr. Sherwin was twice elected County Judge of Cherokee Co., Iowa. His father requested that on his death he should return to Erie and settle up his estate, which he did. He then served in this county three years as County Surveyor; five years as City Engineer; four as Water Commissioner, and is now President of the Board. Mr. Sherwin was married. Jan. 30, 1861, to Sarah J., daughter of Col. Jas. M. Moorehead, of Harbor Creek Township, by whom he has had five children: Josephine M., Anna F. and James M .; two died in infancy. Our subject was one of the charter members of the Central Presbyterian Church of Erie, then numbering but forty-six, but which has now 500 members, and has been Elder in same since 1873, and is also an earnest worker in the Sabbath-school.


CHARLES C. SHIRK, of the Chicago & Erie Stove Co., Erie, is a native of Water- ford, this county, born Sept. 1, 1841, son of David and Mary (Whitehill) Shirk, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of German, the latter of English extraction. David Shirk was a tanner by trade, born in Lancaster Co .. Penn., in 1806. He came to Waterford, Erie Co., in 1838, where he carried on a tannery business until 1842, in which year he moved to Erie City. Here he engaged in the foundry business for thirty-three years. He was a member and for many years an Elder of the Presbyterian Church. In politics was a Democrat. His family numbered four children: James W., deceased in 1873, served in the United States Navy, entering as a cadet in 1849; his first active service was during the war of the rebellion, on gunboats; was promoted to a Captaincy in the fleet plying the Tennessee


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River; Elizabeth, wife of W. R. Davenport, whose biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Charles C., and Kate, at home. Our subject received his education in Erie City Academy. He embarked in business when a young man, and has been eminently successful, much being due to his strict integrity and close attention to his affairs. He is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an Elder for seven years. Mr. Shirk was married to Louise, daughter of E. F. Wilson, and of English de- scent. To this union have been born Randolph, Margaret, Mary, Stewart and Davenport. Mrs. Shirk, who is a much esteemed lady, is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church of Erie City.


HON. THOMAS H. SILL, lawyer and legislator, son of Capt. Richard L. Sill, of the Revolutionary war, was born at Windsor, Conn .. Oct. 11, 1783. He graduated from Brown University, Rhode Island, in 1804. After studying law with Hon. Jacob Burnet, of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, he began practice in 1809 at Lebanon, Ohio. Failing health soon iuduced him to relinquish business temporarily; and, after traveling for a year he resumed law prac- tice, opening an office at Erie, Penn., in 1813, being then the only resident attorney at that place, where he remained for life. Erie was then but a hamlet, the war being in pro- gress, and the brigs of Perry's fleet under construction in the harbor, so that upon his arri- val he joined the "Minute Men," who guarded the place in momentary expectation of an attack from the British, an apprehension happily dispelled by Perry's victory on the fol- lowing 10th of September. This service, with a subsequent term on the staff of Gen. Wallace, completed his military service. From 1816 till 1818 he was Deputy United States Marshal, and in 1819 Deputy Attorney-General, as such assisting at the first court in War- ren Co. In 1823 he was elected to the Legislature, and in 1826 to Congress. In 1838 he was again elected, being the only anti-Jackson member from Peuusylvania, which indi- cated his personal influence with his constituency. He declined nomination for the fol- lowing term, and in 1837 was made President of the United States Branch Bank at Erie, holding the position during the existence of the Institution. He served repeatedly as Bur- gess of Erie. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention to revise the Constitu- tion in 1837 and 1838, where among the able men who composed that body he maintained a marked influence. In 1848 as Presidential Elector he voted for Taylor and Fillmore. From 1849 to 1853 he was Postmaster at Erie. He was an able and eloquent advocate, a careful and trusted counselor. Among contemporaries of the most respectable positions, he was a man of note and influence. While the qualities of his mind commanded the re- spect of all, the amiability of his disposition won for him their affection. He took a live- ly interest in public matters, especially projects of public improvements, and the cause of education, serving as School Director, and for more than thirty years as Trustee of Erie Academy. To no one during his career was the public eye oftener turned at public meet- ings and associations for the promotion of reform: while as the representative of his fel- low citizens, old residents yet remember as models of composition and good taste his ad- dress at the reception of ex-Presidents Adams and Van Buren, and his eulogy upon Pres- ident Taylor. While his style was chaste, his bearing combined dignity with modesty. As a forensic advocate, he excelled, especially in his calm and logical addresses to juries, and in this respect he had few if any superiors in the circuit of his practice. An early Republican and Whig, he had much to do in shaping the politics of this district. He lived to witness the dawn of Republican supremacy, for which he had labored, and the prosper- ity of a city in whose early struggles he had been so active. He died on the 7th of Feb., 1856, "full of honors and of years." Court was then sitting, his contemporary and old friend Judge John Galbraith upon the bench. The announcement of his death by Geo. A. Elliott, Esq., and the addresses of Messrs. Walker, Marshall and Kelso, with the resolutions adopted, and the feeling response of Judge Galbraith, made an impressive scene long to be remembered. Mr. Sill was married in 1816 to Joanna Boyleston, daughter of Rev. Amos and Joanna (Lanman) Chase. She was a native of Litchfield Co., Conn., aud still survives, and resides in Erie. He had six children-Richard, who resides at Erie, Joanna Lanman, who married Joseph Selden (both are deceased; of their children, Elizabetli G. died in 1864; George D., of the Erie City Iron Works, Joanna S. and Emma J. survive). Sarah Hale married Matthew Taylor, who died in 1854; (their son, Rev. Frank M. S. Taylor, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Alton, Ill., is Archdeacon of the Diocese of Southern Illi- nois). Thomas Sill died unmarried; Joseph Sill resides at Union City, and James Sill, attorney at law and Senator, a notice of whom appears elsewhere.




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