History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 115

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 115

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).

JAMES SILL, lawyer and Legislator, Erie, is a son of Thomas H. and Joanna B. Sill, and a native of Erie. After a course of study at the Erie Academy and in his father's law office, he graduated at the New York State and National Law School, and was admitted to the Erie bar, where he has since practiced. He was in 1857 elected District Attorney of Erie Co., serving three years; was presidential Elector in 1868, voting for Grant and Colfax, and City Solicitor of Erie in 1871 and 1872. In 1870, with Judge Greer and others, he organized the People's Savings Institution at North East; having secured the charter of the Union & Titusville Railroad, in conjunction with Titusville and Union parties, organ- ized the same as it was afterward constructed. He obtained the charter for and with others organized and for many years was a Director of the Humboldt Savings Bank, now

953

CITY OF ERIE.

one of the strongest institutions in northwestern Pennsylvania; elected to the State Sen- ate in 1880 for four years. At the session of 1881, under instructions from the Republican primaries, he supported G. A. Grow, and in doing so co-operated with the fifty-six inde- pendent Republicans. He served in that session on the Apportionment and General Judi- ciary committees and as Chairman of the Library Committee, and introduced and advo- cated a bill which became a law abolishing all distinction in color in schools; . also an amendment to the Constitution relative to representatives in the House, and a bill tender- ing the marine hospital to the General Government for a soldiers' and sailors' home, which ultimately passed the Legislature of 1883. At the latter session he served on the Judiciary and Appropriation committees, and among the most important bills introduced by him at the latter session, there was enacted one to perfect the title to real estate of decedents, a bill to which he devoted much care, one of much importance to titles. In the extra session of 1883, he was active in his efforts to obtain apportionment bills; his last speech on this subject having been extensively circulated through the State, his resolutions for the res- toration of the land light-house, adopted by the Legislature, were generally approved by his constituents. His bill providing for the probate of wills during the life of testator, passed the Senate but was lost in House. He collated the first published history of Erie City, and delivered numerous historical and political addresses, and for many years contributed freely to public journals. Senator Sill has been an active party worker, having voted with the Whig party while it existed; he represented Erie Co. in the last Whig State Con- vention in 1855. Joining the Republican party in 1856, he was elected delegate to the Republican State Conventions of 1859, 1863, 1866, 1868 and 1878, several times a member of State Committee, and Chairman of Republican County Committees of 1861 and 1867, and of the city committees of 1866 and 1876, all attended with much lahor and success. He declined the tendered appointment under President Lincoln of Provost Marshal for Nineteenth District in 1863. As member of the har, much of the time with a large prac- tice, he was in 1875 President of the Erie Law Association, and as member of the Library Committee in 1871, initiated and carried out the placing of portraits of ex-Judges and de- ceased attorneys in the court room. As member of the City Council in 1857-58, upon a special committee, he proposed a number of reforms which were enacted in the charter for the classification and elongation of terms of councilmen, regulation of an increase of the power of the Mayor, etc., until the adoption of the Wallace Act. Upon his return from Harrisburg. Mr. Sill resumed practice at the bar.

JAMES E. SILLIMAN, physician and surgeon, Erie, was born in North East, this county, June 10, 1844, son of John and Minervs (Chapman) Silliman, natives of Pennsyl- vania. John Silliman's father was a farmer, born in Ireland, who emigrated to America, settling in Erie Co., in 1800. John Silliman was also a farmer; he was parent of seven children, four now living, of whom Mrs. Dr. Griffin of North East is one. Our subject ac- quired his education in Allegheny College, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1871, with degree of A. B .; three years after he obtained the degree of A. M. He after- ward graduated from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, in 1874, in the regular course, and commenced practice in Erie City same year. He studied medicine under Dr. J. L. Stewart of this city. In 1878 the Doctor was married to Hattie J., daughter of Hugh P. Mehaffey and a native of Erie Co .. of German and Scotch-Irish descent. Our sub- ject enlisted in 1865, in the 102d P. V. I., Company E, serving till close of the war. He is Assistant Surgeon of the 16th P. N. G. In 1875 he was elected Coroner, and served till 1881; was appointed Secretary of the Board of Examining Surgeons of Pensions in 1877. He is a member of the Erie County Medical Society, and of the State Medical Society. Dr. Silliman and wife are members of the M. E. Church, of which he has been Steward and Sabbath-school teacher eight years. In politics he is a Republican.

BENJAMIN F. SLOAN, youngest child of William A. and Esther (Crandall) Sloan, was born in Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., March 27, 1819, and moved with his parents to Fairview Township, Erie Co., Penn., about 1821. He attended the country schools until he was seventeen. Entered the office of the Erie Gazette in 1836 as an apprentice and served four years. Visited the Southern States in 1841 and 1842, and worked in various offices in New Orleans and Louisville. Part of the latter year was connected with the Louisville Daily Gazette as night editor. In connection with A. P. Durlin, Esq., pur- chased the Erie Observer, and edited it till Jan. 1, 1861, when he sold the office and became a member of the grocery firm of Sloan, Booth & McCreary. Was engaged in the business of oil refining from 1863 to 1868. From 1868 to 1875 was editor of the Erie Daily Republican and the Titusville Daily Courier. Was Clerk of the Committee on Invalid Pensions of the House of Representatives during the 44th and the extra session of the 45th Congress. Was appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the Erie Water Department Jan. 1, 1879, in which position he still continues. Mr. Sloan was married, March 27, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth M. Barr. They have had five children, of whom two are living-Clara Virginia (intermarried with H. D. McNaughton, of Rochester, N. Y.), and Charles H. Sloan, of Erie.

JOHN M. SMITH, Master Carpenter of the Western Division of the P. & E. Rail- way, Erie, was born Sept. 27, 1828, in Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y. At eighteen he

954

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

engaged as a sailor in the whaling service, but after an eventful experience of a few years retired from it and engaged in sailing on the lakes till 1865. He held the position of ves- sel master for several years. He next assumed the duties of a foreman carpenter in con- nection with railroading, and has been reputably connected with the same since. He married, in the place of his nativity, Nancy Jane Decker. There are no children. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the M. E. Church, and he is an active member of the K. of H.

W. T. SMITH, Master Mechanic of the P. & E. R. R. shops, Erie, is a native of Pennsylvania, born Oct. 10, 1838, son of H. L. and M. M. Smith; the former a pattern- maker by trade, was of German descent, the latter of Scotch-Irish. They were parents of three children. H. L. Smith came to Erie City in 1873, where he worked at his trade, and died in 1883. Our subject, who is second in a family of three children, received a common school training, and at the age of seventeen commenced the trade of machinist in Altoona, Penn., at which he continued till 1860; between 1860 and 1866, he was in the employ of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. and G. V. R. R. in Pittsburgh, and in 1866 he was appointed foreman of the lathe department of the N. T. P. & O. R. R. shops at Meadville, Penn., where he remained till February, 1867, when he received au appointment to his present position. Mr. Smith was married, in 1857, to M. M. Runyen, a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. To this union were born Carrie A., Harry L., George, Minot and Otis. Our subject has been a member of Erie City Select Council eight years and President of the same two years. In politics he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL SOBEL, merchant, Erie, was born in Germany in 1835; son of Solomon Sobel. He received his education in his native land, and there learned tailoring. On attaining his majority he embarked for America, locating for three years in New York City; thence went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, where he remained three years. Mr. Sobel came to Erie City in 1873, launching into the dry goods trade, in which he has since continued with more than average success. The firm is now S. Sobel & Sons, and is doing a wholesale and retail business. Our subject was married in New York to Cecelia Kine, also a native of Germany. To this union were born nine children-Elias (clerking in his father's store), Isidor and Abraliam (members of the firm), Ida (wife of David Shear, member of the firm of Shear & Bro., merchants, Warren Co., Penn.), Henry (clerk in the store), Theresa (at home), Lazarus (at school), Jacob and Joseph (at school). The family are members of the Jewish Synagogue. Mr. Sobel is a Democrat in politics; is a member of the Knights of Pythias; I. O. F. of I .. German society; also of the K. S. B.

HENRY SOUTHER, ex-Judge and attorney at law, Erie, was born in Charlestown, Mass., March 5, 1826, son of Joseph and Hepsie (Armisted) Southier, both of English ancestry. Joseph Souther was a manufacturer of morocco and kid leather, and died in Charlestown in 1866. Our subject attended the schools of that place and an academy at Walpole, N. H. In 1836 he was sent to an academy at Fryeburg, Me., where he remained till 1840, receiving there a classical education preparatory to a collegiate course; he then returned to Charlestown, where he attended a private school, and also at Boston, Mass., for nearly two years. In October, 1842, he came to Ridgway, in that part of Elk Co., Penn., taken from Jefferson Co., to learn the lumber business, his father having there made an investment in that industry. This lumber venture proving unsuccessful, our subject's father sold out his interest in 1845. Henry Souther remained at Ridgway, it having been made the county seat of Elk Co., and entered his name as a student at law with the late Hon. C. B. Curtis, then of Warren, Penn., teaching school and pursuing his legal studies. In the fall of 1847 he was elected County Treasurer of Elk Co., holding the office two years. In Jan., 1848, he was admitted to the bar of Elk Co., where he continued in prac- tice over twenty years. He served as Deputy Attorney General and District Attorney of Elk Co. by appointment and election from 1848 to 1855, when he resigned. In 1855 he was elected State Senator as a Republican in the district composed of the counties of Tioga, Potter, Mckean, Elk, Jefferson, Clearfield and Forest. In 1860 he was a member of the National Convention at Chicago which nominated Lincoln and Hamlin. On Dec. 27, 1861, was appointed by Gov. Curtin Surveyor General of the State in place of Hon. W. H. Keim, filling the unexpired term ending May, 1863. In 1868 was a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago which nominated Grant and Colfax. Feb. 17, 1871, was appointed by Gov. Geary additional Law Judge of Schuylkill Co., Penn., which office he held till the following December. Immediately upon his appointment he moved from Ridgway to Schuylkill Co., where he resided till 1872, in which year he moved to Erie, where he has since resided. Judge Souther was married in May, 1850, to Letitia, daugh- ter of John Patterson, formerly of Warren Co., Penn.

JUDAH COLT SPENCER, Pres. First National Bank, Erie, was born July 1, 1813, in Hadlyme, New London Co., Conn., son of William and Deborah (Selden) Spencer; he mar- ried Lavinia Stanley Sanford. To this union were born William, married to Mary Richards Du Puy, of Philadelphia, have one daughter, Maude, and one son, Judah Colt; Lavinia D., wife of Bishop Spaulding, now residing in Colorado; Frances L .; Catharine, wife of Rev. Robert S. Van Cleve, a Presbyterian Minister now residing in Sewickley, this State. Mr. Spencer is the nephew and namesake of Judah Colt, one of the pioneers of Erie, of whom

955

CITY OF ERIE.

mention is made in other portions of this volume. When fifteen years of age (1829), Mr. Spencer, then residing with his parents in Connecticut, received and accepted an invitation to join his uncle, and from this date begins his citizenship in Erie. He supplemented the schooling he had received in Connecticut by an attendance of one year at the Erie Acad- emy, when his uncle deemed him fit to enter upon his business career, so he was inducted into the office and field work devolving upon the agency of the Pennsylvania Population Company. Upon the death of Mr. Colt in 1832, the entire management of the affairs of this company devolved upon Mr. Spencer. Other pursuits engaged him for a while, and in 1852 he began banking (from about this date, until its consolidation with the Buffalo & State Line road, he filled the office of Secretary and Treasurer of the Erie & North East R. R.). He was among the first to apply for privileges under the law authorizing National Banks, and the First National Bank of Erie, over which he has presided since its founda- tion, was the twelfth bank incorporated under the new legislation. Mr. Spencer was an original stockholder in many other of Erie's reputable enterprises. For twenty consec- utive years he has served as President of the Erie Cemetery Co., and for years he was Treasurer of the Agricultural Association of the county. Mr. Spencer early took the stand of a Christian, and for more than two decades has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Park Presbyterian Church, and was one of the Building Committee of that edifice when it was in course of construction. His son inherits the leading charac- teristics of his father, and acceptably fills the chief place of trust in the banking institu- tion over which Mr. Spencer has so long presided.

H. A. SPENCER, physician and surgeon, Erie, was born in Warren Co., Penn., Aug. 29, 1828; son of Rev. Matthias and Harriet (Smith) Spencer, the former a native of Con- necticut, died May 1, 1882, aged about eighty-seven years, the latter a native of New York State, and both of English descent. Rev. Matthias Spencer was a Methodist Clergyman, and followed farming, removing from New York State in 1825, to Warren Co., Penn .; he remained there till 1830, when he came to this county, settling in Wayne Township. Our subject is the fifth in a family of eight sons, who all grew to manhood. He was brought up on a farm till fifteen years of age, when he attended the common schools and the Water- ford, Penn., Academy, also Allegheny College, at Meadville, Penn., two years, and elected medicine and surgery as his profession. In 1848 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he studied at the medical college from which he graduated in 1851. He commenced to prac- tice in Waterford, Penn., remaining there till 1864, in which year he came to Erie City, where he has resided ever since. The Doctor organized the corps of surgeons on the P. & E. R. R. in 1864, of which he has been Surgeon-in-chief between Erie and Sunbury, since that time. In 1861 he was appointed Pension Examiner, and was Medical Superintendent of the Erie County Infirmary for five years. He is a member of the State and County Medical Society. Dr. Spencer was married, in 1855, to Julia, daughter of J. L. Cook, a railroad contractor and a native of Waterford, Penn. To this union were born six chil- dren: Lena; Mary L., wife of F. H. Thompson; Boyd; Harry, deceased; Tereah and Roy. The Doctor is now Physician in Charge of Hamot Hospital at Erie.

E. SPRAGUE, of the firm of Sprague & Son, proprietors of the Liebel House, State Street, Erie, was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, July 13, 1835, son of John and Harriet (Lord) Sprague. the former a miller and farmer, native of Vermont, latter a native of New York. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received a good English education. In early life he worked on the Penn. & Erie Canal for twenty-eight years, and by industry and economy finally became owner of two boats. Subsequently he entered hotel business, kept the Reed House, Louisville, Crawford Co., Penn., for three years, then a hotel in Jamestown, Mercer Co., Penn. one year, and in 1873 bought the Powers House, now known as the Liebel House, Erie, where the traveling public are accommodated at $1.50 per day. The capacity of the hotel is thirty-seven furnished rooms. Mr. Sprague was married, in Craw- ford County, Penn., to Lucy Ransom, a native of this county. Her father, Robert Ran- som, was a farmer and early settler in Erie Co .; he was one of the builders of the wharves in Erie City. By this union were four children, three now living: Florence Belle, O. M., hotel-keeper at Conneautville, Crawford Co., Penn., and R. C., with his father. Our sub- ject is a member of the Universalist Church, in politics a Democrat. When he was a resi- dent of Crawford Co. he held the office of Constable and Deputy Sheriff of that county.

DANIEL SPRICKMAN, son of Conrad and Wilhelmena (Faber) Sprickman, of Werxheim, Hessen-Homburg, Germany, where our subject was born April 3, 1830. He came to this country when but nineteen years of age, first stopping in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained a few months, after which he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked in a barrel manufactory for six months. The climate not agreeing with him he returned to Buffalo, N. Y., and entered the employ of Messrs. Evans, proprietors of a line of steamers on the lakes, where he remained fifteen years. Finding him a reliable man, the Messrs. Evans then sent him to this city to take charge of loading and coaling their boats, in which capacity he served two years with so much satisfaction to all concerned that they appointed him agent for their line of steamers, which important position he held until they sold their boats to the Anchor line. He continued in the employ of the new management up to the time of his death, which occurred on the ninth day of Oct., 1878. Mr. Sprick-

956

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

man was married in Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 16, 1860, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Jacob and Katharine (Kah) Schwarz, of Limburg-on-the-Lahn, Germany. Their children were Henry Daniel, born Oct. 28, 1860 (deceased); Daniel Henry, born March 30, 1863; Henry Freder- ick, born Sept. 15, 1864; Charles Philip, born May 26, 1866 (deceased); Frank M., born Jan. 29, 1868; John Louis, born Aug. 26, 1870; Christina Louisa, born Nov. 23, 1872. Mr. Sprickman was of a generous disposition and made many friends. One of the most up- right and careful of men, he enjoyed the implicit confidence of his employers and of the parties with whom his business brought him in contact.

HENRY C. STAFFORD, Collector U. S. Customs, Port of Erie, was born in Water- ford Township, Jan. 29, 1842. He was brought up on his father's farm and received the benefits of the tuition at the Waterford Academy. Healthy, patriotic and enthusiastic, he promptly responded to the country's call for volunteers to suppress the rebellion, and at twenty years of age he enlisted in the 83d P. V. I., which was quickly dispatched to the front and quickly brought to battle with the foe. At the second battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862, between sunrise and sunset, our subject received five gunshot wounds, the last perforating his left lung. He was left prostrate on the field, and so remained unattended for three days and nights. He fell into the hands of the enemy, but was immediately paroled on the field, and carried to Alexandria. He remained for a while in the hospital there, afterward being removed to Washington City. He hore the pains of his slowly healing wounds with much fortitude. Jan. 29, 1863, he received his discharge from the army and returned home; his avoirdupois at this time, including his ordinary wearing apparel, was just eighty pounds. He recuperated in health, and served until near the close of the war in the Provost Marshal's office at Waterford. The war ended, he returned to his farm; subsequently became Constable, Tax Collector, Deputy Sheriff, and Warden of Erie County Prison, and, by election in 1879, High Sheriff, and July, 1883, was appoint- ed by the General Government Collector of the Port at Erie, which position he now holds. Mr. S. was married, Jan. 5, 1865, to Miss Effie R. Judson, daughter of P. P. Judson, Esq., of Waterford, Penn. To this union have been horn seven children, five of whom survive: Febie E., Peter P., William C., Margaretha M. and James Garfield. Mr. S. is fond of home and family, and while a positive character, is popular in his manners, and has hosts of warm friends throughout the county.

FRANK E. STAPLES, High Sheriff of Erie County, was born in Clymer, N. Y., March 14, 1842, son of Scammel and Minerva (Mead) Staples, natives of Massachusetts. His grandfather, Isaac Staples, was a soldier in the Revolution, and the father of the subject of this sketch was named after Col. Scammel, the Colonel under whom he served. Scammel Staples was for several years one of the keepers of the State Penitentiary at Auburn, N. Y, but his health failing, he retired to farm life. For more than half a century he was widely known as a local minister of the M. E. Church. Frank E. Sta- ples, the subject of this sketch, spent his early years working during the summer, by the day and month, as a farm laborer, and attending school in winter. In 1860 he located in Corry, Penn, engaged in railroading, and for twelve years held various positions as a railroad employe. He also served the city of Corry as one of its first police officers, High Constable, Fire Warden, and member of the Council. In 1871 he moved to Union City; was elected Constable, and appointed Special Deputy Sheriff, and also engaged in commer- cial business. Jan. 1, 1880, he was appointed Warden of Erie County Jail, and in May following Deputy Sheriff, and Deputy U. S. Marshal, and in Nov., 1882, was elected Sheriff of Erie Co. He is widely known as a capable and efficient officer. Mr. Staples was married, in 1860, to Myra A., daughter of Capt. Ebenezer Green, of Ellington, N. Y., and they have three children: George L., Hattie E. and Hawley S.

J. L. STERNBERG, Cashier First National Bank, Erie, was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1845, son of Abraham and Anna (Wormuth) Sternberg, natives of the Empire State, of German descent; the former, who is a farmer, lives in the house in which lie was born in 1808. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received a common school and Union College (N. Y.) training; was clerk in a bank in New York for a short time; then came to Erie City in 1865, and after six months acting in the capacity of clerk in the Key- stone Bank, was appointed Teller of the First National Bank, and in 1872 was elected Cashier. Mr. Sternberg was married, in 1868, to Jessie, daughter of L. L. Lamb. To this union were born seven children: Robert, Jerome. Jr., Sue, Jessie, James H., Abraham and Edna. Mrs. Sternberg is a member of the Park Presbyterian Church. Our subject is President of the Erie City School Board; in politics is Democratic.

JAMES M. STERRETT (deceased), second son of James Sterrett, was born in Cum- berland Co., Penn., in 1784, and removed to Erie with his father's family in 1807. Soon after reaching his majority he engaged in the tannery business, and in a few years suc- ceeded in building up the largest tannery in Northern Pennsylvania. Later in life he engaged extensively in the purchase and sale of real estate. He took an active interest in the improvements of the city, and was appreciated for his excellent judgment and high moral character. He married Miss Jane, daughter of Michael Spersard, of Washington Co., Md., in 1815, and moved his family to Erie in 1819, the mode of traveling being on horseback and the " old Penn wagon," as there were no stage coaches at that date. The

957

CITY OF ERIE.

result of this union was nine sons and four daughters. Mr. Sterrett died Sept. 13, 1852, and was interred in the Erie Cemetery. He left a fine estate. Mrs. Sterrett survived her husband until February 11, 1869. Four of Mr. Sterrett's brothers were in the war of 1812, serving until its close.

HON. JOSEPH M. STERRETT, retired editor. More than ordinary interest attaches to a journalistic life, covering nearly one-half the present century. Hon. Joseph M. Sterrett, now living in quiet retirement in Erie City, possesses this rare distinction. Widely known, personally and highly esteemed, his sun-setting days are serenely passing away in the midst of a devoted family. Mr. Sterrett was born near Shippensburg, Cum- berland Co., Penn., on the 19th of February, 1800. At an early age he removed with his parents, brothers and sisters to Mckean Township, Erie Co., and after acquiring a common education entered as an apprentice the office of the Northern Sentinel, published at Erie by Robert I. Curtis. The place of publication of this paper being changed to another State, Mr. Sterrett took a similar position in the office of the Western Press at Mercer. Remaining only a short time, he passed to Hagerstown, Md., working on the Torchlight, and subsequently for a longer period on the Star of Federalism in Frederick. He also found employment in the offices of the Baltimore American and Carlisle Volunteer, and returned to Erie in 1819. Prompted by a desire to engage in business for himself, he pur- chased a portion of the materials of the Erie Patriot and commenced the publication of the Erie Gazette, issuing the first number January 15, 1820. The Gazette was of medium size, and Mr. Sterrett performed all the labor upon it single-handed. working night and day until the following April, when an apprentice was procured. The Gazette was inde- pendent up to the breaking out of the anti-Masonic excitement in 1827. Mr. Sterrett's convictions led him to espouse the anti-Masonic cause, and the Gazette became the organ of the party formed to represent that cause, and courageously and effectively fought for its principles. This was a peculiarly exciting period in the history of the Gazette. Ran- corous feeling and personal estrangements resulted from the bitter discussions by the alleged enormities of the Masonic order. Under the vigorous leadership of the Gazette the opposition elements rapidly grew into a powerful and successful organization. Backed by a decided popular majority, it filled all the offices and exercised control over all the affairs of the county. To an equally marked extent the Gazette subsequently served the Whig and Republican parties. It likewise gave special attention to local questions, and always favored a line of action calculated to build up home interests. So complete was the confi- dence reposed in its judgment that it had but to advocate a measure to make it popular. With a brief interruption, Mr. Sterrett's connection with the Gazette continued to May, 1865, comprising a period of forty-five years and four months. Mr. Sterrett never exhib- ited a disposition to exert his admitted personal and political influence for selfish ends. Offices he held without seeking them. He was County Commissioner in 1829; in 1837 he represented the Whig party in the State Senate. This body at that period contained many men whose names are conspicuous in Pennsylvania's history. In 1849 Gov. William E. Johnson conferred upon Mr. Sterrett the appointment of Associate Judge of Erie Co., and when his term of service expired he was elected to the same position by the popular vote and continued to serve for a period of five years. In addition to the Reve- nue Commissioner for the Erie Judicial District, honors were given him in the Borough of Erie beyond the measure of his wishes. The last public position he held, and the only one affording remunerative compensation was Postmaster of Erie from 1861 to 1869. Such is a brief review of the life of the oldest living Pennsylvania journalist. It is due to Mr. Sterrett to say that he met the requirements of his day and generation in a manner evincive of high resolves, patriotic aims and conscientious regard for the greatest number. Often engaged in heated controversy, frequently obliged to antagonize even personal friends, and sometimes forced by a sense of duty to adopt a course inviting criticism, the purity of his motives and justness of his motives were never yet questioned. Carrying upon his shoulders of eighty odd years the consequent growing bodily infirmities, he is by common consent, looked upon as adding to a long career of marked usefulness the fairly achieved reputation of "an honest man."-From newspaper sketch by I. B. G.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 115

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