History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 117

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 117

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V. M. THOMPSON, commission and grain merchant, Erie, was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1829; son of Joseph S. and Rachel (Case) Thompson; the former a native of Vermont, of Irish descent; the latter of Massachusetts, of Scotch lineage. Our subject's grandfather, with two brothers, sailed from Ireland for America in 1790, but were all lost Į at sea. Joseph S. Thompson was a farmer, and came to Erie City in 1832; died in 1837. There our subject received his education, and at the age of fourteen commenced to earn his living, besides help to support his mother, which he continued to do till her death. His first start in life was peddling Yankee notions: then he manufactured wash-boards till he was nineteen years old, when he sold out and bought a canal-boat which he sailed for three years, by which time he had accumulated $1,000 in cash. He then attended school for one year ; and following that opened a coal yard in both Erie City and Meadville. In the first year he cleared $2,000. Our subject next ran the Thompson line of canal boats till 1855, in which year he formed a partnership in the coal trade with P. Arbuckle. At this time he was owner of sixteen boats, worth $14,000. In 1858 fortune did not smile so- favorably on him; but in 1861, nothing daunted, Mr. Thompson again launched into busi- ness, and in the following year turned his attention to the oil transportation trade, in which he made, first year $7,000; bought then an interest in the Woodford Well, which returned him $500,000. Our subject married in Erie Co., Penn., Rebecca, daughter of John and Esther (Gillespie) Glenn, and of Irish descent. By this union are three children: C. L., Victor P. and Clara R. Mrs. Thompsou is a member of Park Presbyterian Church. J. ROSS THOMPSON, attorney at law, Erie, was born in Franklin. Venango Co., Penn., Dec. 6, 1832, son of Chief Justice James Thompson, born in Butler Co., Penn., in 1805, who in early life was a printer, and in 1832 was elected to the State Legis- lature. serving six years. In 1834 he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was also nominated for Congress from Erie Co., serving three terms. In 1854 he was again elected, and for several terms represented his district in the Pennsylvania Legis- lature. In 1857 he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, in which capacity he served fifteen years, and for five years was Chief Justice, previous to which he was Circuit Judge for a number of years. After his election Chief Justice Thompson removed to Philadel- phia, Penn. In politics he was a Democrat. He had a family of six children, five now living-J. Ross (our subject); Sarah, wife of Samuel Robb, a prominent attorney in Phil- adelphia; Clara, also residing in Philadelphia with her mother, who is eighty-three years of age; Samuel Gustine, a prominent attorney in Philadelphia; and William E., a stock operator. Our subject was educated in Erie Academy and Princeton College, from which he graduated in 1854. He immediately commenced the study of law; was admitted to the bar in 1858, and has continued the practice of law in Erie Co. ever since. In 1859 our subject was admitted to the Supreme Court, and in 1860 to the United States Court. In 1860 he was engaged as attorney to the Penn. R. R. Co., and since 1870 has held a similar position with the Penn. Co. During Gov. Packer's administration he served as his aide- de-camp, which gave him the military rank of Lieut. Col .; he was subsequently Colonel of the 16th Reg. Militia. Col. Thompson was a delegate to the National Convention in 1876; also a member of the Democratic Electoral College in 1880. He has been a resident of Erie City since 1843. Our subject was married in 1858 to Josephine Mayer, a daughter of M. Mayer; she died in 1877, leaving a family of seven children.

J. P. THOMPSON, proprietor of Sailors' Home, Erie, was born in the northern part of Sweden, 68 degrees north latitude, on the Bay of Bothnia, May 10, 1834. At nine he adopted his father's calling, that of a sailor, and after two years came to America, engag- ing with the American Merchant Marine. At nineteen he was Captain of an American mail packet sailing the Southern waters. Two years later he came North and entered the American Merchant Marine here, where he remained till the breaking out of the war, when he eulisted as Gunner's Mate. in the U. S. Navy, steamer "Penguin," June 19, 1861, and at the end of a year's active service was honorably discharged. He then enlisted as a pri- Aate, and was afterward promoted to Sergeant in Co. E, 155th N. Y. V. I., but in seventeen months was transferred to the U. S. steamer "Princeton" and soon promoted to the position of master's mate, and ordered to the U. S. steamer "Laburnum " to do service off Charles- ton, S. C., under Admiral Dahlgren. Here he was appointed Ensign and ordered to steamer "Catalfa " doing picket duty. When Charleston was evacuated, he secured the original manuscript containing the Constitution of the Confederacy, and delivered it to Capt. Noyes who delivered it to Admiral Dahlgren. Mr. Thompson subsequently did duty on the man of war "Calypso" and on Admiral Dahlgren's flag ship "Philadelphia." On Sept. 30, 1865, he went to Washington and there received an honorable discharge, as En- sign. He then engaged in merchant service on salt water till 1866, when he went on the lakes for several years. He retired from this in 1871, and has since engaged in his present business. Our subject was married April, 1852, in New York, to Anna Yetterberg, of his

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native country, who departed this life May 15, 1865, leaving a daughter, Anna, wife of Steven A. Thompson, of the U. S. steamer, "Richmond;" they have a son and daughter, George Peter and Alice Mary. Mr. Thompson was married again, Feb. 4, 1866, to Elizabeth Warrener of Derbyshire, England. They have a bright, intelligent family, consisting of three children : John Harvey, Mary Elizabeth (Lillie), George Thomas. The family are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Thompson belongs to the I. O. O. F. (being a member of the Encampment), A. O. U. W., Select Knights, G. A. R. and of many benevo- lent associations.

CHARLES M. TIBBALS (deceased), late merchant and manufacturer, was born in New York, May 6, 1811, son of Daniel and Mary (Marvin) Tibbals, natives of Connecticut and of English descent. He came to Erie City, from New York, in 1836, and embarked in business here. He was united in marriage with Delia, daughter of Dr. Otto Lyman of New York, and of English descent. He died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbals were parents of four children : Charles M., Jr .; Eliza, wife of William H. Whitehead, member of Erie Rubber Co .; Catherine (deceased), and Martha A. Charles M., Jr., was born Aug. 28, 1840; acquired his education in Erie Academy and became engaged, in 1860, with his father in the industry now known as the Chicago & Erie Stove Co. On the death of his father, Charles continued the manufacture of stoves for a time. He also clerked in Erie City several years; is now Government Inspector under Maj. Adams. He was married in Worcester, Mass., to Fannie, daughter of Frederick Hancock, and of English descent. Mr. Tibbals and his wife are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. In politics he is Inde- pendent.

BESTER TOWN, deceased, one of the old pioneer stock of Erie Co., was born in Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1794. He was married, Sept. 22, 1816, to Bet- sey M. Martin, a native of the State of Vt., of English and French extraction. They reared a family of 8 children. In 1824, they moved to Erie Co., Penn., and bought 100 acres of land where the village of North East now stands. Mr. Town successfully engaged in many enterprises, and was for years associated with his sons in mercantile business. In 1846, he invested in Western lands, from which he realized large profits. In 1864, he united with Hon. Orange Nohle and others in establishing the Keystone National Bank of Erie, of which he was one of the Directors, from date of the first election up to the time of his death, Dec. 2, 1870, his business experience adding largely to the success of the institution. Mr. Town was in early life taught the first principles of real success in life, to wit, virtue and honesty; he was prompt, energetic and persevering in all his business engagements, decided, fearless and outspoken in his political views. He was opposed to slavery, and was a member of the first Anti-slavery Society, and was a warm and active supporter of the Government during the whole period of the rebellion.

JOSEPH I. TOWN, cashier of the Keystone National Bank of Erie, seventh son of Bester Town. was born in Erie Co., Penn., April 15, 1831. After acquiring an education, he in early life entered the mercantile business, engaging in it until 1854, when he took his initiative step in banking at Elgin, Ill. Then went to Iowa and engaged in the milling business. When the Keystone National Bank was organized he returned to Erie and has been connected with said bank nearly ever since. In 1854 our subject was married to Ruth M. Andrews, who died in 1862 leaving one son, John S., a merchant and one of Erie City's enterprising business men. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 26, 1858, received his education in Erie Co., graduated from a business college in 1874, for four years was engaged in the Keystone National Bank, and since 1881 has carried on a successful grocery business on State Street, Erie, Penn .; he was married, in 1879, to Alice S., daughter of James Hampson of North East and of English extraction; they have one child : Ruth M. In politics Mr. Town is a Republican.

JOHN A. TRACY was born at Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Feb. 16, 1798. His father, Capt. John Tracy, was a descendant of Lieut. Thomas Tracy, who came to Salem, Mass. from Tewkesbury, England. in the year 1636. Capt. John Tracy, with his family, removed to Little Conneautee, now Washington Township, Erie Co., in 1799, and thence in 1801 to Waterford. Here John A. Tracy attended school for a few years, under the Rev. Rus- sell Stancliff. He commenced as a boy in the active business of teaming for his father between the head of navigation on French Creek and Erie. This business was active in 1812, 1813 and 1814, during the war, as army and navy stores for Gen. Harrison's army and Commodore Perry's fleet were carried on this route from Pittsburgh to Erie, and he thus took his first lesson in inland transportation, with ox teams, over stump roads cut through the woods. Mr. Tracy came to Erie when eighteen years of age, as clerk in a store, on the southeast corner of French and Sixth Sts. He afterward became a partner of P. S. V. Hamot for several years, and afterward with Jonas Harrison, in a general mer- cantile business. He was one of the Directors of the U. S. Branch Bank, of Erie, and also of the old Erie Bank. He took an active interest in the Erie Extension Canal, from the Ohio River to Erie, and was a contractor in building the Walnut Creek Aqueduct, and was subsequently a director for many years. Mr. Tracy was one of the contractors on the New York & Erie Railroad, in the early efforts to build it, and again about the year 1848, when the efforts to resume and finish it from New York to Dunkirk were successful. He

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was among the first and active workers to start the Erie & Northeast Railroad, the first railroad built to the City of Erie, and was one of the contractors in its construction in 1850 and 1851. When completed he continued to be a Director until 1853, when he was elected President of the company, and so continued until the company was consolidated with the Buffalo and State Line Company, under the name of the Buffalo & Erie Co., and when this company was consolidated with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Com- pany, and making one corporation from Buffalo to Chicago, he became a Director, and continued in that office until his death. He wasalso a Director of the Erie & Pittsurgh R. R. Co. After the conclusion of his more active duties of railway construction, he gave much attention to farming; his large farms in West Mill Creek and Fairview were models in their thorough cultivation. He married Susan Jane Dobhins, daughter of Capt. Daniel Dobbins, in 1826. She died in 1867. Mr. Tracy died at his residence in Erie, Feb. 26, 1875, leaving seven children, viz .: John F. Tracy, Mrs. Mary M. Scott, wife of Hon. W. L. Scott; Mrs. Anna M. McCullum, wife of Mr. J. V. McCullum; Chas. Tracy, Mrs. Eliza T. Griswold, wife of Wm. A. Griswold; Daniel D. Tracy and Wm. A. Tracy. Mr. Tracy controlled men by the gentle force of his nature and the strong forces of the right and the true. Though mild in his manners, he was inflexible when it was proposed to drive him from the right. Plain and unpretending, he disliked shams and false pretences. Social, friendly and extensively acquainted, he continued a favorite until the day of his death. His remains and those of his wife rest side by side in the cemetery at Erie.

JOHN F. TRACY (deceased) was born in the City of Erie, Jan. 7, 1827. He was a son of John A. Tracy, whose history appears above. He received his education at the Erie Academy. His father built the aqueduct of the Erie & Pittshurg Canal at Walnut Creek, and in this work John F. Tracy first developed his capacity for the superintendence of large enterprises of this kind. Subsequently he was engaged in the construction of the New York & Erie Railroad, of which his father was a contractor. After the completion of that road, he was still more actively engaged in the construction of that portion of the Buffalo & State Line Railroad west of Dunkirk, and of the Enie & North East Rail- road to Erie, and though not yet twenty-five years of age, almost the entire practical man- agement of these enterprises was confided to his care. Very shortly after the completion of the latter road, he was appointed its Superintendent, where he did his full share in originating the plans for the practical operating of railroads. When, in 1853, it was de- cided to change the gauge of this road and make it a part of a through line-a determin- ation which was violently opposed by a large portion of the citizens of Erie, and which brought on the trouble known as the Erie Railroad War-Mr. Tracy held his post with firmness and courageous devotion to the interests of his road, and never for a moment yielded to the pressure of the mistaken popular sentiment which sought to maintain a break in the continuous line of what was destined to become a great continental highway. Mr. Tracy completed this change of gauge determined on by his company in 1854, and then accepted the office of Assistant Superintendent of the Chicago & Rock Island road, which road was then in progress of construction. He was soon promoted to the office of General Superintendent, subsequently was made Vice President and finally President of the road, which office he held for many years, and until compelled by reason of ill health to resign in the year 1877. Under Mr. Tracy's management the Chicago & Rock Island road was extended through Iowa to the Missouri River and across Iowa and Missouri to Leavenworth, Kan. He built for his road the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River, which brought on a protracted and bitter controversy as to the right to build rail- way bridges over navigable rivers-the river interests opposing violently, even to the de- struction of spans of the bridge by fire-but in this great effort to establish an uninter- rupted highway, a counterpart of the "Erie Railroad War," he persisted until success was attained. At first opposed by Federal Court decisions. in the end the United States Government became joint owners with his road in a first-class, iron bridge. In 1870, while maintaining his position as President of his favorite corporation, the Rock Island, he secured the control of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, its active competitor, and became its President, which office he held till 1875, when he resigned by reason of failing health. Mr. Tracy was the first capitalist that fully recognized the importance of the New York rapid transit movement, and liberally aided it, and in conjunction with his brother-in-law, Hon. W. L. Scott, fought the battle of rapid transit through years of legis- lative, legal and popular antagonism, until every point in dispute was settled, and the problem solved. Mr. Tracy was the equal, if not the superior of any man in the country in his expert and invariably successful management of railroad combinations. He was reticent, determined, and above all self-reliant. One of his marked traits was the great tenacity with which he adhered to any opinion he had formed after mature consideration, and the resolute manner in which he championed and executed his favorite projects in de- fiance of all difficulties and opposition. In his private life he was one of the least osten- tatious and most kind-hearted of men. His large wealth was bestowed generously in the direction of public and private charity. Mr. Tracy's health began to fail at the age of fifty years by reason of his very active life, but he had done his work well and lived long enough to make himself one of the fathers of the "American Railway System." Mr.

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Tracy remained unmarried and died at the residence of his brother-in-law, Hon. W. L. Scott, in Erie, Feb. 13, 1878. His remains rest by the side of his father and mother in the Erie Cemetery.

PROF. D. C. TUBBS, of Tubbs' Business College, Erie, was born in Wesleyville, Erie Co., Penn., Aug. 23, 1849. After receiving a good education in the public schools of his birth-place, he entered the Erie High School when eighteen years of age, where he remained for fifteen months, when he attended the Erie Commercial College, graduating from it when twenty-one. He then went for fifteen months to the Lake Shore Seminary, and subsequently practiced his profession throughout the State. He then came here and accepted a position as Commercial Instructor in Erie Academy, which he filled reputably for five years. Retiring from this, he taught penmanship and book-keeping in the city until 1880, when he established the present college, and has successfully carried it on ever since. He has been an interested worker in support of educational measures in the city. He is an active member of the Y. M. C. A.

THOMAS B. TURRILL. grocer, Erie, was born at Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1837. He graduated from Nunda Academy, that State, and began to read law with the view of mak- ing it his profession, but was compelled to abandon it on account of ill health; came here in 1859 and engaged in merchandising, but in 1861 returned to Nunda, N. Y. Enlisted in Co. F. 33d N. Y. V. I., and did active and honorable service for two years. He partici- pated in thirteen pitched battles and in many skirmishes. In June, 1863, he was honora- bly discharged. Mr. Turrill returned to Erie in 1865, and has since been engaged in the mercantile trade. (He spent one year during this time in merchandising at Jefferson, Iowa.) Our subject was united in marriage, Jan. 26, 1869, with Georgietta A. Zimmerly, of Erie. Is a graduate of Painesville Academy, Ohio. Mr. Turrill is an active member in the following societies: A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., K. of P., A. O. U. W. and G. A. R., Post, 67.

DR. GEORGE ULRICH, physician and druggist, Erie, was born in Berlin, Europe, April 19, 1830, son of Dr. Henry Ulrich. He waseducated in his native country, and gradu- ated from one of the leading Germania colleges in Europe in 1860, and the same year came to America, settling in Milwaukee, Wis., where he practiced medicine for twelve years. He then came to Erie City, and has since pursued his profession. Our subject has made a specialty of chronic diseases, and, in December, 1882, he obtained a patent for his well-known "Mirabilia" or blood purifier. The Doctor has met with much success and encouragement in his profession.

STRONG VINCENT was horn in Waterford, Erie Co., June 17, 1837. He was the old- est son of Bethuel B. Vincent, and a grandson of Judge John Vincent, of this county, both of whom are elsewhere referred to in this work. His mother was Sarah Ann (Strong) Vin- cent, a daughter of Capt. Martin Strong, of Summit Township, one of the earliest pioneers, and in his day one of the foremost citizens of the county. In 1843, his parents removed to the city of Erie. His school days were passed chiefly at the old Erie Academy. Here he formed many boyish friendships, which, notwithstanding his long absences afterward from his native town, were warmly cherished by him as long as he lived. When he was about fourteen years old, he thought that he had had schooling enough. But his father would have no one idle about him, so the boy was put to work in his father's iron foundry. For six months he worked as a day laborer. He was then taken into the office of the concern, and given partial oversight of the books and of the hands in the foundry. After being thus occupied for a year and more, he thought that he would become a more successful iron-founder if he had a scientific education. With this idea, he left home and entered the scientific school at Hartford, Conn. He soon began to desire a full collegiate educa- tion, and shortly entered Trinity College. But he was not yet content. The reputation of Harvard College liad'a great charm for him, and he finally persuaded his father to allow him to enter it, which he did as a sophomore in the class of 1859. A college friend, after- ward an intimate army friend (Maj. W. W. Swan) thus speaks in the " Harvard Memorial Biographies " of his college career: "Vincent was a man of mark in his class, and in the college. His personal appearance was in his favor. There was uot a student from sopho- more to senior who did not on first seeing him seek to learn who he was. Physically he seemed fully developed. Of rather above medium height, he had a well-formed, powerful frame, and his face was remarkably striking and handsome. He looked many years older than he really was, and in every respect his mind corresponded with his body. One would have said on liearing him converse that he was twenty-five years old. He was not a hard student. And yet when the class of 1859 graduated, if the professors had been asked to name those whom the college would afterward delight to count among her chil- dren, Vincent would have been high on the list."

While in Harvard, he determined to follow a professional life, and much of his read- ing at this time was with this view. Graduating in 1859, he immediately returned to Erie, and began the study of law in the office of William S. Lane, Esq. In fifteen months he had been creditably admitted to the bar, and become Mr. Lane's partner; was taking an active interest in the public affairs of the city and county, and stood high in the estimation of

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his fellow-citizens. He took special interest in the political campaign of 1860, in favor of Mr. Lincoln.

He had been for some time a member of the local militia company, "The Wayne Guards." In 1861, on the day after the President's first call for volunteers, he enlisted as a private with his company in the "Erie Regiment " of three-months men. As his Harvard biographer says: "His motive was pure patriotism. The dreams that every boy has of a soldier's life, of course, came back to him; but at his age, he could count the cost of mil- itary honors. Other honors such as had for him a still higher value, he was sure to obtain in paths of peace. *

* * # At the bar and in the Senate, he would have sought his laurels. *

* Manhood and patriotism made him a soldier."

He was at once married to a lady to whom he had been some time engaged-Miss Elizabeth H. Carter, of Newark, N. J.

Vincent had been elected the 2d Lieut. of his Company (A) before the regiment left Erie. He was soon afterward appointed the Adjutant of his regiment. On arrival at Pittsburgh, where several regiments of these three-months men were stationed, Col. McLane of the Erie regiment became Post Commander, and Vincent Post Adjutant. It was in his efficient discharge of the duties of this position that his soldierly qualities first began to attract attention.

On return to Erie, and in mustering out of the three-months men, he at once re-enlist- ed in the 83d Reg. P. V. for three years; was again appointed Acting Adjutant during the formation of the new regiment, and was elected its Maj. before leaving Erie. On its ar- rival at Hall's Hill Camp near Washington, he was elected and commissioned its Lieut. Colonel.

Just after leaving home, he wrote to his wife: "Surely the right will prevail. If I live, we will rejoice over our country's success. If I fall, remember that you have given your husband a sacrifice to the most righteous cause that ever widowed a woman."

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 117

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