History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 121

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 121

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T. H. BROWN, gunsmith, Corry, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and the only child that was born to Thomas (deceased) and Sarah Brown. His mother was born in England in 1828, and came to Pennsylvania in an early day. She was twice married, her second husband being Thomas Appleby. Our subject came with his stepfather to Erie County in 1848, when this settlement was a wilderness. He was educated in the district schools, and in 1870 chose the occupation of gunsmith, learning the trade of A. M. Cone, now a popular gunsmith of Warren. During the late war, he enlisted in Compauy E, Thirty- first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years. He participated in Gen. Sherman's celebrated march to the sea. Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Laura Parker, of Panama, N. Y. One child blessed this union-Louie E., born here October 22, 1876. Our subject is a keen, successful huntsman, and has killed a large number of wild game. He is a member of the G. A. R.

ISAAC B. BROWN, attorney, Corry, was born February 20, 1848, in Rasselas, Penn., son of Rasselas W. (after whom the place was named) and Mary P. (Brownell) Brown, natives of New York. They were parents of six children. who received a good Christian training, with a common school education, sufficient to enable all of them to teach winters and attend the higher schools in summer. The family are-Jefferson, a civil engineer, lumberman and banker, at Wilcox, Elk County, Penn. (during the war of the rebellion he was a member of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment New York Volunteers. He is now a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, having served two terms); William Wallace, an attorney in Bradford. Mckean Co., Penn. (he served during the late war in the Twenty-third New York Regiment, and afterward in the Pennsylvania " Bucktails," is a Representative of the Sixteenth District in Congress, having formerly served two terms in the Pennsylvania Legislature; in politics he is a Republican); Olive J., wife of S. Moyer, a school teacher; Mary A., wife of George R. Allen, of the firm of Allen & Loomis, canning business in Syracuse, N. Y .; Eunice, wife of William E. Hewitt, a farmer, and Isaac B., our subject, who received his early education at Smithport Academy. When sixteen years of age, he enlisted, in 1864, in Company C, Two Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; was present at the battles of Bermuda Hundred, Thatcher's Run, Fort Steadman and Petersburg, and was under con- stant fire for five months of his service. At the close of the war he was honorably dis- charged, and resumed his studies in the University of Alfred, from which he graduated in 1869. In 1870, our subject was married to Hannah, daughter of Richard Partington, of Providence, R. I. Two children have been born to this union-Lillian and Sarah M. Mr. Brown finished his law studies under Crosby & Brown, and was admitted to the bar of Erie City, this county, in 1877. He was elected to the legislature in the Second District of Erie County on the Republican ticket in 1880, re-elected in 1882 by the largest majority of any district candidate, has been City Clerk, is a member of the Royal Arcanum, tbe I. O. O. F. and Royal Templars; has been an officer in the National Guard since 1874. In poli- tics Mr. Brown is a Republican.

J. BUNVILL, dealer in carriages, buggies, etc., Corry, was born in 1824, near Watts- burg, Venango Township, Penn., and is a son of Lewis Bunvill, a native of France, and an early settler here. He participated in the war of 1812, with Hull; his grandparents settled in Erie County in 1812. Our subject learned carpentering and contracting. He is an energetic, successful, self-made man, and has engaged in the following industries through life: From 1860 to 1881, he was in Rouseville, Venango County, and at one time oper- ated four grocery stores. taking much pride in them; he also engaged in other enterprises,

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in French Creek, Chautauqua County, N. Y., for about twenty-five years, interested in lumbering, milling, grist, saw and shingle mills; he was also successful as an oil producer, engaging in same eighteen years; he was doing a general merchandising business in Corry for two or three years previous to present business, which has been established since 1880. Mr. Bunvill was united in marriage with Polly M. Phelps, who has borne him the following children: Julia, wife of William Foster, of Westfield, N. Y .; Phebe R., widow of Benja- min Barnes; Justice J., married to a Miss Berd, of Westfield; Rhoda, wife of B. W. Sten- nett, of Corry, and Charles Walker, born in 1869.

GEORGE CAMPBELL, proprietor of Phoenix Hotel, Corry, was born aud educated in Canada; his mother's name was Hannah Campbell; his father, while going to California, died on the Isthmus of Panama, when our subject, who is the only child living, was an infant. Mrs. Hannah Campbell and her sister, Mrs. Minnie Gooch, widow of John Gooch, late merchant tailor of Biddeford, Me., are landladies of above named hotel. Our sub- ject commenced business in Nevada, on the frontiers, and spent several years in different pursuits in the Far West. He came to Corry in 1882, and bought his present hotel, which is doing a flourishing business. Mr. Campbell has been very successful in life, and is well provided with this world's goods.

MAX CAMERON, member of the City Council, in which body he is now serving his eighth year, was born May 6, 1833, in Hornellsville, Steuben County, N. Y., son of Dugald and Ann (Taylor) Cameron; the former had been an extensive lumber dealer for years, and his father was land agent of the Poultney estate, and State Senator at an early day. Sub- ject's mother was a native of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, and his father was born near Fort Willliam, Scotland, and came to America soon after the war of 1812. Our subject is the youngest son living of a family of nine children, viz .: Dugald, farmer and resident of Hammondsport. N. Y., Ewing Charles (deceased), Jane (deceased), James (deceased), at one time member of the Pennsylvanla and New York Legislatures; Ann (widow of Evrett Chadwick); Lydia (wife of Hiram Hagadorn, of Hornellsville), and Elizabeth, also a resi- dent of Hornellsville; our subject was educated at the common school of his native town, the high school at Crooked Lake and Friendship Academy. He married Permelia in 1856, born in New York, daughter of Charles Simous, a farmer in Allegany County, N. Y .; by this union three children have been born-Dugald Stuart (deceased). Agnes M. and Jenuie Maxwell. Max Cameron was at one time engaged with the New York & Erie Railway Company as clerk, five or six years; was with a transportation company in New York City for six years; was engaged about three years in the dry goods and grocery business; has acted as Collector for the city several years; one year as Police Justice, and for the last three triennial assessments was a member of the Board of Assessors. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Washington Lodge, No. 2 .. Member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a Class Leader and teacher. In politics he is a Democrat; voted for Lincoln and Gen. Grant at his first election.

THOMAS CARROLL, shipping clerk for the N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R., Corry, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated to America when eleven years old. He has always been a railroad employe. He was section boss and watchman for the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. Mr. Carroll has been a resident of Corry, since 1866, and as above since 1868. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. F.

J. P. CASPERSON, member of the Corry Bedstead Works, Corry, was born in 1851, in Denmark. He is a son of H. P. Casperson, a ship carpenter. Our subject received his education in his native land, where he has one brother and two sisters. He emigrated to America in 1870, locating at Titusville, Penn., where he completed learning the cabinet-mak- ing trade, which he had begun in Denmark. He worked as journeyman eleven years. Mr. Casperson came to Corry in 1873, and has been in business since 1882. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

J. B. CHACE, physician and surgeon, Corry, was born September 14, 1828, in Roch- ester, N. Y., and is of English and Dutch descent. He is the third child and second son in a family of eleven children. One of his brothers is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject obtained his education in the public schools of Chautauqua; read medicine with S. Brownson, of Northville, Erie County, and graduated in 1855, from the American Medical College, Cincinnati. He is also a botanist and chemist; has manufac- tured pharmaceutical preparations and has been for about five years in the drug business in Corry. Dr. Chace has successfully practiced his profession in Wyandot County, Ohio, five years; in Chautauqua County, N. Y., six years, and in Corry since 1862. He was mar- ried in 1852, to Sarah Ann Winslow, born in Livingston County, N. Y., in 1832, and of English and Dutch extraction. Four children have blessed this union, viz .. Francis M. (deceased), Ellen M., James W., and Emma G., who died aged seven years.

JOHN F. CHRISTIE, grocer and produce dealer, Center street, Corry, was born near Hamilton, Ontario, and is a son of John and Eliza (Mulvane) Christie, natives of Can- ada. The former was a carpenter by trade, working at same a number of years. He was reared in a family of thirteen children and was a member of the Episcopal Church; he died in Canada in 1861, aged thirty-eight years. Mrs. Christie came to Corry in 1865, with our sub- ject, who was then about five years of age. Her parents settled in Canada about 1825, and

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reared a family of eleven children. Her father died October 14, 1858, aged seventy-four, and her mother in 1855, aged seventy-seven years. Our subject is a member of the Episco- pal Church, and of the I. O. O. F., which he joined in Canada in 1879. His mother is re- siding with him, though she is not dependent on him, as she possesses considerable property of her own. She assists him by her experience and in helping him in the store. They keep on hand a first-class stock, and give general satisfaction to their customers.

J. A. CLARK, Corry, was born April 16, 1832, in South Ridge, near Conneaut, Ashta- bula Co., Ohio, son of Abner Bradley Clark and Elvira Clark; the latter a native of Ohio, is a resident of Ashtabula, aged seventy-five, and the former died aged fifty-five, August 22, 1860. They were the parents of three boys and four girls. Two of the former and three of the latter are living. One son, a prominent merchant in Corry, died December 15, 1879. Our subject remained on his native place until eighteen years of age, when he removed to Conneautville, Penn., and learned to make the wood-work of carriages, with his father, who was an extensive manufacturer in Conneaut. He followed his trade until he located in Corry, Penn., in 1877, since which time he has engaged in mercantile pursuits. He served as Tax Collector in Conneautville one year, where he married, December 30, 1858, Maggie Rupert, born in Conneautville, Penn., May 24, 1839. Two children have blessed this union-Edwin R., engaged in the fruit business in Canada, and Lottie Clark, sixteen years old and at home.

H. CLOUGH, wagon-maker, Corry, was born April 3, 1822, in Susquehanna County, Penn. He is a son of John and Deborah Clough, both deceased. John Clough was a farmer, and died in 1855, seventy-one or seventy-two years of age. They were the parents of ten children-six boys and four girls, seven surviving. Our subject was the third son. He was reared and received his education in Wayne County, where he also learned his trade under George Warner. He worked as journeyman for a short time. In 1843, he started in business in Wyoming County, where he remained fourteen years. Mr. Clough came to Corry in 1865, where he has successfully carried on his present business. Our subject was united in marriage with Pauline Stanton, now deceased. They were the parents of two children-Elmina A., wife of William Harner, and William Decator, who died at the age of thirty-three. Mr. Clough married, for his second wife, I. F. Maynord. This union has resulted in the birth of six children. Their names are as follows: Della A., died February 20, 1884; B. F., T. M., Walter, John and Blanche, and a boy and another girl deceased. Subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ISAAC COLEGROVE, Mayor of Corry and farmer. The Colegrove family is de- scended from an ancient English ancestry. Isaac, the father of our subject, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., and married Sarah Keith, a native of Worcester County, the same State. They removed to Pennsylvania in 1835, settling on the line between Warren and Erie Counties. Here the father purchased 200 acres of land, but little improved, and, with his sons, set to work to eradicate the forests and cultivate the soil. Notwithstanding the adverse circumstances, privations and hardships that fell to the lot of almost every pioneer family, they made rapid progress, and subsequently added to their worldly pos- sessions until a beautiful farm of about five hundred acres was theirs. The father hired a substitute for the war of 1812; was at his death, 1863. a prominent member of the Baptist Church. His union with Sarah Keith, deceased in 1863, resulted in fourteen children, all of whom grew up save one, viz .: Levica, Ziba, Perces, Amy, Rev. Mager, Anna, Isaac, son deceased in infancy, Lawrence, Delia, Stephen, Washington, Andrew J. and Sarah. Isaac, our subject, attended the country schools about three months during the year, until four- teen years old, when his school days were no more. Until reaching his majority, he was subject to the duties required of him by his indulgent parents; not among the most irksome were his trips to mill on horseback, a distance of several miles, It was a common occur- rence for the bag of corn to tip by being struck against a sapling, and force him to the ground. On one occasion the faithful farm dog accompanied Isaac on a milling trip, aud accidentally discovered a "woodchuck " in a hollow tree, and the young lad, at once for- getting his errand, alighted from the horse, to assist in capturing the little animal that " Bowser" had quarantined. On his return to the horse, he found that the sack had fallen to the ground, and he, being too small to replace it. must wait until some one chanced to pass along. In about one hour a good neighbor relieved the young man from the terrible suspense, and he went on his way rejoicing. He took considerable interest in hunting, and slew quantities of wild game over the present site of Corry. At the age of twenty-one, he engaged in a saw mill at Jamestown, for Henry Baker, and at the end of four years he withdrew and continued the same at Columbus, Penn., with Luther Mather. January 11, 1846, he married Levene Tillotson, of Columbus, and at once entered actively in the im- provement of 100 acres, now within the present limit of Corry, a portion of which he has sold and laid off in lots. His wife died May 29, 1882, and the only child blessing their mar- riage died at the age of three years. January 22, 1884, he celebrated his birthday by mar- rying Mrs. Winifred M. Davis a daughter of George and Margaret Adams, who removed from her native State, Kentucky, to Brown County, Illinois, when she was quite young. Here she grew up and married Moses W. Davis, who was Captain of Company D, Eighty- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; he was also in the Mexican war, and participated in

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the great battle of Buena Vista. He was killed in the late war, aud Thomas D. Adams, a brother of the present Mrs. Colegrove, was commissioned and served as Captain of the above company until he was shot at the battle of Chickamauga. Capt. Adams was a man of the most unfliching integrity and sterling worth, of purest morals and most inflexible courage. He was admired and beloved by the whole regiment, and his fall was more lamented than almost any of the noble ones who breathed their last at this ever memorable struggle. A letter bearing date February 11, 1863, to Mrs. M. W. Davis, from L. H. Waters, Colonel of the Eighty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, speaks of Capt. Davis in high commenda- tion, saying: "No man stood higher with the entire command than did he, and we will not soon forget his many virtues. True to his Christian profession under all circumstances, uniformly kind and brave, all were his friends and none his enemies. In the terrific battle of the 31st of December, he was at his post, cheering and encouraging his men, until he was wounded and carried to the rear. Badly wounded as he was, he could not forbear visiting the regiment the next day, and was received with cheers from all." Mrs. Colegrove removed to Corry in 1865, with her two children, George and Maggie; the latter is well known as an efficient school teacher, now engaged at Bradford, Penn., and the former is engaged in the shingle business in this county. Mrs. C. is a member of the Baptist Church, and is Superintendent of the State Evangelical work of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. The official positions of Isaac Colegrove have been as varied as might be expected from a man of his abilities, his extended and somewhat varied experiences, and the numerous vicissitudes of a long and active life. In addition to the position as a member of the first Council of Corry, in which capacity he has served for nine years, he has offi- ciated as Assessor of the First Ward of Corry in 1873, 1881 and 1883, and Mayor, 1883, and is the present incumbent; his careful attention to business, showing his good natural abil- ities, good common sense, and careful observation and self-reliance, having merited his re-election in 1884, with no opposition. He and first wife were long connected with the Methodist Church, but at her demise held letters in the same, and he is now a Baptist. In all the varied experiences of the life of our subject he has been peculiarly fortunate, espe- cially in possessing a well-balanced mind; of great vigor and fine physical organization and excellent health; benevolent and charitable to the extent of his means. In politics he is a Republican.

REV. MAGER COLEGROVE, farmer, Corry, was born February 15, 1818, in Otsego County, N. Y. He was reared in his native place, and came to Corry in 1835. Mr. Cole- grove began teaching when only sixteen years old, which occupation he subsequently fol- lowed for a number of years. He devoted fifteen years of his life to the ministry, begin- ing in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1857. Our subject was united in marriage in July, 1840, in Oswego County, with Huldah Colegrove, born in same county, November 25, 1822. They had a family of five children, two dying in infancy. Those surviving are Derias M., Arthur D. aud Albert Ernest (twins). (See sketches.) Mr. M. Colegrove owns 170 acres of land, on which he has always resided. He is highly respected by all who know him, and is a valuable citizen and a kind parent. Mr. Colegrove is temperate in all things.

D. N. COLEGROVE, residing on the old homestead. Corry, was born in Concord Township (now city of Corry), April 3, 1848, and is a son of Rev. Mager and Huldah (Cole- grove) Colegrove (see sketch above). Our subject was educated in the common school, and in 1864 began to learn printing. He was united in marriage, in 1866, with Laura, born May 21, 1845, the eldest daughter of William Dunham, of Corry. Two children have been born to this union-Everett Ransom, born in Titusville, October 26, 1872, and Bertha May, born in Corry, March 6, 1877. During the years 1869 and 1870, Mr. Cole- grove published the Pleasantville, Venango County, Evening News; subsequently was city editor of the Corry Daily Republican; Titusville Sunday News; and of the Titusville Morning Herald. He published the Corry Local News in 1876, and was afterward city editor of Corry Herald, and also of the Corry Evening Press. Mr. Colegrove for the last three years has been engaged in farming. He is better known throughout the oil regions as "Coley," author of "Coley's Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Corry."

A. D. COLEGROVE, twin brother of A. E. Colegrove, was born December 9, 1855, in Concord, Erie County, within present boundary of Corry, Penn., and is a son of Rev. Mager and Huldah (Colegrove) Colegrove (see sketch). Our subject attended the country school and worked on a farm until sixteen years of age; then attended high school in Corry, from which he graduated in 1876, and from the Allegheny College in 1881. He taught two years in the high school, after graduation from college, and one year previ- ous (1878-79). He took an active part in the Independent movement of 1882, and was President of the Independent Republican organization of Corry. June 7, 1883, Mr. Cole- grove was elected City Superintendent of schools to fill the unexpired term of V. H. Curtis. A. E. COLEGROVE, twin brother of subject of above sketch, was born December 9, 1855, and is a son of Rev. Mager and Huldah (Colegrove) Colegrove. Like his brother, he attended the country school and worked on a farm until sixteen years of age. Our subject graduated from the high school in 1876, and from the Allegheny College in 1880. He taught school in Dickenson Seminary, Williamsport, Penn .; preached about one year, and

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was a member of the Central Pennsylvania Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church. August, 1883, he accepted the position he now holds, of Principal of the Emlenton Acade- my, Emlenton, Penn. Mr. Colegrove was united in marriage in December, 1881, with Margaret Mccullough, of Clearfield, Penn. This union has been blessed with one son- Arthur Chreighton.

WILLIAM COULTER, dealer in tin and glass ware (established in May, 1883), Corry, was born in Darlington, county of Durham, England, where he was educated. He left his native place when sixteen years old, and learned the trade of tanner and currier, at which he has worked at various places very successfully. He commenced in his present business (working for another party three years), then came to Corry, and is now running, in connection with the above, six peddling wagons. Mr. Coulter was united in marriage with Maggie Crawford, of Waterloo, Canada. Seven children have been born to this union, viz., Anna Jane, Ella May, Minnie, Willie, Beatrice, Harry and Eddie.

C. L. COVELL, attorney at law, Corry, was born March 3, 1849, in Westfield, Chau- tauqua Co., N. Y. His father was of English, Scotch and Irish, and his mother of En- glish extraction. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and attended the district schools from six to fifteen years of age, and then attended school at Corry for eighteen months, finishing his education at Westfield Academy, Westfield, N. Y., where he re- mained about one year. Mr. Covell read law in Corry with Hon. C. O. Bowman, com- mencing in January, 1871, and was admitted to the bar March 27, 1873, at Erie City, since which time he has been successfully practicing his profession in Corry. On March 19, 1873, Mr. Covell was married, at Eden Center, Erie Co., N. Y., to Louisa Rathburn, born of English parentage, July 9, 1849, at Buffalo, N. Y. To this union have been born two children, viz., Alvah W., born at Corry, June 14, 1874, and Flora E., born also in Corry, August 6, 1877. Our subject was one of the founders of Corry City Iron Works, estab- lished in 1879 ; he is one of the charter members of the Northwestern Oil Company, estab- lished in 1881 ; is also an extensive real estate owner.

MANLEY CROSBY, attorney at law, office on Center street, Corry, was born in Franklinville, N. Y., March 12, 1834, son of Alanson and Cornelia (Wright) Crosby, both of English descent, the latter a native of Connecticut; the former born in New York, was an architect and house builder, but in later life a farmer. Our subject obtained his education in New York, in 1854 graduating from the State Normal School, Albauy, N. Y. He then attended John W. Fowler's Law School, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduating in 1858; then was a year iu the office of Judge David H. Bolles, of Ellicottville, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar in Buffalo, N. Y., May, 1859; became partner of Judge Bolles, with whom he remained until 1864. In 1865, he came to Corry as solicitor for the Oil Creek Railroad, and served as such for fifteen years. In 1870, Hon. W. W. Brown became his partner, continuing such for eight years. Mr. Brown is now a Member of Congress from McKean County District, Penn., elected by the Republican vote. Mr. Crosby has been Mayor of the city of Corry two terms. He was united in marriage in 1863 with Frances S. Clarke. youngest daughter of Staley N. Clarke, of Ellicottville, who was agent for the Holland Land Company for many years, was a Member of Congress one term in 1840 ; he departed this life in 1860. To this union have been born Clarke (deceased in 1876, in his thirteenth year), Walter Hull and Willie G., both members of the senior class, high school ; Theodore S. and Alanson. Mrs. Crosby is a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Crosby is Past Master in the Masonic order, is also a member of the K. of H., United Workmen and Royal Arcanum societies. His grandfather participated in Hull's surrender in the war of 1812.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 121

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