History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 133

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 133

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RALPH BOWMAN, manufacturer of lumber, and farmer, P. O. Lundy's Lane, was born August 9, 1806, in Madison County, N. Y., son of Thomas Bowman, a native of Con- necticut, who came with his family to Erie County in 1831; he was the father of five sons and two daughters, three of this family are now living: a daughter, who was eighty-five July 2, 1883; our subject and his youngest brother aged seventy-five, March 4, 1883. Thomas took an active part in organizing the Universalist Church at Wellsburg, and died July 27, 1847; a brother, Elisha Bowman, was in the Revolutionary war, and his descendants are now living at Spring Corners; his wife at one time resided with Gen. Putnam. Ralph Bowman married, April 14, 1836, Miss Jane Van Vleck born in 1813, daughter of Abram Van Vleck, of New York, there have been no children born to this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have raised two, only one-Ralph Decator, a nephew-now living. Mr. Bowman is owner of nearly 600 acres of land, well improved; he has served his town- ship as Assessor, Tax Collector, and Treasurer of the school funds; he and his wife are members of the Universalist Church. Mr. Bowman is a Democrat in politics, and was born under the Jefferson Administration.

STEWARD BROCK, farmer. P. O. Lundy's Lane, was born in Elk Creek Township, Erie Co., Penn., August 11. 1834, son of Francis Brock, who came from New York State to Erie County, Penn., in 1826, and raised a family of five children; two now residents of Erie County, and one of Bradford County, Penn .; he died in 1856; our subject married February 3, 1859, Nancy A. Mitchell, born July 14, 1837, in Erie County, daughter of Richard Mitchell, an old settler of Elk Creek Township. This union has been blessed with four children-Ida L., wife of Austin A. Whitaker; Willis O .: Annie I. ; and Ola M. Mrs. Brock is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Mr. Brock has a fine farm of eighty- six acres of improved land. Politically, he is a Republican.

ANDREW J. CAMPBELL, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Lundy's Lane, was born in the State of New York, March 9, 1835; he came to Erie County. Penn., in 1838, settling in Elk Creek Township, where he has since remained. except when in the army. Mr. Camp- bell married in September, 1854, Miss Jennette, daughter of Samuel Dunning and a na- tive of New York State. This union has been blessed with six children-Ella M., wife of Noah Stafford; Addie E., wife of E. L. Bovee; Cora, deceased at the age of ten years, George A., Saddie S. and Nettie M. Mr. Campbell enlisted September 13, 1862, in Com. pany I, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and served in the middle division of the Army of West Virginia; he participated in the battles of Rocky Gap, Droop Mountain, Sheridan's raid through the Shenandoah Valley, and other minor engagemements; he served two years and seven months, and received an honorable discharge on account of disability in 1865, The disease he contracted while in the army still clings to him. Mr. Campbell owns fifteen acres of well-improved land. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a member of the G. A. R .. a Republican in politics.

M. H. COLE, farmer, P. O. Lundy s Lane was born in Washington County, N. Y., April 11, 1818, son of William Cole, a native of Vermont, who went to Washington Coun- ty, N. Y., with his father when twelve years of age, and came to Chautauqua County in the spring of 1826; thence to Erie County in 1835; he purchased a large farm in Elk Creek Township same year, and here raised a large family of fifteen children, five of whom are still living; he died April 9, 1858, aged eighty-one years and six months. Our subject mar- ried in the fall of 1840, Miss Mary L. Dean, born July 2, 1822, daughter of Peris Dean, of Canada. This union has resulted in seven children, three perishing in the flames of their burning home, November 2, 1852, and Josephine, dying August, 1860. Those now living are Parilee, wife of Charles Percell; Louisa, wife of Thomas Percell and Victory, wife of Robert Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former owns a fine farm of about forty-seven acres, has been Assessor, School Director, and is now Town Treasurer. Politically, he is a Republican.

JAMES CULVER, farmer, P. O. Lundy's Lane, was born in New York State. April 1. 1829, and came to Erie County in 1830, son of Samuel Culver, who departed this life about 1872. Our subject married, in 1855, Miss Mary, daughter of William Joslin, an old settler of Erie, who died about 1871; his widow, now ninety years of age, resides with her daughter, Mrs. Laura Kelsey. Mr. and Mrs. James Culver have been the parents of one child-William A. Our subject enlisted March 30, 1865, in the One Hundred and Second Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac, and was honorably discharged in 1865. Mr. Culver is owner of ninety acres of fine, im- proved land; he has been Road Commissioner; is a member of the Masonic order: in pol- ities a Republican.

ROBERT B. GATES, proprietor of cheese factory and merchant, Lundy's Lane, son of George D. Gates, was born August 25, 1838, in Crawford County, Penn. During the late rebellion, Mr. Gates enlisted Angust, 1862, in the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regi-

ELK CREEK TOWNSHIP.

ment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Hancock's Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was wounded in the right thigh at Fredericksburg ; was afterward transferred to the reserved veteran corps and in 1865 honorably discharged. Mr. Gates was united in marriage in 1865, with Miss Mary J., daughter of E. Pool, of Lockport. This union has been blessed with two children-James, who died aged thirteen, and G. Dorance. In 1877, our subject, with his family, moved to Erie County, Penn., and purchased the Cold Spring Cheese Factory, which he has since been successfully running. He is making as many as eleven cheeses per day, consuming for the purpose the milk from 350 cows, and as he makes a first-class article, he always obtains the highest market value. Mr. Gates is also running a country store, stocked with groceries, boots, shoes and notions, and is doing an extensive business ; he, with wife, is a member of the Christian Church. Our subject is a member of the A. O. U. W. Politically he is a Democrat.

MARTIN HALL, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Lundy's Lane, was born in Cortland County, N. Y., May 21, 1834, son of Horace Hall, a native of Connecticut, who came to Erie County with his family in 1836 ; he raised seven children, five now living ; he died, May, 1880 ; his widow resides with M. E. Hall, a brother of our subject, whose biography appears below. Mr. Martin Hall was married in the fall of 1861, to Miss Annie, daughter of James Goodenow. a native of New York State, and one of the first settlers of this section. Mrs. Hall is a native of Illinois. One child, Tessa, has crowned this union. Mr. Hall is the owner of 143 acres of excellent land; also two fine Percheron stallions, celebrated for their fine breeding qualities. Mr. Hall is descended from a prominent old settler; in politics, is a Democrat.

MILTON E. HALL. farmer, P. O. Elk Creek, was born in Elk Creek Township, Erie County, Penn., son of Horace Hall, a native of Connecticut, who moved to Erie County in 1836, settling in Elk Creek Township. They were the parents of ten children. five now living and residing in Elk Creek, except James S., who resides in Iowa. They came here when the country was new and most of the residences, log-cabins. Horace Hall was a prominent man in his day, and served at one time as Justice of the Peace; he departed this life in April, 1880; his widow is living with her son Milton E. Our subject was married, February 7, 1869, to Miss Mary, born July 28, 1846, daughter of George L. Doty. Three children have blessed this union-Viana M., Homer J. and Earnest. Mr. Hall is owner of eighty acres of well-improved land, near the village of Cranesville; his farm is a part of his father's old homestead. Politically, our subject is Democratic.

JAMES HUBBARD, farmer, P. O. Lundy's Lane. was born in Cortland County, N. Y., April 10, 1832, son of Sylvester and Eliza (Patten) Hubbard. The latter is a native of New York State, now residing at the age of seventy-seven, with a son on the old farm. She has been an invalid for many years. The former was also a native of New York, horn February 27, 1809, and moved to Erie County with his family, July, 1832; he raised a family of three boys and three girls, all now residents of this county; he was a prominent farmer; he departed this life, April 22, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. SylvesterHubbard were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is the oldest child of his father's family; he was married in 1855. to Miss Martha H. McGuire, born February 18, 1832, in Crawford County, Penn., daughter of William McGuire. This union has been blessed with seven children, one dying in infancy; the surviving are-William S., Thomas R., Lyda S., Mary E., Clara G. and John J. Mr. Hubbard is the owner of 195 acres of excel- lent land, well improved, with fine buildings; he formerly engaged in dairying. but now makes the breeding of Short-horn cattle a specialty; he purchased a very fine hull of C. E. Petis, of Girard, Penn. This animal was bred from the stock of C. E. Berry, of New London, Huron Co., Ohio. Mrs. Hubbard is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Hubbard has served as Assessor of his township; politically, is a Democrat.

WILLIAM H. HUBBARD, farmer, P. O. Lundy's Lane, was born August 27, 1845, in Elk Creek Township, Erie Co., Penn., son of Sylvester Hubbard, a native of New York State, who came with his family to Erie County, in July, 1832. He raised ten children, and departed this life April 22, 1881. Our subject was married, October 1, 1873. to Miss Abi- gail N. Warner, a native of Elk Creek and daughter of Frederick Warner, an old settler of the same township. Four children have blessed this union, viz., Charles J., Rutherford B., Frank P. and George H. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Baptist Church. He now owns 175 acres-his father's old homestead. He has been quite extensively en- gaged in dairying, but now intends to make a speciality of Short-horn cattle, as his farm is especially adapted to the raising of stock. William Hubbard is a self made man; is a Republican in politics. Our subject is a brother of James Hubbard, whose biography ap- pears above.

MARTIN V. B. JOHNSON, surgeon and druggist, Wellsburg, was born in Wash- ington County, Md., April 8, 1842, son of David Johnson, of Fulton County, Penn. Our subject graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and commenced to practice in 1862; subsequently attended and graduated from the Ohio Medical College in 1864. He moved to and practiced in Southern Pennsylvania for two years; thence went to Holden, Johnson Co., Md., for seven years, and then practiced three years in Dela- ware. In 1879, Dr. Johnson came to Wellsburg, where he has since successfully prac-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ticed his profession; he has also been engaged in the drug business for the last four years, and is running the only store of the kind in Wellsburg. Dr. Johnson married, December 25, 1864, Miss Sarah P., daughter of Jesse Woodcock, both natives of Baltimore. Seven children have been born to this union, viz., Francis E., Jesse W. (deceased), Bessie C., Susie M., Shelly K., Lucien and Leila E. Both Dr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Presbyterian Church; he is an A. F. & A. M., and K. of P., and a member of the E. A. U. Politically, he is a Demoerat.

CHAUNCEY JOSLEN, farmer, P. O. Albion, was born in Orleans County, N. Y., November 19,1819, son of Peleg Joslen, a native of New York State, who came to Erie Coun- ty about 1833. He raised a family of six boys and three girls, four of whom are still living; he was an honest, hard-working man, and died about the year 1850. Our subject was marrried, April 25, 1847, to Rosetta, daughter of Josiah Steward, an old settler of this section. This un- ion has been crowned by the birth of three boys, viz., Julius A., Marcus L. and Chauncey A. Julius A. and Marcus L. enlisted just before the close of the war, and received an honorable discharge at its termination. Mr. Joslen owns forty acres of well-improved land, and Mrs. Joslen owns forty acres also. He and his wife are members of the Free- Will Baptist Church, in which our subject is an earnest worker, and was a recognized minister until his health failed. He has served his township as Justice of the Peace; Col- lector two years, Assessor three years, Anditor one year, and was elected School Director at three different times; he was at one time a correspondent for the Erie Gazette, and several other county papers. At one time, Mr. Joslen was a strong Abolitionist, but is at present a Republican-Prohibitionist.

WILLIAM H. JOSLIN, farmer, P. O. Lundy's Lane, was born November 15, 1839, in Center. County, Penn., son of Ira Joslin, who came to Erie County in 1861, and died January 18, 1877. He was the father of twelve children, four of whom survive; five par- ticipated in the war of the rebellion, four enlisting in the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Reuben lost his life at the battle of Fredericksburg; Peter received a shot through his lungs, May 12, 1864, in the battle of the Wilderness, from the effects of which he died in 1877; Joseph died in Andersonville Prison; and Jacob is badly crippled by a wound in the left ankle received in the battle of Fredericksburg. Our subject belonged to Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Potomac and Cumberland. He participated in the following bat- tles: Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (where he was wounded in the right arm), Lookont Mountain, Resaca (where he was wounded in the head), siege of Atlanta, capture of Savannah. and finally in Sherman's celebrated march to the sea: he served three years and ten months, and received an honorable discharge July 26. 1865. Mr. Joslin was quited in marriage, January 2, 1879, with Miss Mahaly Up- ham. She has one child-Zana. Mr. Joslin owns sixty-five acres of improved land; in politics, is a Republican.

ERNESTUS S. KENNEDY, merchant, Cranesville, was born in Conueaut Township, Erie Co., Penn., April 6, 1834, son of John Kennedy, a native of Connecticut, who came to Erie County with his father when a boy. He settled on Conneaut Creek and raised a family of three boys and a girl, all now living; he was a very earnest worker in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and did much good in this way; he died September 8, 1881; his widow is now residing with her youngest son. Our subject was united in marriage, iu 1860, with Miss Alvince, daughter of Horace Hall. one of the first settlers here; she is also a sister of M. E. Hall (whose biography appears in this work); two children are the result of this union-Dora A. and Charlie. The former and her mother are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Kennedy is a liberal supporter. Mr. Kennedy started for himself first as traveling salesman for twelve years, and in 1880 established himself in mercantile business at Cranesville, Penn., where he is carrying a heavy stock, consisting of clothing, boots, shoes, dry goods, groceries, etc., etc .; he is doing a fine business, successfully competing with other tradesmen. Mr. Kennedy is a first-class business man; politically, he is a Democrat.

PERRY KIDDER, retired farmer, P. O. Elk Creek, was born in New York State December 6. 1816, son of Thomas and Lucy Kidder, natives of Vermont, who came to Erie in 1833; they raised a family of seven children, four still surviving, three of them living in this county. Mr. Thomas Kidder was a good citizen, and his memory is much revered; his wife died in about 1850, he following about 186). Our subject was married in 1842 to Miss Julia A., daughter of Adam Dertz, one of the first settlers in this section, coming here when the country was a wilderness. To this union have been born four chil- dr.n. viz., Lucy A., wife of George N. Barnes; J. P. Kidder, S. J. Kidder and George Kidder. Mr. Kidder had formerly a large farm, but he divided it with his boys, retaining about twenty-eight acres for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former is much interested. He has served his township as Collector, Justice of the Peace and Assessor four different times, and has held several oth- er township offices. In politics, he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM LAWRENCE (deceased). The ancestry of the Lawrence family can be traced in England from 1191, when Sir Robert Lawrence, of Ashton Hall, Lancashire,

ELK CREEK TOWNSHIP.

England, accompanied King Richard (called Cœur de Lion) to Palestine, was at the siege of Ste. Jeanne d'Arc, and was the first to plant the banner of the cross on the battlements of that town, and there received his kuighthood. His grandson, Sir James Lawrence, married Matilda Washington. There were four brothers, lineal descendants from him. The eldest, Henry, went twice to Holland. John and William were born at Great St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England; they emigrated to America, arriving at Plymouth, Mass., in the winter of 1635, in the ship Planter. William married twice, had ten children and died in 1686. His second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Smith, of Smithville, Long Island. She married, the second time, Sir Philip Carteret, and on her death left her property on Little Neck Bay (afterward known as Lawrence's neck), in the township of Flushing, Long Island, to her son Joseph Lawrence, who married a daughter of Sir Richard Townly, and a sister of Lady Effingham. John married and had nine children; his first son's name was Richard Lawrence, who married and had a son, William, who married Charity Carnell, and he became the possessor of Lawrence's Neck, Long Island. This union was blessed with seven children, three girls and four boys; Richard, the second son by this union, was taken prisouer by the British in the Revolutionary war, and was held in confinement seven years. The seventh child, Olivar, was born in 1758, and served in the American Army for independence; he married Patty Wait and had eleven children, and died in Crawford County, Penn. (This genealogy is recorded on the county record in Queens County, Long Island, to this date. See Surrogate's office, New York City, A. D. 1680, Library No. 22, page 24.) Olivar's second son, Joseph Lawrence, was born in Dutch- ess County, N. Y., December 25, 1782, and married Jerusha Austin January 1, 1804; with his family and two yoke of oxen he moved from the town of Berne, Albany Co., N. Y .; he had eight children by his first wife, Jerusha; he died in Crawford County, Penn., March 17, 1875; he was the father of the subject of our sketch. William Lawrence was born in Berne, Albany Co., N. Y., September 8, 1811, and was united in marriage August 37, 1846, with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer Baldwin, who moved from White- hall, Washington Co., N. Y. State, to this couuty in 1836. This union has been blessed with five children, two dying in iufancy. The survivors are Thirza J., William J. and Selina S., wife of Franklin Main. Our subject lived with his father until he was nine- teen; then took a piece of land for himself in Greene Township, right in the woods where deer abounded, and endured all the hardships of a pioneer life; he was a self-made man in every respect; he moved to Elk Creek Towuship in 1865, where he owned 112 acres of fine, improved land. Mr. Lawrence and his wife were members of the church; he was a Re- publican in politics; he held several town offices in Greene; he gave the land for the first schoolhouse in his vicinity in Greene, and it is now known as the Lawrence Schoolhouse. He got his first start in life by working six months at $10 per month, and saving all his wages. He died of consumption February 1, 1884, aged seventy-two years, four months and twenty-three days; his body was interred in the Spring Cemetery, Crawford County, Penn.

GEORGE MANTON, farmer and ex-County Auditor, P. O. Elk Creek, was born in Or- leans County, N. Y., August 15, 1838, son of James Manton, who came to Erie County with his family in 1859, but is now living in Michigan. Our subject, married, December 6, 1863, Martha, second daughter of Horace Hall, Esq., a native of Connecticut, who came to Erie County in a very early day. He was a man of considerable influence and held the office of Justice of the Peace many years. He died iu 1881; his widow is living with her youngest son in this township. This union has been blessed with one child-Ida A., born October 24, 1864. Mrs. Manton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cranes- ville. Mr. Mauton was elected Auditor of Erie County in 1881, on the Democratic ticket, and has filled said office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public. He also held the office of Town Clerk for some years. Mr. Manton owns thirty-five acres of fine land situated next to tlie village of Cranesville. He is a Past Master of the Masonic fraternity.

FRANKLIN MARTIN, farmer, P. O. Lundy's Lane, was born January 18, 1822, in Gen- esee County, N. Y., son of Dan Martin, a native of New Hampshire, who, with his family, came to Erie County in 1836. He raised ten children, six now living, two residing in Erie County. He departed this life in 1870. Our subject, the second son in this family, married March 4, 1847, Miss Ann Morse, born in England and daughter of John Morse, of Huron County Ohio. This union has been blessed by the birth of four children, viz. : Mary A., wife of Thomas Hurst; Eugene L., Fanny and Frank. Mr. Martin, with his family, moved to Erie County about 1852, settling in Elk Creek Township. He owns a well-improved piece of land, consisting of eighty-seven acres. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Republican.

THOMAS OSBORN, JR., merchant and Postmaster, Lundy's Lane, was born in En- gland October 12, 1846, and is a son of Thomas Osborn, Sr., of Mckean Township, Erie County. About 1847, he came to Erie County with his family, and has resided here ever since. He has raised a family of five children, four of whom are now living in this county. Our subject enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, August 11, 1862, and served under Gen. Hancock, in the Second Corps, Army 3

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

of the Potomac. He participated in the battles of Antietam. Fredericksburg (where he was wounded in the left leg), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, where he was wounded by a ball passing between the jugular vein and wind pipe, coming out at the back of his neck, and also was wounded in his left arm and shoulder about the same time. He was then transferred to the Veteran Corps, and mustered out as Captain, Sixteenth Veteran Reserve Corps, in 1865. In 1871, Mr. Os- born married Miss Mary E., daughter of Alpheus Bates, and a native of Erie County. He was at that time proprietor of the Sterrettania Woolen Factory, in Erie County. This union has been blessed with one child-Thomas A. Our subject came to Wellsburg in 1872, where he was Principal of the public schools the first winter; after which he en- gaged in mercantile business in which he has since remained, having increased his capacity and is now carrying an immense stock of goods of all kinds, including agricultural imple- ments, and is doing an extensive business. He has been Postmaster since 1872. He is Commander of the Col. Lyttle Post G. A. R., No. 240, is now Chief Mustering Officer of Pennsylvania, and has held the position since the same was instituted. Mr. Oshorn has been a delegate to the State Convention several times. He is politically a stanch Repub- lican.

REV. JOHN B. PAGE, Justice of the Peace and minister of the Free-Will Baptist Church, Lundy's Lane, was born in East Alton, Strafford County, N. H., July 6, 1819, and is a son of Rev. John Page, who died in 1832, and whose father (also John Page) was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, a native of New Hampshire, and who at one time owned the town- ship of Wentworth same State. Our subject commenced the ministry, when twenty years of age, in New Hampshire. After his marriage he moved to Oneida County, preach- ing there for about two years, and then to Oswego County, N. Y., for two years more. In 1849, Mr. Page moved to Erie County where be has since been preaching. Mr. Page was united in marriage, January 5, 1842, with Miss Ruth Lombard, whose father was a sea captain. This union has been blessed with seven children; the surviving are Nellie C., wife of Dr. O. Logan (see his biography); Emma, wife of A. B. Snow; and John, who is unmarried and lives in Wellsburg, ou his farm with his father. Mr. Page has served as Justice of the Peace at Wellsburg, for four years. He is a pleasant, sociable gentlemen; a member of the Masonic fraternity ; politically a stanch Republican.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 133

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