History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 139

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 139

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ELIJAH DRURY, deceased, the father of Roswell C. and Oliver P. Drury, was the youngest child in a family of eight, born to Ebenezer and Mariam Drury, and the third child born in Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y. (born September 19, 1792), after its settlement by the whites. By the will of his father, he was given the choice of living with his eldest brother, who had inherited the farm, receiving $100 when of age, or having his own time; he was then sixteen years of age. The latter was his choice, and, without a dollar, or ad. equate clothing, he started out in the winter's cold to make his way. He began digging stone at $10 per month. and clothed himself for the winter. He then went a distance of 100 miles in a cutter, to the Black River country, with a newly married sister, and attended school the remainder of the winter. He then worked for $10 per month, and saved $300, with which he purchased fifty acres of wild land in Genesee County, N. Y. He then worked for $12 per month, and hauled cannon for the Government after the close of the war of 1812. He married. in the fall of 1815, Abigail C. Cheney, born in Walpole. N. H., May 15. 1792. He walked to this county, and bonght on credit 100 acres in Girard, a part of the farm on which Oliver P. now resides. He returned for his wife, and with oxen and horse started for their new home. They erected a small house and began the struggles of pioneer life. Success crowned his efforts, and he died surrounded by his family, and having large accumulations of landed property. He departed this life July 25, 1880, and his wife February 22, 1875. Their honored remains were interred in the family cemetery, near their home.

R. C. DRURY, farmer, P. O. Girard, was born in Girard Township November 3, 1817, and is a son of Elijah and Abigail (Cheney) Drury; the former born September 19, 1792, dying July 25, 1880; the latter horn May 15, 1792, departed this life February 22, 1875. They were the parents of six children, four now living-Roswell C., Oliver P., Adaline A. and Marilda M. The records of this family show them to be of English stock. Obed Drury, of London, England, with the father of Hugh Drury, came to the Colonies with Gov. John Winthrop in 1635, to found a colony at the mouth of Kane River, Mass .. and from them sprang the succeeding generations in America. Our subject married, in Girard Township, Mary J. Kennedy, who died without issue. He next married Uranah A. Haven, who dying left three children, viz .: Byron. married to Viola Sykes, and has four children- Harry, Clara, Leland and Ivy; R. Carmi, married F. Silverthorn, and has one child, Ethel; Mary, wife of C. M. Anderson. Mr. Drury again married, this time to Dorcas A. Coffman, by whom he has one child, Elijah, who married K. Wood, and has one child, Carl M. Mr. Drury settled on his present farm of 117 acres in 1851.

OLIVER P. DRURY, farmer, P. O. Girard, is a son of Elijah and Abigail C. (Cheney) Drury, born on the homestead farm in this township, August 13, 1819. He was united in marriage at Warsaw, N. Y., April 22, 1841, with Sarah, daughter of Eli Dibble. She was born at Granville, N. Y., July 22, 1817, and dying January 15, 1864, left four children, viz. :

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Walter E., married to Gettie Whitcomb ; they are residing in Nebraska, and have two children, Clarence and Francis; Roswell C., married to Mary Rhodes, parents of Karl and Ralph; Annie E., wife of F. A. Hadsell, residents of Cass County, Mich .; and Jessie. married to Inez F. Warner, reside on the homestead. Mr. Drury's second marriage took place November 17, 1868, with Mary E. Platt, a native of Crawford County, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Drury disposed of his farm in this township and went to Cass County, Mich., where he resided until 1875, when, on account of the failing health of his aged father, he returned to the homestead, so he could care for and fulfill his last duties toward his honored sire. The generation is of pioneer stock, and the children inherit the qualities of their ancestors, all of whom were representatives of character, honesty and sobriety.

A. G. ELY, physician, Girard, was born in Middlefield, Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1820, and is a son of Sumner and Hannah (Gilbert) Ely, the former a native of Lyme, Conn., and the latter of Otsego County, N. Y. Sumner Ely was educated at Yale, where he graduated in the class of 1804, and was a prominent physician at Clarksville (Middlefield), Otsego Co., N. Y. He was President of the New York State Medical Society, and a member of the Assembly and Senate of that State. Our subject received his education at Hamilton Col- lege, N. Y., and was a graduate of the Geneva Medical College in 1841. He studied medi- cine with his father and Dr. R. G. Frary, of Hudson, N. Y., and after acting one year as assistant physician in Bellevue Hospital, N. Y., began the practice of his profession in his native county. In 1845, he located in Girard, where he has had a large practice, and is now gradually retiring from the field, leaving it for younger aspirants.

GEORGE C. GALLOWHUR (deceased) was born on the homestead farm, near Girard, in 1839, and was a son of George Gallowhur, a native of Mifflin County, Penu., who settled in Manchester, near Walnut Creek, Erie County, in 1818. Five years later he re- moved to the present home of the family, then consisting of eighty-five acres, all of which he cleared. He was one of the founders, and for many years Elder of the Presbyterian Church at Girard. He married, July 18, 1819, Eliza, a daughter of Andrew Lowry, a dis- tinguished pioneer, who took up land under the Corporation Act, and was soon after dis- possessed by the Indians. He subsequently settled in Mill Creek Township, and passed his later years at Girard. He was a native of Ireland, and married Mary Barr. George and Eliza Gallowhur had born to them eleven children, two surviving-Mary A., widow of Amos Stowe; and Sarah, widow of Oliver Easterbrook, who was a son of Benjamin Easter- brook, of Connecticut, a pioneer of Erie County. He was a lumber dealer, and was lost in the Allegheny River while floating a raft. Oliver died in November, 1872, leaving two children-Susie and Benjamin F. The subject of this sketch married, in 1870, Sarah E. Powell, a native of Crawford County, a daughter of Hon. Howell Powell, and grand- daughter of Watkin Powell, a distinguished pioneer family of Crawford. Mr. Gallowhur died August 22, 1883, leaving a widow and one child, William Gibson, to mourn his loss.

L. W. GREEN, proprietor of billiard parlor, Girard, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1846, and is a son of Silas and Phebe Green, the former a native of Harbor Creek, Erie Co., Penn., and the latter of New York State. The grandparent, Joab Green, was among the earliest pioneers of Harbor Creek Township, settling prior to the war of 1812, after which he removed to Conneaut, Ohio, and remained till the close of life. The parents are both residents of Ohio. They reared two children, both liv- ing-Flora, wife of Calyin Richardson, of Willoughby, Ohio, and our subject. L. W. Green was reared on a farm, and in 1873 came to Girard; following year opened a market, which he conducted until 1877, when he sold out and removed to Brad- ford, Penn., where he opened a billiard parlor. This he conducted until 1879, when he returned to Girard and established a billiard room in the Avenue House, in which he remained until he removed to his present quarters. This hall has two tables of the latest design, and the necessary equipments for the game are of the best. It is supported and patronized by all lovers of the game, and no liquors are sold. Mr. Green was married on Christmas Day, 1867, to Lola, daughter of Dexter Marsh, of Pierpont, Ohio. This union has been blessed with two children-Bennie and Jessie.

JOHN GULLIFORD & CO., hardware, Girard. John Gulliford, one of our oldest native residents, was born in Girard. in 1814, and is a son of Samuel, who, with his father, John Gulliford, settled on the Lexington road, near Ball Church in 1801. The great- grandfather, William, of English birth, was the first Gulliford to locate in the colonies. John Gulliford, Sr., took up 200 acres, reared a large family and died on the homestead. Samuel married Catherine Ball, whose parents settled here the same year. They reared a family of eleven children, all living-Daniel, John, Levi, David, Samuel, Cornelius, Al- len, Sally (wife of S. K. Talmage), Lorenzo, Mary A. and Lydia. Our subject was reared- on a farm, attending a rude log school for his education, and was apprenticed, when twelve years old, to a tinner in Erie. He followed this trade until 1839, when he established him- self in business, which has grown into the large establishment under firm name of Gulli- ford & Co. He was married in this township in 1839, to Catherine, the daughter of John Hay, a native of Fairview Township. All the seven children born to this union are living, viz., John H., George S., Samuel H., Mary (wife of L. D. Hart), Emma, Lizzie (wife of G. W. Badger) and Hattie (wife of C. Fargo). Mr. Gulliford has filled various township offices, and is the oldest merchant in business here at the present time.

GIRARD TOWNSHIP.

JAMES J. HALSTEAD, farmer, P. O. Platea, was born in Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 29, 1810, son of Samuel and Patience (Jones) Halstead. The latter is a na- tive of Jonesville, N. Y., and a daughter of Samuel Jones, after whom the place was named. The former was a uative of Delaware County, N. Y. Their children were as fol- lows: Washington, Platt, Elizabeth, Theodorus, Samuel, Fannic, Nancy, Samuel (second), Heury B. and James J. Our subject was married, June 99, 1831, to Lovina Conkling, a native of Saratoga, N. Y., and a connection of the distinguished Roscoe Conkling, of that State. Four children have been born to this union, all living-Alvah, George, Charles W. and William. Mr. Halstead lost his wife by death, August 17, 1867, and he married Susan Waldo, a native of Starkey, Yates Co., N. Y., where she was born in 1835. Mr. Halstead came to this county in 1839, and settled on a farm east of Lockport, but in 1852 located in the village, where he was engaged in mercantile business some years. By trade he is a tanner and shoe-maker. He owns 148 acres in Girard Township.

L. D. HART, clothing merchant, Girard, was born in this township in 1839, and is a son of Leffert and Nancy (Woodford) Hart, both natives of Connecticut, who settled in this city in 1838. Leffert was a contractor and builder, and helped to build the canal here. He with Judge Miles built ten miles of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, in- cluding the aqueduct at Elk Creek. He also constructed six miles of the Pittsburgh road from Girard depot to Cross' Station, and filled a contract on a road near Akron, Ohio. He was a man of active business qualification, and represented this county in the Legislature. He was the father of fourteen children by two marriages; his second wife was Eliza, a sister of Richard Dimpsey, of this county. Our subject first engaged as a salesman, then dealt extensively in oil. He was drafted in 1862, and served nine months in Company G, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Infantry State Guards. In 1866, he established himself in his present business in Girard, in which he has been very successful. He has a custom de- partment connected with his store, and carries a stock worth $10,000. He married in this county, in 1868, Mary E. Gulliford, a native of Girard. He is one of the enterprising cit- izens of this city, and is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, which he joined in 1864.

CALVIN J. HINDS, attorney, Girard, second son of Perley and Sarah (Lawrence) Hinds, was born in Girard Township December 29, 1832. His parents, natives of Cheshire County, N. H., settled in this township with the pioneers of 1831. His mother, who bore five children, three surviving-Sarah, Ervin P. and Calvin J .- died in 1839. His father was remarried to Polly (Kent) Smith, of Chautauqua County, N. Y., who bore him five children, three living-William W., Clarisa L. and Marion S. Our subject was reared on a farm, attending the district school, Kingsville Academy, Ohio, Girard Academy and Cleveland Commercial College. He then engaged for three years in the insurance busi- ness at Philadelphia, Penn., and afterward for three years in mercantile and lumber busi- ness at Philipsburg, Penn. He read law with George H. Cutler, was admitted to the Erie County Bar in 1860, and formed a copartnership with his preceptor, which firm still con- tinues. During Lincoln's administration, Mr. Hinds served four years as Postmaster of Girard, but has since avoided political life. He conducted the telegraph and express busi- ness some years, and has always been identified with the growth and development of his native township. In 1856, he was married to Elvira M. Cutler, a native of this county, who was the mother of three children-Lawrence C., Paymaster for the contractors of the Northern Pacific Railroad, of Billings, Mont .; Bertha E., wife of F. J. French, and Elvira C. His wife died in 1864. Mr. Hinds' second wife was Frank A. Stewart, of Syracuse, N. Y. This union has been blessed with five children-Fannie S., Harry, Belle, Calvin J., Jr., and J. Donald.

F. C. KEELER, farmer, P. O. Girard, was born in Mexico, Oswego County, N. Y., in 1820, and is a son of Isaiah W. and Lucinda Keeler, both natives of New York State. They located in North East Township in 1830, and were among its earliest pioneers. Two years later they moved to Elk Creek, near Wellsburg, but died at Lockport, Girard Township. They were the parents of nine children, four living-Joseph, F. C., Nathan and Albert. Our subject was married, in 1843, to Caroline Pierce, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., which union has been blessed with four children, all living-Cynthia F., wife of F. Randall, by whom she has two children -Leslie and Alice; Alice J., Melissa R., widow of A. Lewis. and the mother of Oliver K., Carl W., Frank C. and Grace A; and Emma, wife of David Wood, by whom she has two children-M. Glenn and Carrie L. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Keeler was living on the piece of land first mentioned, and went to work in the paper mill some three years after. The land was situated in Green- field Township, four miles south of North East. He made a small payment on a piece of land, which he afterward sold to advantage. In 1851, he settled on his present farm, con- sisting of sixty acres. He began life empty-handed, and attributes much of his success to the assistance of his good wife, who shared in his struggles, and now with him enjoys all their present comforts.

WILLIAM S. KELLEY, farmer, P. O. Miles' Grove, was born on the homestead farm, in Girard Township, February 12, 1829, and is a son of John Kelley, whose record appears in this work. He was married in this township October 4, 1860, to Eliza J., daughter

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

of John Murray, a pioneer, who was a marine in the war of 1812, and settler of this town ship. To this union two children have been born, both now living-Addie M. and Belle J. Mr. Kelley occupies seventy-five acres of the homestead farm, where he has resided since his birth. He has been serving as School Director for nine years. He is a man widely and favorably known, and is connected with the A. O. U. W.

J. D. KELLEY, farmer, P. O. Miles' Grove, was born on the homestead, on which he has always resided, in 1831, and is the third son of John Kelley. He resides on fifty acres, a portion of the homestead farm settled by his father. He was married in this county, in 1859, to Rebecea A. Emrich, a native of Ohio. Their only child, Charles J., born October 18, 1855, who was employed in the office at Girard Station, was killed on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad April 16, 1878. He was a young man of high moral worth, and his death was a great loss to his parents. Mrs. Kelley dying, August 1, 1880, Mr. Kelley married Anna L. Case, a native of Pierpont, Ohio. Mr. Kelley is deseended from an old pioneer, is highly respected, and has served as Assessor two years, being elected Assistant Assessor in 1876, succeeding J. C. Miller, who died, and in 1877, was re-elected. He has also filled the office of Collector for one year. and previ- ously was Constable of Girard Township and Borough.

LAZARUS S. KELLEY, farmer, P. O. Miles' Grove, was born on the homestead farm, on the Lake road, March 26, 1835. and is the youngest son of John Kelley, who was born April 28. 1793, in Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Penn., and came to this county in 1803, when but ten years old, with his father, George Kelley. The latter purchased a tract of land, consisting of 200 aeres (now oceupied by his three sons), of Robert Brown, with al- lowance of 6 per cent. He and his wife, Fanny Diekson, born in Derrytown. Mifflin Co., Penn., came on horseback to this farm, then an unbroken wilderness, eleared ten aeres, and ereeted a cabin, near the site of our subjeet's present residence, where they lived and died. He was succeeded on this farm by his son, John, who married Margaret Steeley, a native of Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Penn., born August 8, 1794. They were the parents of eleven children, seven now living-Cartus E .. widow of George Webb; Susanah, wife of Constant Hieks, residing in Hancock County, Ill .; John S., of Quincy, Ill .; William S .; James D., our suhjeet, and Mary J., wife of Clark Barlow. John Kelley was a widely and favorably known pioneer, and soldier of the war of 1812. His wife died in May, 1865, and he fol- lowed her in March, 1879, aged eighty-six. Lazarus S. Kelley, the subject of this sketeb, married in this township, Sarah Jane, daughter of Asa and Sarah (Coats) MeConnell, who settled in this township in 1829, and purchased the land on which the Herrick family now reside, where Mrs. Kelley was born. Her parents raised a family of sever children, three now living-Amanda, widow of William MeQuilkin, residing in this township, and Fred- eriek. a resident of Danville, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have no children.

JOHN KESSEL, JR., restaurant, Girard, was born in this township February 7, 1857, and is a son of John and Phillipina (Epple) Kessel, both natives of Germany, and parents of eight children, seven now living-John (our subjeet), Frank, Bertha, Minnie, Charles, Henry and Carrie. John Kessel, Sr., was born in Hesse-Darmstadt in 1835; erossed the ocean in 1854; came direet to Girard, and established himself in business; was subsequent- ly burned out. He lived here till the close of his life, dying, however, at Waukesha, Wis., July 2, 1883, whenee he had gone in search of health, and was interred in Girard Cemete- ry. He was very successful, financially, though he began life as a barber, with no capital but his ambition and perseveranee. He was a Demoerat in politics, a member of the Lu- theran Church. Many knew from experience that he was kind-hearted and liberal. He was a prominent member of the A. O. U. W., I. O. O. F., and several other societies. Our sub- ject engaged in the barber business at Mayville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., from 1876 until the death of his father, when he returned to Girard and took charge of the business, which he has since continued. He was married, on November 4, 1879. at Mayville, to Hattie E. Van Valkenbergh, a native of the same. Two children blessed this union, one surviving -Margaret. Mr. Kessel inherits his father's attributes, is a successful business man, and a member of the Royal Areanum.

RANSOM KIDDER, farmer, P. O. Girard, was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1823, and is a son of Thomas and Lucy (Holt) Kidder, who were among the pioneers to settle on Elk Creek in that township, located on 200 acres of land, where they both died. They were the parents of seven children, four now living, viz., Putnam, Perry, Betsy (wife of D. Ward), and Ransom. Our subjeet was married in this county to Susan, daugh- ter of Elijah Drury, who, dying, left three children-Charles, Elijah and Passmore W. Mr. Kidder's second wife was Bulah Cronch, who also died, and left two children-Ida and Frank. He then married Emma T .. daughter of John P. Lyman, and a native of this county. Three children, all living, have blessed this union, viz., Belle, Rush, and one not named. Mr. Kidder settled on his present estate, consisting of 175 acres, in 1856. He has served as School Director eight or nine years, and is an old and highly-respected . eitizen.

F. X. LOMMER, proprietor of the Lommer House, P. O. Miles' Grove, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1839, and is a son of John Lommer, who emigrated to the United States in 1837, settling and dying in Buffalo. Sinee boyhood, when he began as bell boy in the

GIRARD TOWNSHIP.

old Phoenix House, F. X. Lommer has been in the hotel business, soon winning for himself an enviable reputation. In 1869, he became proprietor of the Jones House, at Westfield, N. Y., which he conducted successfully until he purchased the Osborn House, which stood upon the site of his present edifice; it has accommodation for about twenty transient guests. It is the only hotel at the Grove, and first-class in all its appointments. He married, in Buffalo, in 1860, Mary E. Laux, a native of same city. Their living chil- dren are Julia, William and Harry. Frank J., who was clerking with his father, an esti- mable young man, beloved hy a large circle of friends, died September 11, 1883, in his twenty-first year. Mr. Lommer is connected with Lodge 44, A. O. U. W., of Erie. He is possessed of a genial disposition, aud as a landlord has a well-merited reputation, and strangers ever find a cordial welcome to his house.

LEVI LOVERIDGE, accountant, Girard, son of Ethau and Caroline (Gunn) Love- ridge, was born in this township October 6, 1820. His parents, natives of Massachusetts, came to this township with their family in 1818, entering 300 acres of land, upon which they resided until the close of their lives. They reared a family of seven children, five surviving-Henry H., Levi, Delia, James M. and Lucy. Levi remained on the farm until twenty-one, acquiring an education in the schools in Girard and Erie City, and engaging in teaching four or five years. For the past twenty-five years, however, he has been in mercantile trade in Girard, conducting at one time an extensive dry goods trade. In 1881, Mr. Loveridge, with his son, established on Main street the largest grocery house in this city, and they carry a complete line of groceries, crockery, etc. He has filled various township offices with credit to himself, and is one of our oldest and most respected set- tlers. He was united in marriage with Adaline C. Freeman, a native of Rushford, N. Y. Three children have been born to this union, two living-Olcott D., married to Lettie B. Van Dyke, of Delavan, Wis., and has two children (twins)-Addie M. and Millie B .; and Fred F., married to Ella Dinsmore, of Mercer County, Penn. Mr. Loveridge, with family, is a member of the Presbyterian congregation, in which he is a Trustee. He has acted as accountant for the Girard Wrench Manufacturing Company for the past eight years.

O. D. LOVERIDGE, miller, Girard, was born in Waukegan, Ill., August, 1846, and is a son of Levi Loveridge, whose sketch appears in this work. O. D. Loveridge engaged for ten years in lumbering on the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers, then carried on mill- ing at Alma, Wis. In October, 1879, he took possession of his present mill, one of the oldest in this portion of the country. Its original capacity was twenty barrels per day, but he is now (October, 1883) improving it, putting in four buhrs, and running it by steam, so that its capacity will be doubled. J. H. Rogers, the miller in charge, is undoubtedly one of the best in the county. Mr. Loveridge is going to experiment with stone, be- lieving, from observation and experiments, that a better grade of flour can be produced than by the roller method. The mill is in a good locality, and has always done a success- ful trade. Mr. Loveridge was married in Walworth County, Wis., to Lettie Van Dyke, a native of Lansing, Mich. The two children blessing this union, Addie M. and Millie B., are twins. He is one of Girard's active business men, and a member of the A. O. U. W.

C. G. LUCE, Girard, is the senior partner in the firm of Luce & Thompson, and was born at Kingsville, Ohio, in 1849. He is a son of E. G. and Caroline Luce, residents of Washington, D. C. Our subject was educated at York, Penn., and served twelve years as a page in the capitol; subsequently was Assistant Superintendent of the Senate folding room, and was supported by Hon. Ben Wade, and afterward by Senator Stewart. From the folding room, he went into Board of Audit, Treasury Department, resigning in 1875, when he came to this city. He was engaged two years with C. F. Rockwell, and in March, 1880, was admitted as a partner. The firm of C. F. Rockwell & Co. was succeeded by Luce & Thompson in February, 1882, who have since been successfully conducting the business. They have the largest establishment of the kind in Girard, and carry a full line of dry goods, carpets, oil cloths, etc. Mr. Luce was married in Girard, in 1874, to Emma, daughter of C. F. Rockwell, a native of this city. He is a member of Columbia Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M., of Washington, D. C. Mr. Luce is one of the active merchants of Girard.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 139

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