History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 140

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 140

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HENRY McCONNELL (deceased) was born in Rutland, Vt., February 29, 1804, and was a son of William McConnell, of that place. He was married at Hebron, N. Y., in 1827, to Charlotte, daughter of James Webster, Sr., of that place. In 1827, he, with James Webster, Jr., came to Girard Village, and soon established the firm of McConnell & Web- ster, which partnership was one of the happiest associations. They opened the first mer- cantile house in Girard, Erie County, and for twenty-five years carried on an extensive business in this village and in various parts of the county. They were very successful, both in amassing wealth and earning for themselves highly honorable reputations. When Mr. McConnell's decease occurred in 1871, he was serving as President of the First National Bank; he was one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church here, and an Elder in same for upward of forty years. He was a man of quiet, unostentatious habits, and was widely known and beloved by all. His estimable widow followed him in 1881. The only survivor of their family of children is Mrs. Rebecca Rice, who is residing on the homestead in Girard Village.

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H. P. MALICK, manufacturer, Girard, was born in Mill Creek Township August 22, 1837, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Musselman) Malick, the former a native of Northumber- land Co., Penn., born in 1797, and the latter born in 1800 in Genesee County, N. Y. They were married at the home of the maternal grandparent, Jacob. in this county. The Mus- selman family settled in this State prior to the Revolutionary war, in which the great- grandfather was a soldier. In 1802, Henry Malick came to this county with his father, who settled and died in North East, and was one of its earliest pioneers. Henry, the son, subsequently settled in Mill Creek, and reared a family of four children, two surviving- Wesley and H. P. (our subject). He died December 26, 1875, at the home of his son, H. P., in Girard, to which place he had come four years previously, soon after the death of his wife, which occurred October 9, 1871. H. P. Malick was reared on the homestead farm until eighteen, when he attended school at Girard and Waterford Academies, and Alleghe- ny College, Meadville, after which he engaged in teaching as a profession for some time, and was so engaged at North East at the time of his marriage, December 24, 1861, to Lucy. daughter of Ethan Loveridge, a native of Girard Township. Three children blessed this union, all surviving-Carrie E., Grace A. and Herbert P. For some years after his mar- riage, Mr. Malick was traveling salesman for Tucker & Dorsey, hardware merchants, of Indianapolis, Ind. More recently he has been manufacturing bed-springs and attending to his farming lands on each side of the horough. For years he was a Republican, but subsequently has taken a strong stand with the Prohibitionists, being one of the State Executive Committee of this party, on whose ticket he was nominated for legislative honors. He and his family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of this borough, in which he was a class leader many years.

AGRIPPA D. MARTIN, farmer, P. O. Girard, was born in Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., January 1, 1810, a son of Agrippa and Anna (Jefferson) Martin, natives of Hoosick Falls, N. Y., and Deerfield, Vt., respectively, who moved from Fredonia, N. Y., to Girard, in 1818, where Agrippa articled the piece of land now occupied by David Crooks, hut subse- quently settled on the Reed farm, where he died in November, 1828. They reared a fam- ily of eleven children. four surviving-Ephraim, Nancy (widow of J. Palmer), Agrippa, and Justus, of Union City, Mich. Our subject was brought up on a farm, receiving but a limited education. In early life he drove a stage for R. S. Reed, between Erie and Con- neaut, but subsequently engaging to travel with a caravan, he gave what little money he had to his mother, and became an adept trainer, giving exhibitions of his daring in the cages of wild animals. He also trained and performed the well-known elephant Hannibal. After traveling seven years, he returned home and purchased and rebuilt the old Picket House of Girard, which he called the Mansion House, and ran successfully a hotel in the village upward of thirty-two years. He was a very popular landlord. In 1883, he retired to his farm of 100 acres, a part of which he purchased in 1838. Mr. Martin married in this county, February 4, 1840, Mary C. Gregor, a native of Chambersburg, Penn. Seven chil- dren, all living, were born to this union-Helen M., wife of Dr. J. L. Thayer, of La Fay. ette, Ind .; Antoinette E., wife of C. W. Noyes; George C. ; Adella P., wife of C. W. Sykes, of Carroll County, Md .; Frank A., Adrial E. and Libbie A. Mrs. Martin dying November 27, 1866, he married, January 16, 1867, Eliza C., daughter of Lucius Peck, and widow of Linus Webb, of Warren, Ohio. She is a native of Monroe County, N. Y. During Mr. Martin's long and eventful career he has never taken a chew of tobacco, smoked, or drank a glass of liquor, which can be said of very few landlords. Beginning in life with nothing but a good constitution and perseverance, he has amassed wealth.

HENRY MILLER, farmer, P. O. Platea, was born on the homestead farm in Girard Township, Erie County, in 1819. His grandfather, Jacob Coffman, settled on this farm in 1801, and the original log house remains at this writing (1883) a monument of his pioneer spirit. Henry, our subject, was married in this county, in 1850, to Eliza Dodge, a native of Erie County. Two children, both now Ilving, have been born to this union-Adelaide, wife of D. W. Dunnehi, and Josepbine, wife of T. E. Bradish. Mr. Miller has always re- sided on the homestead, now consisting of fifty-four acres, and numbers among our old and respected pioneers.

PETER H. NELLIS, proprietor Avenue House, Girard, was born in 1843, in Alsace, Germany. His father, Mathias, emigrated to America in 1848, locating at Erie City, where be yet resides. The subject of this sketch began life a poor boy, first gardening. then came to Girard in 1861, and learned shoe-making, at which he worked several years. In 1864. he entered as a landsman in the navy, was assigned to the steamer Gen. Thomas (then at Bridgeport, Ala.), participating in Hood's engagement and in several skirmishes, serving until the close of the war. On his return he went to the oil country, came back to Girard and located in an old building on the canal called Saw Dust Hall, thien in operation, where he worked at bis trade, sold merchandise, accommodated travelers, and kept a stable. In 1876, he bought and repaired the Old Guard House, which burned in 1879. and ou which was but a small insurance. He immediately began erecting the Avenue House, opening it in the following June. It is a modern brick structure and cost about $9,000, and has accommodations for a large number of guests. He married, in Girard, in 1868, Kate Croft, a native of Canada. Two children, both living, blessed this union-Daniel and Kitty.

GIRARD TOWNSHIP.

Mr. Nellis is a popular landlord, and keeps a first class, reliable house, which commands the trade of the traveling public.

RILEY PETTIBONE, farmer, P. O. Miles' Grove, was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., in 1825, son of Titus and Cynthea (Gridley) Pettibone, both natives of Litchfield, Conn., who settled in this township in the spring of 1832. Titus purchased 220 acres of land, cov- ered with woods, and cleared 150. They reared seven sons, five now living-Henry, resid- ing in Michigan; William, in Council Bluffs, Iowa; James E., Riley, and Charles, who resides on the homestead. Our subject has been twice married, first in 1843, to Mary Hall, a native of this county; she was a daughter of Ben Hall, an early pioneer, and dying in 1866, left six children, four of whom survive, viz .: Alice, Sarah (wife of G. Moorehouse), George and Anna. Mrs. Moorehouse has two children-Ethel and Susie. His second wife, whom he married in 1867, was Mary Cook, a native of this county, and a daughter of Al- hert Cook. Two children, both now living, blessed this union-Minnie and Gertrude, Mr. Pettibone settled on his present farm, consisting of sixty-seven acres, in 1850. He is serving as Road Commissioner, previously was for five years School Director. He is connected with the Methodist Episcopal denomination at Girard Station.

GEORGE PLATT, county engineer, Girard, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., in 1825, and is a son of William and Polly (Allen) Platt, father a native of Dutchess County, N. Y .; mother of Fairfield County, Conn. They came to Erie County in 1855, and settled in Girard, where they died. They reared a family of five children, four now living- Charles, George, Jane M. (wife of M. Mallin, now an invalid on the homestead), who is the mother of Lela D., William P. and Julia W. Our subject, having acquired a common school and academic education, was engaged in the Special Service Coast Survey; subse- quently, when about thirty-six years of age, was a teacher of mathematics. surveying and navigation at Eagleswood Military Academy, Perth Amboy, N. J. At the breaking-out of the rebellion, he was placed in command of the mercantile school-ship Ocean Eagle, where for one year or more he transported troops. He then was placed in charge of the fractional interest, in Registrar's office, Treasury department, Washington, and while there produced a fractional interest table of no use now. He assisted in signing the Government bonds of 1861, also the loan of 1863 and 1864. In 1865, he resigned, and became interested in an iron mine in West Virginia. In 1867, he took command of a propeller lying between Albany and New Haven. His father dying in 1868, he came to Girard to reside; in 1872 he was appointed County Engineer. Mr. Platt is well-traveled, and a thoroughly educated gentleman.

M. R. PRIME, farmer, P. O. Platea, was born in Cheshire County, N. H., in 1814, and is a son of Josiah and Sophia (Lawrence) Prime, early settlers of that county. They came to Erie County in 1833, and settled on the present farm, at that time consisting of 113 acres, where they passed the remainder of their lives. They reared a family of seven, two of whom are now living-M. R., and Emily H .. wife of Mr. Sawyer, of Boston, Mass. Our subject married in Erie County, in 1850, Polly Jane, daughter of John and Polly Smith, and a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y. Four children have beeu born to this union, three now living-Florence S .. wife of A. Benedict; Frank M., married to Ella Washburn, and Burton L., married to Emma L. Rice. Mr. Prime has served his township as Assistant Assessor and Assessor, School Director, and has been otherwise identified with its growth. He is highly respected by all who know him.

MAXSON RANDALL, retired, Girard, is descended from one of the oldest pioneer families. He was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1798, and is a son of John and Lydia (Odell) Randall, natives of Vermont, who remained in Buffalo, N. Y., while our subject's grandfather, David Randall, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his brother Stephen pushed their way through the wilderness, locating in Elk Creek Township, Erie Co., in June, 1801. John subsequently settled in Conneaut, taking up 270 acres of land, and lived here until eiglity-one years old. He reared a family of eight children. four liv- ing-Mary, Maxson, Francis and Lydia. Maxson passed thirty years on the homestead, then moved to a farm of 125 acres in Girard Township in 1832, where he remained until he retired from active pursuits, and occupied present residence in Girard. Maxson Ran- dall was married in this county in 1819, to Hannah Pomeroy, a native of New York State, who died leaving six children. four now living-Elias, Francis, James and Sarah. His second wife was Sarah Miller, of Girard, a daughter of Isaac and Nancy Miller, a pioneer family. Of eight children born to this union, seven survive-Franklin, Calvin, Maxson, Jr., Welcome. Dallas, Celesta (wife of M. Evans, occupying the homestead). and Nellie. Two brothers of our subject were soldiers in the war of 1812. Mr. Randall has filled vari- ous township offices of trust, and. although well advanced in age, is active and attends to his farming interests. He is highly esteemed as a pioneer and a citizen.

C. L. RANDALL, ex-Postmaster, Girard, was born in Girard Township in 1841, and is a son of Maxson Randall, of this borough. He was reared on a farm, and received his educa- tion here. He enlisted for three years in the Union army, in 1861, in Company H, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as Orderly Sergeant. He participated in the battles of Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mill, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, where he was wounded in the knee, in which he has still the bullet, June 28, 1862. He was con-

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fined in the Philadelphia and Germantown Hospitals, being discharged on account of dis- ability, from the latter, January, 1863. Returning to peaceful pursuits, he was appointed Postmaster in 1864, under President Lincoln. For the past two years, he has been engaged as a traveling salesman for John H. Gause & Co., of Cleveland. Ohio. Mr. Randall has been manager of the telegraph system at this point and Girard Station for the past eight- een years. He was married in Crawford County in 1864 to Alma M. Fansler, a native of same county. To this union have been born three children, one living-Harry B. He is a member of the Masonic order.

JOHNSTON REA, retired, Girard, was born in Conneaut Township, Erie County, August 2, 1805, son of Samuel and Margaret (Eaton) Rea, natives of Franklin County, Penn. Samuel entered 250 acres of land in the wilderness, living with a neighbor until a hut was ereeted. Samuel Rea resided ou the farm (which is now one of the most product- ive in the county) until his death. Of their family of nine children, two survive-John- ston, and Eliza, wife of Joseph Ware, residing on a portion of the homestead. Johnston was reared on the homestead, and married in Girard, February, 1827, Susannah, daughter of Robert Porter, a native of this county. This union was blessed by five sons, four attaining their majority-John; George P., married to Julia Anderson, had three children living: Jennie and William. George P. lived to the age of fifty years, engaging in mercantile pursuits ; he was elected to the Legislature, serving through the sessions 1867-68, and re- elected to the same position, serving with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents ; he failed to be elected to the third term by a majority of two votes against him, S. Newel and Theodore. Mr. Rea retired in 1860, occupying his commodious resi- dence in Girard, though retaining control of the farm in the town-hip. He has been an Elder of the Presbyterian Church for forty years, and was one of its founders. Mr. Rea is held in high esteem by all his friends : he served as Township Assessor, and in various other township offices.

C. H. RILLING, farmer, P. O. Fairview, was born in Mill Creek Township in 1851, and is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Ackerman) Rilling, the former born in Febru- ary, 1819, in Wittenberg, Germany, emigrated with his father, Stephen, to this country, who settled in Mill Creek, where he lived the remainder of his days, dying when eighty- three years old, in December, 1864. Christopher is a carpenter by trade, and resides on the homestead farm. He was the father of thirteen children, one deceased. Our subject, married in this county in 1875, Cassie, daughter of Elin Wolfe, and a native of this county, Three children have been born to this union, viz., Hattie E., Harvey C. and Irvin. C. H. Rilling, Jr., and C. H. Heidler are joint owners of the present farm, consisting of 100 acres, which was formerly Converse Clark's farm.

JOHN ROBERTSON, deceased, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., August 4, 1805, and was a son of Wheeler and Debora (Barlow) Robertson, natives of Hartford, Conn .. and Nova Scotia respectively. They settled in Wyoming County, N. Y., in 1815, where they both died. They reared a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living, The subject of this sketch was married in Allegany County, N. Y., in 1834, to Ruth Rich, a native of same county. Six children have been born to this union, five living-America, wife of J. W. Robinson; Belva, wife of J. M. Fales; Isabel, wife of A. V. Slussar; Wheel- er, unmarried, and J. Lee, who married Christina Yeager. Mr. Robertson came to this county in 1847, and settled on the farm he subsequently occupied, consisting of sixty acres, a small portion of which was cleared. He died February 4, 1884. He was one of the esteemed citizens and pioneers of Erie County.

JONATHAN B. ROBERTSON, farmer, Girard, was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., in 1823, and is a son of Wheeler and Debora (Barlow) Robertson, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Nova Scotia. Both are deceased. Jonathan B. came to this county in 1847, and settled on a farm, consisting of fifty acres, in 1849, on the Lake road, where he has since resided. He wasunited in marriage iu Wyoming County, N. Y., October 8, 1857, with Elizabeth Phelps, a native of said county. Three children blessed this union, two now living-Charles C. and Katie M. Mr. Robertson is a well and favora- bly known pioneer of this county.

JOSIAH W. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Girard. The Robinson family are of Scotch- Irish origin, the first of the name settling in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1722. George Rob- inson, of Sherman Valley, and a son Jonathan, who received a Captain's commission from the Executive Council at Philadelphia, were distinguished for the active part they took in the struggle for American Independence. In the spring of 1797, Joseph McCord and Thomas Robinson located their claims, cleared same, and erected their cabins for their families in the forests of Erie County. That fall they returned to civilization, returning the following spring (1798) with a small company. Their goods were sent on boats up the Allegheny to Freuch Creek, and thence to Le Boeuf, the site of the old fort, now Water- ford. Thomas Robinson was a man of strictest integrity and piety. He served for years as Justice of the Peace, and was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church at North East at the time of its organization. His descendants are scattered over the Central and Western States. Our subject was born in North East Township May 25, 1829, and is a son of George W. and Matilda (Willis) Robinson. The former, a son of Thomas and Mary

GIRARD TOWNSHIP.

(McCord) Robinson, was born in Erie County, June 12, 1801. He held many township offices during his life. They were the parents of four children, three now living-Joseph W. and Josiah (twins) Elwin E. Mrs. Robinson departed this life December 19, 1876, and Mr. Robinson January 4, 1877, both in Girard Township. Our subject married, December 23, 1858, N. Jane Ferguson, a native of Springfield Township, this county. Two children were born to this union, one living-Mary M. Mr. Robinson followed farming until 1883, when he located in Girard, and retired from the active pursuits of life. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

C. F. ROCKWELL, manufacturer, Girard, was born in 1826, at Wilton, Conn., and is a son of Philander and Elizabeth (Fitch) Rockwell, natives of Connecticut, where they passed their lives and reared a family of nine children, six surviving. In 1844, our sub- ject left home, and clerked in New York until 1852, when he moved to this borough, and established himself in mercantile business, in which he has continued thirty years. He has been interested in the wrench factory since its organization and is now one of the partners in the concern. Mr. Rockwell was married in New York City in 1849, to Eliza J. Bessey, a native of Connecticut. Of the four children born to this union, three survive- Emma L., wife of C. G. Luce; Ida, wife of W. W. Hart, of Fremont, Ohio; and Libbie, wife of Dr. J. M. Bessey, of Washington, D. C. The eldest son, William F. (deceased), was associated with his father in business, and died when but twenty-five years of age. He was an estimable young man, esteemed and loved by all who knew him. C. F. Rockwell is one of the most prominent business men of Girard, who has always borne an active part in building up its enterprises.

S. Y. ROSSITER, tanner, Girard, Penn., is a native of Norristown, Montgomery County, Penn., born in 1835. He is a son of Lindley and Margaret (Pennypacker) Rossiter, natives of Chester County, Penn. Lindley was a tanner and currier, and carried on business for over forty years in Norristown. On his decease our subject succeeded to the business. He subsequently moved to St. Marys, Elk County, where he was in business two years. He came to Girard in 1871, and succeeded L. C. England. Since his purchas- ing this tannery he has improved and increased its capacity two-thirds, and conducts a large and successful business. He was united in marriage in 1857, with Mary B. Johnson, a native of Norristown. Eleven children have been born to this union, five surviving, viz., Uriah, Eugene, Elizabeth, Joseph and Margaret A. Mr. Rossiter is the only surviving child of his parents, and is a well and favorably known citizen and man of business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. societies.

HENRY SCHULTZ, farmer, P. O. Girard, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1823, and is a son of Henry and Christina C. (Myers) Schultz, both natives of Germany, who settled in .Lancaster County, where Henry was drafted in the war of 1812. They settled in Girard Township in 1831; were the parents of four children, three surviving, viz. : Henry, Godfrey, and Regina, wifeof Philip Bliholder, residing in Winnebago County, Wis. Both parents died in the township. Henry Shultz married in this county, in 1865, Sarah W., daughter of Robert Alton, a native of England, who came to this country in 1835, and settled in Allegheny City. To this union two children were born, both now living-Clar- ence H. and Albert C. Mr. Schultz in 1865, settled on his present farm of 165 acres, where he has since made his home.

GODFREY SCHULTZ, farmer, P. O. Girard, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1824, and is a son of Henry and Christina C. (Myers) Schultz, both natives of Germany, who settled in Girard Township in 1832. Godfrey obtained a good common school education, and was married in this township in 1853 to Harriet Beck, who, dying in 1872, left three children, viz .: Regina C., Martha J. and Esther E. Mr. Schultz married, for his second wife, Mary Beck (a cousin), born in Lancaster, Penn. Three children have blessed this union, all living-Rosa B., Annie M. and Sarah E. Mr. Schultz settled on his present es- tate, consisting of 230 acres, in 1852. He is connected with the Lutheran Church. The Schultz family is a well-known pioneer family.

W. A. SEELEY, agent Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, Girard Station, was born in Fairview Township March 18, 1824, and is a son of Austin H. and Phebe R. (Allen) Seeley, natives of Arlington, Vt., and Amsterdam, N. Y., respectively. They came to this county, settling in Fairview Township in 1823, where Austin H. bought a farm, and erect- ed a saw mill. In 1831, he purchased a farm of 100 acres in the woods of Girard Town- ship which he subsequently sold, buying 100 acres, the site of the present village of Girard Station. After completion of the railway through the same, he gave the company five acres of land, now occupied by their buildings, tracks and yard. He was appointed and remained their first agent one year, when he resigned and G. H. McIntire succeeded him, who in turn (after fourteen years' service) resigned, and E. D. Nettleton took the office for three and half years. At the expiration of this time our subject, W. A. Seeley, became agent in December, 1870, and is giving satisfaction. Austin H., his father, had resigned on account of ill health, and twelve years afterward died. He reared a family of six children, three still surviving-W. A., Irwin (of Onarga, Iroquois County, III.), Lucy A. (wife of G. H. McIntire of Stoneboro, Penn.). W. A. Seeley was married in Crawford County, Penn., to Charlotte Lawrence, a native of same. One child blessed ,this union-Eugene A., dying

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when fifteen years of age. Mr. Seeley lost his first wife by death and married Mrs. Meriva A. Howard, a native of Wyoming County, N. Y. The Seeleys number among our first and most esteemed pioneers.

WILLIAM SILVERTHORN, deceased, one of our respected pioneers, was born on the homestead farm in Girard in 1817. He was a son of Isaac and a grandson of William Silverthorn, who took up a large tract of land in this township. Our subject inherited an honored name, and lived on a part of the homestead all his life. He was a zealous, earn- est, hard-working man, quiet and unostentatious in his habits, and beloved by all. He was married in Springfield Township in 1849. to Rhoda M., daughter of Thomas and Anna Mc- Kee, and grand-daughter of Robert McKee, who settled in Conneaut Township in 1802. The five children born to this union are living-Arvilla, wife of A. Brown, Thomas, Fred, Willie and Agnes. Mrs. Silverthorn's mother is residing with her, and is in her eightieth year. Mr. Silverthorn, at the time of his death, 1880, was serving as Commissioner.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 140

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