History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 166

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 166


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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WILSON SHEPARD, farmer, P. O. Union City, was born in Center Co., Penn., in 1816, son of Jacob and Rebecca Shepard, natives of N. J. and N. Y. States respectively, and both descended from the early pilgrims that settled near Eagle Valley, Center Co., Penn. Jacob came to this county in 1820, bringing his widowed mother and 2 unmarried sisters, and settled in Union Township. His children now living are Wilson, Palmer, Mc- Arthur, Lorenzo, Rhoda, Amy, Mary A. Jacob entered 160 acres of land, and lived to be ninety-two years old. Our subject, who has always lived on the homestead, was married in 1842 to Louisa J., daughter of Absalom and Mary Harris, and a native of Erie County. Seven children blessed this union, 4 now living-Mary A., wife of W. Johnson, of Craw- ford Co .; Edgar, married to Mrs. La Varne; Royal D., married to Louise Johnson, of Crawford Co .; and Addie L., residing at home. Mr. Shepard has cleared his farm, which was wooded when he settled on it, and passed through the privations incident to a pio- neer's life. Though advanced in years, he is strong and vigorous. The family are well and favorably known, and are respected members of the Baptist Church.


A. C. SHERWOOD, physician, Union City, is the eldest child of Frederick W. and Evaline (Trow) Sherwood, the former a native of Erie Co., Penn,, and the latter of Chau- tauqua Co., N. Y. Dr. Sherwood acquired his primary education at the district schools; then entered the Edinboro Normal School, and soon after read medicine with Dr. H. R. Terry, of this city. Four years later, he entered the University of Penn., where he grad- uated in the class of 1873. Forming a partnership with his preceptor, he began to practice his profession in this city. This relationship dissolved two years later, and the Doctor has since been practicing alone. Prior to graduation, he was appointed Physician of the County, which position he has continuously filled. He has been surgeon for the P. & E. R. R. during his residence in this city, and is one of the most active and successful physi- cians in the county. Dr. Sherwood was married at Meadville, Penn., in 1876, to Emma, daughter of Andrew Jackson, of that county. Three children born to this union are all living-Daisy M., Andrew J. and Belle E. The family are connected with the Pres- byterian Church. The Doctor is an honored member of the I. O. O. F., K. of H. and Royal Arcanum.


THOMAS B. SHREVE, produce dealer, is a grandson of Richard and Margaret (New- bold) Shreve, the former born Sept. 22, 1760, at Burlington, N. J .; had charge of the Wash- ington Mills, Fayette Co .; he, with family, in 1798. settled near the head of Oil Creek Lake, this county. To them were born-William, Brazillar, Thomas, Nancy, Israel, Char- lotte, Richard 2d, Caleb, Benjamin, Charles, Isaac. Sarah and Margaret. Mr. Shreve was Captain of the militia, and served as Justice of the Peace. He died Sept. 12, 1822, aged sixty-two years; his widow on Oct. 9, 1852, aged eighty-six years. They were both de- scended from the English nobility. Israel, the father of our subject, was born in 1794, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Bloomfield, a Revolutionary soldier, and who in 1798 was a pioneer companion of Richard Shreve. Israel reared a family of 8 chil- dren, 7 now living, viz., Caleb, Cyrus, Thomas, Darius, Caroline, Elizabeth and Mar- garet. Israel died in 1866, his wife aged eighty-three, in 1880. Our subject was born at Bloomfield, Crawford Co., Penn., in 1831, remaining on the homestead until the death of his father, when he came to Union City and engaged in mercantile trade. He subsequently went into real estate business, in which he has been very successful. He married, in Craw- ford Co., in 1857, Mary Richards, born in Mass., daughter of Squire Richards, a prominent man of that county. Mr. Shreve has filled various offices of trust, and is one of Uniom City's solid business men.


JOSIAH SHREVE, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Union City, was born on the homestead farm, in Union Township, Erie Co., Penn., Dec. 22. 1822, son of Richard and Margaret Shreve. He was married in Union City, Jan. 6, 1848, to Belle, daughter of Thomas Carroll, of LeBœuf Township, where she was born Oct. 18, 1824. This union has been blessed with 3 children-Sidna A., wife of J. P. Wilkins; Almida E., wife of O. B. Sherwood, and Geo. R., deceased. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Shreve set- tled on their present farm, then a wilderness, which comprises 80 acres. For some years he ran a dairy, but now deals principally in stock, making sheep a specialty. He is an officer, and was the President for 2 years of the Central Agricultural Society; is & Director of the Farmers' Co-operative Trust Co. Mr. Shreve is descended from one of the most extensive pioneer families of Erie Co. For the last 25 years, he has been Steward in the M. E. Church.


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MILTON SHREVE, farmer, P. O. Union City, was born in Union Township, on the homestead farm, in 1831. He is the youngest living son of Richard Shreve, who was born in 1796, and married Margaret, daughter of Peter Kepler, whose wife is said to have cooked the first meal in Wattsburg. Richard, was a son of Richard and Margaret (New- bold) Shreve. Richard 2d, and a brother in-law, Jacob Kepler, entered 400 acres of an unbroken wilderness, which land is now occupied, all but 100 acres, by his descendants, who number among the best families of Union Township, Erie Co. Richard, the father of our subject, reared 11 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters now living-Josiah, James, John K., Solomon, Milton, Eliza, Emily, Matilda, Mary J. and Melissa. Mr. Shreve died in 1872, aged 76; his widow lived to attain 81 years. Our subject, Milton, married in Corry, Penn., April, 1869, Christine Cross, a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. The chil- dren born to this union are all living-Florence M., Ralph P. and Clyde M. The family are members of the Baptist Church.


G. GARY SMITH, grocer, Union City, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1837; son of Alpheus and Cynthia (Osborn) Smith, natives of Oneida and Herkimer Cos .. N. Y., re- spectively, and who came to this county in 1847, settling on a farm in Union Township, where Mr. Smith died in 1857. His widow still survives and is in her 73d year. They were the parents of 3 sons and 1 daughter, all now living-Gerrett G., Hawley G., Ellen A., wife of G. Hoyt. of Ashtabula, Ohio, and G. G. Smith. Our subject was reared on the farm; in 1864, was employed as a salesman in this city. In this capacity, he served 8 years at Erie and Philadelphia. In 1876, he established himself in his present business which he has conducted successfully. He carries a stock valued at $4.000, and has a good trade. G. G. Smith married in 1857, in this county, Nancy A. Stewart, a native of same; 4 children have been born to this union. 3 living-George A., Charles G. and Lena E. Mr. Smith filled the office of Burgess of Union City 4 successive terms, a longer period than any Mayor preceding him. He is now serving his first term as member of the Council. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and I. O. O. F., and one of the active mer- chants of Union City.


GERRETT G. SMITH, of Smith & Warden, produce dealers, Union City, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1838, and is a son of Alpheus and Cynthia (Osborn) Smith, natives of Oneida and Herkimer Cos. N. Y., respectively, and who settled in this county in 1846. Our subject, reared on a farm, followed farming until 1865, when he embarked in mercan- tile trade in this city. In 1879, the firm of Smith & Warden was formed, and the business carried on in a warehouse on the Atlantic and P. & E. roads. Their present establish- ment, 20x100 feet, is situated on Crooked street; 60 feet will shortly be added to its length. The firm do a large trade in hay, straw. wool, butter and all kinds of produce. Mr. Smith was married in this county in 1858, to Maria Sherwood, a native of this county. Our sub- ject served one term as Burgess of this city, and is an active business man; is now Jury Commissioner.


HAWLEY G. SMITH, grocer, Union City, is a son of Alpheus and Cynthia (Osborn) Smith, natives of Oneida and Herkimer Cos., N. Y., respectively, and was born in the former county in 1840. At the age of seven, he came with his parents to this county, where he was reared on a farm. In 1863, Hawley entered the naval service, serving be- fore the mast. He rose to the command of the merchant vessel "Highland Chief." He followed the sea 8 years, visiting various foreign countries. In 1871, he returned to this county, and opened a glass and crockery establishment in 1871, which he disposed of the following year. He then was engaged as salesman for houses in Erie, N. Y. and Penn. In 1881, he opened his present place of business. Mr. Smith was married in this county in 1875 to Roxanna Green, of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Our subject is a member of the M. E. Church. He is a mason, having taken all the degrees in a Blue Lodge, Chapter, Coun- cil and Commandery, an I. O. O. F., Encampment, subordinate, and a Knight of Honor, and a Royal Templar, in all of which orders he is in good standing. He has been a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity for 12 years.


J. W. SPROUL, attorney, Union City, was born in Summerhill Township, Crawford Co., Penn., in 1949, son of John and Jane (Woods) Sproul, both of Scotch-Irish descent. John Sproul entered land, and was a distinguished pioneer of Crawford Co., where he resided till the close of life. His widow, now in her seventieth year, resides on the home- stead. Five of their children are living-Catherine, William, Mary, Jennie and J. W. Our subject acquired his education in the State Normal School at Edinboro, Erie Co .. and his mercantile knowledge with Bryant & Stratton, Meadville. He then, for a year, engaged in teaching school. He entered the Allegheny College at Meadville, Penn., in 1870, and the following year read law with H. L. Richmond & Son, of Meadville. Nov., 1873, he was admitted to the bar, and the same year hegan practicing bis profession in that city. In 1874, he settled in Union City, Penn., where he has since been practicing. He has twice been a delegate to the Republican State Convention, and is at present serving as City Attorney. Mr. Sproul was united in marriage in 1874, in this county, with Ida, daughter of Ezra Cooper, of this city. They are both members of the M. E. Church.


PERRY G. STRANAHAN, farmer aud stock-raiser, Union City, is a grandson of John Stranahan, a native of Scituate, R. I., born in 1737, and died March 23, 1798. In


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Sept., 1763, previous to the Revolution, he married Lucy Buck and settled in Canaan, Columbia Co., N. Y. He was a man of intelligence and wealth, and lived to see his numerous family settled and prosperous. Gibson J. Stranahan, the father of our subject, ¿ was born in Canaan, Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1786. He married Miss Dolly Devendorf, of Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1807. He was a resident of Herkimer Co. for many years, and there followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1836, he, with his family, came West, and settled in what is now Concord Township, Erie Co., Penn. He entered a large tract of land, and imported 450 fine-wool sheep. He became one of the largest stock-raisers of Erie Co. He died in 1869. His wife was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and died at the residence of our subject in 1862 or 1863, aged seventy-three years. She was a daughter of John Devendorf, a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., where he was born May 28, 1764, and died March 4, 1813. He was one of the wealthiest farmers in his county. The parents of our subject had the following children: Daniel V., a prominent physician, who died in Warren, Penn., in 1874; Hon. John D., a farmer; James, a farmer; Perry G .; Franklin B., a farmer; and Margaret E., wife of William A. Mead, a surveyor and farmer of Youngsville, Penn. Perry G. Stranahan, the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears elsewhere in this volume, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., on the 12th of July, 1820. He devoted his early life to work on the farm and in teaching school, winters. In 1843, he was married to Miss Louisa, only daughter of P. K. Webber, of Columbus, Warren Co., Penn., who was one of the earliest pioneers of that place, and cut away the pines where the village now stands. He and his estimable wife, Annie, reside with Mr. Stranahan, and have reached the respective ages of eighty-one and seventy-nine years. Mr. Stranahan studied law with Horace Hawes, of Erie, who was afterward appointed U. S. Consul to the Society Islands. On account of failing health. Mr. Stranahan was compelled to abandon the law. He then came to Le Bœuf, bought a farm on French Creek, built and kept the Moravian Hotel for a number of years. In 1859, when the P. & E. and A. & G. W. Railways were being built, Mr. Stranahan saw the opportunity for advancement and purchased nearly all of the old Miles estate, consisting of several hundred acres of land, upon which a large part of the borough of Union City is now built. He immediately laid it out in village lots, established a real estate agency, and in connection with farming and stock-raising amassed considerable means, and became one of the enterprising and solid men of Union City. He was always foremost in any enterprise which promised the advancement of Union City. He was liberal with his means, and assisted the worthy in building up industries of the place. He lost large sums of money in the stave and barrel works of Union City, and as one of the projectors of the Union & Titusville Railroad he lost thousands of dollars. His name was a tower of financial strength, but the great losses sustained in these calamities almost over- whelmed him. In 1871, he, with others, started the Casement Savings Bank, which did a successful business until 1778, when it succumbed to the general depression of business. A large credit had been loaned the bank, and the obligations could not be met. It may be said to the credit of Mr. Stranahan that he turned over his individual property, and the bank matters were honorably and satisfactorily settled, and without a law suit. He was the only man in the community that helped in the erection of the A. & G. W. Ry .; and with this corporation he has been largely and prominently identified. Mr. Stranahan has held town and county offices, and is now in the autumn years of his life, and occupies his time in farming and stock-raising, his attention being mostly directed to Percheron horse- breeding, in which be has been very successful. In his intercourse he is pleasing, benevo- lent and cheerful, and inflects the philanthropy which is an innate characteristic of the man. He is happiest when doing good, and always has the interest of the city and local- ity at heart. He makes friends without attempting so to do; is bold and outspoken in his likes and dislikes, and never has a malicious feeling toward an enemy. A self-made man, he has earned the fruitage of his years by his own industry and perseverance; his integrity has never been impeached. He has been blessed with children, viz., Sarah M., wife of L. S. Clough, a large lumber dealer; Ellen, wife of E. G. Stranahan, of Cleveland, Ohio; Maggie L., wife of A. F. Bole, a prominent lawyer of Corry, Penn .; Belle L., youngest daughter; and William P., book-keeper, an adopted son, though as dear to Mr. and Mrs. Stranahan as their own children, as he has lived with them since he was a child, and has thus unconsciously, by his uprightness, made himself as one of their own children.


A. H. SUMMERTON, deceased, was born Oct. 28, 1815, in N. Y., and married, Aug. 25, 1840, to Amanda M. French, of Warren, Penn., by whom he had 1 son, Thomas, who died at the age of 3 years, and 1 daughter, Ellen, wife of Wm. Blanchard, of Union City, Penn., and mother of 4 children-Eva Belle, Gertrude, Charlie and Lottie, the first 2 of whom are dead. They adopted James H., now a resident of Tex. Mrs. Summerton died May 11, 1857. Mr. Summerton came from Ithaca, N. Y .; was one of the pioneer mer- chants, and built the first store in Warren, Penn. In 1853, he came to Union City, bring- ing a stock of goods, and opened in mercantile trade; also did a prosperous milling bus- iness. Mr. Summerton purchased and laid out in lots the tract on the southern boundaries of this city, called Brooklyn, now the most populous and wealthy portion of the Union. He was ever ready to assist public and private enterprises conducive to the public good; gave largely toward advancing church and educational interests. He donated the lot on


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which the Catholic Church is built. Mr. Summerton married, for his second wife, Amanda M., daughter of James and Rhoda Brooks, pioneers of Chautauqua Co., who settled here in 1855; had a family of 11 children, and died at a ripe old age. Mr. and Mrs. Summerton adopted 1 daughter, Jennie B., who still resides with Mrs. Summerton in this city. By Mr. Summerton's death, Sept. 14, 1864, Union lost an estimable citizen and a public ben- efactor.


A. C. TAYLOR, farmer, P. O. Union City, was born in Cuba, Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1834, son of Chauncy and Rachael Taylor, both natives of Mass. Chauncy died in March, 1883, aged eighty-two years. Our subject went from his native county to the oil regions, and sunk the first well at Rixford, Mckean Co., Penn., also at Tarport and Saw- yer. Two years later he disposed of his interest and purchased his present farm of 80 acres, where he has since made his home. Though comparatively a stranger, he has a neat, well-kept farm, and shows an active enterprising spirit. He was married, in his native county, in 1855, to Mary Dewey, who was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., and died leaving 3 children, viz., Willis A., Henry B. and Fred A. Mr. Taylor then married Lena Hibner, a native of Cuba, N. Y., Sept., 1873. He has filled various township offices, and the family attend the M. E. Church.


ANDREW THOMPSON. farmer, P. O. Union City, is a grandson of Andrew and Martha Thompson, who were among the pioneers of 1778 to Union Township. Andrew purchased 200 acres of the Holland Land Co., which has remained a homestead to his de- scendants. He engaged in milling, and died in 1823. John, the father of our subject. was reared on the farm, and married Sarah Bracken, of Washington Co., Penn. The children now living born to this union are William, Andrew and James. Andrew was born on the homestead in 1813, and married, in 1833, Sarah Smith, who died in 1843, leaving 3 children -Lovina, wife of Levi Proctor; James S .; and Jane S., wife of T. Watson. He then married Sarah Berry, of this county, who died in 1857. Three children born to this union survive, viz .: Louis B .; Emma A., wife of C. M. Terrell; and William B. Mr. Thompson's 3d marriage was with Lydia Boyce, of Washington Co., N. Y., by whom he has had 2 chil- dren-Lucretia, wife of Edward Wise, and Charles J. Mr. Thompson served as Assessor and Collector many years, also as Justice of the Peace. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church-a member of the session. The family are among the old and es- teemed pioneers.


JOHN W. THOMPSON, farmer, P. O. Drake's Mills, Crawford Co., was born in Union Township Nov. 9, 1826, son of Joel and Mary (Mulvin) Thompson, and grandson of Abel Thompson, who settled in Union Township in 1797, locating on the farm now owned by Andrew Agnew, which he cleared and improved. He came from Fayette Co., Penn., though a native of N. J., of English descent." Mary Mulvin, wife of Joel, was a daughter of Wm. Mulvin, an early settler of Le Boeuf Township, and a native of Ireland. Joel was thrice married; his first wife was Margaret Smith, by whom he had 1 child, Nancy, now Mrs. Daniel Bunting. His second wife was Mary Mulvin, by whom he had 8 children-Will- iam, Margaret (deceased), Samuel, Jane J. (wife of David Coe), Caleb (deceased), John W., Lucilla (deceased, wife of Thomas J. Wilson) and Charles (died of diarrhea contracted in the army); and his third wife was Elizabeth Wilson, who now survives him. Joel died Aug. 21. 1868, at the age of eighty-four, and his wife Mary, mother of our subject, died Dec., 1868, at the age of sixty-six. The subject of this sketch was married, Dec. 25, 1855, to Mary J., daughter of Job and Mary (Annis) Tobey, by whom he has had 8 children-Dud- ley (deceased), Mary (wife of Orson P. Scott), Frederick, Abraham L., Gertrude N., Sam- uel G., William (deceased) and Cassius. Mr. Thompson was raised on a farm, and has al- ways followed that occupation. He located in Venango Township, Crawford Co., Penn., in 1871, where he has since resided. He was drafted during the war of the rebellion, and went out in Co. F, 163d Penn. Regt., and after 8 months' service was honorably discharged on account of disability. In politics, Mr. Thompson is a stanch Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.


J. S. THOMPSON, druggist, Union City, is a native of Union Township, born on the homestead of his ancestors in 1838, son of Andrew and Sarah (Smith) Thompson. He comes of a pioneer family; his great-grandfather, Andrew Thompson, was of Scotch-Irish extraction, but the time he located in the colonies is not known. Our subject was rcared on a farm, remaining until twenty-four years of age, when he engaged as a salesman in the hardware trade. In 1869, the firm of Thompson & Wilkins was formed in the drug trade, continuing until 1871, when Mr. Thompson purchased Wilkins' interest, since which he has conducted the business alone. This is the oldest drug house in the city, and has a large, well-established trade. Mr. Thompson carries a complete stock of drugs, stationery, toilet articles, etc. Our subject married, May, 1864, Josephine, daughter of John R. Smith, of this county, and a member of a pioneer family of Wattsburg. Two children have blessed this union, viz., Harley S. and J. Herbert. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Presbyterian Church; also of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. He is an active business man, and has a well-established reputation.


THERESIA WAGER, proprietress of Union City Brewery, which establishment is managed by John and Michael, sons of Protasius and our subject, all natives of Germany.


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The family came to America in 1865, locating in Steuben Co., N. Y., and came to this county soon after. Mr. Wager purchased a brewery in Corry, which he operated 2 years; then farmed in Tiffin, Ohio, until 1872. Returning to this county, he erected a small brew- ery on the site of the present building, which he conducted until his death in 1875. His sons rebuilt the edifice in 1881. The main building is 27x50, with ice-house attached 30x30, and 16 feet high, of frame and brick. The bottling house is 16x24. The brewery is run hy steam, has all the modern improvements, and has a capacity of over 500 barrels. Their business exceeding this amount last year, they were taxed $100 more. It is built on one of the most beautiful locations in the vicinity, and has a spring of water from which they use 15 or 20 barrels per day. John, the oldest son, born in Wittenberg, Germany, May 26, 1847, married in 1876 Caroline Stiefel, a native of same place. Their children now living are Amelia, Louis, Julius, Jobn and Charles. His brothers and sisters are Josephine, Cornelia, Francis, Gebhardt, Michael, Hubert and Eupheamia.


WILLIAM WARDEN, of Smith & Warden, produce dealers, Union City, is a native of Ashtabula Co., Ohio, born April, 1839, a son of Jonathan and Mary (Lovell) Warden, na- tives of England, who emigrated to this country in 1832, and were pioneers of this county. Jonathan was a wagon-maker by trade, but farmed after coming to Crawford, Penn. He settled in this township in 1855, lived on a farm 2 years and then moved to Union City, where he died in 1864. Six of the 9 children born to this union are now living, viz., Jona- than, Elizabeth, Joseph, Thomas, Amelia and William. Our subject was reared on the home- stead until seventeen years of age, when he entered the store of Woods & Johnson as a salesman. In 1862, he secured a position in the office of the Atlantic R. R. Co., upon the opening of that line. After 2 years he returned to his former position, and in 1865 was admitted a partner under the firm name of Woods, Johnson & Co., which ran 2 years, when Woods & Johnson sold out to C. W. Dabney; then it was Dabney & Warden 2 years, when J. F. Laubender was admitted to the firm and then was Dabney, Warden & Laubender till Jan. 17, 1879, when Warden sold out; then in Sept., 1879, the firm of Smith & Warden was formed. Mr. Warden married in this county. in 1876, Ellen M. Gibbs, a na- tive of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. In 1878, he was elected to fill an unexpired term in the City Council, and was re-elected in 1880, and again in 1883, and he is still serving. Mr. Warden was also Assessor 3 years, then re-elected in 1882. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is one of the active, enterprising merchants of this community.




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