History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 69

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 69

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Mt. Olivet Commandery, No. 36, K. T., was organized October 30, 1867, and its first officers were as follows: George V. Maus, E. C .; John E. Payne, G .; George P. Griffith, C. G .; George L. Baker, Treasurer; E. R. Chapman, Recorder.

Keystone Lodge, No. 455, F. & A. M., was organized in January, 1870, with the following gentlemen as its first officers: J. J. Wadsworth, W. M .; George F. Cain, S. W. ; George V. Maus, J. W .; M. Taylor, Secretary; J. L. Stewart, Treasurer. This lodge meets in Zuck's block, corner of Peach and Sixteenth streets.

The Lake Shore Masonic Relief Association was organized April 16, 1872, for the purpose of more effectually assisting the widows and orphans of worthy brethren. Its officers for 1883 and 1884 are as follows: J. M. Ormsbee, Pres- ident; J. R. Sherwood, Vice President; W. W. Reed, Treasurer; A. A. Adams, Secretary; George P. Griffith, Legal Adviser; C. W. Stranahan, M. D., Medical Director.

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CITY OF ERIE.

The following lodges of I. O. O. F. are now in existence, viz .: Presque Isle Lodge, No. 107, organized in 1845, meets at Odd Fellows Hall on the corner of Seventh and State streets; Heneosis Adelphon Encampment, No. 42, organized in 1846 and re-organized in 1866, which also meets at Odd Fellows Hall; Philallelia Lodge, No. 299, organized in 1848, meets at the same place as the previous ones mentioned; Lake Erie Degree Lodge, No. 19, organized in 1868, same place of meeting; Lake Shore Lodge, No. 718, organized July 5, 1870, meets at same place; Erie City Lodge, No. 871 (German), organ- ized March 31, 1874, place of meeting same as above lodges. Luella Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 90, organized April 30, 1874, also meets at Odd Fellows Hall. The Odd Fellows Mutual Benefit Association of Northwestern Penn- sylvania was organized in 1873, and possesses a large membership.

Of the Knights of Pythias, two lodges have organizations in Erie, viz. : Erie Lodge, No. 327, organized December 20, 1871, and Endowment Rank Section, No. 103, instituted February 20, 1878, both of which meet at Pythian Temple, in Metcalf's block on State street, between Seventh and Eighth.

Of the Knights of Honor, there were formerly three lodges in the city, two of which have been consolidated. Mystic Lodge, No. 99, was organized in April, 1875, and Lake City Lodge, No. 806, was instituted November 21, 1877, but in January, 1883, they were consolidated under the former name, and now com- prise one of the finest, if not the finest, body of men of any secret society in Erie. Barbarossa Lodge, No. 686, was organized July 7, 1877, and both of these lodges meet at Jarecki's Hall on State street.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen has the following lodges in Erie: Rising Sun Lodge, No. 4, which meets in Eliot's block on Seventh street, be- tween State and French; Erie Lodge, No. 44, which meets at Zuck's Hall, on the corner of Sixteenth and Peach streets; Alexander Lodge, No. 56 (German), meete in the Mission Block, corner of Fourteenth and Peach street; Active Lodge, No. 61, meets at Metcalf's Hall on State street; Garfield Lodge, No. 397, meets at G. A. R. Hall on State street.

Keystone Council, No. 108, Royal Arcanum, meets at Jarecki's Hall on State street.

Gee-nun-de-wah Tribe, No. 167, Improved Order of Red Men, was in- stituted in January, 1879, and meets at Metcalf's hall on State, between Seventh and Eighth streets.

Harugaries-Erie Mannie, No. 24, was organized August 1, 1869; Mozart Lodge, No. 139, was organized in 1867; Bismarck Lodge, No. 151, was or- ganized in 1867; Erie Lodge, No. 290, was organized in 1872. All of these lodges meet at a hall in the Liebel Block. Connected with the Harugaries is the Life Insurance of D. O. H., Sixth District of Pennsylvania, which was organized January 1, 1876.

The Erie Caledonian Club was organized in June, 1881, and meets in their hall on the corner of Eleventh and State streets.

George Stephenson Lodge, No. 68, Sons of St. George, meets at Metcalf's Hall.

Strong Vincent Post, No. 67, G. A. R., meets at their hall on State, between Ninth and Tenth streets.

Of Hebrew societies, Erie City Lodge, No. 107, K. S. B., was organized in May, 1873, and meets at Metcalf's Hall. The Standard Club was established in October, 1879, and meets in Baker's block, corner of Fifth and State streets. Ladies' Rebecca Society was organized in 1879.

The Turners are also represented here. The Erie Turnverein was organized in 1868, and its headquarters are at Turn Hall on State street, between Sixth

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and Seventh. East Erie Turnverein was organized January 12, 1880, and meets at the East Erie Turn Hall, corner of Ninth and Parade streets. South Erie Turnverein was organized August 11, 1878, and meets at South Erie Turn Hall, corner of Twentieth and Peach streets, and here also is the meeting place of the Benevolent Section of the South Erie Turnverein, which was organized January 1, 1881.

The following embrace the musical societies of the city: The Erie Lie- dertafel was organized September 2, 1862, and meets at Liedertafel Hall in Berst's block, on State street, between Eighth and Ninth. The Erie Sanger- bund was organized in 1871, and meets at Zuck's Hall, corner of Sixteenth and Peach streets. The Erie Mannerchor was organized in 1872, and meets at Boy- er's Hall. The Orphans' Society was organized in 1878, and meets in the G. A. R. Hall on State street. The Amphion Musical Association meets at the corner of Eleventh and Peach, while another society called the Teutonia comes to- gether every Sunday for musical recreation.

Protective Societies: Erie Typographical Union, No. 77, meets at Aus- tin's Hall, North Park Row. Iron Moulders' Union, No. 38, meets at Good Templar's Hall, corner of Eleventh and State streets. The Cigar-Makers' Union meets at Schumacher's Hall, corner of Tenth and Parade streets. The Trades Assembly meets at Austin's Hall on North Park Row.

Building and Loan Associations: Erie City Building and Loan Association was incorporated March 10, 1873, and meets at Austin's Hall on North Park Row. Ben Franklin Building and Loan Association No. 2, meets in the Dime Bank Block. Erie Saving Fund and Building Association was chartered in 1873. Presque Isle Saving Fund, Loan and Building Association meets at the corner of Thirteenth and Peach Streets. The Workingmen's Building and Loan Asso ciation of Erie was incorporated July 10, 1876, under a perpetual charter granted by the Governor of Pennsylvania, and by letters patent granted October 10, 1879. This association meets at Good Templars Hall, corner of Eleventh and State Streets.

There are several benevolent societies : The German Independent Benevo- lant Association was organized July 4, 1842, and meets at Boyer's Hall, No. 1305 State street. The German Friendship Benevolent Association was organ- ized in 1862, and meets at Liebel's Hall. The Erie and Pittsburgh Shops Mutual Benefit Association was organized in 1868. Erie Lodge, No. 39, of the National Marine Beneficial Association, meets at G. A. R. Hall on State street. Erie Star Union No. 50, of the Equitable Aid Union, meets in Metcalf's block; and South Erie Union No. 62, of the same association, meets at Zuck's Hall.

Catholic Benevolent Societies: St. Joseph's Branch, No. 9, C. M. B. A., was organized February 17, 1879, and meets in a hall on the corner of twenty- sixth and Peach streets. St. Patrick's Branch, No. 12, C. M. B. A., was insti- tuted March 8, 1879, and meets in Gensheimer's block, corner Seventh and State streets; and St. Mary's Branch, No. 15, C. M. B. A., was instituted December 5, 1879 and meets at the same hall. St. John's Branch, No. 18, C. M. B. A., was organized in January, 1881, and meets at a hall corner of Twenty-fifth and Ach streets; and St. Peters Branch, No. 20, subsequently organized, meets in Gen- sheimer's block. Branch No. 98, Catholic Knights of America, was organized in 1876, and meets at the hall in Austin's block. Irish American Benevolent Society, No. 295, I. C. B. U., meets at Austin's Hall on North Park Row. The Hibernian C. B. Society, No. 1, was organized in 1872, and re-organized in 1877. St. Patrick's Temperance Cadets were organized in 1872. St. Alphonsus Relief Society was organized in 1868, and St. Joseph's Mutual Relief Society in 1865. St. John's Benevolent Society was organized in 1872, and St. An-

Engin AH Ritchie

James Casey

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drew's the same year; while Trinity Benevolent Association, a Portuguese so- ciety, was organized in 1874. Connected with the Catholic Churches of the city are other societies of a benevolent character, such as the Father Matthew T. A. B. Society of St. Patrick's Church, which was organized in 1866; also St. Vin- cent De Paul Society established the same year; while in St. Mary's congre- gation are St. George's Society, organized in 1852, St. Benedict's in 1867, and St. Bonifacius' in 1868.

The German Free School Society was established for the purpose of intro- ducing the German language into the public schools, and to foster the idea of compulsory school attendance. This society has doubtless accomplished much good. It is composed of representative German citizens, and the principal ob- ject of the society has been so far successful that to-day from 90 to 100 per cent of the pupils in the high school are studying the German language.

The First Society of Spiritualists of Erie City and county was organized in February, 1882, in Treisaker's Hall on State street, with about a dozen mem- bers. The charter was granted by the court late in the winter of 1881-82 as a "Medical and Scientific Society." Speakers were transient until April, 1882, when Mr. Hull was engaged as speaker of the society, which numbers about 300, and meets Sunday afternoon and evening at Old's Hall on State street. The officers consist of a President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer and two Secretaries.

Erie City Bible Society was organized in 1824, and has been kept up ever since. The first officers were as follows: Rev. Johnston Eaton, President, Rev. Robert Reid, Vice President; E. D. Gunnison, Treasurer; George Sel- den, Secretary; Giles Sanford, William Gould, Robert Porter, John McCord, Joseph Selden, Judah Colt, Robert McClelland, John Phillips, Oliver Alford, R. C. Hatton, James Flowers and Philip Bristol, Managers.

Erie Temple of Honor, organized in 1854, was one of the pioneer temper- ance societies, and William A. Galbraith, one of its first officers. It was re- organized in 1859, at which time a lodge of Good Templars that had been in operation two or three years, was merged into it. The history of the different temperance movements during the past fifty years, belongs to the State or na- tion, and can only be properly treated from that basis. They were not local movements, but spread throughout the Union, and created much excitement during the period of their existence.

The following is a brief account of the library and literary societies of Erie. In 1806, thirty of Erie's citizens organized a " Library Company," with the following officers: Judah Colt, President; Thomas Forster, Librarian; Thomas Forster, James Baird, John C. Wallace and William Wallace, Direc- tors. The society purchased $200 worth of books, and was kept up for several years. Other societies of the same character were the Franklin Literary Asso- ciation, organized in 1826; Apprentices Literary Society formed about 1839, and Irving Literary Institute organized in 1843, all of which had small libra- ries. Literary and lyceum societies sprang into existence at different peri- ods in the city's history, many of which had courses of lectures, and did much good by encouraging and cultivating the literary tastes of the people.

The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in May, 1860, and has now a membership of 600 in Erie City alone. The association owns a fine three story brick building on the southeast corner of Tenth and Peach streets. In May, 1861, they opened a free reading room, which has been kept open up to the present. The library now contains about 6,000 volumes, and about 75 newspapers and periodicals are always kept on file. Though the reading room is free to all, the library is for the use of members, those outside of the

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association being required to pay a fee for the use of books therefrom. The Erie association is among the leading ones of Pennsylvania, and within a few years contemplate the erection of a much finer building on the same corner, at a cost of about $40,000, the present one being too small for their growing numbers. The association sustained a course of lectures for several years, many from distinguished persone. Their present quarters are comfortably furnished, and the officers in charge are kind and gentlemanly to all who visit their rooms, while an air of neatness pervades the whole establishment.

The Erie Natural History Society was organized February 18, 1879, its object being the study of the natural history of Erie County, and the proba- ble establishment of a scientific institute, library and museum. It meets at its rooms in the Metcalf Block, 724 State street.

The Northwestern Pennsylvania Game and Fish Association was incorpor- ated November 19, 1875, and meets at No. 30 North Park Row. The objects of this society are the protection and propagation of game and fish by the en- forcement of the laws relating thereto. Every good citizen will commend the society in this laudable work, and should assist it in its efforts to protect the fish in the bay and the game on the peninsula from the ruthless angler and huntsman.

CHAPTER VI.

PRIVATE CORPORATIONS, CEMETERIES AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

HE Erie Gas Company was chartered March 5, 1852, with a capital stock

T of $60,000, the Board of Directors being privileged to increase the capital to $100,000 whenever they might deem such a course necessary. Ground was bought on Seventh street, between Myrtle and Chestnut, upon which the works were erected, the total cost being $60,000. The tank or gas receiver had a capacity of 30,000 cubic feet; 33 miles of pipe were laid, and all necessary buildings erected. The works were completed by the 22d of August, 1853, and on that date the city of Erie first enjoyed gaslight. The patronage at that time comprised thirty-two consumers, but by the close of the year the number had increased to 150. The construction of the gas works was superintended by a Mr. Meredith, while Mr. P. Metcalf rendered material aid in the successful consummation of the enterprise.

In the fall of 1883, the company erected a new gas tank, with a capacity of 100,000 cubic feet, on Front, between Sassafras and Peach streets, and in the spring of 1884 intend removing the tank at the old works to the new loca- tion. This latter tank has a capacity of 60,000 cubic feet, which will give the works a combined capacity of 160,000 cubic feet of gas. The new works will cost, when completed, about $60,000, and the old site will be abandoned in the spring, and the works removed to the new one on Front street.

At the present time, the gas company has an authorized capital of $300,000, and a paid up capital of $167,750. It owns 20 miles of gas mains, lights 425 street lamps and has a patronage of 800 consumers. The quality of the gas equals the best furnished any community in the State, while its cost is moderate. The President of the company is Charles M. Reed; and the Secre- tary and Treasurer for many years was Miles W. Caughey, upon whose death, in the fall of 1883, Walter Scott became his successor. The office is in the Wetmore House, on the northwest corner of Seventh and Peach streets.

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TELEGRAPH, TELEPHONE AND EXPRESS COMPANIES.

The first telegraph office was opened at Erie in 1847. Little is known of its history, only that since that year the people have enjoyed the benefit of this necessary adjunct of civilization. For more than twenty years Erie pos- sessed but one telegraph line, but, about 1868, the Atlantic & Pacific Tele- graph Company opened an office in opposition to the Western Union, and for several years the city enjoyed the services of two offices or distinct telegraph lines. Finally, the Western Union bought out the Atlantic & Pacific, and consolidated the lines under the former name. The Mutual Union Telegraph Company began business at Erie in 1881, but it, too, has been absorbed by the Western Union, which alone exists outside of the private line of the Phila- delphia & Erie Railroad. The office of the Western Union is No. 514 State street, and it transacts all the telegraph business of Erie.

The American District Telegraph Company was organized in 1876, in which year it began business, and has since been in successful operation. The com- pany has now about 200 telephones in Erie, and the number is gradually in- creasing under the energetic management of G. W. Baxter, the efficient Su- perintendent of the company in this city. The New York & Pennsylvania Telegraph and Telephone Company purchased the controlling interest in 1883, and ere the publication of this work some changes may occur not here spoken of. Telephone lines are now being constructed to the neighboring towns, and in the near future Erie will have telephonic connection with many of them. The central office in Erie, is Room 24, Noble Block.

The American Express Company opened an office at Erie in 1846, with O. D. Spafford as agent. He was succeeded by J. J. Lints, and in 1858 the present agent, J. Harper, was appointed to fill the position, which he has held continuously up to the present time. The office is at No. 822 State street. The American and Adams Express Companies ran a " union office " until June 1, 1883, when the latter company opened a separate office on North Park Row, between State and Peach streets, with W. C. Stinson as agent.

THE ERIE CITY PASSENGER RAILWAY COMPANY,

This company was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, by a legis- lative act approved March 1, 1867, and organized for business in the same spring. Anthony J. Drexel, of Philadelphia, Penn., through his attorney, E. J. Cowell, was the leading stockholder in the enterprise, while the labor of obtaining the act of incorporation and necessary subscription, and pushing the road to completion, was also the work of Mr. Cowell. In 1868, the main line was built from Second street south on State to Turnpike; thence across to Peach; thence south on Peach to Twenty-sixth street, and in December of that year opened for travel. Up to May, 1873, the fare charged was 7 cents, since which time it has been 5. Since its completion, the line has been ex- tended to the public dock on State street, and in the fall of 1883 the company - was engaged in building two branch lines, viz .: One out Eighth street to Raspberry, and one out Eleventh street to Parade; thence south to Fourteenth street. In 1880, the large two-story brick stables on the corner of Second and State streets were erected, while the furnishings of the line are kept in har- mony with the times. The officers are W. W. Reed, President; J. C. Spencer, Treasurer; A. L. Latell, Secretary; Jacob Berst, Superintendent.

BANKS.

The Erie Bank was incorporated by an act passed in the winter of 1828- 29, and began business in January, 1829, on a capital of $50,000, though the

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bank was privileged to increase its capital stock to $200,000. Its first officers were: R. S. Reed, President; P. S. V. Hamot, Cashier; J. A. Tracy, C. M. Reed, Samuel Brown, William Fleming, Thomas Moorehead, Jr., E. D. Gun- nison and D. Gillispie, Directors. The bank suspended in May, 1848, but very little loss was sustained by the holders of its issue, as the notes were sub- sequently redeemed at a small discount, Gen. C. M. Reed holding himself personally responsible for their redemption.

The United States Bank of Philadelphia established a branch at Erie in 1837, with Thomas H. Sill, President; Peter Benson, Cashier; Josiah Kellogg, C. M. Reed, William Kelley, G. A. Eliot, Samuel Hays, William Fleming, J. G. Williams and H. J. Huidekoper, Directors. The fine building on State street, now occupied for the custom house, was erected by this bank at a large outlay, also the building adjoining it on the south for the cashier's residence. With the failure of the parent institution at Philadelphia in 1840, the Erie branch also went down, and W. C. Curry was appointed to settle up its affairs. In 1849, the bank building was sold to the United States Government for $29,000, who converted it into a custom house; while the cashier's residence subsequently sold for $4,000, about one-half its original cost.

The Erie City Bank was incorporated in 1853, with a capital stock of $200,000, but it lasted only four years, suspending business in 1857. Its first officers were: Smith Jackson, President; J. P. Sherwin, Cashier; S. E. Neiler, Teller; Brua Cameron, Book-keeper; C. M. Tibbals, W. A. Brown, D. S. Clark, C. Seigel, John Brawley, James Webster, J. H. Fullerton, Ira Sherwin, J. D. Clark, Charles Brandes and J. C. Beebe, Directors.

The Bank of Commerce succeeded the Erie City Bank in April, 1858, but it, too, soon succumbed, closing its doors in December, 1860. Its first officers were as follows: B. Grant, President; C. B. Wright, Vice Pesident; G. J. Ball, Cashier; A. W. Guild, Teller; W. F. Rindernecht, James Hoskinson, B. F'. Sloan, Charles Metcalf, A. W. Blaine, G. F. King and J. W. Douglas, Directors.

In 1861, the following firms were doing a general brokerage or bauking business at Erie: W. C. Curry, capital $100,000; M. Sanford & Co., capital $50,000; Vincent, Bailey & Co., capital $25,000; Clark & Metcalf, capital $12,000; Neiler & Warren, capital $5,000; total banking capital, $192,000.

The First National Bank was organized in February, 1863, with a capital of $150,000, J. C. Spencer. President; J. L. Sternberg, Cashier; William Spencer, Assistant Cashier. In February, 1883, the bank was re-organized for twenty years. It is located in the Reed House block on the northwest corner of French street and North Park Row.

The Keystone National Bank, located in the handsome block on the north- east corner of State and Eighth streets, was organized in the fall of 1864, with an authorized capital of $500,000, and a paid up capital of $250,000. Orange Noble has been President of the bank since its organization. John J. Town was Cashier until 1871, when he was succeeded by J. I. Town, who yet fills the position.

The Second National Bank was organized December 12, 1864, with a capi- tal of $300,000. William L. Scott, President; Joseph McCarter, Vice Presi- dent; W. C. Curry, Cashier. This bank is on the southwest corner of State and Eighth streets, and its present officers are: Joseph McCarter, President; W. W. Reed, Vice President; C. F. Allis, Cashier.

The Marine National Bank was organized March 9, 1865, with a capital of $150,000. B. B. Vincent, President; F. P. Bailey, Cashier. In January, 1867, J. C. Marshall became President of the bank, and Charles E. Gunnison,

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Assistant Cashier. The officers thus remained until March 29, 1875, when William Bell, Jr., was chosen Vice President, and no change has since oc- curred. It is located on the northwest corner of State and North Park Row.

The German Savings Institution of Erie was organized February 8, 1867, with a capital of $200,000. John Gensheimer, President; Mathew Schlau- decker, Treasurer; Frederick Schneider, Secretary. These officers continued to hold their several positions until October, 1875, at which time Lloyd G. Reed became President, and John Eliot, Manager and Treasurer. The bank is on the northwest corner of Eighth and State streets.

The private bank of Ball & Colt was organized in July, 1867, and has since continued to do a general banking business. This bank is at No. 720 State street.

The Erie Dime Savings and Loan Company was organized June 8, 1867, under a special law of the State, with Selden Marvin, President, and John H. Bliss, Secretary. These officers resigned April 25, 1868, and the following gentlemen were chosen: L. L. Lamb, President; George W. Colton, Secretary and Treasurer; Selden Marvin, Attorney. On the 19th of May, 1868, M. Hartleb became Vice President, and the bank began business on a paid-in cap- ital of $25,000. I. A. Foreman soon succeeded Mr. Hartleb as Vice President of the bank. In January, 1876, the bank moved into its present elegant quar- ters on the corner of State street and South Park Row, which is doubtless the finest bank building in Erie, and reflects much credit on the gentleman at the head of this institution. This bank has an authorized capital of $500,000, and a paid-in capital of $68,360. Its present officers are William A. Galbraith, President; J. F. Downing, Vice President; G. E. Barger, Secretary and Treasurer.

The Humboldt Safe Deposit and Trust Company began business July 4, 1869, on a capital of $100,000. Uras Schluraff, President; Charles Metcalf, Secretary and Treasurer. In May, 1872, the capital was increased to $200, - 000. The bank is on the southwest corner of Ninth and State streets, in a fine building erected by the institution, and its present officers are Gustav Jarecki, President; J. J. Sturgeon, Secretary and Treasurer.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 69

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