USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc > Part 75
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Mart. Mauer, confectioner and baker, No. 21 West Seventh street, began business at Erie in 1870, taking his part in the struggle for commercial honors and success. To-day he owes his attainment of these distinctions not to any lucky hit, but to the display of thoroughness, pluck, perseverance and perfect knowledge of his work. His store is an attractive building, three stories in height, built substantially of brick. His store and retail department occupies the first floor, and is 26x160 feet in dimensions. The factory department occu- pies the basement and third floors, while the wholesale department is conducted in the first and second rear stories, the dimensions of all the floors being alike. In the manufacturing department, Mr. Mauer employs twenty-five hands, skilled in their business, and turns out a large quantity of manufactured goods yearly. The stock embraces not only confections of his own make, but im- ported rarities of merit, in great variety. His employment of a large number of hands about the house and four travelers on the road makes him a large disburser of money in wages, and his trade in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio adds not a little to Erie's celebrity as a distributing center.
Jarecki Chemical Works, east Twelfth street, near P. & E. R. R. : Among the most recent additions to the city's industries may be noted the Jarecki Chemical Works, which were established in the year 1880 on a plant in the eastern portion of the city, convenient to the railway lines for the receipt and shipment of goods, and which have since their establishment taken a reputable position for the excellence of their productions. The works consist of a building well adapted for their business, and is two stories in height, 75x155 feet in dimensions. Their machinery consists of crushers and all the acces- sories of this manufacture, driven by an engine of forty-horse-power. The products of the works consist of super-phosphates and other fertilizers, sul- phate ammonia, sal ammonia, sulphuric acid, etc., and the amount produced is constantly increasing. Their phosphates are rapidly making their merits known and felt in the agricultural regions of the country, and bid fair to take a foremost place among these valuable aids to successful farming which have become so large an article of commerce in later years. They analyze every- thing they use in manufacture or sell, consequently their fertilizers are always alike; every bag is marked with the analysis according to law, and therefore every one knows what he buys. The company will buy all the bones offered at highest cash price at the works. The ground bone is made of pure bone,, ground fine, and the phosphate is manufactured from bone black, ground bone meat dissolved in acid, ammonia salt and potash, and contains no sand, muck, dirt or adulterations of any kind. The members of the firm are Gustav Jarecki, President of Humboldt Bank; Alfred Jarecki, a practical and thor- ough chemist. and C. J. Englehart, who has charge of the works. These gen- tlemen are all known in Erie as men of sterling business qualities and as public-spirited citizens.
Eclipse Lubricating Oil Company, limited, office Keystone Bank building: In 1875, Thomas Brown started the "Erie Lubricating Works," but in June, 1878, they were consolidated with an oil company of Franklin, Penn., and organized under the above title. This well-known company, manufacturers of
645
CITY OF ERIE.
the celebrated " Matchless Valve and Cylinder Oil," as well as a general line of lubricating and parafine oils, have a branch of their works at Erie, and are doing an extensive business. The works, covering an area of nearly two acres of ground, are located on Tenth street, near the P. & E. R. R., from which a siding runs into the yard. The Eclipse Lubricating Oil Company manufact- ure all grades of lubricating oils, of all gravities, cold tests, and adapted to the weather and climate. They also manufacture refined oil to some extent. A special brand upon which they have built up an extensive trade is the " Matchless Valve and Cylinder Oil," which is warranted not to corrode the iron or eat the packing, and to be of the best quality. It is sold only to rail- roads, or through the company's special agents, and is not handled by the trade generally. The capacity of the works at Erie is about 100 barrels per day, giving employment to from twenty-five to thirty men. The main works are at Franklin, Penn., where they employ about 150 men, and produce about 1,000 barrels of oil daily. The Eclipse Lubricating Oil Company is a limited cor- poration, of which Thomas Brown is Chairman. The extent of their opera- tions, as well as the high standard maintained in all their products, justly en - titles them to the most favorable consideration.
Ashby & Vincent, job printers, manufacturing stationers and lithographers, 423 State street: This enterprising and well-known firm stands at the head of their line of business in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and possess every facility for doing fine, first-class work. The establishment contains six 'presses and three ruling machines, of the latest and most improved construction, with other machinery incidental to their business, and furnishes constant employ- ment to from thirty-five to forty hands in the different departments. Its pro- ductions embrace everything in the line, from the ponderous bank ledger to the pocket memorandum book, and from a business card to the most elaborate- ly ruled and printed railroad stationery, besides engraving in all its branches, lithographing and electrotyping. The house does an extensive business as wholesale stationers, carrying a large and complete assortment of goods in- cluded under this head; also a full line of blank books and fancy stationery. They possess every facility not only for turning out a large amount of work, but work of the finest description, and the annual business aggregates a large sum. The firm is composed of J. E. Ashby and Harry Vincent, who, in 1867, founded their present business on a modest scale, and its present proportions are due to their energy and enterprise, as well as to the character of their work.
John C. McCrea, pork-packer, corner State and Twenty-first streets: The only house in Erie making a specialty of this business is the above, which was founded by the present proprietor in 1880. The building occupied is a sub- stantial brick structure, two stories and basement, 80x140 feet in dimensions, and is fitted up with every convenience for the rapid and successful prosecu- tion of the business. During each season, from 5,000 to 10,000 hogs are slaughtered here, though this represents but a small portion of the business done. Much of the stock is bought dressed, and still more of that handled is packed and cured in the West. From ten to fifteen men are constantly employed during the season, and the business transacted is large and steadily increas- ing. The line dealt in embraces, besides pork, tbe celebrated Erie brand of sugar-cured hams, lard, bacon and dried beef. Mr. McCrea was formerly a member of the firm of McCrea Brothers, the well-known pork packers of Cleve- land, and is a gentleman thoroughly familiar with the business in all its details. In his enterprise he has added an important feature to the growing commer- cial advantages of Erie.
Erie Lime and Cement Company, foot of French street: This enterprise,
646
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
the only one of the kind in Erie, was established in 1864 by a number of business men, but was never incorporated. Several changes in the company were made from time to time, until in 1867 the plant and business became the property of H. W. Spooner and Samuel Rea. They burn the celebrated Kelly's Island limestone, running two kilns, with a capacity of 500 bushels per day. The Keystone Plaster and Limestone Mills are also a part of the plant; and here they grind the Canada land plaster and limestone, fine, for fertilizing purposes. Besides these products, they deal extensively in super-phosphates, Nova Scotia calcined plaster and water lime, and are the agents of the Pacific Guano Company. These goods have an established reputation, and the farm. ers can rely upon their strength and freedom from impurities. The firm owns and run in their business the schooner Julia Willard, and give employment to twelve men, the capital employed being very large, as they own an extensive dock property, besides the kiins and plaster mills.
Swalley & Warfel, manufacturers of soap and candles, Nos. 1119 and 1121 Peach street, are the successors of the oldest soap factory in this portion of the State. Established in 1852, by G. F. Brevillier, it so continued until 1871, when it came into the possession of J. W. Swalley, who in the spring of 1883 associated with him Martin Warfel. The factory was then on the corner of Sixth and Holland streets, but the new firm immediately erected the present works on Peach street, and abandoned the old location. The main building is a three-story brick, 45x100 feet in size, with a boiler room 20x45. In July, 1883, the new works were occupied, and here seven hands find steady employ- ment in the manufacture of soaps and candles, the firm also handling tallow, caustic soda, soda ash, sal soda, etc., in large quantities, their markets being Erie and the oil regions of Pennsylvania, though shipping principally to the larger Eastern cities, which illustrates the push and enterprise of the proprie- tors,
Erie Mantel Works, 1226 State street: This enterprise was started in March, 1881, and is therefore one of the latest additions to the manufacturing enterprises of Erie. The works are located for the present at No 1226 State street, occupying a factory 40x75 feet in dimensions, and a show room 25x40 feet, in which is displayed many handsome specimens of their work. All va- rieties of variegated marble, from Tennessee, Virginia, the Hudson, and from Europe, are used, and under the hands of experienced artists are carved and finished in the highest style of the art. In marbled work, the Euclid sand- stone is used, and when finished with panels of granite set into the marbled surface and relieved by ornaments cut into the natural stone, it would be difficult to imagine anything more artistic in design and finish. These man- tles are made to order of any size or style required, and at prices ranging from $20 to $500. Furniture tops are also made, and grates, English Minton tiles for hearths and wainscoting are largely dealt in. It is the design of the com- pany to remove to more extensive quarters, on State street, between Ninth and Tenth, in the spring of 1884, and largely extend their business, as their pres- ent capacity, which is limited to the production of only one complete mantel per day, will not supply the demand. The enterprise is in the hands of men whose ambition is not measured by small results, and promises to become an important addition to the business interests of the city.
E. L. Pelton, monuments, head stones, etc., No. 405 State street: This busi- ness was established by Roderick Pelton, the father of the present proprietor, in 1845. At his death, in 1871, E. L. Pelton became the owner, and has con- ducted the business in a highly successful manner. The ground occupied is 42x165 feet in dimensions, roomy, and conveniently appointed for the work.
Pastranahan
649
CITY OF ERIE.
The buildings consist of a two-story brick front for show room, etc., 28x28, and a shop in the rear of this 20x50 feet in dimensions, while the works con- tain steam machinery for polishing purposes. Five workmen are employed, while an elaborate stock of finished work is always on hand. Mr. Pelton is prepared to execute marble and granite work to order in the most artistic designs. The specimens of his handiwork compare favorably with those pro- duced in any other section. His stock of imported statuary has been carefully selected, and evinces taste and judgment. A stock of Italian and Vermont marble and Scotch and American granites is always on hand, from which is produced headstones and monuments of any desired style of sculpture.
M. A. Duuning's marble works, No. 1227 Peach street, are the largest and most important in the city, and he enjoys the patronage of a large extent of country. He makes a specialty of fine cemetery work, and has turned out some of the most beautiful, artistic and graceful designs in this section. He also furnishes marble and sandstone for building purposes, marble mantels and grates. The yard is desirably situated, and is convenient in every respect for the transaction of his business. The ground occupied is 40x165 feet in dimen- sions, upon which are substantial buildings. He employs ten to twelve hands, all of whom are skilled. He makes a specialty of designing monuments to order, and has gained a wide reputation for the high character of his produc- tions. Many evidences of his handiwork can be seen in the cemeteries in the vicinity of Erie, over the adjoining country and also in the many new build- ings and dwellings that have been erected here since he established the busi- ness in 1865. He is a large importer of Scotch granite and dealer in Italian and American marble, having always on hand a stock estimated in value at from $6,000 to $7,000, and also manufactures American granite monuments and headstones. These works have a steam polishing machine for polishing granite and marble, operated by a ten-horse-power engine: Mr. Dunning is one of the enterprising business men of the city.
American Fusee Company, limited, was started in February, 1874, on Twenty- first and Liberty streets, where the business was carried on till April, 1883, when the company removed to the present location on the corner of Seven- teenth and Cascade streets. The building is a three-story frame structure, 40x150, with an L 50x75 feet in size, and about twenty men find steady employ- ment in the manufacture of safety parlor and blazing fusees. The capital stock is $200,000, and the following gentlemen are the officers of the company : W. R. Davenport, President; John Dodge, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer, whose names are synonymous of enterprise, progress and public spirit.
Erie Rubber Company, whose works are on the corner of East avenue and Twelfth street, was organized in April, 1882, and began business the following September. The building occupied was partially erected by the railroad com- pany, but has been much enlarged by its present owners. It is a two-story frame, 40x160 feet in dimensions, furnished with new, first-class machinery, and operated by one engine of 125-horse-power. From twenty-five to thirty hands now find steady work in the manufacture of all kinds of rubber goods for me- chanical purposes, the mill having a capacity of about $350,000 worth of busi- ness per annum. The company is composed of W. H., Charles and N. J. Whitehead, who find a ready market for their goods in every portion of the United States.
BOARD OF TRADE.
This organization originally established in the year 1874, for the bringing together in closer social and business relations the business men of Erie has from year to year extended and increased its power for good until now it
34
650
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
is one of the features of the city. It is composed of the very best men in the community, whose efforts to enhance the material wealth of the place are apparent, from the magnificent establishments which many of them operate and the increased business which they now enjoy. The Board of Trade rooms are in the Reed House Block, and the following gentlemen were its officers in 1883: George V. Maus, President; S. E. Bacon, Treasurer; Douglass Benson, Secre- tary. We are indebted to Mr. Benson for the following summary of Erie's industries, which also gives a comparative statement of their output for the four years, ending December 31, 1882, and will prove of value as showing the growth of the city's establishments:
1879.
1880.
INDUSTRIES.
CAPITAL.
MEN.
PRODUCT.
CAPITAL.
MEN.
PRODUCT.
Iron manufactures
1,398,000
987 $ 2,098,000
$ 1,435,5001,167
2,373,000
Flouring mills
205,000
44
700,000
245,000
48
990,000
Brass foundries.
330,000
360
695,000
500,000
450
950,000
Car manufactories.
740,000
975
1,520,000
1,045,500 1,050
1,950,000
Stove manufactories
350,000
287
363,000
375,000
312
398,000
Oils
75,000
25
200,000
75,000
25
200,000
Breweries and malt houses.
375,000
98
395,000
400,000
75
485,000
Sash, blinds, planing mills.
222,000
84
418,000
215,000
103
375,000
Pumps
35,000
20
35,000
35,000
21
40,000
Organs.
125,000
116
275,000
125,000
120
300,000
Woodenware, chairs, etc.
320,000
216
340,000
200,000
182
345,000
Miscellaneous manufactories.
798,000
473
927,000
775,000
510
955,000
Totals
$ 5,193,0003,865 $ 8,211,000 $ 5,646,000 4,232 $ 9,606,000
1881.
1882.
INDUSTRIES.
CAPITAL.
MEN.
PRODUCT.
CAPITAL.
MEN.
PRODUCT.
Iron manufactures.
$ 1,728,300 1,618 $ 4,973,000|$ 2,397,000 1,714 $ 3,923,000
Flouring mills.
245,000
67
1,165,000
250,000
67
1,215,000
Brass foundries.
575,000
435
1,078,000
575,000
435
1,050,000
Car manufactories.
1,080,000 1,100
2,075,000
1,025,500
578
965,500
Stove manufactories.
390,000
307
440,000
401,000
338
564,000
Boots, shoes and leather
220,000
175
250,000
220,000
175
250,000
Oils.
75,000
25
200,000
75,000
25
250,000
Breweries and malt houses.
445,000
106
687,000
537,000
106
777,000
Sash, blinds, planing mills.
220,000
187
390,000
235,000
200
459,000
Pumps.
35,000
21
40,000
35,000
21
45,000
Organs.
125,000
115
225,000
135,000
130
225,000
Woodenware, chairs, etc.
238,800
284
500,500
460,000
301
609,000
Miscellaneous manufactories.
990,000
524
1,247,500
791,000
612
1,541,000
Totals
$ 6,367,100 4,964 $ 12,570,000
$ 7,126,500 4,692 $ 11,873,500
The annual meeting of the Erie Board of Trade was held March 13, 1884, for the election of officers and for hearing the Secretary's report on the city's commerce for the years of 1883-84. Matthew R. Griswold was elected Presi- dent, George W. Starr, Vice President, and S. E. Bacon, Treasurer. The fol- lowing commercial statistics were reported: The total capital invested in man- ufactures is $7,817,500, the total product of which is $12,113,900, giving em-
250,000
220,000
170
245,000
Boots, shoes and leather
220,000
180
651
CITY OF ERIE.
ployment to 4,921 skilled workmen. The product of iron industries is $3,- 532,500; flouring mills, $1,165 000; brass foundries, $1,146,200; car manu- factories, $1,650,000; stove works $507,000; boots and shoes, $202, 700; oils, $300,000; brewers, $740,000; planing mills, $372,500; pumps, $53,000; or- gans, $531,000; miscellaneous, $1,672,000, being an increase of $240,400 over the total products of last year.
Of coal receipts, $397,932 tons were received from the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, and 76,680 by the Erie & Pittsburgh road. Of this amount 339,880 tons were anthracite and 134,812 tons bituminous. The banking cap- ital of Erie is $1,582,000, of which $1,067,000 belongs to national banks, and $515,000 to private and savings banks. The bank deposits amount to $4, 663,- 000, of which $2,222,000 represents national banks, and $2,441,000 private and savings banks.
The grain receipts from the following ports were: Chicago, 3,604,978 bushels; Milwaukee, 265,124; Toledo, 393,349; Sandusky, 160,133; Canada ports, 37,000. This was disposed of as follows: to New York, 663, 405 bush- els; to Philadelphia, 1,812, 085; Baltimore, 1,470,586; New England ports, 404,710; interior, 20,575; Erie local, 79,319.
The lumber receipts were 36,026, 886 feet, of which 17,575,675 came by lake and 18,651, 161 came by the Philadelphia & Erie road.
Within the past decade, Erie has made wonderful progress as a manufactur- ing point, and to-day occupies an enviable position among the cities of Penn- sylvania. Its factories are in full operation and prospering, giving employment to mechanics and laborers from home and abroad. The immense iron industry is the most important department of manufacture, and is one possessing wonder- ful possibilities of development. and of increasing the municipal wealth. The various other industries, as the shoe, lumber, coal, milling, furniture, carriage, woodenware, musical instruments, paper, malting and leather, are working to their fullest capacity. Some have recently enlarged their works and others are contemplating the same. The merchants of the city generally do a thriving business, the stores in many cases being mammoth, and the stocks well kept up, while the standard of credits of all the city's establishments is high. Erie represents socially, commercially, educationally and religiously the best fruits and advancement of modern civilization.
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PART IV.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES,
1
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES,
CHAPTER I.
MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP.
M ILL CREEK is one of the original townships of the county. It re- ceived its name from the stream, which became known as Mill Creek before the county was organized. The length of the east line is four and three-quarter miles; of the south line, ten and a half, and of the west line four and a quarter. The greater length of the north or lake line is due to a 400- acre tract at the mouth of Four Mile Creek, which it was thought desirable to make a portion of Mill Creek rather than Harbor Creek, to which it naturally belongs. The township numbered 29,630 acres, but the subse- quent enlargements of Erie City have reduced it to 25,600 acres. From the bay southward, the city extends nearly to the center of the township. In 1820, Mill Creek contained a population of 1,017; in 1830, of 1,783; in 1840, of 2,682; in 1850, of 3,064; in 1870, of 2,774; and in 1880, of 3,274.
Mill Creek is bounded on the north by Lake Erie, the Bay of Presque Isle and Erie City; on the east by Harbor Creek and a small part of Greene; on the south by Mckean, Summit and Greene; and on the west by Fairview. The township was divided in 1864 into two districts for election purposes, which are known as East and West Mill Creek.
LANDS.
In its general features, Mill Creek does not differ materially from the other lake shore townships. Commencing at the bay, there is the lake shore plain, about two miles wide; the First Ridge; a valley, about a mile in width; the Second Ridge, and finally the Walnut Creek Valley, also about a mile wide, which is succeeded by the Third Ridge. From the bay to the Second Ridge, the land is comparatively level, with a gentle ascent to the south, but on the opposite side of the Ridge it is much broken, especially those portions which lie beyond Mill Creek and Walnut Creek. The second ridge has obtained special names at different points, such as Nicholson's Hill, where it is crossed by the Waterford pike, and Russell's hill on the Wattsburg road, between Erie and Belle Valley.
A valley begins in Harbor Creek Township and. extends across Mill Creek and Fairview into Girard, a distance of fully fifteen miles. It is bounded on the north by the Second, and on the south by the Third Ridge, and is watered in different sections by Mill Creek, Walnut Creek and Trout Run. The two streams first named, after traversing the valley in a western direction, turn abruptly to the north, break through the First and Second Ridges by narrow
656
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
channels and find their way to the lake, Mill Creek within the city limits and Walnut Creek at Manchester, in Fairview Township. Mill Creek enters the valley at or near Belle Valley and Walnut Creek just east of Kearsarge. The former leaves it at the Erie County Mills, and the latter near Mr. Schluraff's, in West Mill Creek. Among its residents are P. E. Norcross, Benjamin Russell, John Burton, R. H. Arbuckle, Henry Shattuck, the Parkers, Wolfs and Dumarses, in the Mill Creek Section, and Frank Spath, Capt. Spires, the Schwingles, Zimmerleys, W. W. Love, Thomas H. Mohr, William Carpenter, Henry Haldeman, the Weisses, Uras Schluraff, the Thomases and the Huidlers, in that of Walnut Creek.
The farms along the Lake road, west of Erie, from the fact of that being the main drive to the Head, are probably the most familiar to the public in the county.
RESERVATIONS.
The lands from the city limits to the Herrman place are a portion of the tract of 2,000 acres, less 100 for the support of the poor. ceded by the State to the borough of Erie, for the construction of a basin at the harbor, in con- templation of the opening of the canal. They were sold at public sale on the Ist of August, 1833, and brought from $9 to $22 per acre.
The beautiful tract along the Waterford pike known as the Academy lands consists of 500 acres set apart by the State for the maintenance of Erie Academy. They commenced at the west line of the Cochran and Evans farms, and lie on both sides of the road, which runs through them at an angle. These lands were originally let out to tenants for ninety-nine years, but the lessees becoming dissatisfied, in 1851 or 1852, legislation was secured which authorized their sale.
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