USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Popular history of Erie county, Pennsylvania > Part 14
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The Presque Isle Rangers was organized in 1807, but disbanded before the 1812 war. Subsequent to that the Erie Greens were organized 1821; Washington Artillery 1824; Erie Guards 1825. Thos. Forster Jr., Capt. An Artillery Company was organized in 1836; the Washington Guards Capt. Erhart, and the German Guards, Capt. Dudlinger, in 1841. The Wayne Greys, with J. W. McLane Capt. was organized in 1837. A Cavalry Company, with C. G. Howell, Captain, i.1 1842; which in the Mexican war period offered its services to the President, but was not ealled to the front. Franklin Pierce Rifle Co. was organ- ized 1858; Wayne Guards. J. W. MeLane, Capt., 1859; Perry Artillery Co., Gustav Jarecki, Capt. 1859, and Girard Guards by the late D, W. Hutchinson, in 1860.
HON. GEO. BANCROFT, the gifted historian, was booked for an historical ad- dress to be given at the dedication of the "Perry Monument" in Cleveland. Sept. 10, 1860, and in preparation for the event the Wayne Guards had a cane made from Lawrenee wood, the first of its kind, as the historieal flag ship hulk had not yet been raised, but this was procured from a projecting board. The gold head had been handsomely engraved by T. M. Austin, having on one side "September 10, 1813. We have met the enemy and they are ours" and on the reverse, "Wayne Guards of Erie, to Hon. George Bancroft." "Perry's fleet was built at, sailed from and returned to Erie." "American patriotism embalms the memories of its heroes."
After the address the Guards were drawn up in front of the speaker's stand and the presentation made by Capt. McLane. Mr. Bancroft responded with a few well timed remarks and a month later, in recognition of the gift, sent to the Guards eight handsomely bound volumes of his United States History.
148
ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
Insurance-In 1834 the Erie County Mutual Insurance Company was incor- porated (the business to be transacted at Erie), with the following names, and those of any other persons that might hereafter associate with them in the man- ner afterward prescribed; John A. Traey; Willian Kelley, Peter Pierce, J. W. Hitchcock, James Williams, Smith Jackson, Samuel Low; Conrad Brown, Jr , B. B. Vincent, Bester Town, Jabez Wight, David G: Webber, and Stephen Skinner.
The Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company of Harbor Creek was incorporated 1357, with the following officersj John Dodge, President; Peter E. Burton, Vice- President; Henry Gingrich, Treasurer: Robt: Henry, Secretary; John Dodge, J. Y. Moorhead, John W. McLane, Calvin Leet. G. H. Wagoner, Jesse Saltsman, Robt. Sewall, G. J. Ball, Thomas MeKee, S. M. Brown, Henry Gingrich, Martin Warfel, and P. E. Burton, Directors.
Erie Gas Company was chartered March 5, 1852, with a capital of $60,000. This was to be divided into twelve hundred shares of $50 each. The Board of Di- recto.'s have the privilege of increasing the capital from time to time, as they doem necessary, to $100,000.
T'Le company purchased ten lots for $10,000, and expended $50,000 on build- ings. machinery, etc .; the gas-holder is forty-five feet in diameter and eighteen feet deep, and capable of holding 30,000 cubic feet. Pipe, the length of three and a half miles was laid in the streets; it was first used August 22, 1853, by thirty-one consumers; at the end of the year, by one hundred and fifty; burners, six hundred.
Mr. Meredith superintended the construction of the works, and Mr. P. Met- calf, who was the heaviest stockholder, contributed materially to the success of the enterprise .- Miss Sanford's 1861 History.
A citizens meeting was called at the Court House June 18, 1845, to formulate resolutions upon the death of ex-president Andrew Jackson which occurred 10 days prior, when it was resolved that we wear usual badges of mourning for 30days:
That a committee be appointed to make the necessary arrangement for a funeral procession, at some convenient time hereafter and select a suitable person to deliver an address: That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the President, another forwarded to the family of the deceased. Daniel Dobbins was President of the meeting, Jas. Thompson and John Galbraith V. P's; H. L. Harvey and Ir- win Camp, Secretaries. On July 2, the funeral arrangements were consummated and after the procession and prayer, a eulogy upon the deceased statesman was pronounced by Judge Galbraith,. .... The Anti-slavery question was being vigorously agitated and June 10, second quarterly meeting of the society met at Wayne Corners, Ambrose Shelby, secretary ...... The Gazette announced the great fire in New York, July 17 1845, in which 500 stores were consumed, numerous lives lost and millions of dollars in value destroyed ..... M. B. Lowry, was awarded a verdict of $50,142 against the canal company in 1845 ...... The great battle at the city of Mexico Aug. 20, 1847 was reported by the Gazette. There were engaged 32,000 Mexicans and 7,000 Americans, the loss of the former reaching 5,000 and the latter 1,000.
Zachary Taylor who was elected president in 1848, while on a tour through this State the following summer was suddenly attacked with billious trouble at Cambridge, the attending physician at first fearing cholera which was prevalent at that time. He was hastily brought to Erie, accompanied by Vice President Fill- more, and Governor Johnston of this State. These dignitaries arrived here Aug. 25, 1849, and were met at the borough limits by two German military com- panies, the lodge of Odd Fellows and Buffalo band. The presidential party were
149
BUSINESS TIMES OF 1850
escorted to the Recd House, where His Excellency, was made as comfortable as possible and the Governor and Vice President vere welcomed by Chas. W. Kelso. A beautiful wreath had been worked by the ladies of Erie and spanned State street at the Park entrance. Two days later, while a salute was being fired from the Michigan, upon the departure of the vice president for the East, two of the gunners were killed by a premature discharge of the cannon. President Taylor was removed to the residence of Dr. W. M. Wood on Eighth street Aug. 28, re- mained here over a week, when he proceeded on his journey. July 10, 1850, a similar attack caused his death at Washington and Millard Fillmore was made president. The event was commemorated in Erie July 23, by a very large proces- sion, prayer by Rev. J. H. Presley and eulogy by Hon. T. H. Sill,
The cholera reached Erie in 1849, several deaths occurring here. It visited the principal metropolitan cities of the States, as there were no efficient quaran- tines and the true cause of contagion was little understood. In this and the fol- lowing year the deaths from cholera reached as high as 80 per day in Cineinnati and was almost as destructive in several other cities ...... T. D. Ingersoll engaged to teach vocal music in the Erie public schools Nov. 1849 ...... A. H. Caughey, graduated from Washington college and became principal of the West Ward school in 1849 ..... Subscriptions to the Pittsburg and Erie R. R.opened Nov. 1849; C. M. Reed, Jas, Thompson , Giles Sanford, John Vincent, Wm. Kelley, T. H. Sill, Jas. Williams, committee. . Numerous departures were noted for the new "gold diggins" in California ...... Reed's residence corner Sixth and Peach, erect- ed in 1849 ...... Residence of Jas. Talmage, of McKean, a pioneer of 1795, burned, Dec.31. It was partially insured in the Washington Co. Mutual of New York.
Business Men of 1850-The principal advertisements appearing in the Gazette at the beginning of the last half of this century, show the names of the fol- lowing business men: GENERAL MERCHANDISE, H. Cadwell, Reed & Sanford, Thos. Evans, C. M. Tibbals, Moses Koch, Presley Arbuckle, C. B. Wright, D. H. Haverstick, S. R. Dewey, J. D. Clark, Jas. Hughes & Co., Moorhead, Hughes & Co., S. R. Powers; GROCERIES A. H. Hitchcock, R. T. Sterrett, R. A. Baker, T. W. Moore, W. F. Rindernecht, B. Tomlinson and Co .; HARDWARE J. H. Burton, Geo. Selden & Son; BOOKS Joel Johnston, O. D. Spafford; COM. MERCTS. Josiah Kellogg, Alfred King, Kelso & Loomis; CLOTHIERS J. M. Justice, Jas. Lytle, John Goulding; DRUGS Carter & Brother, Peter Hall; JEWELRY G. Loomis & Co., W. H, Knowlton & Son, Wm. N. Lewis; FISH R. O. Hulbert; CIGARS J. & H. Whipple; BATH ROOM A. Vosburg; MILLINERY Mrs. Curtis; RESTAURANTS W. H. Harris, H. Cook; HOTELS American by M. Shaw; Eagle by Maj. Brown; Reed House by Keith & Barber; Farmers, Perry Hotel and Our Home for commoners.
J. H. Williams kept a private bank; Giles Sanford was cashier of the Erie Ca- nal Bank and secretary of the Erie & North East R. R. Co. Dr. O. L. Elliot was dentist and the physicians were Drs. P. & R. Faulkner, Wm. R. De Wall, W. B. Dodge, A.Beebe, L. Strong, C. F. Perkins, Alvin Thayer, -Langsdorf. Dr. J.L. Stewart, Wm. Faulkner, and I. Barton were at Waterford. THE ATTORNEYS mentioned were J. Galbraith, W. A. Galbraith, W. S. Lane, Jonas Gunnison, Jas. C. Reid, Wilson Laird, J. C. Marshal, J. P. Vincent, Wm. Benson, Matthew Taylor Wm. C. Kelso, J. W. Wetmore, S. B. Dewey. In manufacturing were noted Wal- ker & Townsend H. S. Fay MeSparren & Dumars, flour mills; Lester, Sennett & Chester, iron works; L. Warren, John Constable, sash and doors; Wm. Riblet, cabinet maker; J. R. Cochran, Marble works; Jos. Kelsey saleratus (soda) manu- factory; Richard Gaggin dye works. As there were other papers published here at that time the above of course only partially represents the borough.
150
ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
1851-For Presiding Judge, John Galbraith, Democrat, and Elijah Babbitt Whig, both of Erie were candidates. The latter's majority of 369 in this County was over come in the district, and Galbraith was elected by 601 majority, the counties voting as follows: Erie Crawford Warren Total John Galbraith 2,573 3,337 1,316 7,226
Elijah Babbitt 2,942 2.661
1,022 6,625
Jos. M. Sterrett, Erie, and James Miles Girard, were elected Associate Judges; Samuel Perley, Erie, Proth; D. McAllister, Erie, Rec., Rodney Cole, Greene, Comsr: Simeon Dunn, Erie, Cor .; Wm. E. McNair, P. D. Samuel Reeder, Washing- ton Auditor.
1852-The Abolition ticket received 212 votes in this County. R. R. Robinson of Springfield was chosen Comsr .; Jas. Chambers, Harborcreek, Treas .; Orin Reed, Mckean Aud .; J. B. Moorhead, Harborcreek, P. D .; Jacob Broom, the Native American candidate for president, received 11,04% votes in the State, but none in this County.
1853-Wm. Parker, Greenfield was elected Comsr .; Wm. Benson, Waterford, Surveyor; S. E. Woodruff, Girard, Dist. Att'y; Robt. Gray, Union, Aud .; John Hay, Girard, P. D.
1854-The Known Nothing party had risen to sudden importance and by fusion with the Whigs elected James Pollock as governor by 37,007 majority, over Gov. Bigler. The "railroad war" was the principal excitement in this County and party lines were badly demoralized. The Whigs however elected all County officers excepting assemblyman: Alfred King, Proth .: David McAllister, Rec .; M. Phelps, Edinboro, Treas .; Flavel Body, Waterford, Comsr .: D. Burton, Erie, Cor .; Geo. W. Brecht, Millcreek, Aud .; Thos. McKee, Millcreek, P. D.
1855-Polical matters were in a state of chaos. The Free-Soilers and Aboli- tionists united to start the nucleus of the Republican pa .ty; the Know Nothings, Whigs and Democrats each had a separate existence and there were no less than six state tickets in the field. The "railroad war" still continued to agitate Erie County and party lines were not drawn in local offices. John Kilpatrick, Harbor- creek, Sheriff: J. J. Compton, Edinboro, Comsr .; S. W. Keefer, Erie, P. D .; N. W. Russell, Millcreek, Auditor.
1856-Wm. W. Eaton, Fairview, Comsr .; Jer. Davis, Lockport. Treas .; G. N. Johnson, Erie, Dist. Att'y; J. W. Campbell, Washington, Aud .: J. Spaulding, Springfield, P. D. Mr. Johnson died soon after election and C. W. Kelso was appointed by the Governor. Mr. Spaulding declined to serve and John Hay of Girard was appointed by court.
1857-James Skinner, Erie, Sheriff; Wm. P. Trimbell, Harborcreek. Rec .: Amos Gould, North East, Comsr ; James Sill, Erie, Dist. Att'y; Elias Brecht, Mckean, Aud .; Thomas Dillon, Erie, Cor .; Alex. Nicholson, Fairview, P. D. (3 years, ) Wm. Bracken (2 years). These were all fusionists.
A series of Amendments to the State constitution were submitted to the people and carried by a large majority in both County and State.
1858-The Republican movement pow absorbed every opposing interest ex- cepting the Democrats, leaving but two parties, and thereby won a sweeping victory in both County and State. Since the above date the Republicans have carried the County, with an occasional exception, caused from personal popularity of the candidate. From similar reasons or independent movement-, the Demo- crats carried the State in 1862, 1867, 1874, 1877, 1882, and 1890. J. W. Mckean, Har-
151
POLITICAL EVENTS
Forcreek, Sheriff: TJ. Devore, Springfield, Treas .: Wm Putnam, Union, Comsr .: T. Stewart, Eric, P. D .; David Nash, Concord and H. H. Bassler, Fairview, Aud.
1859-Joseph Henderson, Millcreek, Comsr .; Wm. Bracken, LeBœuf, P. D .; J. L. Way, Summit. Auditor.
1860-Andrew Curtin, for governor received in this County 5,613 votes while his opponent, H. D. Foster secured but 2,469. Babbitt for re-election to Congress almost doubled E. C. Wilson, the democratic candidate, who was also an Erie County man. Judge John Galbraith died June 15, 1860 and Rasselas Brown of Warren was appointed to serve until the election when S. P. Johnson of the same county was elected to preside over this judicial circuit, then comprising Erie. Crawford and Warren counties.
James Skinner re-elected Proth .; Samuel Rea, Jr,, Springfield, Rec .; W. O. Black, Union, Treas .; Jacob Fritts, Venango, Comsr .; Richard Gaggin, Erie Cor .; S. A. Davenport, Erie, Dist. Att'y; Thos. Willis, Millcreek, P. D .: W. H. Bel- knap, Concord and Philip Osborn, Girard, Auditors.
War Times-The exciting campaign of 1860, when cesession was a foregone con clusion, resulted in 6,160 votes in this County for Lincoln, 2.531 for Fusion: 17 for. straight Douglas and 90 for Bell electors. Lincoln & Hamlin carried every Northern State, receiving 180 electoral votes, while the combined opposition had only 123.
1861-The advent of rebellion, had a tendency to unite the opposing factions of the North. Allen A. Craig, Erie, Sheriff; Seymour Washburne, Mckean. Comsr .; Thos. Stewart, P. D .; J. W. Swalley, Fairview, Aud .; John Greer, North East and Wm. Cross, Springfield, Associate Judges.
152
ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
A Sons of Temperance Lodge was organized in Erie June 6, 1851. .. .. "Spirit rappings" were announced as a comparatively new development ...... Newspaper postage was reduced from 52 cts. per year to free within the county; 20 cts. per year under 50 miles; 40 cts. per year 50 to 300 miles; 60 cts.300 to 1,000; 80 cts. 1,000 to 2,000 miles and $1.00 for greater distances, payable by the subscriber. .S. T. Nelson was chosen chief engineer of the fire department, Charles Lynch 1st Assistant, Isaac Moorhead 2nd, A. P. Durlin, Pres .; Adam Atchison V. P .; A. A. Craig Sec. G. A. Bennett Water Com ...... Eagle Fire Co. O. H. Irish, Pres .; A. Van Tassel, V. P .; D. S. Sterrett, Treas .: John Welsh, Sec .; Geo. Burton Foreman; A. F. George, Assistant.
Railroad Development-The Gazette gave the following editorial Aug. 29, 1850: "We are persuaded that the general advantages of the contemplated rail- road through this County are not by most people duly estimated. The moment it is finished and in operation, it will raise the cash value of every acre of land, on both sides of it, from N. Y. to the Pa. line-to say nothing about its effect in other quarters. It will pour a tide of travel through Erie till men shall wonder from what reservoir the people have all broken loose, or where they are to find room here and beyond us. It will form an artery that will give life-blood to a giant- the great far West. Open this thoroughfare in 1852, then go to sleep and awake in 1860, and you will conclude that the eight intervening years have done the work of half a century at the dog-trot speed of the past. It will be a monument to the enterprise and labor of those who shall construct it which will endure when names and things that point to lesser streams will be forgotten.
This road, so grand in conception and so vast in result, we would convert not alone to our general, but to our particular benefit. Having the power, we need only the disposition to do it. As our contemporary of the Observer has remarked, our County "holds the key to the great Western world, and can turn the lock so as forever to shut off an Eastern railroad connection with that world if she choos- es. Will we not exercise this power firmly, fearlessly and judiciously, unintimi- ted by the menaces of blustering corporations abroad-unseduced by the gilded bait of dollars and cents. A golden opportunity is now presented-the last, we fear, that will ever be offered of building up Erie and placing her in a position of honorable and independent rivalry with other cities. Let us, as citizens, wake up from our lethargy, our culpable indifference, upon this important subject-let us speak out boldly and fearlessly, and determine that foreign influence shall not assume and maintain the direction of an important thoroughfare through our County. Let us show a truly loyal spirit, and resolve that Erie shall be something more than a 'watering place' on the Lake Shore iron-horse course."
The Dunkirk Journal interpretted the above allusions to mean that Erie County by making a difference in width of guage would prevent through connec- tions and answers as follows:
"So then Erie is to constitute herself and impassible wall, which is to for- ever cut off all connections between the railroads of the east and west. For the benefit of the Erie people, the distance from that place to the Ohio State line is to be passed over both by passengers and freight, by the old mode of conveyance and a tribute in the shape of increased expenses of travel is to be paid by a greater por- tion of the business men of the country. Erie by virtue of her position is going to tax every pound of freight that must pass through that town." The outcome of the above proceedure was the railroad war, mentioned on another page, which was an important event in the history of Erie.
153
BOARD OF TRADE
Board of Trade-An important agency in the progress of any city is a well organized board of trade or society under other name, to look after the commer- cial and manufacturing needs, and take action. where united effort is required, to bring manufacturing or other aids, to development. Erie city is fortunate in having a society of this character, which is in first-class working order, is prompt in action when necessity requires and is conducted by leading business men of the place. The officers for 1894 were, James McBrier, Pres .; W. B. Trask, first Vice: C. L. Baker, second Vice; Douglas Benson, Sec .; J. S. VanCleve, Treas; C. Jaree ki, C. A. Curtze, T. W. Shacklett, H. Beckman, J. C. Sturgeon, W. G. Crosby, E. L. Wadsworth, P. H. Ball, M. Warfel, Directors.
The members of the various committees were, C. Jarecki, W. H. Nicholson, F. Gunnison, T. H. Carroll, F. A. Mizener, J. C. Sturgeon, C. A. Curtze, F. Brev- illier, W. Scott, J. H. Davie, E. P. Selden, W. P. Bonney, J. W. Yard, E. Camp- hausen, J. Koch Jr., J. S. Rilling, W. T. Black, Wm. Hardwick, C. C. Shirk, J. Johnson, G. P. Griffith, C. E. Gunnison, M. N. Lovell, H. F. Watson, W. T. Black, C. M. Davenport, C. Jarecki. G. Carroll, W. J. Sands, A. K. McMullen.
The grain received at this lake port for 1893, made the aggregate of 12,672,- 403 bushels; coming from Chicago 9,926,718 bu .; Milwaukee 453,207 bu .; Duluth 1,578,842 bu .; Toledo 713,634.
It was shipped to Baltimore 5.682,550 bu .; Philadelphia 4,288,798: New York 530,681; New England 74,376: local interior points 1,873,384; Erie local mills 168 .- 214; stored for the winter 54,400; total 12,672,403.
Of the above there was of corn 8,085,355 hu .; wheat 3,334,043; oats 361, 775; bar- ley 215,900; rye 244,244; flaxseed 350,392; malt 80,694. There was also received 1,704,113 barrels of flour, equivalent to an addition of 8,520,565 bu. of wheat, mak- ing a grand total of over 21 million bushels of cereals and their products.
In miscellaneous merchandise by lake, there was received 136,891,253 lbs. at this port: copper 4,819,270 lbs .; pig lead 11,088,467 lbs .: plaster 7,001 tons; stones 1,025 cords: pig iron 872 tons; iron ore 516,872 tons. The lumber report of 1892, was 12,918,000 ft., but for 1893, the lumber supply mostly came via the P. & E. R. R., the reciepts showing 28,280.000 ft. from that source alone. By lake 2,500,000 pieces of lath were received and 2,750,000 shingles.
The receipts of coal at Erie for 1893, were, via of P. & E. R. R. 648.904 tons of anthracite and 60,818 tons, bituminous; E. & P. 245,777 tons; Lake Shore 75,000 tons: P. S. & L. E. 25,000 tons; making a total of 1,055,494 tons. More than half of this was shipped by lake to western cities.
The present Board of Trade has not been a mere society in name, but active in many important movements. The re-establishment of the land lighthouse: the locating of the Soldiers and Soilors Home here; the continuance of the Michi- gan's winter quarters at Erie, and many others might be enumerated.
With the Atlantic seaboard on the southeast, Lake Erie on the northwest. and the Ohio river in the southwestern portion, Pennsylvania has magnificent. water outlets for her boundless supplies of coal, iron, oil and manufactured goods. The state has been gridironed with railroads. all built within the past half cen- tury. Even the Allegheny mountains, formed but small impediment to engineering skill, and in many places in crossing these elevations, grand panaromas of pictures- que scenes are viewed from the windows of magnificent parlor coaches. The veri- est enthusiast of 50 years ago would scarcely have dreamed about traveling in such luxury or the present development of our resources.
154
ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
Literary Work-A library company was organized in Erie as early as 1806, Judah Colt. Pres .; Thos. Forster Librarian; James Baird, Wm. Wallace and Dr. J. C. Wallace, Directors: Over $200 was expended for books and the society was kept alive for several years, but in 1821 the books were turned over to the Irving Literary Institute. The Gazette of 1826, speaks of a Franklin Literary Associa- tion, J. Moorhead, Jr., Librarian, but we are without further particulars. The Conneautee Library Co. was incorporated at Edinboro, in 1833. A lyceum was organized at the Erie Academy in 1835; an Apprentice's Literary Society in 1839; an Adelphic Literary Society about the same time and the Irving Literary Institute was revived again in 1843. A Youth's Literary Society was started at North East, in 1858; a Young Men's Literary Association formed at Girard, in 1859; and another similar organization at Waterford the same year. An Association called Custos Morum (Guardian of Morality, ) was established in Millcreek, April 1860, with 25 members, Jackson McCreary, Pres.
Commissioner's Journal-Much information of general interest, is found among the records in the County Commissioners office. Friday April 2d, 1824, the commissioners signed the following:
"It is agreed this day, between Thos. Forster and Henry Colt, commissioners of Erie County, and Robt, Kincaid and Cornelius Foy as follows, to wit; the said Kincaid and Foy, engage to guard and keep safe in the Goal, the persons now in confinement or who may be brought to the said Goal, necessary to their trial for such offences as may be preferred against them at the next May term, and if con- victed, for reasonable time thereafter, for the sheriff to remove them. For this service the said commissioners agree to pay the sum of twenty dollars, in warrants drawn on the treasurer of Erie County."
Banks-Miss Sanford gives the early banking history as follows: The act incorporating the Erie Bank passed in 1829. The first officers were R. S. Reed, President; P. S. V. Hamot, Cashier; J. A. Tracy, C. M. Reed, Samuel Brown, William Fleming, Thomas Moorhead, Jr., E. D. Gunnison, and D. Gillespie, Direc- tors. The capital stock was not to exceed $200,000, and it commenced business with $50,000. On the expiration of its charter, in 1850, its outstanding circulating notes were redeemed and its business closed.
The United States Bank of Pennsylvania established a branch at Erie in 1837, discontinued in 1850. The first officers were T. H. Sill, President; Josiah Kellogg, C. M. Reed, Wm. Kelly, G. A. Elliot, Samuel Hays, William Fleming, J. G. Williams, H. J. Huidekoper, Directors; Peter Benson, Cashier. When the parent institution at Philadelphia failed, in 1840, William C. Curry was appointed to settle the affairs of the branch in Erie.
The fine building erected for its use at an expense of $70,000, was purchased by the government in 1849 for a custom house and post office for $28,000. The bank- building is faced with white marble, and has steps and columns made of the same material.
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