USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Popular history of Erie county, Pennsylvania > Part 15
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The Erie City Bank was incorporated in 1853, with a capital of $200,000. The first officers were Smith Jackson, President: C. M. Tibbals, W. A. Brown, D. S. Clark, C. Seigel, John Brawley, James Webster, J. H. Fullerton, Ira Sherwin, M. D., J. D. Clark, Charles Brandes, J. C. Beebe, Directors; J. P. Sherwin, Cashier; Brua Cameron, Bookkeeper; S. E. Neiler, Teller. Suspended, 1857.
Bank of Commerce (Erie City Bank revived) commenced business in April. 1858. Directors-B. Grant, President; G. J. Ball, Cashier; C. B. Wright, Vice- President; W. F. Rindernecht, James Hoskinson, B. F. Sloan, Chas. Metcalf, A. W. Blaine, G. F. King, J. W. Douglas; A. W. Guild, Teller; suspended Dec. 1850.
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BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES
Bishop Mullen was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 1818, educated in the Theological Seminary of Casynworth near Dublin came to Pittsburg over fifty years ago and served as pastor in Allegheny and Johnstown prior to his accept- ance of this charge.
Catholic Benevolent Societies-There are numerous fraternal insur- ance and relief societies connected with the different branches of the Erie Catholic church. St. Joseph's Mutual Relief society was organized in 1865, and St. Alphonsus Mutual Relief in 1868. St. John's Benevolent Society and St. Andrew's Society were each organized in 1872. Trinity Benevolent Association and the Portuguese society in 1874. St. Joseph's Branch No. 9 C. M. B. A. was organized Feb. 17, 1879; St. Patrick's Branch No. 12 was instituted Mar. 8, 1879, and St. Mary's Branch No. 15, Dec. 5th, following. St.John's No. 18, was organiz- ed Jan. 1881, St. Peter's No. 20, a few months later. Branch No. 98 Catholic Knights of America organized in 1876; and Irish American Benevolent society, No. 295. The Hibernian Catholic Benefit Society organized in 1872 was re- organized in 1877. St. Patrick's Temperanee Cadets was also started in 1872.
Early Marriages and Births -The earliest marriages in this County, of which we have record, were Chas. J. Reed of Walnut Creek to Rachel Miller Dec. 27, 1797; Wm. Smith to Elizabeth Wilson in Union tp. 1799; Job Reeder to Nancy Campbell, near Edinboro, 1800; Thos. King to Sarah Wilson in Union 1800.
John R. Black was born at Ft. LeBœuf Aug. 20,1795. M. Boardman in Conneautee Valley the same year; Jane Culbertson, Edinboro, 1797; D. M. Dewey, Walnut Creek. 1797; Matilda Reed, Walnut Creek, 1798; Elizabeth Holliday, Springfield 1798: Hannah Talmadge, MeKean, 1798; Wm. Dunn, Summit, 1798: Henry Wood, Conneaut, 1798; and on Apr. 20, 1799, Elizabeth and Ruth, were born to the wives of Abiathar and Elihu Crane, at the same house. Wm. E. McNair was born in Millereek 1799, and Robt. Allison in Venango tp., making so far as we can learn, all births of white children in this County prior to the year 1800.
Cemeteries-The first burying place for Erie was on the bank of the lake east of town. In 1805 alot on Eighth near French Street was set apart as a Union "church yard." In 1826 the Presbyterians purchased four lots at Seventh and Myrtle streets. and several bodies were removed from the Eighth street cem- etery to the new location. The Episeopalians secured ground on Myrtle street near Seventh and St. Paul's German Evangelical opened a burial ground near their Church in 1859. The Jewish cemetery on Twenty-sixth west of Cherry started in 1858, continues to be used by the Hebrews. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Reformed, early established a grave yard on Sassafras above Twenty-second.
TRINITY CEMETERY-The lot on which St. Benedict's Academy stands was purchased in 1837. This was conscerated Aug. 2, 1840, by Rev. Ivo. Levitz and used until 1848, when a lot was purchased on Chestnut above Twenty-fourth and the bodies removed from Ninth street. St. Patrick's congregation bought a lot 41x165 on Third street near German which was first used as a burial place. In 1852 Father Deane purchased a square of five acres where now stands St. Vincent's hospital, when the Third street lot was abandoned and the bodies removed. Trin- ity Cemetery on Eighth street four miles west of State was consecrated May, 1869, with imposing cermonies. The place has thirty acres which is nicely laid out in lots, walk, and driveways and well interspersed with evergreens. Most of the bodies have been removed from the other Catholic cemeteries in Erie to hand- Some lots of Trinity.
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
Churches, benevolent societies, schools and newspapers, have gone hand in hand in the education of the masses; and it is now very generally conceded. that the standard seeret societies-which have by many been considered as immoral- are highly elevating in their teachings and charitable in their work. It is record- ed that the first Sabbath school in the County was established in 1817. at Moor- headville, by James Moorhead and Rev. J. Morton, in a log school house which remained until 1557. The wives of Judah Colt and R. S. Reed. three or four years later, commenced the Sunday school work of Erie at their home. Mar. 25, 1821. a meeting was called at the court-house to consider the work. Suitable books were arranged for and the school was regularly opened in May. It was a Union Sabbath school without denominational lines. for the study of the Script- ures. The scholars in attendance that season, memorized over 16.000 verses from the bible, and recited in concert the Lords Prayer and the Ten Commandments. Asa E. Foster one of the early principals of the Erie Academy, for 25 years, went regularly to the County jail to distribute tracts and give religious instructions to the prisoners.
A Moral Society was organized at Waterford in Dec. 1815, to assist the magis- trates in the suppression of vice and immorality, and other good works. Rev. John Mathews. Pres .: Dr. Wm. Bacon, See .: Amos Judson, Treas. A County Bible So- ciety organized in 1824, still continuesand will have notice farther on. A Female Traet Sveiety was formed in Erie about the same time and continued for many years. Mrs. J. Colt. Pres .: Mrs. G. Sanford, Treas .: Miss E. Wright Sec. A Tract Society was organized at Wattsburg in IS28, with Rev. A. McCreary, Pres., James Nelson, Sec .. Wm. K. Black. Treas.
A Lady's Benevolent Society was started in 1843, and for many years per- formed a needed charitable work. The Erie City Tract Society, organized in 1854 represented the leading evangelical denominations and was officered by, D. S. Clark. Pres .: W. F. Liddell and J. D. Dunlap. V. Pres .; Rev. Jos. Pressley, M. R. Barr. James Metealf. Conrad Doll and, M. B. Cook. Managers.
Temperance Societies were formed in Erie and Wattsburg in 1829, and in other parts of the County a year or two later. The County organization roport- ed 742. in 1832. Judah Colt. Pres .: R. McClelland. V. Pres .: R. O. Hulbert, Sec .; Geo Selden. Treas .: Samuel Beedy. James Smedley, Jas. Nelson, Ira Phelps, Hugh Wilson. Wm. Gray. John Cook, Chauncey Graves, Benj. Whitley and Rev. Elson Hart Managers. The temperance work had a decided effect in lessening crime and pauperism. The jailor in 1842, as his apartments were vacant, com- plained that the temperance people had combined to destroy his business; as his remuneration came from the boarding and care of prisoners.
The Sons of Temperance, was organized about 1850. the Harp & Shamrock Temperance Society, in 1552, and the Good Templars in 1856. A prohibitory liquor law was petitioned for in 1853, by over 100 ladies in Erie and Wattsburg, and a juvenile branch known as the Cadets of Temperance was started about that time. This was a most important undertaking and we believe would have accom- plished more if persistently kept going than any other plan. Impress upon the b ys. from eight to eighteen years of age, that they are undermining their physi- cat e mstitutions and dwarfing their manhood and moral growth. by the use of in- toxicants, tobacco, profane language other vices and excesses, and they would be able to start the battle of life with a sound moral and physical phisique which would withstand the ordinary temptations and make of them noble men.
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
The Spelling School was for many years a social, popular and educationa' institute of considerable merit. There were not so many societies or places of amusement to attract attention at that time and both old and young would spend an evening of each winter week.at the spelling school. Two of the scholars would "choose up" selecting by alternate choice, beginning with those whom they be- lieved to be superior spellers, and continuing until all who would spell had been chosen. Then came the tug of war. and one from each side, would stand and spell alternate words, until he missed, when another from his side would take his place, and thus the contest would continue until all from one side had been van- quished. Then came a recess of several minutes, which afforded opportunity for other "match making," after which the spelling contest would be repeated as be- fore and finally all would stand up and spell round, each party as he missed taking his seat and the last one standing, being pronounced as "General."
School of 1812-It will interest many of our readers to know that where now stand No. 2 School building,-formerly known as the High School-at Seventh and Holland streets, eighty odd years ago was located a log school-house, the tutor in which was Dr. Nathaniel Eastman. Still more interesting is it to glance over the roll of scholars who answered their names-but few of whom are alive. The boys were Alex. W. Brewster. Dunning McNair, Jno. McSparren, Zedekiah Carlis, Daniel Gillespie, Edward Hildebrand, Chas. M. Reed, Wm. A. Brown, Heury Rees, Wm. Hoskinson, Laird Foster, John Hughes, Charles Wilkins, Alexander Erwin, Jacob Snavelly, George W. Gallagher, B. Gillespie. J. Laird, Edwin J. Kelso, Samuel Brown, George Dunn, Wm. McDonald, Cyrus Beed, Jas. Hughes, John Dunn, Thomas Growatz, Wm. Bell, Benjamin Wallis, John Teel, J. McFarland, Albert Kelso, Chas. Growatz, James Gray, Archibald Stuart, Samuel Erwin, Richard McCreary, Henry Shantz, James Wilson, Wm. W. Dobbins, Robert Erwin. The girls were Hannah Rees, Rebecca Rees, Sarah Brown, Kate Oiler, Elizabeth Dobbins, Harriet Rees. Julia Bell, Sarah Foster, Eleanor Stuart, Mary Brewster, Ann Laird. Mary McSparren, Mary Wilkins, Mary McNair, Sarah Bell, Dorcas McDonald, Eliza Wilson, Caroline Kelso, Mary Wal- lace, Eliza Cummings. Mary Curtis, Adaline Kelso, Jane Hughes, Eleanor Laps- ley, Ann Teel, Zebina Shantz, Mary Wilson. Mary Ann Lapsley, Eliza Hoskinson, Catharine McFarland.
Erie County Schools-The old log school house, was an early part of de- velopment in this County, and wherever a sufficient number of children could be found, a "pay school" was started. Erie and Waterford each had a school in 1800, Manchester in 1804; and by 1812 nearly every township in the County was repre- sented by a school building, in which the subscription school was held at least three months in each year. The log buildings, with puncheon benches and desks pinned to the surrounding walls, provided poor accommodations: but it was here that the nucleus was laid for the education of many of our great men.
School houses increased from year to year and when the law for free schools went into effect nearly every district was provided with a place for educational facilities. Erie County was among the first in accepting the advantages of the common school law. It was provided that each district, securing the State appro- priation under the school law, must raise an additional fund by direct taxation, -qual to the appropriation, and the County Commissioners, by request of the School Directors of this County, levied a tax of $2.000 in 1835. for that purpose. Wm. H. Armstrong was elected in 1854, the first County Superintendent, on a sal- ary o. 4800 per year.
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ERIE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Under Gov. Ritner's administration, on a former page, we noticed the incep- tion of the free school system in 1834 and its defense by Thaddens Stevens in 1836. The act of 1849, made the acceptance of the school law obligatory, throughout the State, and the law of 1854 providing for the examination of teachers, and the ap- pointment of County Superintendent forwarded the work. The normal school act was passed in 1857. consummating one of the best and most comprehensive school systems to be found in the United States.
Although Pennsylvania was somewhat late in adopting a common school sys- t .m, the State was liberal in the founding of colleges and academies, proving that this Commonwealth while favoring education was doubtful as to the propriety of the policy to be pursued in educating the masses.
Provi-ion was made at an early day for an academy in each county and State aid was given to colleges and universities. The Waterford Academy was incor- porated in 1811, and Erie Academy in 1817. State donations of land were made for the endownment of each of these literary institutions, which are still in opera- tion. Academies were established at West Springfield, in 1853. East Springfield, in 1856, Girard in 1859, and North Springfield in 1866. These after a certain de- gree of usefulness, were each in turn merged into the free school system. An academy was established in Edinboro in 1857, and re-organized as a State Normal School four years later. In 1870, the Lake Shore Seminary was organized in North East and fine buildings erected. The property was bought in by its prin- cipal creditor and in 1880 was sold to the Redemptionist Fathers who dedicated it as St. Mary's College. It is now a preparatory school for young men intending to enter the Catholic priesthood. All the above institutions will have fuller men- tion under their respective local connections. The Erie Female Seminary, was incorporated in 1838, and for several years received an annual State appropriation of $300. The organization never owned a building, was last kept in the Hamot house, and in 1866, suspended operation.
It is said that the first regular school house for Erie, was built of hewn logs in 1806, by John Greenwood, for $30, which had been collected from the citizens for that purpose. Erie at that time had little more than 100 inhabitants. The teachers were Anderson, Blossom, Dr. N. Eastman and in 1812 Ebenezer Gunnison was in charge.
The common schools are controlled by the directors of the several districts, the State appropriation being apportioned according to the number of children of school age. Teachers must pass a satisfactory examination and receive a certifi- cate of competency from the County Superintendent before commencing their vo- cations. The Superintendent is expected to visit each school in the County with- in the year, and to hold examinations, at convenient places, for those desiring to teach. The Superintendents are elected by the school directors of the County, in assembled session and have been as follows: Wm. H. Armstrong, Wattsburg, 1854; L. W. Savage, Springfield, 1860; D. P. Ensign, Erie, 1863, resigned after six months and Julius Degmeir, Erie, was appointed. He was elected the next spring. L. T. Fisk. 1866; C. C, Taylor, Elkcreek, 1869; Chas. Twining, Union, 1878; J. M. Morrison, Miles Grove, 1887: Thomas C. Miller, W. Millcreek, 1890, is now serv- ing on his second term. The salary is but $1,500 a year, less than most other counties of like population receives.
School Statistics-The magnificence of the free school system of this State and County is scarcely comprehended by the casual reader, but the figures are astounding when considered in aggregates. The total receipts, for the school year
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
ending June 1893, from school tax and State appropriation in Pennsylvania, aggre- ga:ed the stupenduous sum of $17,413,301, of which about one-half was expended for salaries to teachers and superintendents, one-fourth to building and repairs and the other fourth to fuel and incidental expenses.
For this County the State appropriation was $79,651, from taxes and fines, $217,837 of which $42,431 was expended in building, $152,866 paid to teachers, $94,- 215 for fuel and contingent expenses, total expenditure $289,513. The whole num- ber of districts in this County is 524 and average number of months taught 8}. There are 95 male teachers and 539 females, the salary of the former averaging $43.24 and of ladies $28.51 per month. The average number of scholars attending is 11,524 and cost per scholar per month $1.37. The levy for school and building purposes averages about 4} mills. The County school property is valued at $270,- 000, covering 282 buildings, with 330 rooms. There are 151 graded schools, in 14 of which, the higher branches are taught. There are 222 directors constituting the school boards.
CORRY CITY has 21 teachers, all females; average salary $37.95 per month, school year nine months, average attendance 784, cost per scholar, per month $1.24; tax levy 73 mills, bringing $10,905. The State appropriation was $5,476 and total receipts including fines etc., brought $16,878. Corry's school property is valued at $53,000. A. D. Colegrove the present City Superintendent, receives $1,500.
ERIE CITY reported 176 teachers of whom but five are males. The school year is 10 months; average salary of ladies $37.21 per month; average attendance 4,457, per cent of attendance 92, cost per month, per scholar $1.24; levy 7 mills of which 2} was for building purposes; total levy $113,791, which with State appro- priation brought $143,329. Teachers wages agregated $70,650, fuel and conting- ent expenses $62,897. The school property is valued at $600,000. There are 18 buildings with 127 rooms and seating capacity for over 6,000. The total enroll- ment for '93 was 6,575; children between 6 and 16 years, not in the public schools, 1,200.
The natural increase of the city is now about 500 scholars per year, necessi- tating the addition of a ten-room building each year. The night school, started in 1890 by Prof. Missimer, had an enrollment of over 400 for 1893 and '94.
Since 1867, the city of Erie has been under a separate superintendency, H. S. Jones having served in that capacity until May 1890, when H, C. Missimer was promoted to that position. His salary is $2,700 per year.
The whole number of schools reported in Erie County for 1860 was 288, aver- age number of months taught seven, number of teachers 389, average attendance of scholars 8,195, tax levied for school and building purposes $42,053; State appro- priation for this County $3,923.
In August 1804, the lot on which No. 2 school building stands, was secured from the State for the use of Presque Isle Academy; but the scheme failed to ma- terialize and it was later given over to ordinary school purposes. The present building was completed in 1859, at a cost of $20,000, and at that time was consid- ered a superior building. In 1860 the city had a population of less than 10,000 and was divided into the East and West Wards. No. 2 was reported as having : ') scholars and ten teachers. The attendance at No. 1 is not given in the re- cords which we have consulted, but the West Ward was reported, as having a principal school and a branch in the upper part of the city, together recording 530 pupils, under eight teachers.
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There had been a decided opposition among several influential citizens, who protested against the building of so large a structure as No. 2, and the directors of the West Ward were controlled by the policy that a number of small houses were better than a large one. In accordance with this No. 3, a four-room, house was built at Sixteenth and Sassafras in 1863; No. 4, same size on Fifth near Chest- nut in 1865. The East Ward Board in 1865, erected a four-room house, though somewhat larger than prior ones, No. 5, near Twelfth and German; this was re- built in 1892 into an 8-room house worth $40,000. The West Ward in 1869, erect- ed a six-room building at Tenth and Sassafras, No. 6 which was enlarged 1873-4, and was finally pulled down in 1891, to make room for the mammoth "Central School" which is the crowning glory of Erie's public school buildings. The lot is valued at $30,000 the building in 1894 at 115,000 and when the north wing is ad- ded, which will soon be required, the entire premises will be fully worth $200,000.
The enlargement of the district in 1870, made addicional buildings necessary and No. 10, four-room. was built at Fifth and Plum in 1871. This was rebuilt in 1893 and at present has eight rooms value: of building $30,000. No. 11. eight-room was built in 1873 at Eleventh and French; No. 15, same size, the following year at Ash and Twenty-fifth. No. 8, eight-room, was built in 1874-5, at Plum and Six- teenth; No. 12 four room at Sixth and East Avenue. This was rebuilt in 1893, and is now a $30,000 structure. No. 7, eight-room, was erected 1875-6, on Twenty- first near Sassafras. A four-room was built at No. 1, Third and French sts., 1877; No. 4, seven-room. rebuilt 1879; No. 13, eight-room, 1880-1 at Tenth and Ash; No. 16, eight-room 1883, Eighth and Walnut. A building will soon be erected on the lot of No. 14, at Twenty-seventh and Wayne. A city lot is 823x165 feet and the school property covers over 40 lots; with an aggregate value of $150,000. The heating apparatus and furniture is appraised at $32.000.
Clark's Business College-This educational institution has met with a phenomenal success. It was founded in 1883, by Prof. H. C. Clark, who had previ- ously conducted a business school at Titusville. Under a progressive manage- ment the Erie college rapidly gained in popularity and in educational facilities until it now ranks among the the best in the country. It was incorporated in 1890 and when the Downing block was completed May, 1, 1892, the college secured the entire upper floor of this elevated structure, affording excellent light and a mag- nificent birdseye view of the landscape.
It is the purpose of this college to give students a thorough preparation for the proper discharge of the duties of business life, at the same time fitting them for American citizenship and to enter upon any of the planes of professional activ- ity. The best way of doing business is carefully sought out by the student until he has developed the practical skill required to handle it as it is done in the lead- ing trades centres. The same practical instruction is given in the short hand and type writing departments, with a full impression of the great importance for absolute accuracy. Penmanship and mechanical drawing are in charge of mas- ter hands and Clark's College has long been noted for its excellency in these de- partments. The curriculum covers a Preparatory, Commercial, Short-Hand, Mechanical & Architectural and Penmanship courses. The Actual Business de- partment has in operation a national bank, real estate office, wholesale merchan- dise counting room, commission house, insurance agency, transportation depot and post office. The motto here is to learn a thing by doing it and this_brings the student face to face with the realities of life,
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
Public Press-Newspapers are great educators of the public, and Erie has had the requisite number of enterprising journals. The Mirror was started in the village of Erie, in 1808, surviving but a few years. when its editor, George Wyeth, to avoid a prosecution for libel, skipped the town. The paper was 10x16 inches in size and in politics was known as Federal Constitutional-Republican. The Northern Sentinel appeared in 1812, with R. J. Curtis editor. It was discon- tinued and from its material, in 1816, sprang the Genius of the Lakes. Later the name was changed to Phoenix, subsequently to the Reflector and in 1819 it was moved to Mayville, N. Y. The Patriot founded in 1818 was publised here for a year, by Zeba Willis, when part of the office was moved to Cleveland.
Erie Gazette - The late Judge Jos. M. Sterrett, was intimately connected with the newspaper progress of Erie for nearly half a century. He was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Feb. 19, 1800, and removed at an early age to Mckean tp. this County. He served a printer's apprenticeship in the office of the Northern Sentinel of Erie, and was subsequently engaged for short periods in sev- eral distant offices. Returning to Erie in 1819 he purchased the material former- ly used by the Patriot, and Jan. 15, 1820, brought out the first number of the Gazette. The annual files of the Gazette are still preserved and have been of valuable assistance to the historian in verifying dates and facts. In his salutatory Mr. Sterrett, then less than twenty years of age, writes as follows:
"In presenting the first number of the Erie GAZETTE to the public, the editor feels all the solicitude of a youthful adventurer in the act of making his first en- trance on the stage of business, anticipating at the same time that this his first effort will in some measure regulate and determine his future career on the stage of action."
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