974.801 i *
Er4n
1147161
«MHAU03V COV-UC-->°^
/
^t>
. . „ e,^^
<wSw4'.iii'Mit.iMin,.iitiijiii!ii.ii,ijii|UJ)ii i;m "!." >. ,.' 'i',,.„!i: ,., . jlll:JllJl!.l!||^l^ll^^nlJ|]lll^ iiuii, iiiijuqiuiiiiiaii».nuHii,,MUUui!iiia«ij'i|ijiiiuiiu%.rF^^
«
<^
1896
NELSON'S
Biographical Dictionary
Historical Reference Book
... OF
Erib County,
Pennsylvania.
Containing a Condensed History of Pennsylvania, of Brie County, and of the Several Cities, Boroughs and Townships in the County;
Portraits and Biographies of the Governors since 1790, and of Numerous Representative Citizens.
Historical and Descriptive Matter (Page 19 to Page 540) Prepared by Benjamin Whitman.
1896:
S. B. NELSON, PUBLISHER,
ERIE, PA.
PREFACE. 1147161
IN submitting the present work to the people of Erie county, the publisher takes satisfaction in the belief that he has fully complied with every promise that has been made to those who have honored him with their patronage. In the character of its reading matter, the fidelity to its purpose, the neatness of its typography and the general style in which it
appears, it may reasonably be claimed to be at least the equal of any publication of similar nature that has ever been issued in Pennsylvania.
As announced in the prospectus, the work is designed as a Historical Reference Book and Biographical Dictionary, rather than as a detailed County History. The limit placed upon it from the beginning did not* admit of the numerous incidents and illustrations that form an extended County History, and the aim, both of the writers and publisher, has been to present the leading events as briefly as the facts seemed to warrant, and to so arrange them that they could be conveniently found by the average reader. With this in view, the chapters have been made short and supplied with frequent sub-headings, reference has been noted in various parts of the book to other pages treating of the same subject, a copious Table of Contents has been given, and the whole has been supplemented with a full Alphabetical Index.
Attention is specially called to the Engravings, which must be conceded to be far in ad- vance of the majority of art work in publications of the kind.
The Portraits of the Governors, the Biographies of the same, and the Political and other information relating to Pennsylvania, are features that will be appreciated by every citizen who has a patriotic interest in the state of his residence.
To those who are tempted to complain of the price and peculiar character of the book, it may be proper to explain that it would be impossible to print a creditable work of Local His- tory at a lower figure or on a different basis without great loss to the publisher. Numerous historical publications have been issued, in Erie and elsewhere, relying upon the general public for support, and in every instance that can now be recalled they have been a sad financial failure, the sales in one or two home instances having been barely enough to pay for the white paper on which they were printed. Erie county has not yet reached the degree of wealth and population that will permit of the publication of a County History at the price of a book intended for state or national circulation, nor without some distinctive feature that will secure for it a special and remunerative patronage. The highest ambition of the writers and publisher of this book will be attained if it shall prove to be a useful preparatory effort to the complete edition of Local Annals that will come after the county has had many years of growth and its people have attained to a more wide-spread prosperity.
The Historical and Descriptive chapters of the book (pages 19 to 540) have been prepared by Benjamin Whitman, who has spent the main part of a year in collecting the material. He desires that credit shall be given for much of the information secured to Capt. N. W. Russell's newspaper contributions ; Miss Sanford's History of Erie County ; Warner, Beers & Co.'s History of the County, printed in 1884; Day's "Historical Collections"; Dr. Egle's His- tory of Pennsylvania ; The Archives of Pennsylvania ; the Herald's " Souvenir of Erie," issued in 1888; Atkinson's Erie City Directory; the files of the several Erie journals; Han- Ion's City Manual and Digest of City Laws and Ordinances, and various other sources "too numerous to mention."
The Biographical section owes much of its interest to the pen of Hon. James Sill, who contributed a number of the family and individual sketches.
The publisher returns thanks to the citizens of the county for the hearty support they have given to the enterprise, and begs leave to express the hope that they will receive the book with as much satisfaction as he remembers their kindness and liberality.
THE PUBLISHER.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
Pennsylvania — Historical, Descriptive and Statistical — State Constitution of 1873.
PART II. Biographies of the Governors.
PART III. General History and Description of Erie County.
PART IV. Township and Borough History.
PART V.
The Cities of Erie and Corry.
PART VI. Family Histories and Biographical Sketches.
PART VII. Alphabetical Index.
GENERAL INDEX.
PART I.
Pennsylvania — Historical, Descriptive and Statistical.
PAGE.
Aborig^ines 19
Anthracite Coal 19
Area of the State 19
Anti-Slavery Riot 38
Battles Fought in Pennsylvania 19
Bituminous Coal 20
Braddock's Defeat 20-24
Buckshot War 20
Boroughs, principal 20
Battle Flag-s of Pennsylvania 44
Capitals of the State 20
Colleges 20
Churches 20
Continental Congress, sessions of 20
Cities and Towns, principal 20
Criminals, Number of 21
Centennial Exhibition, 1876 21
Climate 21
Coat of Arms 21
Congressmen, leading- 21
Congressional Districts 21
Constitutions, several State 21
Constitution, present State, in full 45
Chambersburg, burning of 44
Courts 21
Debt— State, Municipal and School District.. . 22
Debt, mortgage 22
Declaration of Independence 22
Early Settlements 22
Eminent Men 23
Elections, when held 23
Execu< ive Officers, principal 23
Founder of the State 23
First Things (Canals, Railroads, etc.) 23
Flag of the United States 24
French War 24
Fruits grown in the State 24
Floods, Great 24
Fish and Fisheries 25
Franklin, Benjamin 25
Farms, number of, value, production, etc 25
Fries Rebellion 37
Game Laws 26
Governors, list of 26
General Progress 26
Gettysburg, Battle of 26
Holidays, legal 27
Homestead Riots 38
Indians, The 19
Indian Titles 27
Indian Wars and Disturbances 28
Iron and Iron Ore 28
PAGE.
Johnstown Flood 28
Judiciary System 28
Keystone State, Origin of name 28
Lincoln's Address at Gettysburg 27
Lieutenant-Governors, list of 27
Leading Products 29
Legislature, number of Members, etc 29
Legislation, restriction upon 29
Language 29
Lakes 29
Liberty Bell 29
Libraries, Art Galleries and Museums 29
Live Stock, statistics of , etc 29
Military System 30
Manufactures 30
Motto of the State 30
Mineral Products 30
Mason and Dixon's Line 30
Northwestern Pennsylvania, counties of 30
Name of State, origin of 30
Natural Gas 30
Newspapers, number of 30
Native American Riots 38
Oil (Natural) 31
" Pennsylvania Dutch," Origin of Language. 29
Proprietary Government 31
Population of the State, 1790 to 1890 31
Population of the State, by Counties 31
Population of the United States, 1790 to 1890. . 31
Penn, William 32
Presidents of the United States from Pennsyl- vania 32
Presidential Candidates from Pennsylvania.. 32
Presidential Electors, number of 32
Political History 32
Public Receipts and Expenditures 32
Prisoners, number of 32
Paupers, number of 32
Physical Features of the State 32
Perry's Victory 33
Petroleum, Discovery and Development of . . . . 33
Public Improvements 33
Public Buildings 33
Public Schools 34
Philadelphia, description of 34
Pittsburg, description of 35
Presidential vote of the State 35
Representatives in Congress, leading 36
Religious Denominations 36
Royal Government 36
Railroads in the State 36
Railroad Riots of 1877 38
GENERAL INDEX.
PAGE.
Revenue and Expenses 36
Revolution, American 36
Rivers, principal 37
Rebellions in the State 37
Rebellion, Southern 43
Riots, most noted 37
Richest Counties in the United States 38
Seal of the State 38
State Buildings 38
Slavery, when abolished in the State 38
Summer Resorts, principal 38
State Officers, principal 39
Salaries and Fees of State Officers 39
Stone, leading kinds 39
Senators from Pennsylvania in the United
States Congress 39
School System 39
Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans 44
Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, Erie 44
Triangle, The 39
Timber, varieties of 39
Universities and Colleges 40
PAGE. United States Constitution, Pennsylvania's
part in establishing 40
United States Officers, principal from Penn- sylvania 40
United States Senators from Pennsylvania,
list of 41
United States Representatives in Congress,
leading from the State 41
Vice-President from Pennsylvania 41
Vice-Presidential Candidates from Pennsyl- vania 41
Vote of the State for Governor 41
Vote of the State for President 35
Vegetable Productions 42
Valuations, real and personal property 43
Whisky Rebellion 37
Wayne, Anthony 43
Wealth of the State 43
War of 1812 43
War with Mexico 43
War for the Union, Pennsylvania's part in. . . 43
World's Fair, part taken by Pennsylvania. ... 44
STJPPLEMENTAEY.
PAGE.
Constitution of Pennsylvania, present 45
Date of Adoption, etc 45
Preamble 45
Declaration of Rights, Article 1 45
The Legislature, Article II 46
Legislation, Article III 47
The Executive, Article IV 49
The Judiciary, Article V 51
Impeachment and Removal From Office, Ar- ticle VI 53
Oath of Office, Article VII 54
Suffrage and Elections, Article VIII 54
PAGE.
Taxation and Finance, Article IX 55
Education, Article X 56
Militia, Article XI 56
Public Officers, Article XII 56
New Counties, Article XIII 57
County Officers, Article XIV 57
Cities and City Charters, Article XV 57
Private Corporations, Article XVI 57
Railroads and Canals, Article XVII 58
Future Amendments, Article XVIII 59
Schedule 59
PART II.
Biographies of the Governors.
First Governor Thomas Mifflin .... 65
Second Governor Thomas McKean . . 65
Third Governor Simon Snyder. ... 65
Fourth Governor William Findlay. . 65
Fifth Governor Joseph Hiester 65
Sixth Governor John A. Shulze. ... 65
Seventh Governor George Wolf 66
Eighth Governor Joseph Ritner 66
Ninth Governor David R. Porter .. . 66
Tenth Governor Francis R. Shunk . 66
Eleventh Governor Wm. F. Johnston . . 66
PAGE.
Twelfth Governor William Bigler 66
Thirteenth Governor James Pollock 66
Fourteenth Governor W'illiam F. Packer. 67
Fifteenth Governor Andrew G. Curtin . 67
Sixteenth Governor John W. Geary .... 67
Seventeenth Governor. .. .John F. Hartranft. 67
Eighteenth Governor Henry M. Hoyt 67
Nineteenth Governor Robert E. Pattison 67
Twentieth Governor James A. Beaver . . 67
Twenty-first Governor Robert E. Pattison 68
Twenty-second Governor. .Daniel H. Hastings 68
GENERAL INDEX.
PART III.
General HisTORr and Description of Erie County.
Boundaries, etc... . Ridg-es and Valleys. Hig-hest Elevations. Peninsula
CHAPTER I.
Physicai, Geography, Etc. — Page 71 to Page 73.
PAGI
Character of the Soil 72
Climate, Geology and Timber 73
Scarcity of Good Stone 73
Minerals, Natural Gas, Oil, etc 73
CHAPTER II. County, Township, City and Borough Organizations. — Page 74 to Page 76.
Postoffices
Boundary Lines
Table of Distances from Erie.
page.
Original Townships 74
Additional Townships 74
Cities and Boroughs 74
Election Districts 75
CHAPTER III.
Population of the County, Vai,u.ations, Tax Rates, Etc.— Page 77 to Page i
Census of Erie Co. 1800 to 1890 77
Population of Erie, 1870^'80-'90 77
Population of Corry, 1870-'80-'90 78
General Statistics of the Population 78
Receipts and Expenditures of Erie Co., 1894 ... 78
Sheep Fund, 1894 78
School Fund, 1894 78
Road Fund, 1894.
Assessment Table for 189S
Valuations for 1895
Acreage of the Several Townships, etc.
Money at Interest, etc.. 1895
Rate of County Taxation, 1869-189S
CHAPTER IV. Pre-Historic Remains, Natural Curiosities, Etc. — Pag-e
Masses of Human Bones Dug Up.
Skeletons of Giants
An Ancient Graveyard
Pre-Historic Mounds
Strange Discoveries
" Gulfs " of the Lake Shore Streati
The " Devil's Backbone "
Waterfalls
CHAPTER V.
Streams and Interior Lakes, Bridges, Etc.— Page 82 to Page 85.
Principal Creeks
Tributary Streams
Peculiarities of the Lake Shore Streaii French Creek and its Branches
Chief Lake Shore Streams
Lakes LeBoeuf, Conneauttee and Pleasant. Bridges and Culverts
CHAPTER VI. Lake Erie, Bays, Peninsula, Fish and Fishing Interests.— Page 86 to Page 91.
P.VGE.
The Great Lakes 86
Dimensions of the same 86
Origin of their Names 86
Lake Erie described 86
Curious Phenomena 87
Bay of Presque Isle 87
PAGE.
Misery Bay 87
The Peninsula 87
Ownership of the Peninsula 88
Custodian of the Peninsula 88
Fish and Fishing Industry 88
Valuable Information 89
GENERAL INDEX.
CHAPTER VII. Indian History.— Page 91 to Page
PAGE.
The Aboriginal Inhabitants 91
Extermination of the Eriez 91
The Iroquois 92
The Seneca Tribe 92
French and British Wars 92
Pontiac's Conspiracy 93
Capture of the Forts at Waterford and Erie.. . 93
British Possession 94
PAGE.
A British Army at Erie 94
American Occupation 94
Indian Threats 95
Indian Councils 95
Wayne's Great Victory 95
Peace with the Indians 95
Indian Villages and Graveyards 95
Eand Purchased from the Indians 96
CHAPTER VIII. Gen. Anthony Wayne. — Page 96 to Page '
Revolutionarj' Career 96
Why Called " Mad Anthony " 97
Victories Over the Indians 97
Sickness and Death in Erie 97
PAGE.
Disposal of His Remains 97
The Wayne Block House 9g
Final Resting Place 98
Inscription on His Monument 98
CHAPTER IX. French and British Occupation.— Page 99 to Page 102.
PAGE.
Early French Explorers 99
French and British Claims 99
French Soldiers in Erie and EeBoeuf 99
French Take Possession 99
Washington's Visit to Waterford 100
Correspondence between Washington and St.
Pierre 100
The French War 101
PAGE.
Braddock's Defeat 101
The French Forts 101-2
British Victories 101
The French Withdraw 102
British and Indians at Erie 102
American Independence 102
The French Road and Forts 102
CHAPTER X. Purchase of the Triangle.— Page 103 to Page 104.
PAGE.
Disputed Boundary Lines 103
Survey of the Boundary 103
Price Paid for the Triangle 103
PAGE.
The Indians Offended 104
Description of the Triangle 104
CHAPTER XL First Settlements in Erie County.— Page IDS to Page 107.
PAGE.
Early Surveys and Land Purchases 105
Indian Hostility 105
Measures for the Protection of the Settlers. . . 105
American Garrison at LeBoeuf 105
Washington Advises Caution 106
The American Fort LeBoeuf 106
Peace Secured with the Indians 106
An American Force at Erie 107
Waterford and Erie Laid Out 107
CHAPTER XII. Early Land Matters.— Page 107 to Page 11
PAGE.
" The Actual Settlement Law " 107
Pennsylvania Population Company 107
Holland Land Company 108
Harrisburg and Presque Isle Company 108
Tenth Donation District 108
Moravian Grant 109
State Reservations 109
Irvine's Reservation 109
Erie State Reserve 109
PAGE.
Waterford and LeBoeuf Reserves 109
The Garrison Reservation 109
Academy Lands 109
Early Surveyors and Land Agents 110
Change in the Settlement Law 110
Extensive Land Sales Ill
First Purchasers Ill
Land Litigation Ill
Speculation of 1836 112
OENEBAL INDEX.
CHAPTER XIII. Early Settlers in Erie County.— Page 113 to Page 115.
PAGE.
First White Men and Women 113
Nativity of the Pioneers 114
First Marriages, Births and Deaths 114
PAGE.
How the Pioneers Lived 114
A Hard but Healthy Mode of Existence 115
Wild Beasts, Birds and Fish 115
CHAPTER XIV. First Mills, Factories, Etc.— Page 116 to Page :
PAGE.
Early Mills, Etc., in Erie 116
Mills Outside of Erie 117
PAGE.
Beginning of the Iron Industry 119
Wages and their Payment in the Early Days. 119
CHAPTER XV. Public Roads, Mail Routes, Stage Lines, Old Taverns, Etc. — Page 120 to Page 124.
PAGE.
Earliest Thoroughfares in the County 120
Buffalo Road 120
Ridge Road 121
Lake Road 121
Waterford Turnpike 121
Edinboro Plank Road 121
Waterford Plank Road 122
Erie and Meadville Plank Road 122
The " Shunpike " 122
Wattsburg Plank Road 122
Lake Pleasant Road 122
Other Prominent Roads 123
Old Public Houses 123
Trade and Travel in the Early Days 123
Stage Lines and Mail Routes 124
The Salt Trade 124
CHAPTER XVI.
Lake Navig
Etc.— Page 125 to Page 131.
p.\GE.
Earliest Merchant Vessels 125
Earliest War Vessels 125
Pioneer Lake Captains 125
Introduction of Steamboats 126
First Propellers and Ships 126
Vessel Statistics 126
U. S. S. " Michigan " 127
U. S. Revenue Cutters 127
Appalling Lake Disasters 12S
Burning of the Steamboat " Erie " 128
Distances by Water From Erie 128
Opening of Navigation, Dates of The 129
Close of Navigation, Dates of 129
PAGE.
Unusual Seasons of Navigation, etc 129
Collection District of Presque Isle 129
U. S. Collectors and Deputies 129
Vessels Owned in Erie, 1860-94 129
Business of the Port of Erie 130
Lighthouses at Erie 130
Lighthouse Keepers at Erie 130
Assistant Lighthouse Keepers at Erie 131
Naval Inspectors. List of 131
Life-Saving Service . . . ■ 131
Officers of the Life-Saving Service 131
U. S. Weather and Signal Service Office 131
CHAPTER XVII. War ok 1812-14.— Page 132 to Page 138.
Defenseless Condition of the Frontier 132
The Military Called to Erie 132
A War Fleet for the Lakes Decided Upon 133
Perry's Arrival in Erie 133
Difficulties Contended With 133
Perry's Fleet 133
Incidents Before the Battle 134
Perry's Great Victory 134
Perry's Famous Dispatch 135
After the Battle 136
Perry's Return to Erie 136
PAGE.
Gen. Harrison in Erie 136
Other Features of the War 136
Burning of Black Rock and Buffalo 136
Large Military Force at Erie 136
Fatal Duel at Erie 136
Campaign of 1814 136
Disposal of the Vessels 137
The Lawrence and Niagara 137
Bell of the Queen Charlotte 137
Erie County Officers and Soldiers 137
Fate of Bird, Rankin and Davis 138
GENERAL INDEX.
CHAPTER XVIII. Rewgious History, Old Graveyards, Etc.
-Pag-e 138 to Pag-e 144.
PAGE.
First Religious Services 138
The Presbyterians 139
The Methodist Episcopalians 139
Other Protestant Denominations 140
The Roman Catholics 140
The Erie Diocese 140
Bishops of the Erie Diocese 140
Catholic Churches, Schools, etc 141
Church Organizations in the County, 1880 ... 141
Presbyterian Synods, etc 141
United Presbyterian Church 141
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburg 142
PAGE.
Episcopal Bishops 142
Erie Conferences M. E. Church 142
Elderships M. E. Church 142
First Sunday Schools 143
Horace Greeley an Erie Sunday School
Scholar 143
Erie County Bible Society 143
Y. M. C. Association 143
Christian Endeavor Societies 143
Old Graveyards 144
Cemeteries Established 144
CHAPTER XIX.
County, St.^.te
AND United States Buildings.— Page 145 to Page
149.
page.
Court Houses 145
Expenses of Maintaining the Court House. . . 14S
County Jails 145
Co-st of Maintaining the Jail 146
County Almshouse 146
Expenses for the Poor and Insane 147
page.
Marine Hospital 147
Soldiers' and Sailors' Home 147
Wayne Blockhouse 148
Normal School at Edinboro 148
State Fish Hatcheries at Erie and Corry 148
United States Buildings 148
CHAPTER XX. The Bench and Bar.— Page 149 to Page 165.
PAGl
149
Early Courts
Judges, when first elected 149
List of President Judges 150
Additional Law Judges ISO
District Judge 150
Judges who have Died in Office ISO
Supreme Judges from the County and Dis- trict ISO
Competing Candidates for Judge 150
Judicial District, 1800 to date 150
Terms of Court, 1894 151
Court Expenses, 1894 151
Associate Judges 151
City Recorder of Erie 152
District Attorneys 152
Supreme Court, term of for Erie County 152
Only Execution by the Sheriff 152
United States Courts 153
CHAPTER XXI.
page.
United States Judges 153
United States District Attorneys 153
United States Marshals 153
Clerks of the United States Courts 153
Terms of the United States Courts 153
Selection of United States Jurors 153
Early Lawyers 153
List of Erie County Attorneys, 1823-1895 154
A Notable Law Suit 156
Personal Reminiscences 157
Official Positions Held by Erie County Lawyers 158
Deaths, Removals, etc 159
Court Criers 160
Erie County Law Library 160
Erie Bar Association 160
Justices and Aldermen, 1796-1895 161
Oldest Justice of the Peace 165
Doctors, Surgeons and Dentists.— Page 166 to Page 173.
page.
Early Physicians 166
Law as to Registry 166
List of Registered Physicians- Erie 166
Corry 168
McKean 169
Wattsburg- 169
Fairview 169
Girard 169
Union City 169
North East 170
Albion 170
Waterford 170
Springfield 170
Edinboro
Mill Village
Wellsburg
Miles Grove
Wesley ville
Other Localities
Erie County Medical Society . . Homoeopathy, Introduction of. Homoeopathic Medical Society. HomcEOpathic Dispensary, etc.
Early Dentists
List of Registered Dentists. . . . Erie Society of Dentists
GENERAL JJSDEX.
CHAPTER XXII. Newspaper History.— Page 173 to Pag-e 179.
PAGE.
The Earliest Newspapers 173
Erie Gazette 173
Erie Observer 174
Erie Dispatch 174
Erie Herald 175
Erie Ti:nes 175
Erie News 175
Erie Tageblatt-Zuschauer 175
Lake Shore Visitor 175
Sunday Graphic 175
Erie Advertiser 176
Highland Light 176
PAGE.
The Truth 176
Sunday Messenger 176
Erie Sonlaggsgast 176
Arbeiter-Zietung 176
The People 176
Defunct Erie Papers 176
Papers Outside of Erie 177
Northwestern Editorial Association 177
Erie Press Club 177
Pennsylvania Editorial Association in Erie . . 177
Personal Mention of Erie Newspaper Men .... 177
Deceased Erie Editors 179
CHAPTER XXIII. The Canai, and Raii,roads. — Page 179 to Page 186.
Early Projects for the Public Benefit
Erie and Beaver Canal
Its Abandonment
Erie and North East R. R
Buffalo and Erie R. R
Cleveland and Erie R. R
The Roads Consolidated
Litigation Over the Same
The Railroad War
The Lake Shore R. R
Distances by Lake Shore R. R
Ashtabula and Angola Disasters
Fastest Long Distance Train
Philadelphia and Erie R. R
PAGE.
Distances by the P. & E. R. R 183
Highest Points on the Road , 184
Superintendents of the Road 184
Erie and Pittsburg R. R 184
Distances by the Same 184
General Information About the Road 184
Western New York and Pennsylvania R. R. . . 185
"Nypano" R. R 185
Union and Titusville R. R 185
" Nickel Plate " R. R 185
" Shenango " R. R 185
Distances by the Same 186
Projected Railroads 186
CHAPTER XXIV,
Public and Private Schools, Academies, Etc.— Page 187 to Page 190.
Penn's Wise Provision
Pennsylvania One of the First States to Pro- vide for General Education
Public Schools Urged by the Early Govern- ors
Efforts of Thaddeus Stevens and Others
The Common School System Adopted
Erie County Schools Previous to the General Law
Catholic Parochial Schools
Books in Early Use
Adoption of the Common School Svstem in
Erie County ." 189
Old-Fashioned Spelling Schools 189
Edinboro Normal School 189
Academies and Seminaries 189
School System Generally 190
Independent School Districts 190
Erie County Teachers' Institute 190
Proposed Public Library System 190
County Superintendents, 1854-1895 190
City Superintendents of Erie and Corry 190
CHAPTER XXV. Events of Special Note and Miscellaneous Information.— Page 191 to Page 201.
PAGE.
A King of France in Erie 191
Lafayette's Visit 191
Horace Greeley, Brief Residence, in Erie 191
Presidential Visitors to Erie 191
Exciting Campaign of 1840 192
Francisco Hung for Murder 193
Agricultural Societies 193
State and County Fairs 193
Harvest Home Picnics 194
The Grange 194
PAGE.
Farmers' Alliance 194
State Police 194
Erie Fair Association, etc 194
The Old Militia System 194
Early Military Companies 194
Distilleries, Breweries, etc 195
Wine Making 195
Temperance Societies 195
Slaves and Slavery 195
Unusual Spells of Weather 195
GENERAL INDEX.
PAGE.
Earliest Snow Falls 196
Weather Table for Twenty-two Years 197
The Cholera in Erie 198
Telegraph and Telephone Lines 198
First Shows and Circuses 198
The Cattle Trade 19S
Old Style Currency 198
Soldiers' anu Sailors' Monuments 199
PAGE.
Revolutionary Soldiers 199
The Anti-Slavery Movement 199
Oldest Men and Women 199
First Thanksgiving 200
Great Floods 200
The Liberty Bell in Erie 200
Grape Culture and Wine Making 200
Grape Growers' Association 201
CHAPTER XXVI. The War for the Union. — Page 201 to Page 215.
PAGE.
First War Meetings in Erie County 201
Liberal Subscriptions by the Citizens 201
Erie County Military Companies Tender their
Services 201
Three Mouths' Regiment Organized 201
Eighty-third Regiment Organized 202
Cavalry Companies Recruited 202
Recruiting for the Navy 202
Ladies' Aid Society Established 202
One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Or- ganized 202
One Hundred and Forty fifth Regiment Or- ganized 203
First Draft 203
Money Matters and Politics 204
PAGE.
Rebel Invasion of Pennsylvania 204
Second Draft 205
Other Drafts 206
Prices for Substitutes 207
Close of the War 207
General Rejoicing 207
Officers from Erie County 207
County Finances, 1861 to 1870 208
Prices During the War 208
Brief History of the Erie County Regiments . . 209
Three Months' Regiment 209
Eighty-third Regiment 210
One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment 211
One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment . 213
Company L, Twelfth Cavalry 215
CHAPTER XXVII. Record of Political Events, 1798 to 1895.— Page 215 to Page 262.
PAGE.
Election of Washington and Adams 215
Election of Thomas Jefferson 215
Erie County Votes Separately for the First
Time 216
Re-Election of Jefferson 216
Party Names in the Early Days 216
First Election Districts in Erie County 216
Madison Twice Elected 217
Monroe Twice Elected 218
The Era of Political Harmony 218
John Quincy Adams Chosen President by the
House 219
Andrew Jackson Elected 220
The Anti-Masonic Era 220
Democratic Party Name Adopted 221
Jackson Re-Elected 221
Democratic Split in the State 222
Van Buren Elected 222
State Constitutional Convention 223
The " Buck-Shot War " 223
Constitutional Amendments Adopted 224
Prothonotarv, Register and Recorder First
Elected ." 224
The Whig Party Organized 225
Harrison and Tyler Elected 225
Directors of the Poor First Elected 225
Justices of the Peace First Elected 225
The Abolition Party Started 225
County Treasurer First Elected 226
Canal Commissioners First Elected 226
The Clay and Polk Campaign 227
Gen. Reed Defeated for Congress 227
Native American Party Organized 228
PAGE.
Judge Thompson Re-elected 228
First Prohibition Movement 229
Soldier Vote in the Mexican War 229
Taylor and Fillmore Elected 229
Auditor and Surveyor General First Elected. 230
Judges First Elected 231
John Galbraith Chosen President Judge 231
Last Whig National Ticket 231
Pierce and King Elected 231
First Free Soil County Ticket 232
Rise of Know-Nothingism 233
Mott's Enormous Majority 233
Maine Liquor Law Voted Down 233
The " Railroad War " in Erie County 233
Local Issues Supersede Party 234
Republican Party Organized 234
Buchanan and Breckeuridge Elected 234
More State Constitutional Amendments 235
The Railroad Question Still Prominent 236
Public Works Sold by the State 236
Break-up of the Democratic Party in 1860 237
Lincoln and Hamlin Elected 237
Governor Curtin's First Election 237
The War for the Union 238
The Galbraith-Lowrv Contest 238
Scofield's First Election 238
The Democrats carrj' Pennsylvania 238
Governor Curtin's Second Election 239
Lincoln and Johnson Elected 239
More Amendments to the State Constitution. . 239
Soldiers Authorized to Vote 239
Period of Soldier Candidates Begins 240
Johnson's "Swing Around the Circle " 240
GENERAL INDEX.
PAGE.
Governor Geary Elected 240
Election of Judge Sharswood 241
First Jury Commissioners Elected 241
Grant and Colfax Elected 241
Governor Geary Re-elected 242
The Scofield-Marvin Campaign 242
Vote in Favor of a Constitutional Convention. 243
Governor Hartranf t's First Election 243
Delegates Elected to Constitutional Conven- tion 244
Office of State Treasurer Made Elective 244
Liberal Republican Movement 244
Grant and Wilson Elected 245
Local Option Adopted and Repealed 245
Wilson Moore's Close Run for Sheriff 246
New Constitution Adopted 246
Democratic "Tidal Wave" Year 246
First Election of Lieutenant-Governor 246
Dr. Egbert Elected to Congress 246
Democratic State Convention in Erie 247
New Constitution in Force 247
Minority Representation in the Boards of
County Commissioners and Auditors 247
First November Election for State and County
Officers 247
Start of the National Greenback Party 247
The Hayes and Tilden Campaign 247
The " Eight by Seven " Commission 248
Wni. A. Galbraith Elected President Judge. . . 248 Election of Trunkey, Noyes and Schell 249
PAGE.
Governor Hoyt and Lieutenant-Governor
Stone Elected 249
Garfield and Arthur Elected 250
Anti-Cameron Outbreak in the Republican
Party 251
Orange Noble's Defeat for State Treasurer. . . 251
Another Republican Revolt 252
Pattison and Black Elected 252
Cleveland and Hendricks Elected 253
First Scott and Mackey Campaign 253
Wm. L. Scott's Big Vote in Erie 254
Second Scott and Mackey Campaign 254
General Beaver Chosen Governor 254
Harrison and Morton Elected 255
Liquor and Suffrage Amendments Defeated.. 257
Further Republican Dissensions 257
The Pattison-Delemater Contest 257
Governor Pattison Re-elected 257
The Tildeu-Griswold Contest 257
Constitutional Convention Voted Down 258
Cleveland's Re-election 258
National People's Party Started 258
The Flood-Sibley Campaign 259
Republican " Tidal Wave " Year 260
Grow's Immense Majority 260
Another Republican Sweep 260
Governor Hastings Elected 260
Griswold Defeats Sibley 261
Election of 1895 261
Judges of the Superior Court First Elected.. . 261 Cost of Elections 262
CHAPTER XXVIII. United States, State, District and County Officeks.— Page 262 to Page 27
ited States Officers
Congressmen
Postmasters at Erie
Assistant Postmasters at Erie.
Collectors of Customs
Deputy Collectors of Ciiston
page. .. 262 .. 262 .. 263 .. 263 .. 263 .. 263
Collectors of Internal Revenue 263
Deputy Collectors of Internal Revenue . . . 263 Assistant Assessors of Internal Revenue . 264
United States Commissioners 264
Deputy Clerks United States Courts 264
Other United States Officers 264
State Officers from Erie County 264
General List 264
Presidential Electors 265
State Senators 265
Members of the House of Representatives 266
District and County Officers 267
President Judges 267
District Judge 268
Additional Law Judges 268
Associate Judges 268
Deputy Attorney Generals 268
District Attorneys 269
Sheriffs 269
Prothonotaries
Registers and Recorders and Clerks of the
Courts
Registers and Recorders
Clerks of the Courts
County Treasurers
Coroners
County Commissioners
Clerks to County Commissioners
Counsel to County Counnissioncrs
Directors of the Poor
Stewards of the Almshouse
Clerks to the Directors of the Poor
Attorneys for the Directors of the Poor. . County Superintendents of Public Schools
County Detectives
County Surveyors
County Auditors
Jury Commissioners
Court Criers
Mercantile Appraisers
Oil Inspectors
Sealers of Weights and Measures
Salaries of County Officers
See Alphabetical Index (Part VII); Also
GENERAL INDEX.
Township!
PART IV.
AND Boroughs of Erie County.
PAGES.
Albion Boroug-h 285-286
Amity Township 287-289
Conneaut Township 281-285
Concord Township 289-291
East Springfield Boroug-h ^ ZSd
Edinboro Borough 367-369
Elgin Borough 291
Elk Creek Township 292-294
Fairview Township 295-299
Fairview Borough 299-300
Franklin Township 300-302
Girard Township 302-306
Girard Borough 306 309
Greene Township 310-312
Greenfield Township 312-315
Harbor Creek Township 315-319
LeBoeuf Township 319-322
PAGES.
Lockport Borough 309
Mill Village Borough 322-323
McKean Township 323-326
Middleboro Borough 326
Mill Creek Township 327-336
North East Township 336-340
North East Borough 340-345
Springfield Township 345-350
Summit Township 350-352
Union Township 352-355
Union City Borough 355-358
Venango Township 359-363
Wattsburg Borough 363-364
Washington Township 365-367
Waterford Township 369-372
Waterford Borough 372-378
Wayne Township 379-383
See Alphabeticai, Index (Part VII); Also Map of Erie County.
PART V.
Cities of Erie and Corry.
See Alphabetical Index (Part VII); Map of Erie County; Also Mill Creek, Wayne and Con- cord Townships.
ERIE.
CHAPTER I.
of the Town— Early Settlers, Etc.— Page 387 to Page 392.
PAGE. Act for Laying Out the Town of Presquelsle. 387
Indian Hostility 387
Second Act for Laying Out the Town 388
First American Settlers 388
First Women 389
First Building 389
How the Town was Laid Out 389
Incorporated as a Borough 389
PAGE
First Divided Into Wards 389
City Charter 389
City Boundaries 390
Sale of Town Lots 390
Prices Paid for Lots 390
Early Arrivals 391
Population, 1820 to 1890 392
CHAPTER II. UEF Description of Erie.— Page 392 to Page 399.
PAGE.
Location of City 392
Elevations Above the Lake 393
Streams and Ravines 393
Streets and Avenues 393
Business and Residence Streets 394
Public Parks 394
Street Names that have been Changed 394
Legal Width of Streets, etc 394
Street Numbering 395
Street Lighting 395
Sewer System 395
Public Buildings, Churches, etc 395
Railroads and Transportation Facilities 396
Local Names 396
Cloughsburg 396
PAGE.
Stumptown 396
New Jerusalem 396
Kingtown 397
Federal Hill 397
Eagle Village 397
Marvintown 397
South Erie 397
Warfeltowu 397
Weigelville 397
Wards and Election Districts 397
City Finances 398
Assessments, 1893 and 1895 Compared 398
Tax Rate for Twenty-seven Years 398
Building Permits, 1889-1894 399
GENERAL INDEX.
CHAPTER III.
i^ND City Officers.— Pag-e 399 to Pa^e 407
PAGE.
First Borough Officers 399
Burgesses 399
Mayors 399
City Counciluien 400
Presidents of City Councils 400
Clerks of City Councils 400
City Treasurers 405
City Controllers 406
City Solicitors 406
City Engineers 406
Superintendents of Streets and Sidewalks. . . . 406
Hig-h Constables 406
Harbor Masters
Health Officers
Clerks of the Markets
City Assessors
Sergeants-at-Arms
City Electrician
Building Inspector
Fire, Water, Police and School Officials.
Park Superintendents
Justices of the Peace
PAGE. .. 406 .. 406 .. 406 .. 406 .. 406 .. 406 .. 406 .. 406 .. 406 . 406
Aldermen 406
Annual Salaries of City Officials 407
CHAPTER IV. Water, Fire and Police Departments,— Page 408 to Puge 414.
PAGE.
Water Department 408
Earliest Movement Toward a Public Water
Supply 408
The Second Step Forward 408
Contract Authorized for a Water Supplj'. . 408
Differences of Opinion 409
New Legislation Secured 409
First Water Commissioners 409
Present Water Works Begun 409
A Reservoir Provided 410
The Old and the New Engines 410
Miscellaneous Information 410
List of Water Cotnmissioners 411
Other Officers of the Department 411
Salary List of the Department 411
Fire Department 411
Early Moves for Fire Protection 411
First Steamer Purchased 411
PAGE.
Paid Department Organized 411
Fire Apparatus Now in Use 412
Engine Houses 412
Number of Men in the Department 412
Pay of the Men in the Department 412
Periods of Incendiary Fires 413
Fire Alarm System 413
List of Fire Commissioner,s 413
Lists of Chiefs of the Department 414
Assistant Chiefs 414
Fire Limits 414
Police Department 414
Early Police Svstem 414
Present Police' Force 414
Patrol Wagon 414
Police Call System 414
Chiefs of Police 414
Captains of Police 414
CHAPTER V. Peninsula, Bay, Harbor, Etc.— Page 415 to Page 425.
PAGE.
The Peninsula in General 415
Cranberrj' Day 415
Historical Items 415
Protection of the Peninsula 415
Damage in Recent Years 417
No Material Change in Genera! Features... . 417
Reports of Government Officers 417
Title to the Peninsula 418
Judge Galbraith's Opinion Thereon 418
The Bay and Harbor 419
Harbor Improvements 419
Government Appropriations 419
Government Engineers 420
Principal Docks 420
Reed's Dock 420
The Public Dock 420
Hard Coal Docks 420
PAGE.
Anchor Line Docks 421
Grain Elevators 421
Erie and Pittsburg Docks 421
Carnegie Docks 421
The Watson Dock 422
The Lake Trade 422
Imports and Exports, 1884-1894 422
Coal Shipments, 1874-1894 422
Grain Receipts, Where From 422
The Fishing Industry 423
A Fisherman's Paradise 423
. 423 . 424 . 424 . 424 . 425 . 425
Gill-Net Fishing
Pound-Net Fishing
Introduction of Steam Fishing Boats .
Amateur Fishermen
Pleasure Boats
Erie Yacht Club
GENERAL INDEX.
CHAPTER VI.
Public Pleasure Resorts. — Pag-e 425 to Pag-e 429.
PAGE.
Cascade Park 425
Lakeside Park 425
Central Park 425
Soldiers' and Sailor's Monument 426
The Park Fountains 426
Keepers of the Parks 426
The Head, or Massassaug-a Point 426
Tracj' Point 427
The Sommerheim Association 427
PAGE.
Glenwood Park 428
The Grove House 428
The Cedars 428
Cochran's Grove 428
The Maples 428
Fair Grounds 429
Race Tracks 429
Base Ball Grounds 429
Club Houses, etc 429
V.
CHAPTER VII. City and State Buildings, Charitable Institutions, Etc.— Page 429 to Page 436.
Home .
City Hall
Court House Bell .
City Hospital
Soldiers' and Sailo Wayne Block Hous
Home for the Friendless 432
Hamot Hospital 433
St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum 434
Old Folks' Home 434
page. , . . 429 , .. 430 . .. 430 . .. 430 , .. 430
St. Vincent's Hospital
Bureau of Charities
Northwestern Pennsylvania H Erie Board of Public Charities Erie Day Nursery
PAGE.
434
435
Societ}'. 435
436
436
Free Kindergarten 436
Exchange for Women's Work 436
HomoLopathic Hospital and Free Dispensary . 436
CHAPTER VIII. Churches, Sunday Schools, Religious vSocieties, Etc. — Page 437 to Page 468.
PAGE.
Presbyterian Churches 437
First Church 437
Selden Memorial Chapel 438
Park Church 438
Park Home Chapel 439
Park Mission Chapel 439
Central Church 440
Central Church Mission Schools 440
Chestnut Street Church 441
United Presbyterian Church 441
Protestant Episcopal Churches 443
St. Paul's Church 443
Bishop Spaulding 444
Trinity Mission 445
Grace Mission 445
Lundy's Lane Mission 445
St. John's Church 445
St. Vincent's Church 446
Bishop Vincent 446
St. Alban's Church 447
Methodist' Episcopal Churches 447
First Church 447
Brown's Avenue Mission 448
Simpson Church 448
Tenth Street Church 449
Wayne Street Church 450
Methodist Episcopal Church Alliance 450
Methodist Episcopal Conferences 450
St. James' African Church 450
Baptist Churches 451
First Church 451
North Star Mission . 452
Hope Mission 452
Wallace Mission 452
PAGE.
Second Church 452
First German Church 452
Swedish Church 453
Lutheran Churches 453
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Reformed 453
Luther Memorial 454
Grace Mission 454
Zion's Mission 454
German Evangelical Trinity Lutheran. . . 454 Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany.. 455
Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran 455
Roman Catholic Churches 455
St. Patrick's Church 456
Catholic Bishops of the Erie Diocese. . . . 456
St. Patrick's Auditorium 456
St. Peter's Cathedral 457
Bishop Mullen 457
Vicar Generals, Erie Diocese 456-457
458 459 459 459 460 460 461
St. Mary's Church.
St. Mary's Priory, Convent, etc.
St. Joseph's Church
St. John's Church
St. Andrew's Church
St. Stanislaus' Church
St. Michael's Church
St. Paul's Church 461
Roil
Catholic Chapels 462
German St. Paul's Evangelical Church. Ansche Chesed Hebrew Reformed Congrega- tion 462
United Brethren Church 463
First Christian Church 463
OENEBAL INDEX.
First Universalist Church 463
Salem Evang-elical Association 464
The New Church (Swedenborgiau) 464
Church of Christ (The Tabernacle) 465
Church of Christian Scientists 465
First Spiritual Society 466
German Temple Congreg-ation 466
Young- Men's Christian Association 466
L,adies' Auxiliary Society, Y. M. C. A 466
PAGE.
State Convention, Y. M. C. A 466
Erie Bethel Association , 467
Himrod Mission Sunday School 467
Christian Endeavor Union of Erie City 467
Women's Christian Association 467
Ministerial Association of Erie 467
State Convention of Christian Endeavor So- cieties 468
Religious Statistics of Erie City for 1890 468
Graveyards and Cemeteries. — Page 468 to Page 471.
Early Protestant Burial Places.
Old French Graveyard
Earlj' Catholic Burial Places. . , Hebrew Cemetery
PAGE. . . . 468 . .. 469 , .. 469 . . . 469
PAGE.
Erie Cemetery 469
Trinity Cemetery 471
Polish Cemetery 471
Lakeside Cemetery Association 471
CHAPTER X.
Clubs, Secret, Pouticai,, Religious and Other Societies — Page 472 to 477.
Clubs ,.... 472
Ancient Order of United Workmen 472
Benevolent Societies (Miscellaneous) 472
Catholic Societies 472
Catholic Benevolent Legion 473
Catholic Union of the Knights of St. John 473
Catholic Mutual Benefit Association 473
Catholic Ladies' Mutual Benevolent Asso- ciation 473
Catholic Literary and Other Societies 473
Colored Masons 474
Colored Odd Fellows ■. 474
Daughters of Liberty 474
Equitable Aid Union 474
Eclectic Assembly 474
Elks, B. P. O. of 474
Fraternal Mystic Circle 474
Grand Army of the Republic 474
Sons of Veterans 474
Women's Relief Corps 474
Harugaris 474
Hebrew Societies 475
Improved Order of Red Men 475
Independent Order of Foresters 475
Junior Order U. A. M 475
Knights of the Golden Eagle 475
Knights and Ladies of Maccabees 475
Knights of St. John and Malta 475
PAGE
Knights of Honor 475
Knights of Malta 475
Knights of Pythias 475
Knights and Ladies of Honor 475
Knights of Labor 475
Masonic Societies 475
Mystic Shrine 476
Musical Societies 476
Medical Societies 476
Miscellaneous Societies 476
National Union 476
Odd Fellows 476
Order of United Friends 476
Protective Trades and Labor Organizations.. 476
Patriotic Order Sons of America 477
Protected Home Circle 477
Political Societies 477
Railroad Societies 477
Royal Arcanum 477
Royal Templars of Temperance 477
Regular Army and Navy Union 477
Religious Societies not Otherwise named 477
Sons of St. George 477
Turners 477
Union Veteran Legion 477
Ladies of the U. V. L 477
W^oodmen of the World 477
CHAPTER XI. Banks, Insurance Companies, Public Corporations, Etc.— Page 478 to Page 4f
PAGE.
First Erie Bank 478
United States Branch Bank at Erie 478
Erie City Bank 478
Bank of Commerce 478
Private Bankers in 1861 478
German Savings Institution 479
Humboldt Savings Bank 479
Erie County Savings Bank 479
John Eliot & Co 479
First National. Bank 479
PAGE. .. 479 . . 480
Keystone National Bank
Second National Bank
Marine National Bank 480
Dime Savings Bank 480
Ball & Colt 480
Erie County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. 480
Harbor Creek Fire Insurance Company 481
German Insurance Company 481
Alps Insurance Company 481
Erie Gas Company 481
GENERAL INDEX.
Pennsylvania Natural Gas Company 481
Welsbach Gas Company 482
Edison Electric Light and Power Company. . . 482 Merchants' and Manufacturers' Electric Light,
Heat and Power Company 482
Erie Electric Motor Company 483
Erie Transfer Company
Erie Real Estate Title Company
Building and Loan Associations
Telegraph Systems
Telephone Exchange
Express and General Carrying Companies
PAGE. .. 483 .. 484
.. 484
CHAPTER XII.
Public and Parochial Schools, School Officers, Academies, Etc. — Page 485 to Page 495.
PAGE.
First School House in Erie 485
Roll of the School 485
Public School System Adopted 485
Early School Buildings 486
Present School Buildings 487
The High School 487
List of Principals 487
City Superintendents 487
List of School Directors, 1834-1895 488
Superintendent of Buildings 489
Free School Books 489
Courses of Study, etc 489
Teachers' Institute 489
Mechanical Drawing School 490
Teachers' Training Class 490
PAGE.
Music, German, Evening Schools, etc 490
Teachers Who Have Been Employed Ten
Years or More 490
Salaries Paid Teachers 490
Growth of the Schools 491
Miscellaneous Information 491
Free Public Library Law 491
Erie Academy 491
Academy Pupils in 1844 492
Erie Female Seminary 493
St. Benedict's Academy 493
Villa Maria Academy 493
Catholic Parochial Schools 493
Erie Business University 494
The Kindergartens 494
CHAPTER XIII.
Manufactures — Historical and Statistical. — Page 495 to Page 504.
PAGE.
Early Mills and Factories 495
" Big Oaks From Little Acorns Grow " 495
Absence of Strikes 495
Manufacturing Statistics, 1880-1890-4 496
Abbatoirs and Packing Establishments 496
Bakeries 496
Breweries 496
Bicycle Works 497
Blank Books, Printing, etc 497
Brick Works 497
Brass Works 497
Button Works r 498
Carriage and Wagon Works 498
Flouring Mills 498
Furniture and Fine Wood Work 498
Iron Works (Miscellaneous) 498
PAGE.
Lime and Cement Works 500
Lumber and Building Material 500
Malt House 501
Nickel Works SOI
Oil Refineries 501
Paint Works 501
Paper Mill and Chemical Works 501
Piano Factories 501
Pump Makers 501
Rubber Works 501
Stone Cutters 501
Stove Factories 502
Tanneries 502
Vinegar and Pickling Works 502
Manufactures Not Classified 502
Factories that have been Discontinued 503
CHAPTER XIV. Business Matters in General. — Page 504 to Page 51/
PAGE.
Board of Trade 504
Charter Members of the same 504
Presidents and Secretaries 504
Business Centers, Various Periods 505
page.
List of Former Business Men 505
Mercantile Agencies 512
Lake and Railroad Business 512
Business Blocks, when Erected 513
CHAPTER XV. Hotels, Markets, Public Halls and Military Companies. — Page 518 to Page 525.
PAGE.
First Public Houses 518
Later Public Houses 518
Brown's Hotel— Ellsworth House 519
South Erie Hotels 519
PAGE.
Mansion House 519
Present Hotels 519
Reed House 519
Liebel House 519
GENERAL INDEX.
|
PAGE. |
|||
|
.... 519 |
|||
|
Arcade Hotel |
.... 520 |
Other Halls |
.... 521 |
|
Wilson House |
.... 520 |
The Public Markets |
.... 522 |
|
Kimberly House |
.... 520 |
First Market House |
.... 522 |
|
Moore House |
.... 520 |
South Erie Market House |
.... 522 |
|
Living-ston Hotel |
.... 520 |
The Street Markets |
.... 522 |
|
Park View House |
.... 520 |
Hay and Wood Market |
.... 522 |
|
Union Depot Hotel |
.... 520 |
Modern Market Houses |
.... 522 |
|
Morton House |
.... 520 |
Central Market House |
.... 523 |
|
Massassaug-a Hotel, etc |
.... 520 |
Abolishment of the Street Market. |
.... 523 |
|
.... S20 |
|||
|
Palace Hotel |
.... 520 |
Parade Street Market House |
.... 523 |
|
South Erie Hotel |
.... 520 |
People's Market House |
.... 523 |
|
Other Public Houses |
.... 520 |
Military Companies |
.... 524 |
|
Public Halls and Places of Amusement. . |
.... 521 |
Companies Previous to the Last War |
.... 524 |
|
FarrarHall |
.... 521 .... 521 |
||
|
Park Opera House |
McLane Light Guard |
.... 524 |
|
|
New York Opera House |
.... 521 |
Sheridan Guard |
.... 524 |
|
Old Wayne Hall |
.... 521 |
Noble Light Guard |
.... 524 |
|
Park Hall |
.... 521 |
Governor's Guard |
.... 524 |
|
Dreisig-aker's Hall |
.... 521 |
Co.'s A. and C, iSth Regiment, N. G. |
P.. 524 |
|
New Wayne Hall |
... 521 |
Services of the Latter Companies |
.... 524 |
|
Academy of Music |
.... 521 |
Fifteenth Regiment N. G. P |
.... 524 |
|
Gabel's Hall |
.... 521 |
National Guard of Pennsylvania |
.... 524 |
CHAPTER XVI.
MiscEi,i,.\NEOus Information. — Page 525 to Page 534.
PAGE.
Centen nial Celebration of 1895 525
The Tanning Industry 526
Natural Gas Wells 527
The Erie Test Well 527
Destructive Floods in Mill Creek 527
Grand Efforts for Charity 528
Musical Organizations 528
Prices and Wages in Years Past 528
Cranberries and Cranberry Day 529
Pioneer Mechanics 529
Taxes in 1820 .529
Original Town of Erie 529
A Curious Custom 530
Drive Along the Beach 530
Erie Horticultural Society 530
An Ancient Structure 530
Letter Carrier System — When Introduced 530
Erie City Directory 530
Lake Shore Masonic Relief Association 530
Art and Artists 530
PAGE.
Masonic History 530
Sisters of St. Joseph 531
Beer, Ale and Malt 531
The Lumber Interests 531
Effect of Railroads 531
Erie Capital Abroad 532
Erie a Healthy City 532
Lime and Cement Trade 532
Council Records 532
The Bottling Business 532
Largest Picnics and Fairs 532
Coal Dealers and Dock Builders 533
A Memorable Event 533
Low Water in the Lake 533
The Niagara, Place where Suuk 534
Tonnage Through the " Soo " Canal 534
Early Postoffice Sites 534
Doctors and Dentists 534
Erie Citizens' Association 534
Grand Army of the Republic, List of Posts. . . 534
See Ai.phabeticai, Index (Part VII); Map of Erie County; Ai
Mi
Creek Township.
CORRY.
CHAPTER I. Generai, and Historical. — Page 535 to Page 540.
PAGE.
Origin of the Place 535
Downer Oil Works 535
Rapid Growth at the Start 535
General Description 536
Borough and City Charters 536
List of Mayors 536
Population, 1870-'80-'90 536
PAGE.
Factories, Hotels and Business Houses 536
Banks and Bank Failures 537
Public Schools 537
School Superintendents 537
Churches 538
Nevvspapers 538
Secret Societies 539
GENERAL INDEX.
PAGE.
Sewerag'e System 540
Street Paving- 540
Miscellaneous 540
PAGE.
State and Count}' Officers 539
Postmasters 540
Water Works 540
SEE AI.PHABETICAL INDEX (Part VII); Map of Erie County; Also Wayne and Concord Townships.
PAET VI.
Family Histories and Biographical Sketches.— Pag-e 541 to Page 896.
PART VII.
Alphabetical Index to Entire Book.
11
PART I.
PENNSYLVANIA.
Historical, Descriptive and Statistical
ALSO-
STATE CONSTITUTION ADOPTED IN 1873.
PiNNSYLVANIA.
HISTORICAL, DESCRIPTIVE AND STATISTICAL.
BORIGINES.— The por- tion of America included in Pennsylvania was or- iginally occupied by an Indian tribe who " called themselves the Lenni Le- nape, or original people." They spoke a common language and assembled around the same council tire. They were united, by conquest, with the historical Six Nations, embracing the Onondagas, the Cayugas, the Oneidas, the Senecas, the Mohawks, and the Tuscaroras. These natives became known to the white set- tlers by the general name of the Iroquois, who had their great council fire in the Onondaga vallej' of New York. Of this confederacy, the Senecas held control of the northwestern portion of the State, embracing Erie and ad- joining counties. The Eriez, or " Cat tribe," who were the original people along the south shore of Lake Erie, were exterminated about the year 1650 by the Iroquois, as is more fully detailed in the general history of Erie county. [For a full account of the Indians of this region see the latter history.]
Anthracite Coal. — Pennsylvania is the only part of the world where anthracite coal is produced in a large quantity. The anthra- cite coal production is limited to the north- eastern portion of the State, and alm'ost en- tirely to the counties of Luzerne, Schuylkill, Lackawanna, and Carbon, covering an area of about 480 square miles. This coal was first tested in what is now Luzerne county about 1768 or 1769. Previous to that the coal in use throughout the world was bituminous or semi- bituminous in character. Anthracite coal was experimented with, for local purposes, in a small way, in the counties where found, for a number of years, but was not received with favor by the general public until about 1820-
23, when it began to be shipped in considera- ble quantities, by means of the Lehigh and Schuylkill systems of navigation. In 1826 about 50,000 tons were received in Philadel- phia, which was then the only port of ship- ment on salt water. Since then the produc- tion has increased to such an extent that an- thracite coal is .sent to every part of the world, and the mining and transportation of the same has become one of the great industries of the State. The amount carried by rail and canal in 1893 was 43,089,536 tons.
Area, etc. — The State is bounded on the north by Lake Erie and New York ; on the east by New York and New Jersey ; on the south by Delaware, Maryland, and West Vir- ginia ; and on the west by West Virginia and Ohio. The Delaware river forms the boun- dary between Pennsylvania on the west and New York and New Jeisey on the east. The greatest width of the State is 175 miles, and its greatest length 303. By official tables pre- pared at Harrisburg, the State is represented as embracing 45,086 square miles and 28,- 808,443 acres.
Battles. — Although founded by Qiiakers, who are opposed to war for any cause, the State has been the scene of some of the most bloody battles and frontier troubles in the his- tory of America. Among these may be men- tioned the struggle between the Eriez and Iroquois along the south shore of Lake Erie, hereafter described at length ; the engagements between the French and English in the west- ern part of the State, including Biaddock's defeat near Pittsburg ; the various skirmishes with the Indians, embracing the attacks on Forts LeBoeuf and Presque Isle ; the Revolu- tionary battles of Paoli, Brandy wine and Germantown ; the massacre at Wyoming ; the Confederate raid upon the Cumberland Valley, and the burning of Chambersburg ; and the decisive battles of the war for the
NELSON'S BIOOBAPEICAL DICTIONARY
Union at Gettysburg. Perry's victory, on the 10th of September, 1813, which gave the United States control of the Great Lakes, was won by a fleet prepared and equipped at Erie.
Bituminous Coal. — The bituminous coal fields of Pennsylvania lie west of the Susque- hanna river, and include an area of more than 9,000 square miles. In the fifteen years from 1880 to 1895 they yielded a product of 470,- 867,769 gross tons. The officers of the State Geological Survey calculate that at the pres- ent rate of production the bituminous coal supply of Pennsylvania will last nearly a thousand years.
Braddock's Defeat. — The terrible defeat of Gen. Braddock, the English commander who was sent out to drive the French from the western part of the State, took place on the north bank of the Monongahela river, a few miles from the present site of Pittsburg, on the 9th of July, 1755. The French troops who effected this result came up Lake Erie from Canada, were assembled and organized at Erie (then known as Presque Isle), and moved south bj- way of LeBoeuf creek, French creek and the Allegheny river. [For an ac- count of the French occupation of Western Pennsylvania, see the General History of Erie County.]
Buckshot War. — This is the derisive title given to a dispute between the Anti-Ma.sons and the Whigs on the one hand, and the Democrats on the other, in 1838-9, over the organization of the State House of Repre- sentatives. Governor Ritner ordered out the State militia and appealed to the general gov- ernment for aid, but, happily, the controversy was settled without bloodshed. [See the Po- litical Record in General History of Erie County.]
Capital— State.— The capital of the State is Harrisburg, on the east bank of the Sus- quehanna river. Up to 1799 Philadelphia was the seat of the State government, but in the latter year it was removed to Lancaster. Harri.sburg became the capital in 1812. The corner stone of the " State House," or Capitol building, at Harrisburg was laid in 1819, and the first meeting of the Legislature therein was held in 1822. The original buildings, which are still occupied, are of brick, plain. but very substantial in their nature. A hand- some additional structure for executive and library purposes was erected in 1894.
Colleges. — [See L^niversities and Col- leges.]
Churches. — [See Religious Denomina- tions.]
Continental Congress. — The sessions of the Continental Congress within the limits of Pennsylvania were held as follows : In Phila- delphia, September 5, 1774, to October 26, 1774, and May 10, 1775, to December 12, 1776; March 4, 1777, to September 18, 1777; Lancaster, September 27, 1777; York, Sep- tember 30, 1777, to June 27, 1778; Philadel- phia, July 2, 1778, to June 21, 1788.
Cities and Towns. — Below is a list of the principal cities and towns, with their popula- tion, as shown by the LI. S. census report of 1890: Cities and Population.
Boroughs. Counties. 1890.
Philadelphia city Philadelphia 1,046,964
Pittsburgh city Alleg-heny 238,617
AUeg-heny city Allegheny 105,287
Scranton city Lackawanna 75,215
Reading city Berks 58,661
Erie city Erie 40,634
Harrisburg city Dauphin 39,383
Wilkes-Barre city Luzerne 37,718
Lancaster city Lancaster 32,011
Altoona city Blair 30,337
William.sport city Lycoming 27,132
AUentown city Lehigh 25,228
Johnstown citj' Cambria 21,805
York borough York 20,793
McKeesport borough. . . Allegheny 20,741
Chester city Delaware 20,226
Norristown borough . . . Montgomery 19,791
Shenandoah borough. .Schuylkill.'. 15,944
Lebanon city Lebanon 14,664
Easton city Northampton 14 ,481
Shamokin borough.. .'. .Northumberland. . 14,403
Pottsville borough Schuylkill 14,117
Pottstown borough . . . .Montgomery 13,285
Hazleton borough Luzerne 11,872
New Castle city Lawrence 11,600
Mahanoy Citv borough. Schuylkill 11,286
10,932 10,833 10,599 10,514 10,302 10,302 10,044 9,735 9,520 9,344
Steelton borough Dauphin 9,250
Butler borough Butler 8,734
Braddock borough Allegheny 8,561
Phojnixville borough. .Chester 8,514
Dunmore borough Lackawanna 8,315
Mount Carmel borough. Northumberland.. 8,254
TitusviUe city Crawford 8,073
West Chester borough . Chester 8,028
Oil City Venango...
Carbondale city Lackawanna. .
Columbia borough Lancaster
Bradford city McKean
South Bethlehem boro ..Northampton
Pittston borough Luzerne
Nanticoke borough Luzerne
Beaver Falls borough. .Beaver
Meadville city Crawford
Plymouth borough Luzerne.
AND HISTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUNTY.
|
Danville boroug-h.... |
.Montour |
7,998 |
|
Homestead borouffh. . |
.Allegheny |
7,911 |
|
Chanibersburgborouff |
I.Franklin |
7,863 |
|
Carlisle borough |
..Cumberland |
7,620 |
|
Sharon borouph |
.Mercer |
7,459 |
|
7,358 |
||
|
Ashland borough .... |
.Schuylkill |
7,346 |
|
South Chester borough. Delaware |
7,076 |
|
|
Washington borough |
.Washington |
7,063 |
|
Bethlehem borough.. |
.Northampton |
6,762 |
|
Bristol borough Uniontown borough. . |
||
|
• Fayette |
6,359 |
|
|
Franklin city |
.Venango |
6,221 |
|
Du Bois borough |
.Clearfield |
6,149 |
|
Taniaqua borough... |
.Schuylkill |
6,054 |
|
5,930 5,729 |
||
|
Huntingdon borough. |
.Huntingdon |
|
|
Corry city |
.Erie_... |
5,677 |
|
Conuellsville borough |
• Fayette |
5,629 |
|
New Brighton borough. Beaver |
5,616 |
|
|
South Easton borough |
.Northampton |
5,616 |
|
Conshohocken boroug |
1. Montgomery |
5,470 |
|
5,317 5,080 |
||
|
Middletown borough. . |
.Dauphin |
|
|
Sharpsburg borough.. |
.Allegheny |
|
|
Tyrone borough Wilkinsburg borough |
4,705 |
|
|
.Allegheny |
4,662 |
|
|
Blootnsburg borough Tarentum borough . . |
||
|
.Allegheny |
4,627 |
|
|
Warren borough |
.Warren |
4,332 |
|
Greensburg borough. |
.Westmoreland ... |
4,202 |
|
Towanda borough . . . |
.Bradford |
4,169 |
|
Renovo borough |
Clinton |
4,154 |
|
4,101 |
||
|
Monongahelacity.... |
.Washington |
4,096 |
|
Ol3'phant borough . . . |
.Lackawanna |
4,083 |
|
Archbald borough . . |
.Lackawanna .... |
4,032 |
|
Lansford borough . . . |
• Carbon |
4,004 |
Criminals. — [See Prisoners.]
Centennial Exhibition. — The Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, held in 1876, in commemoration of the one hundredth anniver- sary of the independence of the United States, was the first great World's Fair in America, and one of the most successful known up to that date. It was liberally aided bj' Penn- sylvania, and owed most of its success to the active and intelligent effort of citizens of Philadelphia and the State at large.
Climate.— The climate of the State is that of the Central temperate zone, with consider- able variation between its northern and south- ern sections. As a rule, there is about two weeks difference between the extreme north and south. This, of course, is somewhat varied by the altitude of the several localities. The summers of the southern counties are very hot at times, while those of the south shore of Lake Erie are almost uniformly pleasant. The temperature of the latter region is great- ly affected by the large body of water, so that
spring sets in a week earlier than in the elevat- ed sections to the east and south of the lake, while winter commences a week later. The same influence makes the lake shore portion of Erie county one of tlie best grape, fruit, berry and melon regions of the world.
Coat of Arms. — An authentic copy of the coat of arms of the State will be found on a preceding page of this book.
Congressmen. — [See Representatives in Congress of the United States.]
Congressional Districts. — Under the cen- sus of 189(.) the State is entitled to thirty Con- gres.=men, being only four less than New York, which at one time was much more ahead of Pennsjivania in population and representa- tion. For want of proper apportionment, twenty-eight of these are elected by Congres- sional Districts and two by the State at large. Eiie and Crawford counties constitute the 2(5th Congressional District. A list of the Congressmen who have represented Erie county will be found in the Political Record.
Constitutions. — The State has had three Constitutions since the Revolution, viz. : The first adopted in 1776; the second in 1790, and revised in 1838; and the third (being the one now in force, a copy of which is appended), adopted December 18, 1873. Under the old Constitutions, most of the State and county officers were appointed by the Governors ; now, with rare exceptions, they are elected by the people, except for limited periods^ Penn- sylvania, always patriotic, was the second of tiie States to ratify the Federal Constitution, which was framed in her chief city in 1787^ [See United States Constitution.]
Courts. — The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, consisting of seven judges, a superior court, of the same number, and the several county, district and minor courts. The Supreme judges are chosen by the people for twenty-one years, each one becoming Chief Justice in turn, according to the expira- tion of his term. The salary of each Supreme Judge is .$8,000 a year, witli $500 additional to the Chief Justice. The judges of the superior court hold office for ten years, and receive a salary, each, of .i!7,500 per annum. Each county with 40,000 inhabitants constitutes a separate judicial district. The salaries of the county judges vary from |4,0(X» to $7,000 a year, being largest in Philadelphia and Alle- gheny counties. Their term of office is ten
NELSON'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY
years. All judicial salaries are paid out of the State treasury. [For a list of judges in Erie county see the general history of the county.]
Debt. — The extensive public improvements upon which the State embarked in its early history created a large debt, which was at one time a very heavy burden. By wise legisla- tion this debt has been practically wiped out of existence. With assets on hand in the sinking fund, it was less than two and a half millions on the 80th of November, 1894. The figures below, from the U. S. census reports of 1890 give the entire debt of the State at that date :
State, Municipal, County and School District Debt.
1880. 1890. Total debt, less sink- ing- fund $107,201,692 $71,041,675
Per capita 25.03 13.51
State debt (see above) 13,883,218 4,068,610
County debt 9,781,384 7,841,484
Municipal debt 81,081,128 54,208,547
School district debt.. 2,455,902 4,893,034
Average Interest Charges on Above Debt.
1880. 1890.
Annual interest
charg-e $7,444,813 $5,778,853
Average rate of in- terest 5.78 5.35
Interest charge per
capita 1.74 1.10
Mortgages in Force January 1, 1890.
on farm on city or average amt.
land. town property. of mortgagks.
$613,105,802 $491,260,895 $1,183
Declaration of Independence. — The
most important historical event that ever hap- pened on Pennsylvania soil, and the greatest in the history of America, was the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This moment- ous incident took place in what is now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, on the 4th of July, 1776. The building is preserved just as it was at the time of the Declaration, and contains numerous interesting relics of the Revolution. It is generally regarded as the most sacred place in American history. The old bell, which rang out " Liberty through the land," is kept in the building, and is an object of great curiosity. The signers of the Declara- tion from Pennsylvania were as follows :
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross.
Early Settlements. — The first settlement of Pennsj'lvania is generally credited to the Swedes, w-ho located on the Delaware river in 1688. They established several forts and vil- lages on that stream and its tributaries, and gave name to various localities in the extreme southeastern portion of the State. Delaware river and bay had been previously visited, however, by the Dutch, who established them- selves at various points south of Philadelphia, within the present limits of the State of Dela- ware. It is not certain that they may not have settled in Pennsylvania in advance of the Swedes, but if such is the case no authen- tic record remains. The Delaware region was conquered b}' the English in 1(564, recovered by the Dutch in 1672, and returned to the English two years later. Beginning at the latter period, it was settled rapidly under English auspices, principally by Qiiakers, who came to enjoy religious freedom. On the ac- quirement of Pennsylvania by William Penn, in 1681, he took prompt steps to induce emi- gration. The liberal laws and government he instituted attracted the notice of those who objected to the established churches of Europe, and it was not long until there was a large in- flux of Qiiakers, Welsh dissenters, and Pres- byterians from Scotland and the north of Ire- land. An extensive colon}' of Mennonists, or German Baptists, and Dunkards, came in dur- ing the period between 1698 and 1780, and these were joined about the latter date by a host of German Lutherans, who continued to arrive for a number of years. The Germans settled on the rich lands of the southeastern counties, while the Scotch-Irish gradually pushed forward into the western districts, each nationality giving character to the sections in which it located. The German emigration ceased about 1750 or '60, and did not revive until after the Revolution. Few Catholic Irish or Germans settled in the State until a comparatively modern date. As long as the crown of England held control the English and Scotch-Irish element dominated, but some years after Independence the Germans rose into political power, and, for a long period, elected most of the public officeis, and gave tone to State legislation.
AND HISTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUNTY.
Eminent Men. — Among the eminent men who have been connected with the history of Pennsylvania were : William Penn, the founder; Benjamin Franklin, the greatest " all-round man " the American nation has produced; Anthony Wayne, the Revolution- ary hero; Stephen Girard, the millionaire and philanthropist; Robert Morris, the financier of the Revolution; Chief Justice Gibson, the profound jurist ; John Fitch, the inventor of the steamboat, and Robert Fulton, who brought the idea into prominence before the public; Benjamin West, P. F. Rothermel and Thomas Hovenden, the famous painters ; Lind- ley Murray, the grammarian ; David Ritten- house, the mathematician; David Wilmot, the anti-slavery agitator ; Simon Cameron, the shrewd politician ; William Strong and Jeremiah S. Black, the distinguished lawyers ; Thaddeus Stevens, " the great commoner ;" Edwin M. Stanton, the "organizer of vic- tory " in the late war ; Stephen Decatur and David D. Porter, the brilliant naval officers; Generals McClellan, Meade. Hancock, Rey- nolds, Geary and Hartranft, leaders in the war for the Union; Geo. W. Childs and Andrew Carnegie, the liberal givers; and many others, second only to these in reputation, whose names appear on other pages of this book.
Elections. — The city, ward, borough and township elections are held on the third Tues- day of February, and the general elections for State and county officers on the Tuesday next following the first Monday of November.
Executive Officers. — The principal exec- utive officers are : Governor, Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, Secretary of the Commonwealth (ap- pointed) , AttorneyGeneral (appointed), Audi- tor General, State Treasurer, Secretary of In- ternal Affairs and Superintendent of Public Instruction (the latter appointed). Adjutant General (appointed), Insurance Commissioner (appointed). Superintendent of Banking (ap- pointed), State Librarian (appointed). Fac- tory Inspector (appointed), and Superintend- ent of Public Printing (appointed). These officers are assisted by numerous deputies and chiefs of departments, and there are a great variety of boards, commissions and minor posi- tions, making a list too long for publication here.
Founder of the State.— The State was founded by William Penn, who acquired it by gift from King Charles II of England, in
liquidation of claims held by his father, a dis- tinguished admiral, against the crown of that countr}'. The charter from the King was dated March 4, 1681, and is still in good pres- ervation at Ilarrisburg. By the King's order, and against Penn's protest, the province was named Pennsylvania (meaning Penn's woods or forest) in honor of the distinguished serv- ices of his father. On securing possession of his territory, Penn drew up " a form of govern- ment and a code of laws, all bearing the stamp of his benevolent mind." His prevailing pur- pose was to establish a commonwealth that should be devoted to peace, good morals, general education and religious freedom. His course of action was so different from that of other colonial founders, and his dealing with the Indians was so just and humane, that his name is illustrious as that of one of the wisest and greatest of men. Penn's first visit to the province was on the 27th of October, 1682. He returned to England in 1684, and made a second visit in 1699, remaining some two years. By religion he was a Quaker, and he made many sacrifices and suffered severe per- secution in behalf of personal and religious liberty. He was born in London October 14, 1644, and died of paralysis at Rushcombe, England, July 30, 1718. " His enduring monument is the great State founded by him ' in deeds of peace.'"
First Things. — The first stone turnpike in the United States was built between Philadel- phia and Lancaster, by a private company, in 1792—4. The first canal of any considerable length within the limits of the Union was begun in 1792, with the intention of construct- ing a water way between the Delaware at Philadelphia and Lake Erie, at or near Erie. The first line of coaches between Philadelphia and Pittsburg was started in August, 1804, via Harrisburg, Carlisle, Bedford and Greens- burg, the time from one terminus to the other occupying seven days. The first carriage in the world moved by steam on common roads was built by Oliver Evans and successfully operated at Philadelphia in July, 1807- The first railroad in America was built at a stone quarry in Ridley township, Delaware county, in 1808. The railroad from Philadelphia to Columbia was opened for travel in October, 1834 (being part of the State improvement system), and the first boat on the main line of the State canal between the latter place and
NELSON- S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY
Pittsburg reached the Ohio in the same month. The Pennsylvania railroad, the first great line of the kind in the State, and one of the ear- liest through systems in the country, was com- pleted to Pittsburg in 1854. The first really successful steamboat was built by Robert Ful- ton, a Pennsylvanian, though the idea of pro- pelling boats by steam had previously been patented by John Fitch, another citizen of the State, who made some experiments on the Delaware which foreshadowed the future use- fulness of his scheme.
Flag of the United States.— The Na- tional Flag, which was designed by a Philadel- phia lady, Mrs. Betsey Ross, was adopted by the Continental Congress, sitting in that city, on the 14th of June, 1777. The resolution to that effect was as follows : " That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white ; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, represent- ing a new constellation." Describing the flag, Charles Sumner said: "The stripes of alternate red and white on the United States flag proclaim the original union of thirteen States to maintain the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Its stars, white on a field of blue, proclaim that union of States constituting our national constellation, which receives a new star with every new State. The two together signify union, past and present. The very colors have a language which was officially recognized by our fathers. White is for purity ; red for valor ; blue for justice." In commemoration of the adoption of the national emblem, the 14th of June in each year has been set apart as "Flag Day," and is generally observed, more especially by the schools. By a later act of Congress to the one above men- tioned, a star is added upon the admission of every new .State.
French War. — As is more fully detailed in the general history of Erie county, the French at one time claimed all the country from the headwaters of the Allegheny river, down the Ohio, to the mouth of the Missis- sippi. Their claim was disputed by the English. The French made their base of operations at Erie (formerly known as Presque Isle), and established a chain of forts from there southward, among other points, at Waterford (LeBoeuf), Franklin (Venango), and Pittsburg (Duquesne). Early in 1753, George Washington, then a young man, was
sent to LeBoeuf to inquire into the purpose of the French. Receiving an evasive answer, he returned to Virginia, and headed a force to drive the French out of the country. The latter pushed forward a thousand men from Erie to Pittsburg, and forced Washington, with a small detachment, to capitulate. Brad- dock's expedition, in behalf of the English and English colonists, was organized in 1758, with Washington as an aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief. It consisted largely of British regulars, added to a considerable body of Colonial troops from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. The French and their Indian allies waited in ambush at a point on the Monongahela river, ten miles from Pittsburg, where they surprised Braddock and effected one of the most complete routs in history. A second army was organized in 1758 bj' the English, assisted by the Colonies, who march- ed to attack Fort Duquesne. The French, on learning of the superior force of their foes, abandoned the fort, which was promptly christened Fort Pitt, in honor of the great English premier. Soon after the French dis- appeared from the western part of the State, and, by a treaty of peace in 1762, relinquished all claim to the country. By the same treaty Canada became a British province.
Fruits. — Every variety known to the north temperate zone grows in profusion, especially apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, prunes, quinces, grapes, and apricots.
Floods (Great.) — Some of the most de- structive floods ever known have occurred in Pennsylvania. Scarcely a year passes that much damage is not done along the rivers and creeks of the State, due mainly to the cutting off of the timber. The most terrible calamity that ever happened in Pennsylvania took place on May 31, 1889. Heavy rains had oc- curred all over the State, filling every stream to excess. A large dam on the South Fork of the Conemaugh river burst suddenly, let- ting out an immense volume of water that swept everything before it. The flourishing towns of Johnstown and Conemaugh were practically wiped out of existence. It is esti- mated tha't from 3,500 to 4,000 persons lost their lives, and that the flood caused the de- struction of $75,000,000 worth of property. The sympathy of the whole country was aroused in behalf of the surviving population, and donations of money, clothing, etc., were
Pittsburg reached the Ohio in the same mor-th The Pennsylvania railroad, the first great line: of t!ic kind in the State, and one of the ear- liest through systems in the country, was com- j pleted to Pittsburg in 1854. The first really i successful steamboat was built by Robert Ful- j ton, a Pennsylvanian, though the idea of pro- i pelling boats by steam had previously been i patented by John Fitch, another citizen of the ! State, who made some experiments on the I Delaware which foreshadowed the future use- j fulness of his scheme. i
Flag of the United States.— The Na- j tional Flag, which was ilesigned by a Philadel- i phia lady. Mrs. Betsey Ross, was adopted by ' the Coniincntal Congress, sitting in that city, | on the 1 ttb of June, 1777. The resolution to j that effect was as follows : "That the flag of j the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, '. alternate red and white; that the union be i thirteen stars, white in a blue field, Tepresent- [ ing a new "constellation." Describing the | flag, Charles Sumner said: "The stripes of | alternate red and while on the United States flag proclaim the original union of thirteen ' .States to maintain the Declaration of Inde- i pendence. Its stars, white on a field of blue, i proclaim that union of States constituting our national constellation, which receives a new star with every new State. The two together signify union, past and present. The very colors have a language which was oflicially recognized by pur fathers. White- is for purity ; red for valor ; blue for justice." In commemoration of the adoption of the national i emblem, the 14th of June in each year has j been set apart as "Flag Day," and is generally ' observed, more especially by the schools. By '• a later act of Congress to the one above men- I tioned, a star is added upon the admission of i every new State. , j
French War. — As is more fully detailed i in the general history of hrie county, the ! French at one time claimed all the country [ from the liendwaters of the Allegheny river, ; down the Ohio, to the mouth of the Missis- i sippi. Their claim was disputed by the ' English. The I'rench made their base o( oj">erations at Erie ( formerly known as Pre'-que '■ Isle), and established a chain of forts from there southward, among other points, at VVateri'ord (LeBoeuf), Franklin (Venango! md riltsburg (Duquesne). Early in 175" <; .i.rgti Washington, then a young vr.:-..
dri^ latt.
Erie II. I : with a stn '■ dock's ex]
and Englisii t :.. >i >. with Washington as a • commander-in-chief, ii British regulars, added ld ,i i."!: of Colonial troops from Penns\ ' and Maryland, The French »'i. allies waiti'd in ambu'^^l Monongaheia river, ten . where they surprised H- one of the most compieti second army was orgiui English, assisted bj- the ('• ed to attack Fort Duquesiu- learning of the superior force abandoned the fort, which christened Fort Pitt, in bono English premier. Soon after .' appeared from the western 0!>'> ■ and. by a treaty of peace ■■- ' ' all claim to the countr\ Canada became a Britis'
Fruits. — Every vari( temperate zone grows in apples, pears, peaches, cl. quinces, grapes, and apri<Xiis.
Floods (Great.) — Some of the m<>"\ i' structivc floods ever knowji hnvf. oc-'ii i <' '■ Pennsylvania. Scarcel> much damage is not doii' creeks of the State, due off of the timber. The 'i that ever happened - in place on May 81, 1889. curred all over the Statt to excess. A large dain of the Conemaugh rive ting out an imiu swept everything : towns of Johnst. practicallv ' " mated that their live-
SIMOrt 5MYDER.
WILLIAM FIAJDLAY.
AND mSTOIllCAL REFJSUENVE BOOK OF ERIE COUNT Y.
sent in to an unprecedented amount, the total cash contributions alon'e being 13,746,819. Tlie same unusual period of rains caused great mischief along the valleys of the Juniata and the West Branch, especially at W'illiamsport and Lock Haven, in tiie latter region, but the disasters at those points were almost lost sight of in view of the overwhelming calamity at Johns- town. It is characteristic of the American people that the citizens of the latter place set to work immediately to retrieve their misfor- tune, and to-day Johnstown is larger and more prosperous than before the disaster. An- other memorable flood took place on Oil Creek June 5, 1892, caused, as before, by the breaking of a dam. It did vast damage at Titusville and Oil Citv, and led to much loss of life. The floods of 1892 extended all over the northwestern part of the State, and were particularly disastrous at Union City, in Erie county, and Irvineton, in Warren county. An account of this and other serious floods in Erie county will be found in the ensuing chapters.
Fisfi and Fisheries. — Tiie lisherics of the State are quite extensive, being most produc- tive in the Delaware, near Philadelphia ; in the Susquehanna, below Columbia, and in Lake Erie at Erie city. Shad are caught in great numbers in the rivers named, and white fish, pike, sturgeon, bass, perch, herring and other fish in Lake Erie. The rivers and creeks were once well stocked with a large variety of fish, but they have decreased in consequence of the dams and the filth poured into the streams by the cities, towns, mines and factor- ies. Brook trout, once plentiful, are now only found to any extent in the mountain streams. The State has established several fish hatcheries, and the Fish Commission are making a strong effort to restock the lakes and streams. The following statistics, from the censuses of 1880 and 1890, show the extent to which fishing is carried on in a commercial way :
Peksons Capit.^i, Valuk OI'
Employes. Invested. Product.
18^0 SS2 119,810 $320,050
1890 2,631 735,035 903,005
[See Cjeneral Historj- of Erie County.] Franklin, Benjamin. — The most illustri- ous person in Pennsylvania history was born in Boston in 1705, and died in Philadelpha, after residing there most of his life, and fill- ing almost every important position in the
gift of his State and country, on the 17th of April, 1790, aged about 83 years. He was buried by the' side of his wife in the cemetery- of Christ Church, Philadelphia, at the south- ! east corner of Fifth and Arch streets, j where the slab that covers his remains is open to the public view, through an iron railing, on the line of the public walk. The follow- ing epitaph was written by Franklin when he was only twenty-two years old :
The Body
OK
1 BENJAiMIN FRANKLIN,
Printer, (Like the cover opan old book. Its contents torn out. And stripped of its lettering and i gilding),
1 Lies here food for worms.
But the work shall not be lost. For it will (as he believes) appear once
MORE,
In a new and more elegant edition. Revised and Corrected
BY
I THE AUTHOR.
Farms and Farm Products. — The United
States census reports give these statistics in , regard to farms and farming products, exclu- j sive of live stock :
Number of Farms, Etc.
AVEKAGE
improved unimproved size in
total. acres. acres. acres.
1870 174,041 11,515,965 6,478,235 103
1S80 313,542 13,423,007 6,368,334 93
1890 211,557 13,210,597 5,153,773 87
1 Valuation of Farm Lands.
j LAND & iMPLE- live
BLDGS. MENTS, ETC. STOCK.
1870 (depre- ciated cur-
I rency) 1,043,481,582 36,658,196 115,647,075
! 1880(g-old
basis) 975,689,410 35,473,037 84,242,877
1890 (gold basis) 922,240,233 39,046,855 101,652,758
Bushels of Cereals Produced.
BARLEY. B'KWHEAT. CORN.
]870 529,562 2,532,173 34,702,006
1880 438,100 3,593,326 45,821,531
1890 493,893 3,069,717 42,318,279
NELSON'S BIOGRAPUICAL DICTIONARY
70.
OATS. ...36,478,585 ...33,841,439 1890 36,197,469
RYE.
3,577,641 3,683,621 3,742,164
WHEAT.
19,672,967 19,462,405 21,595,499
Hay, Potatoes and Tobacco.
HAY — POTATOES — TOBACCO —
TONS. BUSHELS. POUNDS.
.2,848,219 12.889,367 3,467,539
.2,811,517 16,284,819 36,943,272
.4,331,582 12,899,315 28,956,247
Poultry and Eggs.
other eggs- chickens, fowl. dozens.
6,620,016 740,787 34,377,889
10,381,781 999,604 50,049,915
1890
Game Laws. — The Acts of Assembly make it lawful to kill wild birds, animals and fish in the State — excepting Pike county and the Delaware river — only within the periods stated below ; the penalties for infringement thereof being from $5 to $50 : Birds.
Turkeys Oct. 15 to Jan. 1
Ducks •. Sept. 1 to May 1
Plover Sept. 1 to Dec. 1
Woodcock July 4 to Jan. 1
Quail Nov . 1 to Dec. 15
Ruffled grouse or pheasants Oct. 1 to Jan. 1
Rail and reed birds Sept. 1 to Dec. 1
Animals.
Elk and deer Oct. 1 to Dec. 15
Squirrels Sept. 1 to Jan. 1
Hares and rabbits Nov. 1 to Jan. 1
Fish.
Salmon or speckled trout April 15 to Julj- IS
Lake trout April 15 to July 15
Black bass, pike and pickerel. ..June 1 to Jan. 1 German carp Sept. 1 to May 1
Governors and Lieutenant-Governors.
— Under the original system the Governors were appointed by \\'illiam Penn and his fam- ily, who also named the legislative council. William Penn himself acted as Governor for some six years. The last proprietary Governor was John Penn, a grandson of the founder — who was deposed in 1770, together with all officers of the royal government. During the Revolution, and up to the adoption of the Constitution of 1790, the presidents of the Supreme Executive Council acted as Govern- ors. Among the most famous of these were John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Mifflin. The Governors and Lieuten- ant-Governors have been as follows [See sketches of Governors on other pages] :
Governors.
TERM OF OFFICE.
N.\ME. COUNTY.
Under the Constitution of 1790.
1— Thomas Mifflin Philadelphia Dec. 21, 1790, to Dec. 17, 1799.
2— Thomas McKean Chester Dec. 17, 1799, to Dec. 20, 1808.
3— Simon Snyder Union Dec. 20, 1808, to Dec. 16, 1817.
4— William Findlay Franklin Dec. 16, 1817, to Dec. 19, 1820.
5— Joseph Hiester Berks Dec. 19, 1830, to Dec. 16, 1823.
6— John Andrew Shulze Lebanon Dec. 16, 1823, to Dec. 15, 1829.
7— Georg-e Wolf Northampton Dec. 15, 1829, to Dec. IS, 1835.
8— Joseph Ritner Washington Dec. 15, 1835, to Jan. 15, 1839.
Under the Constitution of 1838.
9— David Rittenhouse Porter Huntingdon Jan. IS, 1839, to Jan. 21, 1845.
10— Francis Rawn Shunk* Allegheny Jan. 21, 1845, to July 9, 1848.
11— William Freame Johnston* Armstrong July 26, 1848. to Jan. 20, 1852.
12— William Bigler Clearfield Jan. 20, 1852, to Jan. 16, 18S5.
13— James Pollock Northumberland Jan. 16, 1855, to Jan. 19, 1858.
14— William Fisher Packer Lycoming Jan. 19, 1858, to Jan. IS, 1861.
15— Andrew Gregg Curtin Centre Jan. 15, 1861, to Jan. 15, 1867.
16— John White Geary Westmoreland Jan. 15. 1867, to Jan. 21, 1873.
Under the Constitution of 1873.
17— John Frederick Hartranft Montgomery Jan. 21, 1873, to Jan. 18, 1879.
18— Henry Martyn Hoyt Luzerne Jan. 18, 1879, to Jan. 16, 1883.
19— Robert Emory Pattison Philadelphia Jan. 16, 1883, to Jan. 18, 1887.
20— James Addams Beaver Centre Jan. 18, 1887, to Jan. 20, 1891.
21— Robert Emory Pattison Philadelphia Jan. 20, 1891, to Jan. 15, 1895.
22— Daniel Hartman Hastings Centre Jan. 15, 1895,
*Governor Shunk resigned on his death-bed July 9, 1848, and was succeeded by Mr. Johnston, who, as president of the Senate, became Governor by the Constitutional provision. Governor Shunk was the only Chief Executive who died during the term for which he was elected.
AND mSTOlilCAL UEFEUENCE BOOK OP ERIE COUNTY.
Lieutenant-Governors Under the Constitution of 1873.
John Latta Westmoreland county Jan. 1'), 1875, to Jan. 21, 1879.
Charles W. Stone Warren county Jan. 21, 1879, to Jan. 16, 1883.
Chauncev Forward Black York county." Jan. 16, 1883, to Jan. 18, 1887.
William T. Davies Bradford county Jan. 18, 1887, to Jan. 20, 1891.
Louis Arthur Watres Lackawanna county Jan. 20, 1891, to Jan. 15, 1895.
Walter Lyon Alleg-heny county Jan. IS, 1895,
General Progress. — The general progress of Pennsylvania for the last twenty years has been greater than that of any other Eastern State. The following figures from the l'. S. census reports show how the State is gaining in population upon Xew York :
1870. .3.521,951. .4,382,759.
.4,282,891.. .5,082,871..
1890. .5,258,014 .5,997,853
739,83>l
Gettysburg. — The most decisive and a- mong the most desperate series of battles in the war for tiie Union took place on Pennsylvania soil, at Gettysbuig, in Adams county, near the Maryland line. A brief account of the three- days' series of fights at that point will be found under the heading, "War for the Union." The battlefield is now largely occu- pied as a national cemetery and public park, and is covered with splendid memorial stones, marking all the important positions, and mak- ing it one of the most interesting spots in the world. Gettysburg is easily reached by rail from Ilarrisburg, York and Baltimore. It was at the dedication of the monument to the Union dead, in the National Cemetery at Get- tysburg, on the 19th of November, 1864, that Lincjaln delivered the address which ranks as one of the classics of American oratory, read- ing as follows :
" Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new na- tion, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
" Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any na- tion, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We are met to dedicate a portion of it as the final resting place of those who here gave their lives that this nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
'But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this
ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
" It is for us, the living, rather to be dedi- cated here to the unfinished work that they have thus far so nobl)- carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here higiily resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain ; that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom, and that the government of the peo- ple, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from tiie earth.''
Holidays. — The following are the legal holidays and half-holidays in the State. Ac- cording to law, all notes due on any holiday or half-holiday are payable and protestable on the next secular business day :
January 1st — New Year's Day.
Third Tuesday of February (municipal election). After 12 o'clock noon.
February 22d — Washington's Birthday.
Good Friday.
May 30th — Decoration Day.
July 4th — Independence Day.
First Saturday in September — Labor Day.
First Tuesday after the first Monday in November — General election.
Thanksgiving Day (by appointment of the Governor).
December 25th — Christmas.
Every Saturday after 12 o'clock noon.
Indian Titles.— Under the peaceful policy adopted by William Penn all Indian claims to the lands of the State were extinguished by treaty and purchase. The release of the Tri- angle portion of Erie county was secured from the Six Nations in November, 1784, and con- firmed in 1789. The lands south of the Tri- angle, in the northwestern part of the State, were sold by the Indians in 1784, and relin-
NELSON'S BIOGRAPEICAL DICTIONARY
quished by all the tribes who claimed an inter- est, in 1785. [See General History of Erie County.]
Iron and Iron Ore. — Extensive bodies of iron ore exist in various sections, which are largely used in the furnaces of the State. One of the most valuable deposits of iron ore in the world is in Cornwall, Lebanon county, which is generally spoken of as inexhausti- ble, and which is worth many millions of dol- lars. The ore consists of one vast mass, and is dug as gravel or clay would be in most places. It is one of the richest deposits of mineral in the entire world, and probably the easiest of access. Deposits of iron ore are found in manj- parts of the State, but none are equal in extent to the one mentioned above. Generally speaking, the ore, coal and limestone lie conveniently near to each other, making Penn.sylvania one of tlie great iron- producing portions of the world.
Indian Wars and Disturbances. — While Penn lived and his policy was adhered to, the Indians gave the white settlers little trouble. As the conflict between the French and English developed, they showed a decided favor, however, for the former, who seem to have been the more skillful in courting their friendship. They took an active part with the French in their efforts to circumvent the English, and were present in large numbers at the defeat of Braddock. This latter event en- couraged them in the hope of driving the English out of the country, and was succeeded by numerous Indian murders and outrages. The departure of the French left them still hostile, but apparently submissive. Pontiac, the celebrated Indian chief, conceived the idea of striking a sudden and simultaneous blow that should wipe the English, and the colonists under them, out of existence, west of the AUeghenies. To this end he, in 17(53, enlist- ed a considerable body of the natives, who were to make a concerted attack upon all the English posts from the Allegheny mountains westward. The forts at Erie, Waterford and Franklin were captured, but the attempt on the one at Pittsburg and elsewhere in the southern counties proved a failure. This des- perate venture, known in history as " Pontiac's Conspiracy," was succeeded by frequent skir- mishes with the savages and the loss of many lives, both white and Indian. The white people, roused by a spirit of retaliation, in-
flicted severe damage upon the Indians, and it is a question to the person who studies the events of the times, which side was most cruel. The Indians became overawed, sued for peace in 1764, and remained comparatively quiet for. some years. They looked upon the white colonists, though, as their natural foes, and, when the Revolution opened, transferred their allegiance from the French to the British, whom they were led to believe would restore them to their former rights and possessions. Early in 1778, a bod)' of Indians joined with some tories and British regulars, descended the North Branch and destroyed the flourish- ing settlements in the Wyoming Valley. The barbarity shown in this raid has gone into his- tory as the " W^yoming Massacre." The colonists quickly organized expeditions in re- tribution of their injuries which destroyed the Indian villages along the Upper Susquehanna and Allegheny rivers. By 1788 most of the hostile Indians had been driven into "the wilds of Ohio." Thej' continued troublesome for a number of years, during which it was unsafe for white men to locate in the northern or northwestern counties. Several expeditions were sent against them, but they were not finally subdued until Wayne took command, and by his energy and courage compelled them to accept terms of peace. The treaty by which this was effected was made at Green- ville, Ohio, on the 3d of August, 1795. From this date there were no serious Indian disturb- ances in the part of the Union embraced within western and northwestern Pennsylvania, and the country was rapidly opened to settlement. [For an account of the Indians of the north- west, and a sketch of General W^aj'ne, see the General Historj' of Erie County. ]
Johnstown Flood. — [See Floods.] Judiciary System. — [See Courts.] Keystone State. — The name, Keystone State, as usually applied to Pennsylvania, arose from the fact that it was the central one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against Great Britain. The colonies on the north were New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hamp- shire (6) ; on the south, Delaware, Mary- land, Virginia, Nortli Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia (6). As far as known, the term was first applied in an address issued by the Democratic or Democratic Republican com- mittee in 1803.
AND UISTOBIGAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE C0U2^TY.
29
Leading Products. — The leading products of the State, aside from manufactures, are as follows :
Minerals. — Anthracite coal, bituminous coal, semi-bituminous coal, petroleum, iron ore, natural gas and nickel.
Vegetable Productions. — Everything that is produced in the temperate zone, includ- ing vast quantities of tobacco in the eastern counties.
Stone. — Slate, marble, sandstone, lime- stone, greenstone, and a variet\- of the most valuable building stones.
Timber. — Pine, hemlock, chestnut, wal- nut, oak, ash, beech, maple, cherry, cucum- ber, etc.
Fruits, etc. — Peaches, pears, apples, grapes, cherries, quinces, plums, apricots, prunes; in fact, all the varieties that grow in the north. The south shore of Lake Erie, in Erie county, has become one of the finest grape and wine regions in the world.
Nuts. — Walnuts, chestnuts, beech nuts, hickory nuts, hazel nuts, butternuts, etc.
Fish. — Shad, white fish, salmon, trout, perch, pike, eel, herring, muscalonge, black, yellow and white bass, sturgeon, sunfish, etc. Vast fisheries are carried on upon the Susque- hanna and Delaware rivers, and on Lake Erie at the city of Erie and in its vicinity.
Domestic Animals. — Cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, mules, and all the animals that thrive in the temperate zone are produced in great nimibers.
Grains. — All kinds of grain that grow in the United States are cultivated in Pennsyl- vania. The State is one of the most prolific grain-growing sections of America. In fact, Pennsylvania maj- be said, without boasting, to be one of the choicest spots of the earth. Ever}' kind of mineral useful to man is natural to the State except the precious metals, and, as a fruit, grain-growing, agricultural, veget- able and timber-producing State, it is unsur- passed. Natural gas is found in vast quanti- ties west of the Alleghenies, and many cities and towns are heated by this useful natural product. The State contains some fine mineral springs, chief of which are those at Bedford, Cresson, Minnequa, Cambridge and Saeger- town.
Legislature. — The Legislature consists of 50 Senators, elected for four years, and 204 Representatives, elected for two years. The
pay of each Senator and Representative is I 11,500, and mileage both ways, for each regu- lar session. The Legislature meets every two years, unless called in extra session by the Governor, when additional pay and mileage are allowed to the members.
Legislation. — All legislation is closely re- stricted by the Constitution.
Language. — The language of the people is generally English, biit there is a large popula- tion, mainly in the southeastern counties, who ; use what is known as " Pennsylvania Dutch," being a mixture of English and German, due to the early emigration heretofore referred to. Up to 1840 or thereabouts, this portion of the population was strong enough to compel the laws and ofiicial papers to be printed in the German language. They also dominated the politics of the State for a number of years.
Lakes. — The largest lake is Lake Erie, which forms the northwestern border. The next largest is Conneaut lake, in Crawford county, which has become a popular summer resort. There are a number of small lakes, chiefl)' in the northern counties.
Liberty Bell.— The old Liberty Bell, per- haps the most precious historical relic in America, is carefully preserved in Independ- ence Hall, Philadelphia.
Libraries, Art Galleries and Museums. — The State contains a number of valuable public libraries, art galleries and museums. Chief among these are the ones in Philadel- phia, Pittsburg and Allegheny, and the State library at llarrisburg. The Carnegie library buildings in Pittsburg and Allegheny are among the costliest and finest for the purpose in the world. The State completed a splendid building at Harrisburg in 1894 for the storage of its library, which comprises thousands of valuable volumes.
Live Stock. — Below are the statistics of live stock, as given in the United States cen- sus reports :
WORKI.NG MILCH HORSES. MULES. OXEN. COWS.
1870 460,339 ]S,009 30,048 706,437
1880 533,587 22,914 15,062 854,156
1890 618,660 29,563 17,364 927.524
OTHER SHEEP, IXCLVDIXG
CATTLE. .SWINE. SPRING LAMBS.
1870 608,066 867,548 1,794,301
1880 861,019 1.187,968 1.776,598
1890 761,800 1,278,029 1,612,107
NELSON'S BIOGltAPEICAL DICTIONARY
Live Stock Products.
fleeces pounds gals. of
shorn. ok wool. milk.
1870 6,551,722 *14,411,729
1880 l,17fi,598 8,470,273 f36,540,540
IS'JO 1.226,669 6,441,164 ^368,906,480
POUNDS OF POUNDS OF BUTTER. CHEESE.
1870 60,834,644 1,145,209
1880 79,336,012 1,008,686
1890 76,809,041 439,060
*Milk sold.
I Milk sold or sent to butter or cheese factories.
i:All milk produced on farms.
Military System. — The Governor is the head of the military system, and the next of- iicer in command is the Adjutant General, who is appointed by the former, and consti- tutes one of his cabinet officers. The organi- zation is purely voluntary, and is recognized as one of the best in the Union. Almost every town of an}' size has a military company, and there are from two to a dozen or more in the cities, according to their size. Every member of an active military organization is sworn in for three years, and is obliged to render duty when called upon by his superior officers. The military force consists of three brigades, commanded by one major general and three brigadier generals. The brigades are divided into regiments and companies, and are known as the National Guard of Pennsylvania. An encampment, the cost of which is paid by the State, is held annually at some convenient point, for the purpose of drill and general manoeuvres. Each companj- is critically ex- amined by chosen officers once each year, and the system is regarded as one of the best peace protections of the State. Under the Constitution, every citizen between eighteen and forty-five years of age is liable to be call- ed upon for defence of the State, but the Legislature is authorized to exempt by law those who have conscientious scruples against bearing arms.
Manufactures. — The State is one of the greatest manufacturing sections of the Union, being only excelled by New York, which has an advantage in its large cities. The most important iron and steel works in America are located in Pennsylvania, and the State is hardly equalled in her carpet and silk factor- ies. The census reports of the United .States fin-nish the statistics below given :
EMPLOYES. WAGES. VALUE OF PRODUCTS.
1880 387,072 $134,055,904 S 744,818,445
1890 620,562 305,591,033 1,331,794,901
Motto.— The motto of the State is " Vir- tue, Liberty and Independence" which forms a part of the coat of arms, elsewhere shown.
Mineral Products. — The principal miner- al products, in tons, are given as follows in the U. S. census reports :
1880. 1890.
Iron ore 1,951,496 1,560,234
Coal 47,065,982 81,719,059
Total value of the mineral products of Penn- sylvania in 1889, $150,876,619.
Mason and Dixon's Line. — This once famous line, being the division between the free and slave States of the Union, was the boundary between Pennsj-lvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. It was run duringthe years 17(33-7 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, of England, to settle disputes between the colonies above-named as to their proper boundaries, and has ever since been agreed to.
Northwestern Pennsylvania — The coun- ties generally known as Northwestern Penn- sylvania are as follows, with their population and area :
Population. Area.
1890. So. Miles. Acres.
Cameron 7,238 ~ 381 243,840
Clarion 36,802 572 366,080
Crawford 65,324 1.005 643,200
Elk - 22,239 774 495,360
Erie 86,074 772 494,080
Forest 8,482 431 275,840
Jefferson 44,005 646 413,440
McKean 46,863 1 ,007 644,480
Mercer 55.744 666 426,240
Venang-o 46.640 658 421,120
Warren 37,585 914 584,960
Name. — The origin of the name Pennsyl- vania, meaning " Penn's woods " or " forest,'" has been given in the paragraph relating to the founder of the State.
Natural Gas. — Is found in large quantities in the western part of the State, and is exten- sively used for cooking, heating and manufac- turing purposes. [See Petroleum.]
Newspapers. — The newspapers of the State are some 1200 in number, of which a considerable proisortion are dailies. There is a large variety of periodicals, trade issues and religious publications. The dail}- newspapers of Philadelphia and Pittsburg are not surpass- ed in any part of the country, and, for the price, have no superiors. Northwestern Penn-
AND HISTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUNTY.
sylvania has some of the best papers, consid- ering their limited patronage, to be found in any part of the world.
Oil.— (Natural)— [See Petroleum.] Proprietary Government. — As before stated, the colony was ruled by Governors sent out from England, and named by the proprie- tors, until the era of the Revolution. The royal and proprietary government was over- turned in 1776, since which date the people have selected in the main their own public officers. In changing the government, care was taken not to disturb the personal and landed rights of the citizens, and all laws remained in force that were not inconsistent with the independence of the State.
Population — State. — The population of the State, under the several censuses taken since the Revolution has been as follows. For com- parison the census of the United States is given at each period :
ITNITED PENNSYLVANIA. STATES.
1790 434,373 3,929,214
1800 602,365 5,308,483
1810 810,091 7,239,881
1820 1,047,507 9,633,822
1830 1,348.233 12,866,020
1840 1,724,033 17,069,453
1850 2,311,786 23,191,876
1860 2,906,215 31,443,321
1870 3,521,951 38,558,371
1880 4,282,891 50,155,783
1890 5,258,014 62,622,250
The figures for the United States in 1890 are exclusive of Alaska and Indians, including which and whom it is estimated that the popu- lation in that year was 62,979,666.
Male and Female Population in Penn- sylvania.
mai.k. female.
1870 1,758,499 1,763,452
1880 2,136,655 2,146,236
1890 2,666,331 2,591,683
White and Colored Population in Pennsylvania.
white. colored.
1870 3,456,609 65,294
1880 4,197,016 85,535
1890 5,148,257 109,757
Native and Foreign Population.
native. foreign.
1880 3,609,953 587,063
1890 4,412,294 845,720
Persons of foreign parentage in 1890. 1,000,580.
Chinese, Japanese and Indians.
chinese. japanese. indians.
1870 13 1 34
1880 148 8 184
1890 1,146 32 983
Of the native-born population in 1890, 2,198,872 were males and 2,213,423 females; of the foreign-born in the same year, 467,459 were males and 378,260 females. The colored population in 1890 consisted of 56,477 males and 53,280 females.
The foreign-born population, 845,720 in all, came from the countries below named : Canada 12,171, Mexico 114, Central America 57, South America 271, West Indies 1,047, England 125,089, Scotland 32,081, Wales 38,301, Ireland 243,836, Great Britain (not specified) 56, Germany 230,516, Austria 21,038, Holland 652, Belgium 3,149, Luxem- burg 19, Switzerland 6,149, Norway 2,238, Sweden 19,346, Denmark 2,010, Russia 17,315, Hungary 24.901, Bohemia 2,031, Poland 25,191, France 9,033, Italy 24,662, Spain 216, Portugal 131, Greece 81 ; balance from various nations.
By Counties.
The population by counties was as given below :
|
1890. |
1880. |
|
|
31,486 551,959 46,747 50,077 38,624 137,327 70,866 59,233 70,615 55,339 66,375 7,238 38,624 43,269 36',802 69,565 28.685 36,832 65,324 961977 74,683 22,239 86,074 80,006 8,482 |
32,455 355,869 47,641 39,605 34,929 122,597 52,740 58,541 |
|
|
Allegheny . |
||
|
Armstrong |
||
|
Bedford |
||
|
Berks |
||
|
Blair. . . ... |
||
|
Butler |
52,536 46,811 |
|
|
5,159 |
||
|
Carbon . .... |
31,923 |
|
|
37 922 |
||
|
83,481 40,328 |
||
|
Clarion |
||
|
43,408 |
||
|
26,278 32,409 |
||
|
68,607 |
||
|
45,977 |
||
|
Dauphin . |
76,148 |
|
|
Delaware |
56,101 12,800 |
|
|
Erie . |
74,688 |
|
|
58,842 |
||
|
Forest |
4,385 |
32
J^ELSON'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY
|
1890. |
1880. |
|
|
51,433 10,137 28,935 35,751 42,175 44,005 16,655 149,095 37,517 48,131 76.631 201,203 70,579 46,863 55,744 19,996 20,111 123,219 15,645 84,220 74,698 26,276 1,046,964 9,412 22,778 154,163 17,651 37,317 11,620 40,093 52,313 17,820 46,640 37,585 71,155 31,010 112,819 15,819 99,489 |
49,855 |
|
|
Fulton |
10,149 |
|
|
28,273 |
||
|
33,974 |
||
|
40,527 |
||
|
27,935 |
||
|
18,227 |
||
|
89,269 |
||
|
Lancaster |
139,447 33,312 |
|
|
Lebanon |
38,476 |
|
|
T ehiiJ-h |
65,969 |
|
|
T ii7ernp |
133,065 |
|
|
T : |
57.486 |
|
|
McKean |
42,565 |
|
|
56,161 |
||
|
Mifflin . |
19,577 |
|
|
20,175 |
||
|
96,494 |
||
|
15,468 |
||
|
70,312 |
||
|
Northumberland Perry |
53,123 27,522 |
|
|
847,170 |
||
|
Pike |
9,663 |
|
|
Potter . . |
13,797 |
|
|
Schuylkill |
129,974 |
|
|
Snyder . . |
17,797 |
|
|
Somerset |
33,110 |
|
|
8,073 |
||
|
^iisniipVipnna |
40,354 45,814 |
|
|
Tioga |
||
|
16,905 |
||
|
43,670 |
||
|
27,981 |
||
|
Washington Wayne |
55,418 33,513 |
|
|
Westmoreland |
78.036 15,598 |
|
|
YOTk .5 |
87,841 |
|
|
Totals |
5,258,014 |
4,282,891 |
[See " Cities and Boroughs."] Penn, 'William. — [See Founder.] Presidents of the United States. — Penn- sylvania has furnished three Presidents of the United States, viz. : Thomas Mifflin and Arthur St. Clair, previous to the adoption of the National Constitution, and James Bu- chanan since. The latter was elected in 1856, and held office from March 4, 1857, to March 4, 1861. He was born in Franklin county in 1791, and died at Wheatland, Lanca.ster coun- ty, where he made his home from early life, in 1868. In addition to the above-named gentlemen, the State has given birth to four unsuccessful nominees for the Presidency, as follows: George B. McClellan (Dem.), in 1864; James Black (Prohibition), in 1872;
VVinfield S. Hancock (Dem.), in 1880; and Jaines G. Blaine (Rep.), in 1884.
Presidential Electors. — Under the census of 1890 Pennsylvania is entitled to 32 Presi- dential electors, being only 4 less than New York, the largest State in the Union.
Political History. — Except that it favored Harrison in 1840, and Taylor in 1848, the vote of the State was uniformly in favor of the Democratic Presidential nominees from 1796 to 1860, when it voted for Lincoln, and since then has regularly given its support to the Republican Presidential ticket. On local questions it sometimes elects Democratic nomi- nees for State office, and has twice since 1860 chosen a Democratic Governor, viz. : Robert E. Pattison, in 1882 and 1890. [For a list of the several State candidates, with their votes, see the Political Record in the General His- tory of Erie County.]
Public Receipts and Expenditures. — The U. S. census report gives the following as the public receipts and expenditures of the State and its several sub-divisions in 1890:
EXPENDI- RECEIPTS. TURKS.
State $ 7,831,037 S 5,212,128
Counties 5,794,558 6,474,703
Municipalities (over 4,000
population) 22,540,318 17,790,461
Schools, etc 13,.514,0O0 12,828,645
Additional (estimated).. 2,975.000
The receipts of the State alone for the year ending May, 1895, were $12,873,786, and the expen- ses $13,622,769. Notwithstanding this apparent discrepancy, there was a balance in the treasury at the close of the year of over $5,000,000, due to an excess from former fiscal periods.
Prisoners. — The prisoners in the peniten- tiaries and jails of the State were, in 1890, as fol- lows : Whites, born of native parents, 2,009 ; one or both parents foreign, 1,757; foreign- born, 1,747; parentage unknown, 213; nativ- ity unknown, 23. Other colors : negroes, mostly native-born, 738; Chinese, 2.
Paupers. — The paupers in the several almshouses were, in 1890, as follows : Whites, born of native parents, 1,327; one or both parents foreign, 320; foreign born, 2,539; parentage unknown, 650; nativity unknown, 70. Other colors: negroes, 201; Chinese, 1.
Physical Features. — The State is crossed from south to north, or rather northeast, by two great mountain chains, the Alleghenies and the Blue Ridge or Kittatinny range.
'OaSAPUWAL DICTIONM
H4,220| :4.69Hl
rnilai!el]>hia ... '46,%4j
Pike ",412i
Potter ::,778!
Schuylkill : .'4,163,
Snyder : 17,6511
Somerset ; '■ 37,317
Sullivan . .' 11,620!
Susquelianna 40,093!
Tioga ^2,313!
Uuion 17,820:
Venango 16,640,
Warren 37,585,
Washington 71,155;
Wayne 31,010!
Westmorela.Kl , 112,819!
Wyoming .. ...j 1S,819|
York .... ... 99,48<>|
Totals ^L^>.?S8,?l4 *
[See " Cities and Boroughs."] Penn, William. — [See Fouiid«r. j ■dents of the United States. - I-. furnislicd thrt-e I'ri»*ident.«
27,V35 18.327 89,269
139,447 33,312 38,476 65,%9
133,065 57.486 42,565 .56.161 19,577 20,175 %,494 15,468 70,312 53,123 27,522
847,170 9,663 13,797
129,974 17,797 33,110 8,073 40,354 45,814 16.<X>5 43,670 27,981 55,418 33,513 78.036 15,598 87,841
-"..H-- SOI
of tbl'
l^olitHTai 1-1 ; ■ j Harrison \v\ ISi I vott of the Stair I the Democratic i'rc>iii'iLr, t; I 179(5 to 1860, when it voted fo I since then ha.s regularly given ; I the Republican Presidential tickcf. (Jn lot ;ii ! questions it sometimes elects Democratic nomi- nees for Stntc- o'*"rr. nnH 'in^; twice si-irt- lS''in
chosen a 1 '
E. Pattis.)
the Severn:
sec the Pohn.',.! )<■-.■>!.. c '
tory of Erie County. J
Public Receipts and F
The U. S. census report l;
the public receipts aii<i
State .ind its .-iever.il -v''
I Sta'.. I Cou.
! Ml.>:
i Soli'' .- "'
I Ad(iiti...iKi; ,.■,■;:•. .,.■.; : ■p75.')>.i.
I The receipts of the State alone for the year i ending May, 189,S, were tl2,S73,7.S''' anJ Uil- expen- ! ses $13,622,769. Not with > ; discrepancy, there wa,s a . i at the close of the year of r>n excess from former fi.so;.i , .:
Prisoners. — The prisoner.'; in th<* pcniteti
■ fs and jails of the Staff ^vrr." -n l**'.^"*. p f-1 '"\\« : Whites, born of ': one ir both parents f< i
imty in born of
HUstU . ( - follows ;
186W; T^
AND HISTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUJSlTY.
33
These, with their spurs and foot-hills, cover fully one-third of its territory. The moun- tains attain an elevation of 1,000 to :2,700feet ; the highest point where they are crossed by railroads being a little west of Altoona, on the main line of the Pennsylvania road, and at Kane, on the Philadelphia and Erie line. Southeast of the Blue Ridge is the famous i limestone, slate and sandstone region of the i State, one of the most beautiful and fertile sec- tions in existence. Enclosed by the moun- tains are numerous valleys that are unsurpass- ed for beauty and fertility. The bituminous coal fields are, in general, on the western slope of the Alleghenies, while the anthracite mines aie limited to the eastern side, along and between the Susquehanna, Schuylkill and Lehigh rivers. The mountains and hills give rise to numerous streams, which flow into the great rivers of the State, and render it one of the best watered sections of the earth. In the western portion of the State the elevations do not equal, those of the east and center in 1 height, and the country is much broken by i moderate-sized hills and ridges, interspersed with frequent valleys. Leaving out the steep mountain chains in the central part of the .State, nearly every foot of ground is suscept- ible of cultivation. The State, as a whole, considering its area, is perhaps the richest section of the world in point of natural, agri- cultural and mineral productions.
Perry's Victory. — [For a full account of Perry's victory upon Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, and the incidents preceding and sub- sequent to the same, see General History of Erie County.]
Petroleum. — Although petroleum, or nat- ural oil, is found in many parts of the world, Pennsylvania still remains the great produc- ing section. Natural oil and gas have been I known from a very early period, but were long regarded as curiosities rather than as arti- | cles for the benefit of mankind. The earliest French writers refer to them as existing in the western part of Pennsylvania, along the Alle- gheny river and some of its tributaries. The oil was at one time gathered as a medicine, and the gas was treated as a natural wonder. For a long period nearh- all the developments in this direction were along Oil creek, from above Titusville to its mouth at Oil City, j Col. E. L. Drake first conceived the idea of securing the natural oil on a large scale as a
commercial commodity. He drilled a well near Titusville, in 1859, and struck a flow of oil which started others to follow his example. A wild speculation ensued ; oil was found in immense quantities, and hundreds of men made and lost fortunes. Beginning at the original center on Oil creek, oil has been ob- tained for commercial purposes along the western slopes of the Alleghenies in every county through which they extend, and has become one of the most valuable and widely distributed products of the United States. Natural gas is invariably found in connection with the oil, and, at some points, prevails in quantities that make it scarcely second in value to the latter production. Erie, Warren, Franklin, Titusville, Corry, Pittsburg, Alle- gheny and a number of the cities and towns in the western part of the State are largely heat- ed and illuminated by natural gas.
Public Improvements. — Pennsylvania was one of the first States in the L^nion to en- ter upon a general system of public improve- ments. Railroads being almost unknown un- til half a centur}' ago, the enterprise of the State was directed mainly to the building of canals, which were the great highways of the age. A scheme to connect Lake Erie with the Delaware river was projected as long ago as 1762. In 1824 the State started a gigantic plan of internal improvements, which includ- ed canals along the Delaware, the Susque- hanna, the Juniata, the Conemaugh, the Beaver and the Shenango, the object being to connect every important part of the State with Philadelphia and Pittsburg. The main line between Pittsburg and Philadelphia, con- sisting mainly of canal, but partly of a system of railroads and portages, was completed in , 1831. Unfortunately, about the time the canal system was well under waj-, it was discovered that railroads were boimd to supersede water transportation ; and the State, after incurring a huge debt in making its improvements, was glad to dispose of them at a low price. The main line, above spoken of, was sold in June, 1857, and the branches have been transferred from time to time until the State is no longer owner of anv canal or railroad property. The proceeds of the sales and transfers have been so managed that the debt incurred for public improvements has been practically ex- tinguished.
Public Buildings. — Aside from the capi-
NELSON'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIOAABY
tol buildings at Harrisburg, the main public institutions owned or supported in whole or in part by the State are as follows :
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
At West Chester, Millersvil'e, Kutztown, Edinboro, East Stroudsburg, Mansfield, Ship- pensburg, Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Indiana, California, Slippery Rock and Clarion. Some of these are owned by private corporations, but nearly all have been built with money supplied by the State, and all are under its supervision.
PENITENTIARIES.
Eastern at Philadelphia, and Western at Allegheny. The latter is used as a place of punishment for desperate and confirmed crim- inals from Erie and the western and north- western counties generally.
REFORMATORIES.
Industrial at Huntingdon and Reform School at Morganza. Criminals who are thought to be reclaimable are sent to both in- stitutions from every part of the State.
INSANE ASYLUMS.
At Harrisburg, Dixmont, Norristown, Dan- ville and Warren. The latter is the one where the unfortunate from Erie county are mainly cared for. The Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane at Philadelphia (better known as Kirk- bride's) is conducted under private auspices.
ASYLUM FOR CHRONIC INSANE.
At Werners villa, Berks county.
soldiers' and sailors' home at ehie, containing some 500 inmates who took part in the war for the Union and are unable to sup- port themselves.
STATE college,
in Centre county, specially established for the training of young men in agricultural and in- dustrial pursuits.
for injured persons in the anthracite coal regions at Ashland and Hazleton ; for injured persons in the bituminous and semi-bituminous coal regions at Mercer, Phillipsburg, Con- nellsville and Blossburg.
SOLDIERS ORPHAN SCHOOLS,
at Chester Springs, Harford and Uniontown.
soldiers' orphans' industrial school, Scotland, Franklin county.
training school for feeble-minded chil- dren, at Elwyn, Delaware county. FOR training in speech of deaf children, at Philadelphia.
FOR THE care OF THE FEEBLE-MINDED,
at Polk, Venango county (in course of con- struction).
state .\rsenal,
at Harrisburg.
fish hatcheries,
at Erie, Corry and Allentown.
Public Schools. — [See School System.] Philadelphia. — The largest city in Penn- sylvania, and its commercial metropolis, is situated at the junction of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It had a population of over a million in 1890, and is one of the great cities of the world. The city ranks second of the manufacturing places in America, and has an extensive foreign and domestic commerce. The Delaware river is navigable for the larg- est vessels to Philadelphia, and the city has become the most important ship-building point on the western continent. Historically, Phila- delphia is, perhaps, the most interesting place in the United States. The city was laid out by William Penn in 1682. It was in Phila- delphia that the Declaration of Independence was adopted, July 4th, 1776, and that the Constitution of the United States was framed in 1787. The city was the seat of the United States Government for a num- ber of years after the adoption of the Constitu- tion. Though Washington was inaugurated iirst President in New York, he lived and performed his official duties during most of his eight-years' term in Philadelphia. The city contains an unusual number of handsome and interesting buildings, chief of which are In- dependence Hall, the U. S. Mint, the city hall (grandest of all edifices for the purpose in America), the Masonic and Odd Fellows " Temples," and the Pennsylvania and Read-
1147161
AND HISTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUl^TY.
ing railroad stations. No other city in the Union surpasses Philadelphia in the number of its public libraries, art galleries and places of entertainment. Fairmount Park, the great pleasure ground of the city, has few rivals and no superiors.
Pittsburg. — The second city in Pennsyl- vania, is situated at the junction of the Alle- gheny and Monongahela rivers, where they form the Ohio. With its sister city of Alle- gheny, and the suburbs belonging to both, Pittsburg had a population of over 360,000 in 1890, making it the eighth in rank of the great cities of the Union. A movement is in progress to consolidate the entire population directlv tributary to Pittsburg into one city, which, it is to be hoped, will be successful. As a manufacturing and shipping point, Pitts- burg is hardly surpassed in any portion of the world. It excels in the making of iron, steel and glass ; but almost every other kind of manufacture is to be found within its limits. The city is surrounded by the richest coal dis- trict in America, and more coal is shipped down the Ohio and by the various railroads than from any other point. While the busi- ness and manufacturing portion is smoky and uninviting, the suburban districts are remark- able for their beautiful parks, streets and resi- dences. Pittsburg was named after William Pitt, the celebrated English statesman. His torically it is famous as the site of the French Fort Duquesne, and as the place where the first national convention of the Republican party was held, and Fremont nominated for President, in 185(5.
Presidential Vote of Pennsylvania. — [See Political Record in General History of Erie County] — The Presidential vote of the State since the adoption of the United States Constitution has been as follows :
1788. — George Washington elected unani- mously.
1792. — George Washington elected unani- mously.
1796. — The State cast one electoral vote for Adams, Federalist (who was elected), and 14 for Jefferson, Democratic-Republican.
1800. — Jefferson, Dem.-Rep. (who was elected), received 8 of the electoral votes of the State, and Adams, Federalist, 7.
1804.— Tlie State gave all of its electoral votes for Jeft'erson. Dem.-Rep., who was elected.
1808.— The vote of the State was for James Madison, Dem.-Rep., who was elected.
1812. — The State gave its vote to James Madison, Dem.-Rep., who was elected.
1816.— James Monroe, Dem.-Rep., 25,009 ; opposition vote, 7,537. (Monroe elected).
1820. — James Monroe, Dem.-Rep., was unanimously elected.
1824.— Andrew Jackson, 35,894; John Quincy Adams, 3,405; Wm. H. Crawford, 4,186; Henry Clay, 1,701. None of the can- didates receiving a majoritj- of the electoral votes, the election was thrown into the House of Representatives of Congress, where Adams was chosen. All of the above candidates were Democratic-Republicans.
1828. — Andrew Jackson, Democrat (elect- ted), 101,652 ; John Quincy Adams, opposi- tion, 50,848.
1832. — Andrew Jackson, -Dem. (elected), 90,983; William Wirt, Anti-Masonic, 66,716; Henry Clay, Anti-Jackson, record not at hand.
1836.— Martin Van Buren, Dem. (elect- ed), 91,475; William H. Harrison, Anti- Mas., 87,111.
1840.— William H. Harrison, Whig (elect- ed), 144,021 ; Martin Van Buren, Dem., 143.- 672.
1844. — James K. Polk, Dem. (elected), 167,245; Henry Clay, Whig, 1G1,8()3 ; James G. Birnev, Abolitionist, record not at hand.
1848.— Zachary Taylor, Whig (elected), 185,514; Lewis Cass, Dem., 171.998; Martin Van Buren, Free Soil, 11,263.
1852. — Franklin Pierce, Dem. (elected), 198,534; Winfield Scott, Whig, 179,743; John P. Hale, Free Soil, 8,800.
1856. — James Buchanan, Dem. (elected), 230,500; John C.Fremont, Republican and Fusion, 147,447; Millard Fillmore, American and Fusion, 82,229.
1860. — Abraham Lincoln, Republican (elected), 268,030; Stephen A. Douglas, Northern Dem., and Jno. C. Breckenridge, Southern Dem. (Fusion), 178,871 ; John Bell, American, 59,673. A portion of Mr. Doug- las' friends would not enter into the Fusion arrangement, and cast 16,677 votes.
1864.— Abraham Lincoln, Rep., 296,389: Geo. B. McClellan, Dem., 276,308.
1868.— Ulvsses S. Grant, Rep. (elected), 342,280; Horatio Seymour, Dem., 313,382.
1872.— Ulvsses S! Grant, Rep. (elected).
36
NELSON'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY
349,689 ; Horace Greeley, Liberal Republican and Democrat, 211,961; James Black, Pro- hibition, 4,630.
1876.— Rutherford B. Hayes, Rep. (declar- ed elected), 884,184 ; Samuel J. Tilden, Dem., 366,204; Peter Cooper, Greenback, 7,204; Green Clay Smith, Pro., 1,318; James B. Walker, Anti-Secret Society, 85.
1880.— Tames A. Garfield, Rep. (elected), 444,704; Winfield S. Hancock, Dem., 407,- 428; James B. Weaver, Greenback, 20,668; Neal Dow, Pro., 1,939; John D. Phelps, Anti-Masonic, 44.
1884. — Grover Cleveland, Dem. (elected), 392,785; James G. Blaine, Rep., 473,804; Benjamin F. Butler, Greenback-Labor, 17,002 ; John P. St. John, Pro., 15,737; Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood, Equal Rights, 3.
1888. — Benjamin Harrison, Rep. (elect- ed), 526,091 ; Grover Cleveland, Dem., 446,- 633; Clinton B. Fisk, Pro., 20,947; A. ]. Streeter, Union-Labor, 3,873.
1892.— Grover Cleveland, Dem. (elected), 452,264; Benjamin Harrison, Rep., 516,011; John Bidwell, Pro., 25,123; James B. Weav- er, People's, 8,714; Simon Wing, Socialist- Labor, 808.
Representatives in Congress. — [For a list of the leading Representatives from Penn- sylvania in the Congress of the United States, see U. S. Congress.]
Religious Denominations. — The princi- pal religious denominations in 1890 were as follows — the total number of communicants being 1,726,640, or a percentage to the whole population of 32.84 :
Adventists 1,952
Baptists 86,620
Brethren 2,350
Catholics (Roman) 559,127
Catholic Apostolic 73
Christadelphians 60
Christians 3,219
Christian Scientists 155
Church of God 9,344
Church of the New Jerusalem (Sweden-
borg'ians) 744
Communists 250
Congreg^ationalists 9,818
Disciples 12,007
Dunkards 16,707
Episcopalians 57,360
Evangelicals 42,379
Friends (Quakers) 13,627
German Evangelical Protestant 12,287
German Evangelical Synod 5,293
Hebrew 8,029
Latter Day Saints 417
Lutherans 219,725
Mennonists 15,330
Methodists 260,388
Moravians 4,308
Presbyterians 219.725
Reformed Church 124,700
Schwenkfeldians 306
Salvation Army 772
Ethical Societies 139
Spiritualists 4,659
Theosophists 25
United Brethren 33,951
Unitarians 1,171
Universalists 2,209
Independent Societies 948
The number of church organizations was 10,175; of church buildings, 9,624; and the estimated value of church property, $85,- 917,370.
Royal Government. — The government established by Penn and perpetuated under royal control was overthrown in 1776, and, from that time on, the people have managed their own affairs (except when checked and humbugged by the politicians!). .
Railroads. — The railroads of Pennsylvania are among the most important in the whole country. The sj'stem owned and controlled by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company is not excelled in the world ; and the Reading and Lehigh Valley systems are only second in ex- tent, value and usefulness. According to Cram's Atlas for 1894, Pennsylvania stood second in the number of miles of railroads in use of all the States in the Union, Illinois alone exceeding her. Of the 9,027 miles of railroad in the State at that date, the system of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company em- braced fully one-half, and two-thirds of the balance were owned or controlled by the Reading and Lehigh Valley systems.
The following statistics from the reports of the Internal Revenue Department for 1894 show the vast railroad interests of the State :
Capital $1,927,222,235
Wages paid to employes 99,683,991
Employes 176,228
Revenue and Expenses. — [See Public Receipts, etc.]
Revolution — American. — It is to the last- ing honor of Pennsylvania that she was not only one of the first of the American colonies to protest against the wrongs of the mother country, but one of the most patriotic in defence of liberty and independence. Much of this was due to the influence of Benjamin Frank-
AND UlSTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUNTY.
lin, who was one of the greatest men, if not the very greatest man, America has produced. The first Continental Congress met in Phila- delphia in 1774: Washington was elected commander-in-chief at the same city in 1775; the Declaration of Independence was adopted there in 1776. and the National Flag in 1777. Pennsylvania's ciiief city was the seat of the > Colonial government during the entire period 1 of the Revolution, except when it was com- j pelled by military necessity to move to Lan- caster and York for brief seasons. The earliest troops to march to the defence of Boston from south of the Hudson were from Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania troops were known as "The First Regiment of the Army of the United Colonies, commanded by Gen. George Washington." The victories of Washington at Trenton and Princeton, in 1776, were chiefly secured by Pennsylvania troops. During 1777 occurred on Pennsylvania soil the battles of Brandy wine and Germantown, and the " mas- sacre of Paoli,'" all in September of that year. A number of minor engagements took place about the same time. The British entered Philadelphia in September, 1777, and evacua- 1 ted it in June, 1778. During the winter of j 1777-78, the American army was encamped at Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill river above Philadelphia, where they endured hardships \ that are almost beyond description. When j the British left Philadelphia they were fol- lowed by Washington across New Jersey, his [ army consisting of Pennsylvania troops mainly, with whom he won the famous victory of Monmouth. Peace with Great Britain came in the winter of 1782-3. The Revolution was largely won through the aid of Pennsylvania officers, soldiers, statesmen and financiers, and many of the most important events of that momentous era took place upon her soil. New England and Virginia have taken most of the glory of the Revolution to themselves, but it is none the less true that had it not been for the efforts of Pennsylvania, the " Keystone of the arch," the result would have been very doubtful.
Rivers. — The principal rivers are the Dela- ware, Susquehanna and Ohio. Of these the main tributaries are as follows : Delaware — Schuylkill, Lehigh and Lackawaxen ; Susque- hanna— North Branch, West Branch and Juniata ; Ohio — Allegheny, Monongahela and IBeaver. Of the minor streams, the following
are worthy of special note : Flowing into the North Branch of the Susquehanna, the Che- mung, Wyalusing and Lackawanna ; into the West Branch, the Sinnemahoning, Clear- field, Buffalo, Pine and Lycoming; into the main stream of the Susquehanna (below Northumberland), the Conestoga, Fishing, Swatara, Conodoquiuet, Codorus and Cone- wago ; into the Allegheny, the Conewango, Venango (or French creek). Clarion, Red- bank and Kiskiminetas ; into the Mononga- hela, the Youghiogheny and Cheat rivers; into the Beaver, the Shenango and Mahoning. The Delaware is navigable from Trenton to the ocean ; the Susquehanna flows into the head of Chesapeake bay, which is one of the great water courses of the country ; and the Ohio, by its connection with the Mississippi and other rivers, forms one of the grandest systems of inland communication to be found in the entire world.
Rebellions and Riots. — In 1791 Congress passed an act laying a small excise on distilled spirits. This was very distasteful to the coun- ties adjacent to Pittsburg, where the manufac- ture of whisky was carried on to a consider- able extent. The citizens generally deter- mined to oppose the law, and various acts of violence and insubordination ensued, covering a period of two or three years. Affairs finally reached a stage where President Washington felt it to be his duty to compel an enforce- ment of the laws. In 1794 he called out the militia of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey to the number of 15,000, with orders to march upon the revolting counties and put down all resistance to the laws of Congress. This large force overawed the in- surrectionists, and peace was promptly re- stored. The incident is known in history as "the Whisky Insurrection."
THE FRIES REBELLION.
A disturbance on a smaller scale broke out among the Germans of Lehigh, Berks, North- ampton and adjoining counties in 1798-9, which is chiefly interesting from the political effect it had upon those sections. It was headed by John Fries, and was directed against a so-called " house tax " that had been levied by Congress. Several arrests were made, but no serious punishment followed. The agitation connected with this tax is gen-
38
NELSON'S BIOGRAPEICAL DICTIONARY
erally understood to have given the counties named their Democratic complexion.
NATIVE AMERICAN RIOTS.
In April and May, 1844, occurred the dis- turbances in Philadelphia which are usually known as the Native American riots. A bit- ter feeling, for some cause, had grown up be- tween a portion of the native born Protestants of that city and the foreign Catholic element, which resulted in serious encounters, the loss of a number of lives and the destruction of some Catholic church property. The State militia were called out, and peace was restored only after several persons had been killed and wounded.
ANTI-SLA\ERV RIOTS.
One of the most important affairs in its results that ever happened in the State took place at Christiana, Lancaster count}-, in 1851. An attempt was made to restore an escaped slave to his master, under the Fugitive Slave Law of Congress, which was resisted with bloody consequences. This was at the time when hostility to slavery was steadily increas- ing in the North, and the " Christiana riot," as it became known, had a good deal of influ- ence in creating the Republican party.
RIOTS OF 1877. The riots in 1877 grew out of a dispute between the railroad corporations and their employes over the wages and hours of labor. For several days in July of that year nearly every railroad in the State was obliged to sus- pend operations. July lOth to the 25th, a mob held possession of Pittsburg, and the dis- turbances that ensued led to the death of fifty persons and the destruction of $5,000,000 worth of property. As usual in such cases, the militia were ordered out, and matters were quieted, after a great expenditure of money and much difficulty.
HOMESTEAD RIOT.
The latest of the great disturbances in the State took place at Homestead, near. Pitts- burg, in 1892. A dispute between the Car- negie Compan}' and some of its employes led to an extensive strike. The company pro- cured the aid of the "Pinkertons," a well- known detective force, who attempted to se- cure possession of the works at Homestead by
strategy. The strikers learned of their pur- pose, and determined to resist it. A severe fight occurred on July 6th, in which about twenty persons were killed and twice as many wounded. The whole military force of the State was placed upon duty, and succeeded in so settling matters that the works partially re- sumed operations in about a month. As in sev- eral of the instances above mentioned, this trou- ble had a considerable political effect. Mr. Car- negie was a leading Republican, and the tend- ency of the Homestead affair — whether just- ly or unjustly is not argued here — was to drive thousands of working men into the ranks of the Democratic party, and undoubtedly led to the election of Grover Cleveland for the sec- ond term as President of the United States.
Richest Counties in the United States. — According to the United States census of 1890, the six leading counties in the value of agricultural products are as follows : 1, Lan- caster county. Pa., $7,657,790 ; 2, St. Law- rence county, N. Y., $6,054,160; 3, Chester county, Pa., $5,863,800 ; 4, Worcester county, Mass., $5,489,430; 5, Bucks county. Pa., $5,411,370 ; 6, Colusa county, Cal., $5,357,350. Lancaster has long been known as the richest farming county in America. The above figures do not refer to the value of the land, but give the value of the yearly farming product. Lncaster leads by great odds in the value of farm lands, although it is only one-third as large as St. Lawrence county, N. Y.
Seal of the State. — An authentic engrav- ing of the seal of the State is printed on another page of this book.
State Buildings. — [See list of Public Buildings.]
Slavery Abolished. — As in most or all of the Colonies, slavery at one period was legal in Pennsylvania. The act for the gradual abolishment of slavery passed the Assembly in March, 1780. Every person in bondage at the time was continued in slavery for a cer- tain period, and the children of slaves became free at a certain age. The first important proposition in Congress to limit slavery in the territories owned by the United States was offered by David Wilmot, a Pennsylvania representative, in 1840, and the first national convention of the Republican party was held in Pittsburg in 1856.
Summer Resorts. — The best-known sum- mer and health resorts are at Bedford, Cres-
I
militia wt : onlv uflft
():;• '•! ti>t iifwt iiiijjoiiHiii ailiiirs in ;' r-j.--''' limt ivt-i happened in the State tot! place ai Christiana, Lancaster count\-. in )85i. An attempt was made to restore an escaped slave to his master, under the Fugitive Slave Law of Congress, which was resisted with bloody consequences. This was at the time when hostility to slavery was steadily increas- ing in tlu: North, and the "Christiana riot,'" us it became known, had a good deal of influ- ence in creating the Republican party.
RIOTS ()K 1877. The. riots in 1877 grew out of :i dispute ■ (,;-n I he railroad corporations and their
over the wages and hours of labor.
i': days in July of that year nearly
lidlUlS Uial lilC VW.lKr |>.il.
itions in about a month. .\ i- instances above mentioned, till- : L.ii i.dd a vonsideraLlc political effect. Mr. C:u- negie was a leading Republican, and thi- tend- ency of the Homestead atT.iir — whether just- ly or unjustly !>; not argued here — was to drive thousands of working men into the ranks of ih«; Democratic party, and undoubtedly led to t.Ke election of ( jrover Cleveland for the sec- ond term as I'resident of the United Siii!es.
Richest Counties in the United Statis, g to the United States ct: •; leading counties in tin^ '. products are as foll-nv , cdsltti couuiy. Pa-., $7,657,7i>'' rence countv . X. Y., $0,054,1' county, Pa..$5,8tW,8CK) ; 4. \V> Mass.", $5,48'.>,4;«(.) ; J>. Buck $5,411,;-<70;6, Colusa county,*. Lancaster has long been known farming county in America, The aijo^i. iigiii t:~ do not refer to the value of the land, but give the value of the yearly farming product. Lncaster leads by great odds in the value of farm lands, although it is only one-third as large as St. Lawrence county, X. Y.
Seal of the State.^An authentic engrav in>? of the seal of the State is printed on anothcs ti:ii/c ■ > M's book.
Buildings. — [Sec !if ot I'lihlu
OlSI
AND UISTOlilGAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUNTY.
39
son, Minnequa, Cambridge and Saegertown. The mineral springs at Bedford have been cel- ebrated for upwards of a century, and are among the most valuable knov\'n. Forty or fifty years ago they were the most popular in the Union, being a famous resort for politi- cians of national fame. The water is not sur- passed by any of a mineral character in any part of the world.
State Officers.— [ See Executive Officers. ] Salaries of State Officers. — The salaries and fees attached to some of the principal ex- ecutive offices were as follows in 1894:
Salary (per year). Fees, etc.
Governor $10,000
Lieutenant-Governor 5,000
Sec'yof the Commonwealth.... 4,000 $13,067
Deputy Secretary 2,500
Auditor General 4,000 525
State Treasurer 5,000 525
Attorney General 3,500 7,500
Deputy Attorney General 4,000
Insurance Commissioner 3,0C0 4,370
Dep. Insurance Commissioner 1,800
Secretary of Internal Affairs 4,000
Dep. Sec'y of Internal Affairs 2,300
Supt. of Public Instruction 4,000
Two Deputies (each) 1,800
Adjutant General 2,500
State Librarian 2,500
First Assistant Librarian 1,800
Superintendent of Banking- 4,000
Deputy Supt. of Banking 1,400
Factory Inspector 3,oro
Sec'}' Board of Agriculture. . . . 2,500
Dairy and Food Commissioner 2,000
Supt. of Public Printing 1,600
Stone. — The State contains nearly all the ornamental and building stones in general use, but slate, limestone and sandstone are the leading products in this direction. Slate is procured in great quantities on the south side of the Kittatinny range, in Lehigh and North- ampton counties, and the other stones named are distributed generally over the State. A fine variety of marble is occasionally found, and the greenstone, extensively used in building in some of the eastern cities, belongs almost ex- clusively to Pennsylvania.
Senators froni Pennsylvania in U. S. Congress. — | .See U. S. Senators.]
School System. — The public-school sys- tem of Pennsylvania is properly regarded as one of the best in the Union. It was a cardinal principle of William Penn,in establishing his colony, that a good education should be open to every child born within its limits. One of the
earliest provisions made by the State was for an academy in every county. When the common- school idea came into vogue, it was eagerly embraced by the old-time Governors, who lost no opportunity for recommending it to the Legislature. The first law on the subject was passed during the administration of Gov- ernor Wolf, and this was improved, at various times, by the efforts of Governors Ritner, Packer, and others, aided bj- such men as Thaddeus Stevens, Thomas II. Burrowes and Henry L. Dieffenbach. A more complete ac- count of the system than can be given here will be found in the General History of Erie County, and a list of the State Normal Schools is given elsewhere. The following statistics, from the State reports for 1893, are of value in this connection :
Number of school districts. .
Number of schools
Number of male teachers.. . Number of female teachers.
2,386 24,012
8,245 17,718
Average salaries of male teachers per
month 143 94
Average salaries of female teachers
I per month 33 04
1 Average length of school term in
months 8.10
Number of pupils 994,407
Cost of tuition for the year $8,468,437
The estimated value of the school property in some of the counties and towns in northwestern Pennsylvania in the same year was as follows : Counties (exclusive of cities)— Crawford, $231,400; Erie, $268,554 ; Venango, $193,500 ; Warren, $271,- 550. Cities and towns— Bradford, $100,000 ; Corry, $52,304 ; Erie. $600,000 ; Meadville, $150,000 : Oil City, $112,500 ; Titusville, $100,000.
Triangle. — [For an account of the pur- chase of the Triangle, embracing Presque Isle Bay and the northern portion of Erie county, see the General History of said county.]
Timber. — Probably no portion of the world was more densely covered with timber than Pennsylvania when operjed to white set- tlement. Every kind of timber that grows in the temperate zone was found in the State, including among the principal varieties pine, '\ hemlock, oak, hickory, walnut, ash, cucumber — in fact, almost any sort that can be named. Unfortunately for the welfare of the State, the timber has been recklessly destroyed, and ' but few large bodies remain, most of these j being at remote points. Suggestions have I been made in favor of a general system of tree
40
NELSON'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONAKY
propagation, and there is not much doubt that some day the mountains and hillsides will again be covered with valuable timber, under the care of the State. Measures have also been adopted that will eventually lead to a wider cultivation of trees along the highways and upon the banks of the streams.
Universities and Colleges. — Xo State in the Union has given more attention to the higher education of its citizens than Pennsyl- vania. Aside from her splendid system of Public Schools and Academies, some of the largest and best Colleges and Universities in the world are located within her boundaries. Among the most widely known are the fol- lowing :
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Western University of Pennsylvania, Pitts- burg.
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
Girard College for Orphans, Philadelphia.
Lehigh University, Bethlehem.
Alleghenj- College, Meadville.
State College, Centre county.
Dickinson College, Carlisle.
Haverford College, near Philadelphia.
Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster.
St. Vincent's, near Latrobe.
Villa Nova, near Philadelphia.
Swarthmore College, Delaware county.
Lafayette College, Easton.
Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg.
Washington and Jefferson College, Can- onsburg.
Bucknell University, Lewisburg.
Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny.
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr.
These are but a few of the leading educa- tional institutions of the State, nearly every county containing one or more that are only second to the above-named in reputation.
United States Constitution. — As previ- | ously mentioned, the convention which drafted I the Constitution of the United States was held | in Philadelphia. The State was the second one to ratify this invaluable document, little Delaware, under Pennsylvania influence, hav- ing been the first. The ratification by Dela- ware was December 7, 1787, and by Pennsyl- vania December 12th of the same year. The delegation from Pennsylvania who helped to frame and who signed the Constitution of the United States were : Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Thomas Fitzsimmons, James
Wilson, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Jared Ingersoll, Gouverneur Morris.
United States Officers — Principal ones from Pennsylvania. — Below is a list of the persons from Pennsj'lvania who have held leading positions in the civil service of the United States Government at Washington :
PRESIDENT, APPOINTED PRIOR TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Thomas Mifflin Nov. 3,17>>3
Arthur St. Clair Feb. 2,1787
PRESIDENT, ELECTED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
Term of
service.
James Buchanan 1857-1861
VICE PRESIDENT. George M. Dallas 184A-1849
SECRETARIES OF STATE.
Timothy Pickering 179S-1800
James Buchanan 1845-1849
Jeremiah S. Black 1860-1861
SECRETARIES OF THE TREASURY.
Albert Gallatin 1801-1814
Alexander J. Dallas 1814-1817
Richard Rush 1825-1829
Samuel D. Ingham 1829-1831
William J. Duane 1833
Walter Forward 1841-1843
William M . Meredith 1849-1850
SECRETARIES OF WAR.
Timothy Pickering 1795
James M. Porter 1843-1844
William Wilkins 1844-1845
Simon Cameron 1861-1862
Edwin M. Stanton 1862-1868
J. Donald Cameron 1876-1877
SECRETARIES OE THE NAVV.
William Jones 1813-1814
Adolph E. Borie 1869
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
T. M. T. McKennan 1850
POSTMASTERS GENERA!..
Timothy Pickering 1791-1795
James Campbell 1853-1857
John Wanamaker 1889-1893
ATTORNEYS GENERAL.
William Bradford 1794-1795
Richard Rush 1814-1817
Henry D. Gilpin 1840-1841
Jeremiah S. Black 1857-1860
Edwin M. Stanton 1860-1861
Wayne MacVeagh 1881
Benjamin H. Brewster 1881-1885
|
■rl-,Gcorjre Livn:. |
. laired |
|
-ur Mcirris. |
|
|
Ofr-:ers- -Princ.. |
■' ones |
■No State in
;i.);; to the nisyl- ni of .1 the j and Univciiities in Mn her boundaries, i known are tlie fol- Jaiues Buchanan .
Thoi;;,i-, Mifflin Sov. 3,t7f»3
Arthur St. Clair Feb. 2,1787
I'RESlrtENT, ELECTED UNDER THE C'/NSTITITU
iir>. Phil.3tiei])hia. ■nn.svl\ rtnia, Pitts-
Georg-e M. Dal
i\ College, Philadelphia. ..^- lor Orphans. Fli!l:'dclnlii,.. niversity, Bethlelio- •,- College. Meadvil- !!ege, Centre county. • II College, Carlisle. 'd College, near Philadelphia.
... ,1 and Marshall College, Lancaster.
."'t. Vincent's, near Latrobe. Villa Nova, near Philad.iphid. -Swarthmore College, Delaware county. Lafaytitte College, Easton , Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. Washington and Jefferson College, Can- onsburg.
Bucknell University, Lewisbiirg. Western Tlieological vSeminary, Allegheny. Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr. These are but a few of the leading educa- tional institutions of the State, nearly every county containing one or more that are only second to 'lie above-named in reputation.
II,,-..: ^t.^t.'^ ,'r,ncTit.,.;.in. — As previ-
hich drafted
fes was held
. ^ the second
' ..( iiment, little
•.ihience,hav-
; Timothy i' James Buph.. Jeremiahs, nii-
, Albert Gallatin
Alexander J. Dallas
Richard Rush . . ' Samuel D. Ingham. i William J. Duaac. I Walter Forwan'. ....
William.M. Mered.tU
» SRCRETAKIKS or W.\K.
Timothy Pickering " 1795
I James M. Pbrter 1843-1844
William Wilkins ■'.-"-< ■'^\f
I Simon Cameron .... i " I Edwin- M. Stanton. I J. Donald Cameron
' SECRETAK
I William Jones
i Adolph E. Boric.
SECRETAK ; T. M. T. McKe.i..3n
Timothy F' Jame-. ■ John
AND HISTORICAL REFEItEXCE BOOK OF ERIE COUNTY.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT.
James Wilson 1789-1798
Henry Baldwin 1830-1846
Robert C. Grier 1846-1870
William Strong 1870-1880
George Shiras 1892
PRESIDENTS PRO TEM OF THE SENATE.
William Bingham 1797
James Ross 1797-1799
Andrew Gregg 1809
SPEAKERS HOUSE OK REPRESEXTATI\ES .
F. A. Muhlenberg 1789-1791
F. A. Muhlenberg 1793-1795
Galusha A. Grow 1861-1863
Samuel J. Randall 1876-1881
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
Joseph Casey 1863-1870
United States Senators. — The Senators in the Congress of the United States from Pennsylvania have been as follows :
William Maclay 1789-1791
Robert Morris 1789-1795
Albert Gallatin 1793-1794
James Ross 1794-1803
William Bingham 1795-1801
John P. G. Muhlenberg 1801
George Logan 1801-1807
Samuel Maclay 1803-1808
Andrew Gregg 1807-1813
Michael Leib 1808-1814
Abner Leacock 1813-1819
Jonathan Roberts 1814-1821
Walter Lowrie 1819-1825
William Findlay 1821-1827
William Marks 1825-1831
Isaac D. Barnard 1827-1831
George Mifflin Dallas 1831-1833
William Wilkins 1831-1834
Samuel McKean 1833-1839
James Buchanan 1834-1845
Daniel Sturgeon 1839-1851
Simon Cameron 1845-1849
James Cooper 1849-1855
Richard Brodhead 1851-1857
William Bigler 1855-1861
Simon Cameron 1857-1861
David Wilmot 1861-1863
Edgar Cowan 1861-1867
Charles R. Buckalew 1863-1869
Simon Cameron 1867-1877
John Scott 1869-1875
William A. Wallace 1875-1881
J. Donald Cameron 1877
John I. Mitchell 1881-1887
Matthew Stanley Ouay 1887
United States Representatives in Con- gress.— Of the members in the House of Rep- resentatives of Congress from Pennsylvania,
the gentlemen named below have been among the most distinguished :
Henry Baldwin, Horace Binney, James Buchanan, Charles R. Buckalew, Joseph Casey, John Cessna, Hiester Clymer, John Covode, Andrew G. Curtin, John Dalzell, John L. Dawson, Henry D. Foster, Albert Gallatin, Galusha A. Grow, Samuel D. Ing- ham, Charles J. Ingersoll, Joseph R. Inger- soll, T- Glancy Jones, George A. Tenks, William D. KelleV, John C. Kunkel,'D. J- Morrell, Edward J. Morris, F. A. Muhlen- burg, William Mutchlei', James Pollock, Alex- ander Ramsey, Samuel J. Randall, Glenni W. Scofield, John Scott," William L. Scott, Joseph C. Sibley, Thaddeus Stevens, Andrew Stewart, Charles W. Stone, William Strong, James Thompson, Richard Vaux, William Wilkins, David Wilmot, George W. Wood- ward, Hendrick B. Wright.
Vice-President.— The only Vice-Presi- dent the State has furnished to the Union was George M. Dallas of Philadelphia, elected with President Polk, in 1844. The unsuccessful candidates from the State for Vice-President have been as follows: Albert Gallatin, on the Anti-Jack.son ticket with William H. Craw- ford, in 1824 ; and William Wilkins, Demo- crat, John Sergeant, Anti-Jackson, and Amos Ellmaker, Anti-Masonic, all in 1832. The parents of John C. Calhoun, the eminent statesman, elected Vice-President on the ticket with Jackson, in 1828, moved from Lancaster county to South Carolina but a short time be- fore his birth.
Votes for Governor. — [See Political Rec- ord in General History of Erie County.] — The following has been the vote for the prin- cipal Gubernatorial candidates since the adop- tion of the Constitution of 1790 :
1790. — Thomas Mifflin, Democratic-Re- publican, 27,725; Arthur St. Clair, Federal- ist, 2,802.
1793._Thomas Mifflin, Dem-Rep., 18,590; F. A. Muhlenberg, Fed., 10,706.
1796.— Thomas Mifflin, Dem-Rep., 30,020 ; F. A. Muhlenberg, Fed., 1,011.
1799. — Thomas McKean, Dem-Rep., 38,- 036; James Ross, Fed., 32,641.
1802. — Thomas McKean, Dem-Rep., 47,- 879; James Ross, Fed., 17,037.
1808.— Simon Snyder, Dem-Rep., 67,975 ; Tames Ross, Fed., .89,575 ; John Spayd, Inde- pendent, 4,006.
42
NELSON'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY
1811.— Simon Snyder, Dem-Rep., 52,319; William Tighlman, Ind., 3,609.
1814.— Simon Snyder, Dem-Rep., 51,099; Isaac Wayne, Fed., 29,566; G. Lattimer, Ind., 910.
1817.— William Findlay, Dem-Rep., 66,- 331 ; Joseph Hiester, Fed.," 59,272.
1820.— Joseph Hiester, Fed., 67,905; William Findlay, Dem-Rep., 66,300.
1823.— J. A. Schulze, Dem-Rep., 89,928; Andrew Gregg, Fed., 64,205.
1826.— J. Andrew Schulze, Dem-Rep., 72,710; John Sergeant, Fed., 1,175; scatter- ing, 1,174.
1829.— George Wolf, Democrat, 78,219; Joseph Ritner, Anti-Masonic, 51,776.
1832.— George Wolf, Dem., 91,335 ; Joseph Ritner, Anti-Mas., 88,165.
1885.— Joseph Ritner, Anti-Mas., 94,023; George Wolf, Dem., 65,804; Henry A. Muhl- enberg, Dem., 40,586.
1838.— David R. Porter, Dem., 127,827 ; Joseph Ritner, Anti-Mas., 122,321.
1841.— David R. Porter, Dem. , 136,504 ; John Banks, Whig, 113,473; F. J. Lemoyne, Abolition, 763.
1844.— Francis R. Shunk, Dem., 160,322; Joseph Markle, Whig, 156,040.
1847.— Francis R. Shunk, Dem., 146,081; James Irvin, Whig,' 128,148; Emanuel C. Reigart, Native American, 11,247; F. J. Le- moyne, Abolition, 1,861.
1848.— William F. Johnston, Whig, 168,- 522; Morris Longstreth, Dem., 168,225.
1851.— William Bigler, Dem., 186,489; William F. Johnston, Whig, 178,034 ; Kimber Cleaver, Native American, 1,850.
1854. — James Pollock, Whig and Know Nothing, 203,822; William Bigler, Dem., 166,991 ; B. Rush Bradford, Native American, 2,194.
1857.— William F. Packer, Dem., 188,846; David Wilmot, Fusion, 149,139; Isaac Hazle- hurst, American, 28,168.
1860. — Andrew G. Curtin, Republican, 262,346; Henry D. Foster, Dem., 230.239.
1863.— Andrew G. Curtin, Rep., 269,506; George W. Woodward, Dem., 254,171.
1866.— John W. Geary, Rep., 307,274; Hiester Clymer, Dem., 290,097.
1869.— John W. Geary, Rep., 290,552; Asa Packer, Dem., 285,956.
1872.— John F. Hartranft, Rep., 353.387;
Charles R. Buckalew, Dem., 317,760; S. B. Chase, Prohibition, 1,197.
1875.— John F. Hartranft, Rep., 304,175; Cyrus L. Pershing, Dem., 292,145; R. Audlev Brown, Pro., 13,244.
1878.— Henry M. Hoyt, Rep., 319,490; Andrew H. Dill, Dem., 297,137 ; Samuel R. Mason, Greenback, 81,758 ; Franklin H. Lane, Pro., 3,753.
1882.— Robert E. Pattison, Dem., 355,791 ; James A. Beaver, Rep., 315,589; John Stew- art, Independent Republican, 43,748 ; Thomas A. Armstrong, Greenback-Labor, 23,996; Alfred C. Pettit, Pro., 5,196.
1886.— James A. Beaver, Rep., 412,285; Chauncey F. Black, Dem., 369,684; Charles S. Wolfe, Pro. and Ind. Rep., 32,458; Robert J. Houston, Greenback-Labor, 4,835.
1890.— Robert E. Pattison, Dem., 464,209 ; George B. Delamater, Rep., 447,655 ; John D. Gill, Pro., 16,108; Theo. P. Rynder,' Green- back-Labor, 224.
1894.— Daniel H. Hastings, Rep.. 574,801 ; William M. Singerly, Dem., 333,404; Charles L. Hawley, Pro., 23,433; J. T. Ailman, Populist, 19,464; Thomas H. Grundy, Social- ist-Labor, 1,733.
Vegetable Productions. — The vegetable productions are those that pertain to the tem- perate zone. Everything that can be grown in the temperate regions is produced in Penn- sylvania, with, perhaps, as much ease and abundance as in any part of the world.
Valuations. — The valuations of real and personal property for 1890, with other statis- tics relating to the- wealth and taxation of the State, as given in the United States census re- port for that year, are herewith submitted :
Real estate, with improvements $3,781,117,285
Live stock and fanning- implements.. 140,699,613
Mines and quarries 361,888,490
Machinery of mills and product on
hand 486,944,603
Railroads and equipments 455,446,676
Telegraphs, telephones, shipping and
canals _87,347,794
Miscellaneous 777,541,606
Gold and silver coin and bullion 99,700,483
Total $6,190,746,550
WEALTH AND TAXATION.
1880. 1890.
True value .of real and
personal property. . .$4,942,000,000 $6,190,746,550
AND HISTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUNTY.
|
Real |
Personal |
||
|
Estate. |
Propert)-. |
||
|
Assessed value |
.S2 |
042,016,599 |
1617,780,310 |
|
1880. |
1890. |
||
|
Ad valorem taxation. |
$28 |
,799,334 |
$37,337,062 |
|
Per capita |
6 72 |
7 10 |
|
|
Rate per hundred oi |
|||
|
assessed valuation. |
1 71 |
1 40 |
|
|
Rate per hundred o |
|||
|
true valuation |
0 SS |
0 60 |
Wayne, Anthony. — An extended account of the life, death and important public sersices of Gen. Anthony Wayne, Pennsylvania's most eminent soldier in the Revolutionary war, will be found in the General Historv of Erie County.
Wealth. — Pennsylvania is second in wealth of the .States of the Union, being exceeded only by New York.
War of 1812. — During the last war with Great Britain, usually known as the " War of 1812," but which reallj- lasted from June 19, 1812, to the spring of 1815, tiie people of Pennsj-lvania were enthusiastic for the Amer- ican cause. When the war opened the Gov- ernor asked for 14,(K)0 volunteers, and three times as many were offered within a few weeks. The British at no time gained a footing on Pennsylvania soil, but the troops of the State were kept constantly on the alert to repel rumored or threatened attacks upon Erie and Philadelphia. Detachments of Pennsylvania volunteers rendered good service in the battles along the Niagara, and others responded with alacrity to the call of the country when Wash- ington was burned and the enemy marched upon Baltimore. The victorious fleet of Perry was partly built and entirely created and equipped in the harbor of Erie, and largely I manned by volunteers from the Pennsylvania militia stationed at the post. During the war the little navy of the United States rendered I distinguished service, on the ocean as well as | the lakes, and among the most famous of its heroes were four Pennsylvanians — Stephen Decatur, James Biddle, Charles Stewart and Jesse D. Elliott. Each of these received well-merited testimonials from his native State. [For a full account of Perry's victory and the events of the war along the north- i western border, see the General History- of Erie County.]
War with Mexico. — In the war with Mexico, 18-1G-7, the State oft'ered nine regi- ments— four times her quota. Two regiments
and two additional companies were accepted and sent to the seat of war. These were among the most efficient in the service, and, on several occasions, won the special commen- dation of the commanding general. The State has erected a handsome monument to the mem- ory of. her fallen soldiers in the Mexican war on the capitol grounds at Harrisburg.
War for the Union. — Under the direction of her patriotic Governor, Andrew G. Curtin, Pennsj-lvania was one of the most ardent and energetic of the loyal States in defense of the Union during the memorable struggle which lasted from 1861 to '65. President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 volunteers to maintain the national authority was made on the 15th of April, 1861. On the 18th of that month over 500 Pennsylvania soldiers reached Washing- ton, being the first .State troops to arrive at the National Capital in response to the Presi- dent's proclamation. On the way through Baltimore they were grossly insulted, but suc- ceeded in getting to Washington without a fight. By the end of April twentj^-five regi- ments had been sent forward — nearly twice the number asked for from the State — and steps had been taken for the organization of a large reserve force. From that time to the close of the war Pennsylvania met every call, heartily and promptly, and there was scarcely an important battle in which her brave men did not take a conspicuous part. The total number of men furnished by the State during the contest was 387,284, of whom 60,000 were killed in battle, 35,000 mortally wounded, and many thousands died of disease in camps, hospitals and elsewhere.
BATTLES AT GETTVSIiURG.
In the month of June, 1863, the main Southern army, led by General Lee, invaded the State, by way of the Cumberland Valley, in the hope of transferring the scene of war in the East from Virginian to Northern soil. A portion of the force reached York and penetrated to within a few miles of Harris- burg ; but learning thai the Army of the Po- tomac was marching northward, Lee rapidly concentrated his men in the direction of Get- tysburg. The two armies came together at the latter place, and a series of battles ensued on the 1st, 2d and 8d of July, which were not only among the most desperate of the war, but" among the bloodiest in history. The
NELSON- 8 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY
Southerners were repulsed at every point, and Lee was glad to withdraw his shattered force through a gap in the mountains to a place of safety south of the Potomac. It is estimated that the Southerners engaged at Gettysburg were 70,000 in number, with 250 guns ; the Union troops numbered some 80,000, with 300 guns. The Union loss, as given by Gen- eral Bingham, in his address at Gettysburg in 1889, was : 3,063 killed, 14,492 wounded and 5,455 missing— a total of 22,990 ; that of the Southerners was never fully returned, but is thought — in killed, wounded and prisoners — to have been about 27,500. Many prominent officers were killed, or died of their wounds, including Generals Reynolds, Vincent, Weed, Zuck and Farnsworth of the Union army, and Generals Pender, Barksdale, Armstead, Garnett and Semmes of the Southern. Gen- eral Meade, commander of the Union forces, several of his leading officers, pre-eminently Generals Hancock, Reynolds, Geary, Vincent, Gregg and McCandless, and 26,628 of his army, were Pennsylvanians.
BURNING OF CII AMBERSBURG.
A sudden dash into the State, for the os- tensible purpose of retaliating upon the North for the injuries done to property in the Shen- andoah Valley b}' the Union troops, was made on July 29, 1864, by a considerable body of Southerners under the lead of General Mc- Causland. They reached the outskirts of Chambersburg early in the morning of the 30th of July, and entered the place soon after daylight, there being no Union force in that section of sufficient size to oppose their prog- ress. An immediate demand was made upon the citizens for .1(100,000 in gold, or $500,000 in greenbacks, to be paid within a half an hour, under the threat of burning the town. This, of course, the people were unable to do, and, while negotiations were going on, the town was set on fire in a hundred places, and the main portion destroyed. Millions of dol- lars' worth of property were eaten up by the flames within a few hours, and 3,000 persons robbed of their homes, money and valuables.
This was one of the most atrocious acts of the war, and has rendered the name of General McCausland forever odious. Having accom- plished their object, the enemy hurried back to the Southern lines, plundering the Union farmers of horses, provisions, etc., on the way.
GENEROUS CARE OF SOI.DIERS' AND SAILORS' ORPHANS.
The State has remembered the deeds of its gallant men who fought in defense of the Union, with characteristic generosity. One of its first acts was to provide a series of orphan schools, in which the children of de- ceased soldiers were educated, clothed and cared for at the public charge until they reached an age where they could provide for themselves. It has also fitted up a home at Erie for sick and disabled soldiers and sailors, which is doubtless the best institution of the kind in any State of the Union. [See Gen- eral History of Erie County and City of Erie.]
Pennsylvania's battle flags.
The torn and bloodstained battle flags of the several Pennsylvania regiments in the last war are sacredl)' preserved in a handsome room in the Capitol building at Harrisburg.
World's Fair. — The part taken by Penn- sylvania in the World's Columbian Exposi- tion at Chicago, in 1893, was greatly to her credit. .She was one of the first common- wealths to respond to the request of the Ex- position authorities for aid, voting the liberal sum of $300,000, and by various acts, official and otherwise, doing much to encourage their efforts. Her State building was one of the finest on the grounds, and was generally con- ceded to be the best adapted for its purpose. Among the many articles from the State was the Liberty Bell, which attracted remarkable attention, and was unquestionably the most precious relic at the Exposition. Pennsyl- vania Day, September 7, 1893, was a proud event for the State, over 200,000 people hav- ing attended, as shown by the official reports of the Fair authorities.
CONSTITUTION OF PENNSYLVANIA.
[Adopted December 18, 1873; Went Into Operation January 1st, 1874, Except as Otherwise Provided Therein.]
PREAMBLE.
We, the people of the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the bless- ings of civil and religious libertj', and humblj' in- voking His guidance, do ordain and establish this constitution.
ARTICLE I.
declaration of rights.
That the general, great and essential prin- ciples of liberty and free government may be re- cognized and unalterably established, we declare that—
Section 1. All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of en- joying and defending life and libertj', of acquir- ing, possessing, and protecting property and re- putation, and of pursuing their own happiness.
Sec. 2. All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their au- thority and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness. For the advancement of these ends, they have at all times an inalienable and inde- feasible right to alter, reform, or abolLsh their government in such manner as they may think proper.
Sec. 3. All men have a natural and indefea.s- ible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship.
Sec. 4. No person who acknowledges the be- ing of a God, and a future state of rewards and punishments, shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under the commonweath.
Sec. S. Elections shall be free and equal; and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage.
Sec. 6. Trial by jury shall be, as heretofore, and the right thereof remain inviolate.
Sec. 7. Theprintingpressshallbefreetoevery person who may undertake to examine the pro- ceedings of the legislature, or any branch of gov- ernment, and no law shall ever be made torestrain
the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man, and every citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. No conviction shall be had in any prosecution for the publication of papers relating to the official conduct of officers or men in public capacity, or to any other matter proper for public investigation or information, where the fact that such publication was not ma- liciously or negligently made shall be established to the satisfaction of the jury; and in all indict- ments for libel, the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under the direc- tion of the court, as in other cases.
Sec. 8. The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions from un- reasonable searches and seizures, and no warrant to search anyplace or to seize any person or things shall issue without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, subscribed to by the affiant. '
Sec. 9. In all criminal prosecutions the accus- ed hath a right to be heard by himself and his counsel, to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to meet the witnesses face to face, to have compulsory process for ob- taining witnesses in his favor, and, in prosecutions by indictment or information, a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the vicinage: he can- not be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor can he be deprived of his life, liberty or prop- erty', unless by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land.
Sec. 10. No person shall, for any indictable offense, be proceeded against criminally by in- formation, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual serv- ice, in time of war or public danger, or by leave of the court, for oppression or misdemeanor in office. No person shall, for the same offense, be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall private property be taken or applied to public use, without authority of law and without just com- pensation being first made or secured.
Sec. 11. All courts shall be open, and every man for an injury done him in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice administered without sale, denial or delay. Suits may be brought against the commonwealth in such man- ner, in such courts and in such cases as the legis- lature may by law direct.
Sec. 12. No power of suspending laws shall
46
NELSON'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY
be exercised unless by the leg-islature, or by its authority.
Sec. 13. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted.
Sec. 14. All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offenses, when the proof is evident or presumption great; and the privilege of the vprit of habean rorpuii shall not be suspended, unless when in case of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.
Sec. 15. No commission of oyer or terminer or jail delivery shall be issued.
vSec. 16. The person of a debtor, where there is not strong presumption of fraud, shall not be continued in prison after delivering up his estate for the benefit of his creditors, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 17. No e.r pii.st fiiftd law, nor any law im- pairing the obligation of contracts, or making irrevocable any grant of special privileges or immunities shall be passed.
Sec. 18. No person shall be attainted of trea- son or felony by the legislature.
Sec. 19. ' No attainder shall work corruption of blood, nor, except during the life of the offend- er, forfeiture of estate to the commonwealth. The estate of such persons as shall destroy their own lives shall descend or vest as in cases of nat- ural death, and if any person shall be killed by casualty there shall be no forfeiture by reason thereof.
Sec. 20. The citizens have a right in a peace- able manner to assemble together for their com- mon good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance.
Sec. 21. The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned.
Sec. 22. No standing army shall, in time of peace, be kept up without the consent of the legis- lature, and the military shall in all cases and at all times be in strict subordination to the civil power.
Sec. 23. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Sec. 24. The legislature shall not grant any title of nobility or hereditary distinction, nor create any office, the appointment to which shall be for a longer term than during good behavior.
Sec. 25. Emigration from the state shall not be prohibited.
Sec. 26. To guard against transgressions of the high powers which we have delegated, we de- clare that everything in this article is excepted out of the general powers of government and shall forever remain inviolate.
ARTICLE 11.
THE LEGISL.^TURE.
Sec. 1. The legislative power of thi wealth shall be vested in a general assembly,
which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
Sec. 2. Members of the general assembly shall be chosen at the general election every second year. Their term of service shall begin on the first day of December next after their election. Whenever a vacancy' shall occur in either House, the presiding officer thereof shall issue a writ of elec- tion to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term.
Sec. 3. Senators shall be elected for the term of four years, and representatives for the term of two years.
Sec. 4. The general assembly shall meet at twelve o'clock, noon, on the first Tuesday of Jan- uary, every second year, and at other times when convened bj' the Governor, but shall hold no ad- journed annual session after the year one thou- sand eight hundred and seventy-eight. In case of a vacancy in the office of United States Senator from this commonwealth, in a recess between ses- sions, the Governor shall convene the two Houses, by proclamation on notice not exceeding sixty days, to fill the same.
Sec. 5. Senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and representatives twenty-one years of age. They shall have been citizens and inhabitants of the state four years, and inhabi- tants of their respective districts one year next before their election (unless absent on the public business of the United States, or of this state), and shall reside in their respective districts dur- ing their terms of service.
Sec. 6. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he shall have been elected, be appointed to any civil office under this commonwealth, and no member of congress, or other person holding any office (except of attor- ney-at-law or in the militia), under the United States, or this commonwealth, shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.
Sec. 7. No person liereafter convicted of em- bezzlement of public moneys, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime, shall be eligible to the gen- eral assembly, or capable of holding any office of trust or profit in this commonwealth.
Sec. 8. The members of the general assembl)' shall receive such salary and mileage for regular and special sessions as shall be fixed by law, and no other compensation whatever, whether for serv- ice upon committee or otherwise. No member of either House shall, during the term for which he may have been elected, receive any increase of salary or mileage, under any law passed during such term.
Sec. 9. The Senate shall, at the beginning and close of each regular session, and at such other times as may be necessary, elect one of its members president pro tempore, who shall perform the duties of the Lieutenant Governor, in any case of absence or disability of that officer, and when- ever the said office of Lieutenant Governor shall be vacant. The House of Representatives shall elect one of its members as speaker. Each House shall choose its other officers, and shall judge of the election and qualifications of its members.
Sec. 10. A majority of each House shall con-
AND HISTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK OF ERIE COUNTY.
47
stitute a quorum, but a smaller number may ad- journ from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members.
Sec. 11. Each House shall have power to de- termine the rules of its proceedings, and punish its members or other persons for contempt or disor- derly behavior in its presence, to enforce obedience to its proce.ss, to protect its members ag^ainst vio- lence, or offers of bribesor private solicitation, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, to expel a member, but not a second time for the same cause, and shall have all other powers necessary for the legi,slature of a free state. A member expelled for corruption shall not thereafter be eligible to either House, and punishment for contempt or dis- orderly behavior shall not bar an indictment for the same offense.
Sec. 12. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, except such parts as require secrecy, and the yeas and nays of the members on any question shall, at the desire of any two of them, be entered on the journal.
Sec. 13. The sessions of each House, and of committees of the whole, shall be open, unless when the business is such that it ought to be kept secret.
Sec. 14. Neither House shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Sec. IvS. The members of the general assembly shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, violation of their oath of office, and breach or surety of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their at- tendance at the sessions of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House they shall not be questioned in any other place.
Sec. 16. The State shall be divided into fifty senatorial districts of compact and contiguous ter- ritorj', as nearly equal in population as may be, and each district shall be entitled to elect one senator. Each county containing one or more ratios of population shall be entitled to one senator for each ratio, and to an additional senator for a surplus of population exceeding three-fifths of a ratio, but no county shall form a separate district unless it shall contain four-fifths of a ratio, except where the adjoining counties are each entitled to one or more senators, when such county may be assigned a senator on less than four-fifths and ex- ceeding one-half of a ratio; and no county shall be divided unless entitled to two or more senators. No city or county shall be entitled to separate rep- resentation exceeding one-sixth of the whole number of senators. No ward, borough, or town- ship shall be divided in the formation of a district. The senatorial ratio shall be ascertained by divid- ing the whole population of the State by the num- ber fifty.
Sec. 17. The members of the House of Repre- sentatives shall be apportioned among the several counties, on a ratio obtained by dividing the popu- lation of the State, as ascertained by the most re- cent United States census, by two hundred. Every county containing less than five ratios shall have
one representative for every full ratio, and an ad- tional representative when the surplus exceeds half a ratio; but each county shall have at least one representative. Every county containing five ratios or more shall have one representative for every full ratio. Every city containing a popula- tion equal to a ratio shall elect separately its pro- portion of the representatives allotted to the county in which it is located. Every city entitled to more than four representatives, and every coun- ty having over one hundred thousand inhabitants, shall be divided into districts of compact and con- tiguous territory, each district to elect its propor- tion of representatives according to its population, but no district shall elect more than four repre- sentatives.
Sec. 18. The general assembly at its first session after the adoption of this constitution, and immediately after each United States decennial census, shall apportion the State into senatorial and representative districts, agreeably to the pro- visions of the two next preceding sections.
ARTICLE III.
I,EGISI,ATION.
Sec. 1. No law shall be passed except by bill, and no bill shall be so altered or amended, on its passage through either House, as to change its original purpose.
Sec. 2. No bill shall be considered unless re- ferred to a committee, returned therefrom, and printed for the use of the members.
Sec. 3. No bills, except general appropriation bills, shall be passed containing more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in the title.
Sec. 4. Every bill shall be read at length on three different days, in each House: all amend- ments made thereto shall be printed for the use of the members before the final vote is taken on the bill, and no bill shall become a law, unless on its final passage the vote be taken by yeas and nays, the names of the persons voting for and against the same be entered on the journal, and a majority of the members elected to each House be recorded thereon as voting in its favor.
Sec. S. No amendments to bills by one House shall be concurred in by the other except by the vote of a majority of the members elected thereto, taken by yeas and nays, and the names of those voting for and against recorded upon the journal thereof; and reports of committees of conference shall be adopted in either House only by the vote of a majority of the members elected thereto, taken by yeas and nays, and the names of those voting recorded upon the journals.
Sec. 6. No law shall be revived, amended, or the provisions thereof extended or conferred, by reference to its title only, but so much thereof as is revived, amended, extended, or conferred, shall be re-enacted and published at length.
Sec. 7. The general assembly shall not pass any local or special law authorizing the creation, extension or impairing of liens; regulating the affairs of counties, cities, town.ships, wards, bor- oughs, or school districts; changing the names of
48
NELSON'S BIOORAPHICAL DICTIONARY
persons or places; chang-ing the venue in civil or criminal cases; authorizing- the laj'ing out. open- ing, altering or maiutaioing roads, highways, streets or alleys; relating to ferries or bridges, or incorporating ferry or bridge companies, except for the erection of bridges crossing streams which form boundaries between this and any other States; vacating roads, town plats, streets or alleys; relating to cemeteries, grave-yards, or public grounds not of the State; authorizing the adoption or legitimation of children; locating or changing county seats; erecting new counties, or changing county lines; incorporating cities, towns or villages, or changing their charters; for the opening and conducting of elections, or fixing or changing the place of voting; granting divorces; erecting new townships or boroughs; changing township lines, borough limits or districts; creat- ing offices, or prescribing the powers and duties of officers in counties, cities, boroughs, townships, election, or school districts; changing the law of descent or succession; regulating the practice or jurisdiction of, or changing the rules of evidence in, any judicial proceeding or inquiry before courts, aldermen, justices of the peace, sheriffs, commissioners, arbitrators, auditors, masters in chancery, or other tribunals, or providing or changing methods for the collection of debts, or the enforcing of judgments, or prescribing the effect of judicial sales of real estate; regulating the fees, or extending the powers and duties of aldermen, justices of the peace, magistrates or constables; regulating the management of public schools, the building or repairing of school-houses, and the raising of money for such purposes; fixing the rate of interest; affecting the estates of minors or persons under disability, except after due notice to all parties in interest, to be recited in the spe- cial enactment; remitting fines, penalties and for- feitures, or refunding moneys legally paid into the treasury; exempting property from taxation; regu- lating labor, trade, mining or manufacturing; creating corporations, or amending, renewing, or extending the charters thereof; granting to any corporation, association, or individual any special or exclusive privilege or immunity, or to any cor- poration, association, or individual the right to lay down a railroad track; nor shall the general assembly indirectly enact such special or local law by the partial repeal of a general law; but laws repealing local or special acts may be passed; nor shall any law be passed granting powers or privi- leges in any case where the granting of such powers and privileges shall have been provided for by general law, nor where the courts have jurisdiction to grant the same or give the relief asked for.
Sec. 8. No local or special bill shall be passed unless notice of the intention to apply therefor shall have been published in the locality where the matter or the thing to be affected may be situ- ated, which notice shall be at least thirty days prior to the introduction into the general assem- bly of such bill and in the manner to be provided by law ; the evidence of such notice having been published shall be exhibited in the general as- sembly before such act shall be passed.
Sec. 9. The presiding officer of each House shall, in the presence of the House over which he presides, sign all bills and joint resolutions passed by the general assembly, after their titles have been publicly read immediately before signing ; and the fact of signing shall be entered on the journal.
Sec. 10. The general assembly shall prescribe by law the number, duties and compensation of the officers and employes of each House, and no payment shall be made from the State treasury, or be in any way authorized, to any person, except to an acting officer or employe elected or appoint- ed in pursuance of law.
Sec. 11. No bill shall be passed giving any extra compeisation