Chapter
I- General
Description, Etc.
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Erie County
constitutes the extreme northwestern point of Pennsylvania, and is the
only portion of the State that borders on Lake Erie. It is bounded on the
north by Lake Erie, on the east by Chautauqua County, N. Y, and Warren
County, Penn., on the south by Crawford County, Penn., and on the west by
Ashtabula County, Ohio. The length of the county along the lake is about
forty-five miles, along the Chautauqua and Warren County lines thirty-six
miles, along that of Crawford County forty-five miles, and along the Ohio
line nine miles. It contains 745 square miles, or 476,515 square acres.
Its mean or center latitude is forty-two degrees north, and its longitude
is three degrees west from Washington.
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Up to the 24th of
September, 1788, all of the State lying west of the Alleghany Mountains
was embraced in Westmoreland and Washington Counties. On that date, the
section north of the Ohio and west of the Allegheny to the Ohio line was
set off as a new county, which was named after the latter river.
Pittsburgh was designated as its county seat. The population was sparse,
and it was not until ten years later that a necessity arose in the
Northwest for a separate governmental organization. On the 4th of April,
1798, Erie Township was erected with the identical limits of the present
county.
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County and
Township Organization
The counties of Erie, Butler, Beaver, Crawford, Mercer, Venango and Warren
were created by an act of the Legislature of March 12, 1800, their seats
of justice being named at the same time. Being unable to sustain a
separate organization, five of these, Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango and
Warren, were united in one organization for governmental purposes, with
the general title of Crawford County, under an act passed April 9, 1801.
The county seat was at Meadville, and one set of county officers and one
member of the Assembly served for the whole five. This relation continued
until 1803, when the first county officers were elected in Erie County.
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The townships
originally established in Erie County were sixteen in number, as follows:
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Brokenstraw,
Beaver Dam, "Coniaute," "Conniat," Elk Creek,
Fairview, Greenfield, Harbor Creek, "Le Boeuff," Mill Creek,
McKean, North East, Springfield, Union, Venango, Waterford.
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The following
townships have been added, making twenty-one in all: Amity, Franklin,
Girard, Summit, Wayne.
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The name of
Brokenstraw was changed to Concord in 1821.
Amity was taken from Union in 1826.
Wayne was formed out of Concord in 1826.
Girard was set off from Elk Creek, Fairview and Springfield in 1832.
The name of "Coniaute" was changed to Washington in 1834.
That of Beaver Dam was changed to Greene in 1840.
Franklin was created out of parts of Washington, McKean and Elk Creek in
1844.
Summit was formed out of Greene, Waterford and McKean in 1854.
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Cities, Boroughs
and Villages
The following is a list of the cities, boroughs and villages in the
county, with their distances from Erie by railroad and common road. The
distances by common road are by the most direct routes, measuring from the
city parks. Those by rail, via the Philadelphia & Erie road, are from
the water's edge at the foot of State street, and those by the Lake Shore
and Erie & Pittsburgh roads are from the Union Depot. The stars (*) in
the first column of figures indicate that the towns are not upon the lines
of railroad, but can be reached from Erie partly by rail and partly by
common road. In such cases the distances are given as by the railroad
station that is generally used, as, for instance, Girard, West Girard and
Lockport by way of Miles Grove, Algion, Wellsburg and Cranesville by way
of Albion Depot; Wattsburg and Lowville by way of Union City, and so on.
Where but one set of figures is opposite a name, it is an indication that
the place is reached by common road only:
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PLACES
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BY
WHAT RAILROAD
|
DISTANCE
BY RAIL
|
DISTANCE
BY PUBLIC ROAD
|
Albion
Depot
|
E.
& P.
|
26
|
25
|
Albion
Borough*
|
E.
& P.
|
27
|
24
|
Avonia
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
12
|
12.5
|
Belle
Valley*
|
P.
& E.
|
7
|
4
|
Branchville
|
--------------
|
-----
|
12
|
Beaver
Dam*
|
P.
& E.
|
34.5
|
26
|
Cherry
Hill*
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
30
|
27
|
Corry
|
P.
& E.
|
37
|
33
|
Cranesville*
|
E.
& P.
|
27
|
23
|
Draketown
|
--------------
|
-----
|
18
|
Edinboro
|
--------------
|
-----
|
18
|
Edenville*
|
P.
& E.
|
25.5
|
22
|
East
Springfield*
|
L.
S.
|
22.5
|
21
|
Elgin
|
P.
& E.
|
32
|
28
|
Freeport*
|
L.
S.
|
16.5
|
16
|
Fairview
Borough*
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
12
|
12
|
Franklin
Centre
|
--------------
|
-----
|
17
|
Girard
Borough*
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
17.5
|
16
|
Grahamville*
|
L.
S.
|
18.5
|
18.5
|
Greenfield
Village*
|
L.
S.
|
24
|
18
|
Harbor
Creek Village
|
L.
S.
|
8
|
7.5
|
Hatch
Hollow*
|
P.
& E.
|
31
|
18
|
Kearsage
|
--------------
|
-----
|
4
|
Keepville
|
E.
& P.
|
28
|
26.5
|
Lockport*
|
L.
S.
|
21.5
|
20
|
Lowville*
|
P.
& E.
|
37
|
18
|
Lovell's
Station
|
P.
& E.
|
34
|
30
|
Le
Boeuf Station
|
P.
& E.
|
22.5
|
19
|
McLellan's
Corners
|
--------------
|
-----
|
21
|
Mooreheadville
|
L.
S.
|
11
|
10.5
|
McLane
|
--------------
|
-----
|
14
|
Middleboro
|
--------------
|
-----
|
10
|
Miles
Grove
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
15.5
|
16
|
Mill
Town
|
--------------
|
-----
|
14.5
|
Mill
Village
|
P.
& E. & A. & G. W.
|
34
|
19
|
Manchester*
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
10
|
10
|
Northville
|
L.
S.
|
20
|
19
|
North
East Borough
|
L.
S.
|
15
|
15
|
North
Springfield
|
L.
S.
|
20
|
21
|
Phillipsville
|
--------------
|
-----
|
14
|
Pageville*
|
E.
& P.
|
32
|
28
|
Sterrettania
|
--------------
|
-----
|
12
|
Swanville
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
9
|
9
|
St.
Boniface
|
--------------
|
-----
|
7.5
|
Union
City
|
P.
& E.
|
27
|
23
|
West
Greene
|
--------------
|
-----
|
12
|
Weigleville
|
--------------
|
-----
|
2.5
|
Wesleyville
|
L.
S.
|
4
|
4.5
|
West
Girard*
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
18
|
16.5
|
West
Springfield*
|
L.
S. & E. & P.
|
27
|
25
|
Wellsburg*
|
E.
& P.
|
28
|
24
|
Wattsburg*
|
P.
& E.
|
35
|
20
|
Waterford
Borough*
|
P.
& E.
|
19.5
|
14
|
Waterford
Station
|
P.
& E.
|
19
|
14
|
Warrentown
|
--------------
|
-----
|
3
|
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All points in the
county accommodated by the Lake Shore Railroad can also by reached by the
N. Y., C. & St. L., or "Nickel Plate" road.
The classification of the above places is as follows:
Cities -- Erie and Corry, 2.
Boroughs -- Albion, Edinboro, Elgin, Fairview, Girard, Lockport,
Middleboro, Mill Village, North East, Union City, Wattsburg and Waterford,
12.
All of the rest are unincorporated villages, ranging in extent from a
dozen to a hundred buildings, with a population of 50 to 450.
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Organization of
Cities and Boroughs
Erie was incorporated as a borough in 1805, having previously formed a
part of Mill Creek Township; divided into two wards in 1840; granted a
city charter in 1851; and divided into four wards in 1858. South Erie was
set off from Mill Creek Township and incorporated as a borough in 1866;
consolidated with the city in 1870, and became the Fifth and Sixth wards,
some additions having been made from Mill Creek.
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The following shows
the years in which the boroughs were incorporated:
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Waterford, 1833;
Wattsburg, 1834; North East, 1834; Edinboro, 1840; Girard, 1846; Algion,
1861; Middleboro, 1861; Union Mills, 1863; Fairview, 1868; Mill Village,
1870; Lockport, 1870; Elgin, 1876.
Corry was established as a borough in 1863, and granted a city charter
in 1866. It is divided into the First and Second Wards, each
constituting an election district.
The name of Union Mills Borough was changed to Union City July 4, 1871.
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Election
Districts
Below is a list of the election districts in the county, alphabetically
arranged. They are fifty in number:
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Albion
Borough
|
Fairview
Township
|
Amity
Township
|
Fairview
Borough
|
Concord
Township
|
Franklin
Township
|
Conneaut
Township
|
Girard
Township
|
Corry City
--
|
Girard
Borough
|
First
Ward
|
Greene
Township
|
Second
Ward
|
Greenfield
Township
|
East Mill
Creek
|
Harbor Creek
Township
|
Edinboro
Borough
|
Le Boeuf
Township
|
Elgin
Borough
|
Lockport
Borough
|
Elk Creek
Township
|
McKean
Township
|
Erie City --
|
Middleboro
Borough
|
First
Ward, First District
|
Mill Village
Borough
|
First
Ward, Second District
|
North East
Township
|
First
Ward, Third District
|
North East
Borough
|
Second
Ward, First District
|
Springfield
Township
|
Second
Ward, Second District
|
Summit
Township
|
Second
Ward, Third District
|
Union
Township
|
Third
Ward, First District
|
Union City
Borough
|
Third
Ward, Second District
|
Venango
Township
|
Third
Ward, Third District
|
Washington
Township
|
Fourth
Ward, First District
|
Waterford
Borough
|
Fourth
Ward, Second District
|
Wattsburg
Borough
|
Fourth
Ward, Third District
|
Wayne
Township
|
Fifth
Ward
|
West Mill
Creek
|
Sixth
Ward
|
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The First, Second,
Third and Fourth Wards of Erie were divided into three election districts
each in 1876, the limits of the several districts being as follows:
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First Ward
First District -- East of Parade, between the bay
and lake and Eighth street.
Second District -- From State to Parade, between
Fifth and Eighth streets.
Third District -- From State to Parade, between
the bay and Fifth street.
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Second Ward
First District -- East of Parade, between Eighth
and Eighteenth streets.
Second District -- From State to Parade, between
Eighth and Twelfth streets.
Third District -- From State to Parade, between
Twelfth and Eighteenth streets.
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Third Ward
First District -- From State to Chestnut, between
Twelfth and Eighteenth streets.
Second District -- From State to Chestnut, between
Eighth and Twelfth streets.
Third District -- West of Chestnut, between Eighth
and Eighteenth streets.
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Fourth Ward
First District -- West of Chestnut, between the
bay and Eighth street.
Second District -- From State to Chestnut, between
Fifth and Eighth streets.
Third District -- From State to Chestnut, between
the bay and Fifth streets.
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Mill Creek was
divided into the East and West Election Districts in 1864. They choose the
same township officials, but separate election officers.
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What Township
Taken From, Etc.
The townships from which the cities and boroughs have been taken, and of
which the unincorporated villages still remain a part, are as follows:
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Albion Depot
|
Conneaut
|
Albion
(borough)
|
Conneaut
|
Avonia
|
Fairview
|
Belle Valley
|
Mill Creek
|
Branchville
|
McKean
|
Beaver Dam
|
Wayne
|
Cherry Hill
|
Conneaut
|
Corry (city)
|
Wayne and
Concord
|
Cranesville
|
Elk Creek
|
Draketown
|
Washington
|
East
Springfield
|
Springfield
|
Edenboro
(borough)
|
Washington
|
Edenville
|
Le Boeuf
|
Elgin
(borough)
|
Concord
|
Erie (City)
|
Mill Creek
|
Freeport
|
North East
|
Fairview
(borough)
|
Fairview
|
Franklin
Centre
|
Franklin
|
Girard
(borough)
|
Girard
|
Grahamville
|
North East
|
Greenfield
|
Greenfield
|
Harbor Creek
|
Harbor Creek
|
Hatch Hollow
|
Amity
|
Kearsage
|
Mill Creek
|
Keepville
|
Conneaut
|
Lockport
(borough
|
Girard
|
Lowville
|
Venango
|
Lovel's
Station
|
Concord
|
LeBoeuf
Station
|
Le Boeuf
|
McLallen's
Corners
|
Washington
|
Moorheadville
|
Harbor Creek
|
McLane
|
Washington
|
Middleboro
(borough)
|
McKean
|
Miles Grove
|
Girard
|
Mill Town
|
Amity
|
Mill Village
(borough)
|
Le Boeuf
|
Manchester
|
Fairview
|
Northville
|
North East
|
North East
(borough)
|
North East
|
North
Springfield
|
Springfield
|
Phillipsville
|
Venango
|
Pageville
|
Elk Creek
|
Sterrettania
|
McKean
|
Swanville
|
Fairview
|
St. Boniface
|
Greene
|
Union City
(borough)
|
Union
|
Waterford
(borough)
|
Waterford
|
Waterford
Station
|
Waterford
|
Wattsburg
(borough)
|
Venango
|
West Greene
|
Greene
|
Weigleville
|
Mill Creek
|
Wesleyville
|
Harbor Creek
|
West Girard
|
Girard
|
West
Springfield
|
Springfield
|
Wellsburg
|
Elk Creek
|
Warrentown
|
Mill Creek
|
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Post Offices
Below is a list of the post offices in the county. The figures annexed to
some of the names indicate the years when the offices were started:
|
Albion,
Avonia, Belle Valley, 1856.
|
Branchville,
*Carter Hill, Cherry Hill, Corry, 1862. (Branchville and Carter Hill were
discontinued in October, 1883.)
|
*East
Greene, 1830.
|
E.
Springfield, Edinboro, 1830.
|
Elk
Creek (Cranesville), Erie, Elgin, Fairview, Franklin Corners, Girard,
Greenfield, *Godard, 1883.
|
Harbor
Creek, *Hamot (St. Boniface), 1881.
|
*Hatch
Hollow, Hornby, 1883.
|
Kearsage,
Keepville, Lake Pleasant (Mill Town), Le Boeuf, Lovell's Station,
Lowville, 1867.
|
Lundy's
Lane (Wellsburg), McKean, 1836.
|
(Middleboro),
McLane, McLallen's Corners, Mill Village, Miles Grove, Moorheadville,
North East, 1812.
|
North
Springfield, Northville, Phillipsville, 1820.
|
Platea
(Lockport), Six Mile Creek, 1876.
|
Sterrettania,
Swanville, Tracy, 1883.
|
Union
City, Waterford, 1801.
|
Wattsburg,
1828.
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Wayne
(Beaver Dam), Wesleyville, West Greene, *West Mill Creek, West
Springfield.
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Of the above, all
except those marked with a star (*) have been sufficiently described. The
others are located as follows: Carter Hill in Wayne Township; Godard in
Summit; East Greene and Hamot in Greene; West Mill Creek in Mill Creek;
Six Mile Creek in Greene, and Hornby in Greenfield.
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Erie, Corry, North
East and Union City are what are known as "Presidential
offices," their incumbents being appointed by the President and
subject to confirmation by the Senate. The salaries attached to them are:
Erie, $2,600; Corry, $2,400; North East, $1,000; Union City, $1,600. The
Postmaster General appoints to all the remaining offices, and his
nominations do not have to go before the Senate.
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|
The following are
money order offices: Albion, Corry, East Springfield, Edinboro, Erie,
Fairview, Girard, Lundy's Lane, Mill Village, North East, Union City,
Waterford, Wattsburg, West Springfield.
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Erie is the only
letter carrier office.
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Census
The first census of the county was taken in 1800, and has been renewed
every ten years under the auspices of the United States authorities. Up to
1840, the enumeration was made by one person for the whole county. In the
latter year the county was cut up into two districts, and since then the
number of enumerators has been regularly increased at each census. The
county contained 1,468 inhabitants in 1800, and 3,758 in 1810. Below is
the result of the enumerations from 1820 to 1880, inclusive of both years:
|
|
1820
|
1830
|
1840
|
1850
|
1860
|
1870
|
1880
|
Albion
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
443
|
452
|
433
|
Amity
|
--
|
385
|
560
|
739
|
1,016
|
924
|
1,033
|
Conneauta
|
631
|
1,324
|
1,786
|
1,942
|
2,118
|
1,538
|
1,546
|
Concordb
|
53
|
225
|
652
|
882
|
1,255
|
1,112
|
1,171
|
Corry
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
6,809
|
5,277
|
Elk Creekc
|
288
|
562
|
1,645
|
1,535
|
1,587
|
1,462
|
1,564
|
Elgin
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
154
|
Edinboro
|
--
|
--
|
282
|
363
|
474
|
801
|
876
|
Erie
|
635
|
1,329
|
3,412
|
5,858
|
9,419
|
19,516
|
27,737
|
Fairview
Townshipd
|
536
|
1,529
|
1,481
|
1,760
|
2,131
|
1,674
|
1,482
|
Fairview
Borough
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
480
|
425
|
Franklin
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
686
|
979
|
994
|
1,020
|
Girard
Townshipe
|
--
|
--
|
2,060
|
2,443
|
2,453
|
2,018
|
2,338
|
Girard
Borough
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
400
|
616
|
704
|
708
|
Greenef
|
142
|
443
|
1,081
|
1,542
|
1,450
|
1,395
|
1,531
|
Greenfield
|
281
|
664
|
862
|
731
|
880
|
1,089
|
1,020
|
Harbor
Creek
|
555
|
1,104
|
1,843
|
2,084
|
2,033
|
1,974
|
1,781
|
Lockport
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
405
|
345
|
Le Boeufg
|
505
|
554
|
876
|
990
|
1,488
|
1,748
|
1,420
|
McKeanh
|
440
|
984
|
1,714
|
1,921
|
1,600
|
1,426
|
1,394
|
Middleboro
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
126
|
210
|
Mill
Creeki
|
1,017
|
1,783
|
2,682
|
3,064
|
5,070
|
2,745
|
3,279
|
Mill
Village
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
388
|
North
East Townshipj
|
1,068
|
1,706
|
1,793
|
2,379
|
1,900
|
2,313
|
2,152
|
North
East Borough
|
--
|
--
|
339
|
386
|
560
|
900
|
1,396
|
Springfieldk
|
896
|
1,520
|
2,344
|
1,916
|
1,951
|
1,749
|
1,792
|
Summit
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
1,038
|
1,047
|
1,047
|
Union
Townshipl
|
200
|
235
|
593
|
1,076
|
1,954
|
1,384
|
1,377
|
Union
City
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
1,500
|
2,171
|
Venangom
|
290
|
683
|
812
|
1,019
|
1,301
|
1,370
|
1,445
|
Wattsburg
|
--
|
--
|
132
|
227
|
337
|
286
|
389
|
Waterford
Townshipn
|
579
|
1,006
|
1,144
|
1,545
|
1,950
|
1,884
|
1,822
|
Waterford
Borough
|
--
|
--
|
403
|
498
|
900
|
790
|
784
|
Washingtono
|
938
|
743
|
1,551
|
1,706
|
1,942
|
1,943
|
1,880
|
Waynep
|
--
|
197
|
738
|
1,122
|
1,224
|
1,295
|
1,306
|
Total
County
|
8,541
|
17,041
|
31,344
|
38,742
|
49,432
|
65,978
|
74,688
|
|
a. Reduced
by adding a portion to Springfield in 1835, and by the incorporation of
Albion Borough in 1861.
b. Wayne set off in 1826. A slice taken off to form Corry Borough in 1863,
and another when Corry was made a city in 1866. Elgin Borough incorporated
in 1876. The township was known as Brokenstraw till 1831.
c. A slice taken off to form Girard Township in 1832, and another to form
Franklin in 1844.
d. A part of Girard cut off in 1832. Fairview Borough created in 1868.
e. Girard Borough incorporated in 1846 and Lockport in 1870.
f. Known as Beaver Dam until 1840. A part of Summit taken off in 1854.
g. Mill Village incorporated in 1870, after the census was taken.
h. A portion of Franklin cut off in 1844 and of Summit in 1854. Middleboro
incorporated in 1861.
i. South Erie incorporated as a borough in 1866, and added to Erie in
1870, when another slice was taken from the township. By the census of
1880, East Mill Creek contained a population of 1,205 and West Mill Creek
of 2,069.
j. North East Borough incorporated in 1834.
k. A portion of Girard taken off in 1832, and of Conneaut added in 1835.
l. Amity taken off in 1826. Union Borough in 1863.
m. Wattsburg incorporated in 1834.
n. Waterford Borough incorporated in 1833. A part of Summit taken off in
1854.
o. Known as Conneauttee till 1834. Edinboro incorporated in 1840. A
portion of Franklin cut off in 1844.
p. A slice cut off to form Corry Borough in 1863, and another in the
creation of Corry City in 1866.
|
|
Erie and Corry
The following was the population of Erie City by wards in 1870 and 1880:
|
First Ward |
3,364 |
4,629 |
Second Ward |
5,031 |
6,583 |
Third Ward |
3,730 |
5,378 |
Fourth Ward |
4,526 |
5,799 |
Fifth Ward |
1,497 |
2,348 |
Sixth Ward |
1,498 |
3,000 |
|
-------- |
-------- |
|
19,646 |
27,737 |
|
|
The population of
Corry by wards in the same years was as follows:
|
First Ward |
3,559 |
2,758 |
Second Ward |
3,250 |
2,519 |
|
-------- |
-------- |
|
6,809 |
5,277 |
|
|
Unincorporated
Villages
The following was the population in 1880 of the unincorporated villages
named. They are included in the census of their respective townships as
given above:
|
Lowville |
99
|
|
Mill
Town |
92
|
Mt.
Hickory Iron Works |
127
|
|
East
Springfield |
102
|
Miles
Grove |
448
|
|
Swanville |
98
|
Wellsburg |
256
|
|
West
Girard |
135
|
|
|
County and
Township Boundaries
The true boundary line between Erie and Crawford Counties was long a
subject of dispute. To settle the question, the Legislature passed an act
at the session of 1849-50, providing for three Commissioners to run a new
line, who were given full power to act, and whose decision should be
final. In 1850, Humphrey A. Hills, then of Albion, was appointed
Commissioner for Erie County; Andrew Ryan was appointed for Crawford, and
they two named H. P. Kinnear, of Warren, as the third member. Wilson King
was chosen Surveyor on the part of Erie, and Mr. Jagger on that of
Crawford, but David Wilson, as deputy for Mr. King, did most of the work.
The party had some difficulty in finding a starting point, but after this
was agreed upon, it only took about six weeks to complete their task. A
perfectly straight line was run from east to west, and marked by stones
set two miles apart. The Commission added a long, narrow strip of
territory to Erie County, which is usually outlined upon the county and
township maps. A number of persons found themselves in Erie who had
supposed they were citizens of Crawford, and a less number in Crawford who
had imagined they belonged to Erie. A Mr. Reeder, of Washington Township,
had been so anxious to be a resident of Erie County, that he left his
original house and moved into a new one which he supposed to be at a safe
distance from the boundary. When the final line was run, the second
building was found to be in Crawford, and he was compelled to erect a
third one in order to secure the desired residence.
|
|
Extracts From the
United States Census of 1880
The population by race in Erie County:
White -- In 1860, 49,251; in 1870, 65,584; in
1880, 74,345.
Colored -- In 1860, 181; in 1870, 389; in 1880,
332. Of the number in 1880, 222 were in Erie City.
Chinese -- In 1880, 2; all in Erie city.
|
|
The population of
Erie County by nativity:
Native -- 40,758 in 1860; 52,699 in 1870; 61,543
in 1880.
Foreign -- 8,674 in 1860; 13,274 in 1870; 13,145
in 1880.
|
|
The population in
Erie and Corry, by nativity, with number of dwellings and families in Erie
in 1880:
Erie -- 1870, 12,718 native, 6,298 foreign; 1880,
20,031 native, 7,706 foreign; dwellings, 4,903; persons to a dwelling,
5.66; number of families, 5,294; persons to a family, 5.24.
Corry -- 1870, 5,080 native, 1,729 foreign; 1880,
4,250 native, 1,012 foreign.
|
|
The places of birth
of the inhabitants of Erie County in 1880:
Native born -- Pennsylvania, 47,466; New York,
9,200; New Jersey, 170; Maryland, 102; Ohio, 1,645; Virginia, 93.
Foreign born -- British America, 1,436; England
and Wales, 1,257; Ireland, 3,403; Scotland, 263; German Empire, 5,831;
France, 144; Sweden and Norway, 123.
|
|
The sex and age of
the inhabitants of Erie County in 1880:
Males, 37,303; females, 37,295.
Five to seventeen
inclusive -- Males, 10,947; females, 10,654.
Males twenty-one and over
-- 19,779.
|
|
The farm areas and
values in Erie County in 1880:
Farms, 5,579; improved land, 301,669 acres; value
of farms, including fences and buildings, $21,613,613; value of farming
implements and machinery, $941,725; value of live stock on farms,
$2,209,900; cost of building and repairing fences in 1879, $88,398; cost
of fertilizers purchased in 1879, $52,002; estimated value of all farm
products in 1879, $3,028,260.
|
|
The principal
vegetable productions of Erie County in 1880:
Barley, 195,646 bushels; buckwheat, 52,955
bushels; Indian corn, 713,749 bushels; oats, 657,179 bushels; rye, 4,876
bushels; wheat, 256,224 bushels; value of orchard products, $125,550; hay,
100,195 tons; hops, 3,048 pounds; common potatoes, 502,400 bushels; sweet
potatoes, 954 bushels; tobacco 2,730 pounds.
|
|
The live stock on
farms, and dairy products and wool products, in Erie County in 1880:
Live stock -- horses, 13,160; mules and asses,
124; working oxen, 815; milch cows, 25,425; other cattle, 28,497; sheep,
exclusive of spring lambs, 33,411; swine, 18,324.
Dairy products -- Milk, 1,893,631 gallons; butter,
2,201,141 pounds; cheese, 72,796 pounds.
Wool -- 158,116 pounds.
|
|
The following are
the manufacturing statistics of Erie County in 1880:
Establishments, 559; capital, $6,424,413; average
number of hands employed: males above sixteen years, 4,554; females above
fifteen years, 257; children and youth, 397; amount paid in wages during
the year, $1,860,466; materials, $6,646,427; products, $10,463,906.
|
|
|
Bibliography:
Samuel P. Bates, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, (Warner,
Beers & Co.: Chicago, 1884), Chapter I, pp. 137-144. |