George Selden and Anna M. Lawton

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Husband George Selden ^{1 2}

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           Born: 26 Sep 1827 - Erie, Erie Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 19 Nov 1893 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: George Selden (1790-1857) 3 4
         Mother: Elizabeth Grace Card (      -1827) 1 3 5

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       Marriage: 4 Mar 1857 2

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Wife Anna M. Lawton ^{1 2}

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Mar 1871 - Erie, Erie Co, PA 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Charles Lawton (      -      ) 1
         Mother: 

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - George Selden

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When a mere boy he manifested a desire to see the world. He went to New York City where he shipped on a merchant vessel with Capt. Griswold for the East Indies and China. He continued his sea life until he became of age, soon after which he returned to Erie. He remained at home just a short time when he left for California to join the searchers for gold, and like the majority of the pioneers of 1848 and 1849, he had his ups and downs. Returning to Erie in 1853 he then engaged in manufacturing, and soon became associated with John H. Bliss in the manufacture of barrels for petroleum, which they continued until 1861 or 1862, when they purchased the Erie City Iron Works, which they enlarged to an immense capacity. Mr. Selden was a man of great energy and perseverance, and was uninfluenced by obstacles which would discourage an ordinary business man. He patented many improvements in engines and mill machinery, and mainly through his ability as an inventor, the products of the works attained a world-wide celebrity. He, like all other members of the family, was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

He was educated at the Erie Academy and by private study and extensive travel. At the age of seventeen years he decided to see the world, and going to New York, he shipped on board a merchant vessel bound for the East Indies and China, and spent several years on the sea. Returning to Erie he remained there until the gold excitement of 1849, in which year he went out to California, where he spent four years in a fairly successful quest for gold. Returning once more to Erie, he became associated with Col. John H. Bliss in the manufacture of petroleum barrels and in other lines of business. In 1864, he and Col. Bliss purchased an interest in the Erie City Iron Works. He made and patented important improvements in steam boilers and saw mill machinery and the success of the Erie City Iron Works was due largely to his inventive genius and to his remarkable ability as a business man and executive. He was president of this gigantic enterprise at the time of his death. He was a true "captain of industry." He traveled extensively through the United States, Mexico and Europe and in 1885-6 accomplished the journey westward around the world.
For many years Mr. Selden was a prominent member of the First Presbyterian church, of which he was a generous supporter. The beautiful chapel of the church was a gift from Mr. Selden, a memorial to his wife. He was a member of the board of trade and of Mt. Olivet Commandery of the order of Masons. He was for years a managing director of the Hamot Hospital and at his death left by bequest a large sum for that institution.

1 —, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1884), Pg 950.

2 John Miller, 20th Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1909), Pg 479.

3 —, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1884), Pg 949.

4 John Miller, 20th Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1909), Pg 477.

5 John Miller, 20th Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1909), Pg 478.