Husband Hon. Joseph M. Sterrett 1 2
Born: 19 Feb 1800 - near Shippensburg, Cumberland Co, PA 1
Christened:
Died: Aft 1884
Buried:
Father: James Sterrett (1755-1822) 3
Mother: Anna McKnight (1760-1815) 3
Marriage:
Wife Catharine Riblet 2
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - Hon. Joseph M. Sterrett
He was the founder of the Erie Gazette established January 15, 1820; associate judge for several years, postmaster of Erie from March 27, 1861, to April 8, 1869; county commissioner in 1829; was captain of the Erie guards in 1823; was elected to state senate in 1837.
More than ordinary interest attaches to a journalistic life, covering nearly one-half the present century [1800s]. Hon. Joseph M. Sterrett, now living in quiet retirement in Erie City, possesses this rare distinction. Widely known, personally and highly esteemed, his sun-setting days are serenely passing away in the midst of a devoted family. Mr. Sterrett was born near Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Penn., on the 19th of February, 1800. At an early age he removed with his parents, brothers and sisters to McKean Township, Erie Co., and after acquiring a common education entered as an apprentice the office of the Northern Sentinel, published at Erie by Robert I. Curtis. The place of publication of this paper being changed to another State, Mr. Sterrett took a similar position in the office of the Western Press at Mercer. Remaining only a short time, he passed to Hagerstown, Md., working on the Torchlight, and subsequently for a longer period on the Star of Federalism in Frederick. He also found employment in the offices of the Baltimore American and Carlisle Volunteer, and returned to Erie in 1819. Prompted by a desire to engage in business for himself, he purchased a portion of the materials of the Erie Patriot and commenced the publication of the Erie Gazette, issuing the first number January 15, 1820. The Gazette was of medium size, and Mr. Sterrett performed all the labor upon it single-handed, working night and day until the following April, when an apprentice was procured. The Gazette was independent up to the breaking out of the anti-Masonic excitement in 1827. Mr. Sterrett's convictions led him to espouse the anti-Masonic cause, and the Gazette became the organ of the party formed to represent that cause, and courageously and effectively fought for its principles. This was a peculiarly exciting period in the history of the Gazette. Rancorous feeling and personal estrangements resulted from the bitter discussions by the alleged enormities of the Masonic order. Under the vigorous leadership of the Gazette the opposition elements rapidly grew into a powerful and successful organization. Backed by a decided popular majority, it filled all the offices and exercised control over all the affairs of the county. To an equally marked extent the Gazette subsequently served the Whig and Republican parties. It likewise gave special attention to local questions, and always favored a line of action calculated to build up home interests. So complete was the confidence reposed in its judgment that it had but to advocate a measure to make it popular. With a brief interruption, Mr. Sterrett's connection with the Gazette continued to May, 1865, comprising a period of forty-five years and four months. Mr. Sterrett never exhibited a disposition to exert his admitted personal and political influence for selfish ends. Offices he held without seeking them. He was County Commissioner in 1829; in 1837 he represented the Whig party in the State Senate. This body at that period contained many men whose names are conspicuous in Pennsylvania's history. In 1849 Gov. William E. Johnson conferred upon Mr. Sterrett the appointment of Associate Judge of Erie Co., and when his term of service expired he was elected to the same position by the popular vote and continued to serve for a period of five years. In addition to the Revenue Commissioner for the Erie Judicial District, honors were given him in the Borough of Erie beyond the measure of his wishes. The last public position he held, and the only one affording remunerative compensation was Postmaster of Erie from 1861 to 1869. Such is a brief review of the life of the oldest living Pennsylvania journalist. It is due to Mr. Sterrett to say that he met the requirements of his day and generation in a manner evincive of high resolves, patriotic aims and conscientious regard for the greatest number. Often engaged in heated controversy, frequently obliged to antagonize even personal friends, and sometimes forced by a sense of duty to adopt a course inviting criticism, the purity of his motives and justness of his motives were never yet questioned. Carrying upon his shoulders of eighty odd years the consequent growing bodily infirmities, he is by common consent, looked upon as adding to a long career of marked usefulness the fairly achieved reputation of "an honest man."-From newspaper sketch by I. B. G.