USA > New York > Niagara County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York > Part 14
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Theodore H. Van Horn was edueated in the common schools of his native county, and after completing his studies worked for a time as a laborer. In 1855 he entered a drug store in the city of Loekport and
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began learning the drug business, remaining there four years. He then spent one year in the west, when he returned to Lockport and embarked in the drug business on his own account. For an entire decade he successfully conducted a large trade in drugs, and then sold out and engaged in tanning and oil refining. After spending five years in these occupations, he returned to the drug business in 1878, since which he has devoted his entire time and attention to this line. He has a large storeroom on Main street, which is handsomely furnished, and contains a complete assortment of pure drugs of all kinds, and where anything in his line can be procured at shortest notice. Particular attention is given to the com- pounding of physician's prescriptions.
On October 28th, 1859, Mr. Van Horn was married to Loraine Mather, a daughter of David M. Mather, of the city of Lock- port, and to them have been born an only daughter, Maud L.
In politics he is a republican, giving his party a loyal support on all leading ques- tions, and has served one term as city assessor of Lockport. He is a member of a number of the fraternal and benevolent organizations of the city, and is very popu- lar in society circles. By energy, industry, and fine business ability he has accumulated considerable property and won a lasting place in the esteem and regard of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
RED. M. TABOR, one of the re- spected, reliable, and substantial farm- ers of the town of Wilson, is a son of Dr. IIiram B. and Sarah J. Tabor, and was born in the town of Wilson, Niagara county, New York, in the year 1854. Dr. Hiram B. Tabor
(father) was born on Grand Isle, followed his profession in this community for many years, and had a wide acquaintance, both professional and personal. He was skilled, clever, and generous in his profession, and after a life of usefulness, died on July 11, 1885. In 1837 he married Sarah J. Mc- Knitt, by whom he had five children, two sons and three daughters. Mrs. Tabor was born in Somerset, Niagara county, New York, in 1819, and is now living at Wilson, in the seventy-third year of her age.
Fred. M. Tabor was reared and educated at Wilson, and by occupation is a farmer and fruit grower. He has met with con- siderable success in his occupation of farm- ing and fruit growing, and fully realizes that it is a much more independent occu- pation than many others, with fewer vicis- situdes and perplexities. He has a farm of twenty-six acres of land, which is in a high state of cultivation, and has by experience learned one fact : that many persons under- take to cultivate too much land at one time, and neglect and inattention results in only a partial crop.
On December 18, 1878, Mr. Fred. M. Tabor was united in marriage with Isabelle Dwight, a daughter of Daniel and Delia Dwight, of Wilson. To Mr. and Mrs. Tabor has been born one child, a son : Charles, who was born June 8, 1880, and is a bright, promising, studious boy.
In politics Mr. Tabor is a democrat, and is strongly attached to his party. He gives his attention mainly to farming, and is known as an industrious and successful farnier of the county. The increased pro- ductiveness and fine appearance of his care- fully cultivated farmi shows conclusively that he has studied well the scientific principles upon which successful farming is based.
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A NDREW KALTENBACH, proprie- tor of the now famous " Hotel Kalten- bach," at Niagara Falls, came to the Falls from the city of Rochester, New York, in the autumn of 1877, and purchased an eligible building lot from the late Elizabeth Mason. Thereon he began the erection of what was intended to be an ideal hotel, constructed after the most approved plans of leading architects, with every arrange- ment that could promote the comfort or add to the pleasure of its patrons. The result was the elegant brick structure which bears the name of its builder and proprietor, and is known throughout the United States and Europe as the Hotel Kaltenbach. This splendid hotel was first opened to the public on May 21, 1878, and immediately became popular with that large class of American and European travelers who appreciate taste and refinement in their surroundings, and a prompt and perfect service. The house is beautifully situated, commands a fine view of the American park and American rapids, and is furnished throughout in the most elegant and sumptuous manner, everything being arranged with artistic taste. It is conducted on the American plan, and the verdict of its patrons is that the cuisine is perfection itself. The terms are invariably
Hotel Kaltenbach,
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
three dollars per day. The capacity of the hotel is limited, hav- ing accommodations only for about fifty (Fronting State Park and Rapids.) guests, and it is ad- visable for patrons to make arrangements for rooms by tele- graph before their departure from home. The patronage of the Hotel Kaltenbach comes from the best class who visit the Falls, and its steady pressure on the capacity of the house is proof that Mr. Kaltenbach has succeeded in producing the model hotel, and goes far to recompense him for the years of earnest and faithful labor given to its creation. He and his hotel are both well known to the great traveling public of America and Europe, and are equally popular on both continents.
WILLIAM J. ARMSTRONG, station agent of the Rome, Watertown & Og- densburg railroad at Lewiston, and a prom- inent young business man of that village, is a son of Thomas and Mary ( Boyle ) Arm- strong, and was born February 27, 1859, in the village of Lewiston, Niagara county, New York. Thomas Armstrong was a na- tive of the Emerald Isle, but when twenty- two years of age he left that country and came to America, loeating at Youngstown, this county, where he learned the trade of brick mason. From Youngstown he re- moved to Lewiston, and resided in that village until his death in 1861, at the age of forty-five years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a demo- crat in politics. He was an excellent work- man, and either built or helped to build all
J. MANZ & CO.
a. Kaltenbachr
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1
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
the brick houses in and around Lewiston. He married Mary Boyle, by whom he had a family of four children. Mrs. Armstrong was also a native of Ireland, and now re- sides in Lewiston in her sixty-fifth year. She is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
William J. Armstrong was reared in Lew- iston, and received his education in the public schools of that village. After leav- ing school he secured a position as newsboy on the trains of the New York Central railroad, between Lewiston and Buffalo, and later in the same business between Buffalo and Rochester. After quitting that road he ran for three and one-half years, in the same capacity, on the Rome, Water- town & Ogdensburg railroad, between Os- wego and Lewiston. He was then offered and accepted a position as brakeman on that road, running from Niagara Falls to Cape Vincent. He had only worked as brakeman for a short time when he met with an accident that disabled him for that position, and was then appointed flagman at Lewiston by the road officials. He held this place for three years, during which time he learned telegraphy, and then became station agent at Lewiston for the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg railroad. This responsible position he has now held for ten years, giving satisfaction alike to the railroad managers, and the general public who patronize the road. During all this time he has carried the United States mail to and from the station and post-office, and also does a general transfer business between the station and the village. This latter is quite an item in the summer season, when the lake steamers are running.
On May 11, 1887, Mr. Armstrong was wedded to Elizabeth S. Collins, a daughter
of Thomas Collins, of Ransomville, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have been born four children, all daughters: Lucy M., Lena C., Beatrice, and Florence.
In politics Mr. Armstrong is a straight democrat, and an active worker for the success of his party. When a young man he served three years as clerk in the post- office at Lewiston. He is a · member of the Roman Catholic church, and of Riverside Lodge, No. 113, Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is also connected with the Telegraphie Operators' association. He is a very popular man, having won a reputa- tion for carefulness, promptness and strict honesty in all his transactions.
C ENERAL PETER BUEL PORTER,
distinguished no less for his military genius than for his practical and compre- hensive statesmanship, was born at Salis- bury, Connecticut, in 1773, and died at Ni- agara Falls in 1844. After graduating from Yale college he studied law, and began prac- tice at Canandaigua, Ontario county, in 1795. In 1797 he was elected clerk of On- tario county, and represented that county in the State assembly in 1802. About 1800 he removed to Black Rock, now included in . the corporate limits of the city of Buffalo. Ile was active in promoting the Erie canal, and in 1810 was appointed by the legisla- ture, with Clinton, Morris, and others, to survey a route for that important waterway. In 1808, and again in 1810, he was elected to congress from the Buffalo district, and in the latter congress served as chairman of the committee on foreign relations. He prepared and introduced the bill recom- mending the war of 1812 with Great Brit- ain, and upon the commencement of hostili-
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ties resigned his seat in congress to take an active part in the war on the Niagara fron- tier. He declined a general's commission, but afterward took command of a body of New York and Pennsylvania troops and their Indian allies, the latter having been led to espouse the American cause through their friendship for General Porter. He was a prominent actor in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, and proposed, planned, and commanded a division in the famous sortie from Fort Eric, which, ac- cording to General Napier, is the only re- corded instance of a besieging army being entirely routed by such a sortie.
For his distinguished bravery and valua- ble services in the war of 1812, congress presented General Porter with a gold medal, and the State of New York voted him a gold-hilted sword. He was re-elected to congress in 1814, and in 1815 President Madison appointed him commander-in-chief of the army of the United States, but after mature deliberation he declined the honor and responsibility of that exalted rank. In the same year he was elected to the posi- tion of secretary of State of New York. Hc served as one of the United States commis- sioners under the treaty of Ghent, in 1816, to determine the boundary line between the United States and Canada. In 1842 he was clected as one of the regents of the State University of New York, and during the same year entered President Adams' cabi- net as secretary of war. He was a member of the New York State assembly from Erie county in 1828, and served as presidential elector on the whig ticket in 1840.
General Porter was the senior partner in the firm of Porter, Barton & Co., who con- trolled the carrying trade between Lewiston and Buffalo, and built several of the early
lake craft. IIe removed to Niagara Falls in 1838. In 1818 General Porter was united in marriage with Loetitia Breckenridge, and by this union had one son and one daugh- ter. The son was Colonel Peter Augustus Porter, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, and the daughter was Elizabeth L. Porter, who died unmarried in 1876.
C OL. PETER AUGUSTUS PORTER
was born at Black Rock, Erie county, New York, in 1827, and was killed in action at the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, in 1864. He was the only son of General Peter Buel and Loetitia (Breckenridge) Porter, and came to Niagara Falls, this county, with his father when only eleven years of age. He entered Harvard university, from which he was graduated in the class of 1845. In 1861 he was elected to the State assembly from the second district of Niagara county, and in 1862 organized the 129th New York infantry, of which he was commissioned colonel. Later this regiment was reorgan- ized as the 8th New York heavy artillery, and employed in garrison duty at forts Federal Hill and McHenry, Baltimore, until 1864. In the spring of that year it was or- dered to the front, and participated in a number of the ficrcest battles of the war. The regiment became noted for its bravery and its gallant conduct on the field, and that the distinction was not cheaply won is at- tested by the fact that of all the regiments engaged in that gigantic struggle, the 8th New York heavy artillery ranked second on the National record as to its loss in killed and wounded.
Colonel Porter was killed at the head of his regiment in that fruitless charge at Cold HIarbor, June 3, 1864. . For two days his
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dead body lay immediately in front of the enemy's works and could not be recovered. On the second night five daring men of his command planned and successfully executed an expedition for the purpose of rescuing the body, and for this act of bravery were awarded each a gold medal. His remains now lie entombed in Oakwood cemetery, at Niagara Falls, New York.
In 1852 Colonel Porter was married to Mary Cabell Breckenridge, and to this union was born an only child, Peter A. Por- ter. After the death of his first wife, Col- onel Porter, in 1859, wedded Josephine M. Morris, and of this marriage one son, G. M. Porter, snrvives.
While in the army, in 1863, Colonel Por- ter was nominated by the Republican State convention as their candidate for secretary of State. He declined to accept the nom- ination, saying that he had gone to the front with a regiment of his friends and neigh- bors, and could not ask for his discharge while theirs could not be granted. He re- niained at what he felt was his post of duty, and met an untimely but heroic death, while Chauncey M. Depew was nominated to the position he had declined, and elected.
JAMES H. CHILDS, a prominent and successful fruit grower of the town of Lewiston, and deputy collector and inspector of customs of the village of Lewiston, is a son of Sanford and Elizabeth ( McGregor) Childs, and was born in the town of Lewis- ton, Niagara county, New York, on the 3d day of July, 1843. The father, Sanford Childs, was also a native of Niagara county, and was an extensive and prosperous farmer of the town of Lewiston up to January, 1879, when he removed to Sunfield, Eaton
county, Michigan, where he resided until his death, January 12, 1890, at the age of seventy-two years. He had long been a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, and his obsequies were conducted by these fraterni- ties, his funeral being the largest, it is said, ever held in his village. He had been the first master of his Masonic lodge, and the first noble grand of the Odd Fellows' lodge in which he held membership. He had served as delegate to the Grand Lodge of the State from both these fraternities for a number of times. He was a republican in politics, and took an active part in support- ing the candidates and measures advanced by that party. He married Elizabeth Me- Gregor, and to them was born a family of nine children. She was born in Scotland, and inherited many of the sturdy virtucs which distinguish that people. She still survives, residing in Eaton county, Michi- gan, in her seventy-second year. For many years she has been a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church.
James H. Childs grew to manhood on his father's farm, in the town of Lewiston, and received a good English education in the common schools and at the academy in Lewiston. He was an ambitious boy, and at an early age began teaching in the schools of his town, at the same time endeavoring to improve his own education and extend his mental grasp on the realities of life. He taught three terms, which brought him up to the feverish excitement attending the great civil war, and leaving his school room, as Putnam forsook the plow, he vol- unteered in his country's service, and was assigned to the eighth New York heavy artillery. Ile received a flesh wound at the battle at James river, which was the only injury sustained during his term of service.
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He was transferred to the 10th New York infantry, and with that regiment was dis- charged at Hart's Island in July, 1865. He returned to his native town and engaged in farming and fruit growing, which he has carefully followed to the present time. He now devotes most of his attention to fruit culture, and has been very successful in this business. He is also serving as deputy col- lector and inspector of customs at Lewiston, having been appointed to that position in 1890.
On December 6, 1871, Mr. Childs was wedded to Lena Shaffer, a daughter of David Shaffer, of the city of Lockport. She died within a year, and on February 3, 1875, he was united in marriage to Annie Tisdal, daughter of Robert Tisdal of the village of Lewiston. To them has been born a family of five children, four of whom are now living, two sons and two daughters: Clara E., Mary E., Joseph W., and James E. Their eldest son, Charles, died in June, 1889, aged nine years.
Politically Mr. Childs is a straight repub- lican, giving that party an active support on all leading issues. IIe has held several of the town offices, and is very popular with his fellow citizens. He is a member of Ransomville Lodge, No. 551, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Sacarissa Lodge, No. 307, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He is also a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 113, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Maban Post, No. 125, Grand Army of the Republic.
C EORGE L. MOOTE. Few men in the town of Porter or its vicinity are more favorably known than George L. Moote, as he has been foremost in many enterprises,
and his name is intimately connected with the progress and development of this section of the State. He is a son of Jaeob and Eunice (Simmons) Moote, and was born in the town of Porter, Niagara county, New York, December 10, 1820. Jacob Moote (father) was born November 7, 1790, near St. Catherine's, Canada, and died September 7, 1854. He emigrated to the United States in 1812, and settled in Montgomery county, New York. On March 17, 1817, he was married, and located on a tract of one hun- dred and sixty-three acres of land, pur- chased of the Holland Land Company, that was nothing but a dense forest. He cleared and prepared this land for cultivation, which was no small undertaking in those early times. His nearest neighbors were one and one-half miles distant. He had the historic ox team, that is always found in new coun- tries, eut his own roads in order to obtain supplies, and had to undergo all the inci- dents of an early settler in a virgin country. From apple seeds he grew trees, from the trees, grafted, and in this slow way did what many of the early settlers have done, raised and produced all they ate and wore, from the land cleared by their own hands. He built himself a log cabin, and became one of the pioneers of the county. In 1832 a new frame house was built, and in 1861 it was all remodeled by his son, the subject of this sketch. In 1832 there was but one frame house between the Moote house and the village of Wilson, and but two from the village of Ransomville to Youngstown. He resided upon this farm and improved it until his death, the title never having been changed from the date of patent to the present time. He was a democrat, and held the various offices of his town. He married Eunice Simmons, by whom he had five
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
children : Roby and Isaac, dead; George L .; William H., married Nellie E. King, who died March 7, 1875, leaving one son, Rolla A .; and Carrie E., resides on the old homestead. Mrs. Moote was born in Rhode Island, and died at Porter, December 8, 1891, in her ninety-third year. She was a well educated, self-reliant, courageous, and thrifty woman.
George L. Moote was educated at Lima, Livingston county, this State. He was elected as county clerk in January, 1874, which office he held for three years, serving with honor and fidelity. During the civil war he sent a substitute to the front, who was killed in the first battle of Island No. Ten. He has been a farmer all his life, and owns a farm of two hundred acres, twenty of which are devoted to apples, twenty-five to peaches, and less areas to pears, plums, and other fruits.
November-13, 1850, George L. Moote was united in marriage with the daughter of Luther and Sarah Wilson, of Wilson. To them have been born four children, three sons and one daughter: Glen E., married to Sarah E. Kyte, of the town of Porter; Ernest H., who married Grace I. Pettit, re- sides in Chicago, Illinois; Nellie D., is a teacher in the Kindergarten school at Washington, D. C .; and Elbert W., who died at the age of three years. Mrs. Moote's father, Luther Wilson, was born in Mont- gomery county, this State, and is a son of Reuben and Esther (Oliver) Wilson, who came to Wilson in 1809. Reuben Wilson was a democrat, farmer, and merchant, and owned the first store at Wilson, the town being named in his honor. Luther Wilson was the first democrat member of his assembly district of New York, serving for two years, and was a captain of the
light artillery. He had the credit of build- ing the first grist mill and saw mill on Twelve-mile creek, in the town of Wilson. Her father built five vessels, dredged the creek, and made the harbor at Wilson, at his own expense, shipping wheat and other products, and returning with merchandise. They were successful, industrious, and courageous people.
In politics Mr. Moote is a democrat, a member of Ontario Lodge, No. 376, Free and Accepted Masons, Ames Chapter, No. 88, Royal Arch Masons, and Genesee Com- mandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. He is a gentleman of high social and business standing, and one of the many progressive and prosperous farmers of the town of Porter.
H ON. JAMES SWEENEY, Sr., one of the original owners of the land on which North Tonawanda is built, and who some years ago represented Niagara county in the State Assembly, was born in Tona- wanda, New York, about 1836. He is the son of James and Mociah Sweeney (nee Vandervoort ), and was rearcd and educated at North Tonawanda. He married Catha- rine Ganson, daughter of John S. Ganson, a prominent banker of Buffalo, and to them was born several children, only three of whom survive; one son, James Sweeney, Jr., and two daughters, Mrs. H. C. Har- rower, and Louise Weed Sweeney. James Sweeney, Sr., is now abroad traveling in Europe, but is still closely connected with the business interests of this section. He is a director in the Eric County Savings bank of Buffalo, and a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church in the city of Buf- falo. In 1828, James Sweeney (father of the first mentioned James Sweeney), erected
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the first frame dwelling in North Tona- wanda, and prepared the way for the sale of village lots. He married Mociah Van- dervoort, and these two families were the first resident owners of land in the village limits of North Tonawanda. James Swee- ney purchased farm lots eighty-one and eighty-two, June 14, 1824; subsequently conveying one-third interest to his brother, Col. John Sweeney, and one-third to George Goundry, an uncle of the latter's first wife. William Vandervoort, a brother-in-law of James Sweeney, purchased farm lot eighty, June 7, 1826, which was subsequently bought by the present James Sweeney. These three lots comprise three-fourths of the old corporate limits. Notwithstanding the fact that the original hand-bills held forth the inducement of rapid travel by the canal, then approaching completion, "leav- ing the canal at this place for stage coach for Niagara Falls and Lewiston every day, and every other day, from the Falls to Lockport," yet sales were slow, and invest- ors far between. Although this tract had never been withdrawn from the market, the developments east of Oliver street, and north of Thompson, were very tardy, and none worthy of note had been made up to 1880. Nothing can bring more convineing proof of the rapid development of North Tonawanda than to make comparisons with former years. As late as five years since the progress had just reached Payne's av- enue, while now this whole section has been transformed into a eity up to and ex- tending beyond the old corporation limits on both the north and east lines. Stores, hotels, halls, offices, cottages, and more pre- tentious residences have arisen on all sides, until there are but few vacant lots, and these generally owned by some person in-
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