USA > New York > Niagara County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York > Part 20
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William Barker (father) was born at Nottingham, England, but moved to Cana- da and settled at London, where he died in 1873. He was largely interested in specu- lations in real estate, and when the panic of 1857 occurred, he lost nearly all of a large property. He served as alderman and may- or of London, and was an official in the
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Custom House there at the time of his death.
George Barker received his education in the schools of London, Ontario, and at a very early age began to manifest artistic tastes and talents. Upon one occasion, while yet a schoolboy, he made a sketch of his teacher whipping a refractory pupil- an incident not infrequent at that day - and the likeness was so accurate that instead of procuring him a reprimand, it led to his being made instructor in a drawing class for the school. Later he was placed under the instructions of a competent artist, and for five years studied drawing and painting in oil and water colors, developing great skill and sound artistic judgment. At this time it was intended that he should follow the profession of a landscape painter, and arrangements were being made to send him to Europe to study, when the commercial crisis which carried away his father's for- tune dispelled that bright dream of his youth, and compelled him to look for some- thing that could win a cash recognition more speedily. He obtained a position in the studio of James Egan, at that time the leading photographer in western Canada. He remained in this place a year, studying hard and keeping his eyes open. After leaving Egan he opened a studio of his own, but, finding it unprofitable, he started out, with much ambition but little cash, to seek his fortune in the "States." He ar- rived at Niagara Falls on the 30th of July, 1862, having spent his last quarter to cross the suspension bridge, and went to the only photograph rooms in the village and solic- ited a situation. He was given a place at the munificent salary of ten dollars per month, though his employer very soon found it advisable to raise his wages. At
this time there were no paper photo- graphic views made at Niagara Falls, only glass stereoscopic views and ambrotypes, and very little demand for them. While working at this place, young Barker made the first paper photographs of the Falls for a foreigner who called for theni, and they met with so much favor that he was im- pressed with the idea that making paper views of the Falls might be a very good business. With this conviction, he rented a small place and went into business for himself.
For several years it was uphill work - laboring under many disadvantages-with- out capital, with poor outfit, and no credit - being unknown - obliged to carry his business through the long, dull, winter sea- son, when customers were scarce, it was a constant fight, but, with that determination and persistency that has always character- ized him, he has reached the top round of the ladder, and made for himself a name which is known all over the world, wher- ever civilization extends.
Eleven first-prize medals have been awarded to Mr. Barker, in connection with his exhibits in various parts of the world. In 1886, at the convention of the Photo- graphers' Association of America, in St. Louis, he was awarded the first gold medal.
At this convention he was also awarded a prize of one hundred dollars for best dis- play of prints made from Cramer plates. Of these triumphs the Buffalo Sunday Times of July 11, 1886, said : " It is a matter for considerable pride to the people of Niagara Falls, that Mr. George Barker, the well- known photographer, has been awarded the first gold medal for landscape photography, by the Photographers' Association of Amer- ica, which held a convention at St. Louis
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last week. It is no empty honor when it is considered that Mr. Barker's exhibit was placed in competition with the works of the leading photographers from every State in the Union, and was awarded first prize."
In 1887, at the convention of the Photo- graphers' Association of America at Chi- cago, he carried off the special grand prize for landscape photography, a diamond badge. At Boston, in 1889, at the Da- guerre Semi-centennial Exhibition of Pho- tography, a gold medal; at the " Exposition Universelle " at Paris, in 1889, a gold medal.
Other honors to his work were medals at Buffalo in 1871; medal of Ameriean Insti- tute, New York, 1873; M. C. M. A. medal, Boston, 1874; and a special prize mcdal in Germany, 1886.
These and other awards of superiority which he has received, are enough to give him permanent rank among the leading photographers of the world. He spent a portion of the winters of 1886, 1888, and 1891 in Florida, and his photographs of the land of flowers are noted among tourists for their beauty, delicacy, and truthfulness to nature.
On June 20, 1871, Mr. Barker was united in marriage to Georgia V. Shipman, of Ni- agara Falls, and to this union was born a family of five children: Mary, George, Constance B., Raymond, and Louise S.
After the death of Mr. Barker's first wife, lie wedded Ida Kranepuhl, and they have one child, a daughter, named Dorothy M.
In politics Mr. Barker is a republican, but seldom or never takes part in the eon- tests that mark the recurring elections, pre- ferring to devote his time to the art in which he has won sueh cminenee.
IIe is a member of the Protestant Epis- copal ehureh; a past master of Niagara
Frontier Lodge, No. 132, Free and Ae- eepted Masons; a member of Niagara Chapter, No. 200, Royal Arch Masons; of Genesee Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar; of Rochester Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32°, and of Ismalie Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Buffalo, New York. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and other orders.
Mr. Barker has a fine home on Buffalo street, overlooking the rapids and falls, in the most beautiful part of the eity.
M ATTHEW WALSH is a son of Mat- thew and Margaret (Ford ) Walsh, and was born July 23, 1849, in the eity of Lock- port, New York. His grandparents on both sides were natives of Ireland. Matthew Walsh (father) was born on the Emerald Isle in 1812. He eame to Lockport from New Foundland, and later went to Buffalo, where he died. He married Margaret Ford, and reared a family of six children, four of whom are yet living.
Matthew Walsh was educated in the com- mon sehools of Lockport. He was a printer for nearly a quarter of a century, and then formed a partnership with Thomas Gaskin, under the firm name of Gaskin & Walsh, and embarked in the furniture business at Suspension Bridge. In politics he is a democrat, and in the fall of 1890 was elected eoroner of Niagara county. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, and a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit association. He married Mary E. Murphy, a native of Indi- ana, but then of Lockport, and to them have been born six children: Matthew W., a clerk in the hardware store of Phillips & Co., of Suspension Bridge ; John J., Minnie, Frank, Edward, and Raphael.
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G EORGE K. WRIGHT, a prosperous
farmer of the town of Wilson, and an industrious and useful citizen of Niagara county, is a son of Abner and Jane (Loudon) Wright, and was born January 13, 1811, in what is now the town of New Lebanon, Columbia county, New York. The Wrights are of Celtic origin, their ancestors coming to this country from Ireland. The grandfather, Benjamin Wright, was a native of the east- ern part of New York, and became an ex- pert in rifle practice. He was fond of the chase, and it is related of him that during a certain year he shot ninety-nine deer, and made extra efforts to kill one more before New Year's day, but failed. Abner Wright (father) was born in eastern New York, and for many years was a farmer in Colum- bia county, working also as a shoemaker at times. IIe died on his farm in that county in the spring of 1832. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serv- ing nearly three years. Ile married Jane Loudon, a native of Connecticut, by whom he had a family of twelve children. She died in 1843, aged seventy-five years.
George K. Wright was reared on a farm until his sixteenth year, attending the pub- lie schools of his neighborhood, and acquir- ing an ordinary eommon school education. After leaving school he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which occupation he followed for a dozen years. He removed from Columbia to Orleans county in the fall of 1831, where he followed his occupation until 1843, when he removed to Niagara county, locating then on the land he still owns and occupies. At that time it was all a forest, and his first residence was a log cabin, hastily erected to shelter his little family. He brought with him one yoke of
three-year-old steers, one two-year-old heifer and one yearling heifer, and a forty-dollar note. The note he traded to a man for chopping ten acres of woodland ready for logging. At this time there was not much building going on. IIe, however, sceured one small house to build, two miles away, on condition that he would work for six shillings a day and eat his breakfast and supper at home, which he did. He man- aged to get the ten acres into wheat in the fall
The summer of 1844 was no improve- ment on that of 1843, but rather the reverse. As the inhabitants of the little settlement depended on getting out staves and head- ings to buy their flour, judge of their sur- prise when the cooper told them that he could not get superfinc flour for his barrels to sell for cooper stuff. If they would take fine flour (the best part of canaille) or Indian meal, he could get plenty of that. This was at harvest time. Now comes the demonstration that people are better and kinder neighbors in a new country than they are in an old. He had his wheat stacked, and the threshing machine was coming the next day to thresh it. He went down through the woods to Mr. Walter T. Rich- mond's to borrow some flour. Mrs. Rich- mond took the pail and went up the ladder stairs and soon came back with about half a pail of flour. The next winter he, with his wife and Richmond's folks, were on a visit to Micah Anderson, and the conversation turned on some of the privations that they underwent when they first came into the country, when Mrs. Richmond said: "Do you know the reason, Wright, that I did not let you have more flour when you came. to borrow?" "I suppose you could not spare it." "I let you have all I had." Mrs.
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Richmond still lives, although it is nearly forty-eight years since this occurrence, and is respected and beloved by all her neigh- bors.
By hard work and elose application, Mr. Wright has transformed the place from an unbroken woodland into a fine farm, well improved, and supplied with comfortable and commodious farm buildings, and having several large orchards of choice fruit. This farm consists of one hundred and twenty- eight acres of valuable land, located on the Daniels road, five miles from the village of Wilson.
On March 9, 1837, Mr. Wright was united in marriage, in Orleans county, to Sarah Dibble, a daughter of Salmon Dibble, and a native of Delaware county. To their union were born three children, only two of whom survive: Martha A. and Beldin F., the latter now a farmer in the town of Wilson.
In his political affiliations Mr. Wright is a stanch democrat, and gives that party a hearty support. Ile has served his town as assessor and as inspetor of eleetions, and has also been a member of the Board of Education. IIe takes rank among the best eitizens of Niagara county, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.
ETER HANER, a retired farmer now residing in the village of Wilson, is a good example of what industry and eeon- omy will accomplish in the face of adverse circumstances in early life. He is a son of Henry and Hannah ( Clark ) Haner, and was born May 11, 1811, in the town of Summit, Schoharie county, New York. The Haners are of direct German descent. Peter Haner (grandfather) emigrated from Germany in
1760, in company with two brothers named John and Philip. Peter settled in Seho- harie eounty, this State, while Philip located in the State of Indiana, and Jolin became a resident of the Hudson valley in New York. Henry Haner (father) was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1785, and died in Wayne county, in 1851, at the advanced age of sixty-six years. He was a earpenter by trade, and at different times resided in various places in this State. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and had only been a resident of Wayne county for one year at the time of his death. He married Hannah Clark, by whom he had a family of six children. She was born in Schoharie county about 1783, and died March 1, 1815. Her father, Philip Clark (maternal grand- father), was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was a farmer by oceupation.
Peter Haner was reared in Schoharie county until he had reached his fifteenth year, when he removed to Wayne county. His mother died when he was only four years of age, and he was "bound out," so that his opportunities for obtaining an edu- tion were very limited. He attended the public schools during the winter season, and made the best use of such advantages as came within his reach. In 1841 he eame to Niagara county, and located in the town of Wilson, where he resided until 1869, when he removed to the village of Wilson. From the time he began business for him- self until 1869 he was a farmer, and spent his active years in the cultivation of the soil and fruit growing. At the time he moved to the village he owned one hundred and seventy-four acres of fine land-all paid for -seventy-one acres of which he had eleared himself. When he eame to the village he was in good eircumstances, and
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contemplated living a quiet, retired life, but the habits of a lifetime of activity were strong, and he soon tired of indolence. He has consequently engaged in a number of small enterprises, rather as pastime and re- creation than as regular business.
In politics Mr. Haner is a republican, and has served as highway commissioner, as- sessor two terms in succession, and as poor- master three times. In all these positions he has acquitted himself with credit, and labored for the public good. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is now serving as trustee and steward of that church. He started in life a poor boy, but being blessed with good health, and inheriting plenty of courage, he soon ac- quired a competency, and for years has been in independent circumstances.
In 1839 Mr. Haner was married to Mrs. Cosandrie (Chickering) Haner, then of Wayne county, though a native of Schoharie county. She died in 1856, leaving him two sons and one daughter: Francis II., who enlisted in the 28th New York infantry, served two years during the civil war, and now resides at Pullman, Illinois, one of the suburbs of the city of Chicago; Ambrose U., a resident of Wilson, and Maria E., now the wife of Edward E. Dox, of the village of Wilson. Two years after his first wife's death he wedded Harriet S., daughter of Rev. David and Phoebe Way, of the town of Lewiston, this county. Her maternal grandfather, Daniel Sherman, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Her father, Rev. David Way, was born east of the Hudson river, in this State, in 1795, and was a min- ister of the Baptist church. He did not enter the ministry, however, until he had nearly cleared up a farmi of sixty acres in the town of Lewiston, and became familiar
with all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. He began his ministerial labors in 1830, and only ceased them with his death, in 1865. His last sermon was preached only two weeks previous to his death, and in the very neighborhood where he had cleared out the farm in his early days. He married Phæbe Sherman, a native of Rutland county, Vermont, who removed to Cayuga county, New York, several years before her marriage. She died in 1861, at the good old age of sixty-two years. Some time afterward Rev. Mr. Way was wedded to Mrs. Christena Efferick, of Canada. IIe was very successful in the ministry, organized a great many churches, and did much pio- neer work. During the war of 1812-15 he served as a soldier under officers since known as Generals Scott and Wool. Mr. Way, being left an orphan at the age of four years, was reared in the home of his ma- ternal grandfather. His early education was such as could be obtained in the com- mon schools of that day. But with him education was the work of a lifetime. IIe was a self-made man.
S TEPHEN SULT, a gentleman of the old school, now and for many years master of roads on the New York Central railroad, is a widely known and popular citizen of Niagara county, and resides at Lockport. He is a son of Peter and Laney (Chester) Sult, and a native of Pennsyl- vania, being born in Northampton county, that State, July 21, 1812. His father, Peter Sult, was also born, reared, and educated in Northampton county, but later removed to Columbia county, same State, where he lived at the time of his death, when he was sixty-nine years of age. He was a cooper
Stephen Sult.
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
by occupation, and married Laney Chester, by whom he had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, seven of whom still survive. James, the eldest, is a pattern maker, and lives in Columbia county, Penn- sylvania; Stephen, the subject of this sketch ; Julia, deceased; Mary, lives in Col- umbia county, Pennsylvania; Daniel, also of Columbia county, now dead; Charles, re- sides at Peoria, Illinois; Sarah, is a resident of Columbia county, Pennsylvania; Eliza, also lives in the same county; and William C., of Peoria, Illinois.
Stephen Sult received his education in the common schools of Columbia county, Pennsylvania. While yet a boy he was given employment as a laborer on the Sus- quehanna canal, and after the completion of that great water-way he became foreman on a pair of scows running on this canal, and served in that capacity for two years. He was then offered employment as a carpenter in the car shops of the Lehigh Valley rail- road, and remained with that company for one year, after which he accepted the posi- tion of foreman for the Beaver Meadow & Manch Chunk railroad. In 1833 he en- gaged with a New Jersey railroad in the same eapacity, and March 15, 1836, came to Niagara Falls to act as foreman in the con- struction of the road that ran from Lower- town, Lockport, to Niagara Falls, then known as the Loekport & Niagara Falls railroad. After this railway was finished he became its roadmaster and paymaster, and as the road was not operated in the win- ter season, he employed that time in re- pairing and rebuilding its rolling stock. He built the first eight-wheeled car that ever ran on this road. In 1856 the road was ab- sorbed by the New York Central railroad, and Mr. Sult beeame roadmaster under that
corporation, and has continued to occupy that important and responsible position to the present time. The road-bed under his control extends from Lockport Junction to North Buffalo Junction, and from Suspen- sion Bridge to Tonawanda, and from Tona- wanda to Batavia. In the careful and able discharge of his official duties during all these years, he has won a high reputation among railroad men and all who appreciate the watchfulness and fidelity required in such a position.
Stephen Sult was wedded to Lodema Knapp, by whom he had two children, one son and one daughter. The daughter is Mary, who married Frank Lamontagne (now deceased), and lives in the city of Buffalo. The son is Charles A. Sult, an engineer, living at Black Rock, Erie county, New York, who has been twice married - first to Aliee Crane, and later to Mrs. George Crane. Mrs. Lodema Sult died, and Mr. Sult was united in marriage to Mrs. Dimus Skinner, and to this union has been born one daughter, Ruth L.
Politically, Mr. Sult has affiliated with the Democratic party, believing in its prin- ciples as expounded by the founders who shaped its poliey in the early years of our government, and with his party opposing the innovations sought to be introduced into governmental affairs in later years. While he has been active in the discharge of all duties pertaining to good citizenship, he has been too much absorbed in his busi- ness ever to have taken part in the heated contests of practical politics.
H ARRY J. FENTON, manager of the Niagara County Preserving Company at Lockport, and a young business man of
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more than ordinary promise, is the second son of Benjamin and Julia A. (Saynisch) Fenton, and was born March 3, 1864, in the city of New York. His grandfather, Solo- mon Fenton, was among the early pioneers of Erie county, settling at Brant, Erie county, south of Buffalo, where he devoted the active years of his life to clearing out and cultivating a farm, on which he lived until his death. He was a very active, en- ergetic man, and in addition to his farming business owned and operated a saw mill, and dealt extensively in lumber. He was an Adventist in religion, and a licensed minister of that church, preaching whenever oppor- tunity afforded. He married, and reared a family of seven children, six of whom are yet living. One of these is Benjamin Fenton (father), who was born at Windham, Greene county, New York, in 1830, and now resides in the city of Buffalo. For twenty years lie has been actively engaged in the canned goods business there, being the originator of the Erie Preserving Company, and be- coming its president shortly after its organ- ization, a position he still occupies. This company has a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, and does a large business. In politics Mr. Fenton is a republican, and in religion an Episcopalian. He married Julia A. Sayniseh, and reared a family of four sons and one daughter: Clarence M., now secretary of the Erie Preserving Com- pany, of Buffalo; Harry J., of Lockport; Emma J., living at home with her parents ; Benjamin W., cashier of the Erie Preserving Company, at Buffalo; and David W., now a student at Harvard college.
Harry J. Fenton received his education at the Buffalo High school and at Bryant & Stratton's Business college, of Buffalo, and soon after completing his studies became
assistant seeretary of the Erie Preserving Company, of the city of Buffalo, which position he still occupies. He is also manager of the branch of this business at Lockport, known as the Niagara County Preserving Company. He is a bright, ac- commodating, and popular young man, pos- sessed of many fine qualities, and before whom appears to be opening the large possibilities of a great and honorable busi- ness career.
MARTIN WAGNER, who was largely instrumental in the improvement of one of the beautiful farms in Niagara county, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1819, and is a son of Martin, Sr., and Anna Wagner. Martin Wagner, Sr., was born in Basle, Switzerland, and was reared and lived among the vine-clad hills of his native beautiful and mountain-walled re- public until 1812, when he set sail for America. He settled in Lancaster, Penn- sylvania, and there resided until 1825, when he removed to the town of Niagara, Niagara county, where he died in 1852, having ar- rived at the age of sixty-five. In politics he supported the Whig party, and by occu- pation was a farmer, who prospered well in his different enterprises. His life was one of vigor and earnestness, which determined the success that he achieved. He married Annie Krauter, who was also a native of Switzerland, and died in 1864, at the ripe old age of four-score years. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were both members of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church, and commanded the respect of many by their fidelity and by leading honest lives in both the old and the new world.
Martin Wagner, Jr., came to Niagara county at the same time as did his father.
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He was reared upon a farm, and was fairly educated in the common schools. In 1848 he settled upon the farm where he now resides. This farm contains one hundred and ninety-four acres of well improved land, eighteen acres of which are in orchard, containing a collection of choice fruit trees. IIe owns a good dwelling, which has one of the best cemented cellars in the country. At the time Mr. Wagner settled upon this farm he had a capital of only one hundred dollars, but by close attention to business, and witlı an eye upon the futurity of his occupation, he has become a leader in agricultural pur- suits, as well as having brought up his farm to a high state of productiveness.
In 1846 he was united in marriage with Fannie Pletcher, daughter of Wm. Pletcher, of Niagara county. This union has been blessed with three sons and one daughter : Gilbert H., Elmer, Fred, and Libby. Libby married Frank Neff, and now resides in · Michigan.
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