USA > New York > Niagara County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York > Part 29
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
H ON. ALFRED HOLMES, of Lock- port, the son of Thomas and Catherine (Rosecrans) Holmes, was born August 5, 1804, in the town of Bern, Albany county, New York. His father was a native of Ulster county, New York, but removed to and resided in Albany county until his death in 1807. He was a blacksmith by trade, and acting justice of the peace, and married Catherine Rosecrans, by whom he had eight children, four sons and four daughters: Two daughters, Delilah and Helen, died in infancy; Burroughs, who taught school in his younger days, but later removed to Michigan, where he engaged in farming till his death in that State; Rose- crans, Dorinda, Amanda, Alfred, and Hiram. Alfred removed with his mother and the other members of the family, in 1815, to a tract of land on the Batavia road, imme- diately east of Lockport, said tract consist- ing of two hundred and forty acres, pur- chased from the Holland Land Company, and, with his two brothers, remained on the farm, cleared, and cultivated it, till April 10, 1827, when he went to Lockport and entered, as student and clerk, the law office of Elias Ransom. He pursued his law studies till he was admitted to practice in January, 1832, when he became a partner of his learned preceptor, and has been en- gaged in his profession ever since. In politics he was a whig originally, and sub- sequently became an adherent of the Re- publican party. He served as master in chancery for a number of years previous to 1840, when the office was abolished. He left the office of Judge Ransom in 1841, and shortly afterwards was elected district attorney of Niagara county. In 1857 he was elected judge of that county, and served in that position two terms, beginning Janu-
ary 1, 1858. Since retiring from the judge- ship he has continued in the practice of his chosen profession. In religious association he is a member of the Congregational church, of which he has remained an hon- ored communicant for over fifty years, serv- ing nearly all that time either as clerk to the board of trustees or clerk of the church.
He married, on February 29, 1832, Frances Lewis, long since deceased. To them were born three children : Helen was married to Edwin A. Charlton, who, before removing with his family to Wisconsin, had been for years principal of the Lockport Union school, and since locating in Wisconsin has served as principal of the Normal school at Platteville, and now owns and edits a newspaper in Brodhead; Frances, wife of E. Porter Marsh, now residents of a suburb of Chicago, his occupation being that of grain dealer; and George Lewis, who died in 1875, and who was married to Clara Eastman, who now resides in Lockport. After the death of his first wife, Alfred Holmes married Maria Cantine, by whom he had three daughters : Catherine A., wife of Calvin Haines, a lumber dealer of Lock- port ; Anna, wife of Eugene C. Colby, who for a number of years was superintendent of drawing in the public schools in Law- rence, Massachusetts, and leaving there, be- came principal of the Mechanics' institute at Rochester, New York ; and Lizzie, at home, assisting in caring for her aged parents.
Hon. Alfred Holmes is the oldest practi- tioner of law in the eighth judicial district, which comprises eight counties. During his eight years as judge, but one of his decisions was reversed by the higher court, and in one year in the exciting times of the late rebel- lion ninety-three decisions in criminal cases were secured in his court. When he was
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district attorney, the Secretary of State of New York compiled a volume giving the result of the indictments for violations of the criminal laws in every county for one `year, showing that a greater number of convictions was secured in Niagara county, in proportion to the number of indictments found, than in any other portion of the State. He tried, procured the conviction of, and assisted in the execution of a man indicted for murder, the only instance of the infliction of capital punishment in the county of Niagara, as then and now con- stituted. Full of years, life's duties well performed, a useful and honored member of his church, the venerable judge is held in deservedly high esteem by his fellow citizens, and by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
Judge Hlomes has died since this sketch was written.
M AX H. SCHROEDER is a son of Albert and Mary ( Breitspecher) Schroeder, and was born in Bargischow, Germany, January 1, 1859. His parents came from Germany to this country and located in North Tonawanda in 1869. Al- bert Schroeder was a member of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church. He died at Tona- wanda in 1889, at the age of sixty-six years, leaving a wife, who still resides in North Tonawanda, at the age of sixty-one years. Mrs. Schroeder was a member of the same church as her husband.
Max H. Schroeder came to this country with his parents, and was reared and received his education in Tonawanda in the common schools. After leaving school he entered a mercantile house as a clerk, and continued as such until 1881, when he assumed the · responsibility of taking charge of a grocery
store on his own account, in a frame build- ing where now the State bank stands, from whence he moved, in July, 1886, to the large brick building that he now occupies, in which he has prospered so well that he has one of the largest and best-stocked stores in North Tonawanda, and a lucrative trade.
On January 1, 1883, he married Julia M., daughter of Frederick Sommer, of Tona- wanda. To this union have been born two children, one son and one daughter: Albert F. and Olga F.
In religion Mr. Schroeder is a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics believes in the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Tonawanda Lodge, No. 247, Free and Accepted Masons, and Tona- wanda Chapter, No. 278.
H ON. DAVID MILLAR, son of Alex- ander and Mary (Chew) Millar, was born September 30, 1842, in Lewiston, Niagara county, New York. Alexander Millar (grandfather), a native of Dundee, Scotland, was born in 1762, emigrated to the United States in 1804, and located in Lewiston in 1805, in the vicinity of which place he purchased about one thousand acres of land in what was then known as the " Mile Reserve." Providing himself with a comfortable residence, he invested his remaining capital in merchandising, his lands being nearly all an unreclaimed forest. During the war of 1812 the British forces crossed the Canadian border, captured Fort Niagara, and amongst other depredations burned his store and contents, and left him nothing but his forest lands, a portion of which he cleared and cultivated, and on
J.MANIACO.
Jesse Schaeffer.
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
which he resided till his death in 1828. Before removing to the United States her had married, and there came with him his wife and eight children. Two more were born in this country. Alexander Millar, Jr., was born February 6, 1795, and lived with his parents on the homestead purchase until his marriage, when he removed to a part of the tract known as lot or farm No. 16, on Niagara river, where he resided until his death, 1878. In politics he was a whig, in his earlier years, but subsequently became an adherent of the Republican party, never, however, taking a very active part as a par- tisan. He was a member of the Episcopal church, and for over thirty years served as warden in St. Paul's church in Lewiston. At the time of the capture of Fort Niagara by the British, and the destruction of his father's stores, he was taken prisoner and marched to Montreal, where he was kept for three months. He lived upon the farm herein named, reclaiming and improving it till it became productive, and it still remains in the possession of the family. He was married to Mary Chew, who was born August 8, 1802, and deceased in 1874. She was the daughter of Richard Chew, a native of England, whose wife was Jane Cromwell, a native of Ireland. They emigrated to the United States at the beginning of the present century, and settled in New York city. Richard Chew was a very prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he took an active interest. His family con- sisted of two daughters and a son.
David Millar was married July 12, 1871, to Hortense Valleau, daughter of Peter Valleau, a native of upper Canada. They have had four children: Agnes; William Ralph (deceased ) ; Roger Alexander; and Edith Valleau.
David Millar was educated in the public schools at Lewiston, and in Lewiston acad- emy and Lockport mion school. After leaving school he went to Pennsylvania, and for two years was employed in railroad ser- viec, and afterwards was engaged one year in the eoal trade. In 1867 he began the study of law with L. F. and G. W. Bowen, and afterwards studied with Farnell & Brazee, and in 1869 he was admitted in due forni to praetiee law in the New York and United States courts, and has been practic- ing continuously ever since in the city of Lockport. In politics he is a democrat, and in November, 1889, he was elected judge of Niagara county. He was one of the first water commissioners of the city, and is a vestryman in Grace Episcopal church, and has served as such for over ten years. He is also an active member of the society of Organized Charities of Lockport, being chairman of the board of counselors.
ESSE SHAEFFER, who has been cn- gaged in mercantile business in Lock- port for over half a century, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, June 22, 1812, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Jones) Shaeffer. His paternal great-grand- father, Shaeffer, was a native of Germany, and his son Christian Shaeffer (grandfather), was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, but died near Harrisburg, that State. He was a farmer, and married and reared a family of seven children. One of his sons, Samuel Shaeffer (father), was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and in 1828 came to near the city of Lockport, in which he died in 1857, aged seventy-five years. He was a farmer by occupation, a republican in polities, and a member of the Presbyterian
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church. He married Sarah Jones, who was born in 1788, and died in 1848. To them were born five children, one son and four daughters.
Jesse Shaeffer, at twelve years of age, came with his father from Pennsylvania to this county, where he attended the public schools of that day. He worked on the farm until 1835, when he accepted a position as a clerk in the dry goods house of Rogers & Brown, of Lockport. Ten years later he left their employ and embarked in the dry goods business for himself. He built two large dry goods stores, one grocery, and four dwelling houses. In 1868 he built the mercantile establishment on Market street, in which he successfully conducted a large business until 1888, when he disposed of the stock and building to his son, who is still doing business there. During the time he conducted the Market street store, he built a small warehouse, in which he still handles, although now in a limited way, fertilizers and such things as can not be handled in his son's store, and seeds in , car lots.
On January 13, 1839, he married Eliza- beth M., daughter of Gersham Owen, a native and resident of Canada, who after- wards came to Niagara county, and finally settled in Michigan, where he died a few years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Shaeffer have had six children, two sons and four daughters: Mary E., wife of George W. Penfield, of Lockport; Sarah M., who married George W. Jones, chief clerk of a large insurance company of New York city; Emily A., wife of Henry L. Hildreth, of Saginaw city, Michigan, and now dead; Henry J. (deceased); Anna, who died young; and William E., who married Mary Nash, and succeeded his father in the Market street
store, where he deals in all kinds of seeds, grain, and dried fruits, which he ships all over the country, and often across the At- lantic ocean to Germany and other Conti- nental European countries.
Jesse Shaeffer is a republican in politics, and a meniber and trustee of the First English Lutheran church. He enjoys the best of health, which is undoubtedly due to his temperate habits through life.
W ARNER H. McCOY, a prosperous and efficient book-binder and blank book manufacturer of Lockport, is a son of Abraham and Catherine (Smith) MeCoy, and was born in Saratoga county, New York, January 6, 1831. His great-great-grand- father, Alexander McCoy, was a Scotchman, and served as a soldier in the Revolution- ary war. His grandson, Abraham MeCoy (father), was born in 1802, in Rensselaer county, New York, where he died in 1845. In early life he removed to Saratoga county, where he remained but a few years, and then (1836) returned to his native county. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Catherine Smith, who was a member of the Christian church, and died in the city of Lockport in 1881, when in the seventy-first year of her age.
Warner H. McCoy grew to manhood in Rensselaer county, where he attended the public schools, and in order to fit himself for active business life, learned the trade of book-binding in Troy, New York. In 1847, after completing his trade, he came to Lock- port, and two years later established himself in his present successful book-binding and blank book manufacturing business. His establishment is at No. 4 Central Block, on Main street. It is well fitted up and amply
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
furnished with all necessary machinery. Mr. McCoy employs none but skilled work- men, carries first-class stock, and aims to turn out work that will render satisfaction to his many patrons.
On December 26, 1853, he married Nancy, daughter of Jeremiah Smith, of Genesee county. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have tliree children living, two sons and one daughter : George, Ira and Kittie.
Warner H. McCoy is a republican in poli- tics, and has served for four years as a member of the city council. In 1857 he became a Free Mason, and since then has held all of the highest offices of his lodge, chapter and council. For the last nineteen years he has been secretary of his lodge. He is a member of Lockport Lodge, No. 73, Free and Accepted Masons, Ames Chapter, No. 88, Royal Arch Masons, Bruce Council, No. 15, Royal and Select Masters, and Gen- esee Commandery, No. 10, Knights Temp- lar. He is also a member of Lock City Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
A LEXANDER GRANGER KENT is
a fine example of that class of Ameri- can business men who, beginning with noth- ing, create success by the diligent use of their own innate powers of hand and brain. Ile is the eiglith of nine children born to Warren and Lois ( Dorril) Kent, the former a native of Foxboro, Massachusetts, and the latter of England, and he first saw the light of day at Rome, Oneida county, New York, on the 6th of December, 1822. The Kents came originally from England, and settled in Massachusetts at an early day. Warren Kent came from Rome, this State, to Niagara, then Erie county, as early as 1825. While here he was engaged in farming, though
he had been a wholesale grocer at Sackets Harbor, until he lost his property by becom- ing surety for some friends. He died in Erie county in 1838, at the advanced age of sixty-seven years. His wife had died some years previous, while Alexander G. was yet a lad. Mrs. Lois Warren was a daughter of Ebenezer Warren, a brother of the dis- tinguished General Joseph Warren. Eben- ezer Warren studied law, located at Fox- boro, Norfolk county, Virginia, and became an eminent judge.
Alexander G. Kent is eminently a self- made man. He worked on the farm while a boy, studying as opportunity offered, but only attending school for about one year. At the age of twenty-two he formed a part- nership with John Sweeney, and opened a grocery in Tonawanda. At the close of the first year he bought out his partner's inter- est, and conducted the business alone for some time. As early as 1848, he began buying, selling, and shipping lumber, thus becoming a pioneer in the lumber trade in this section. His business constantly grew in volume and importance, until he owned and operated four large saw mills, to which logs were rafted in great quantities. He found his markets at Tonawanda, Lockport, and surrounding towns, and sent large con- signments to New York city. Ile received the first load of lumber shipped to Tona- wanda from: Canada, and for a number of years he did a business ranging from two hundred thousand to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually. About two years ago he practically retired from business, although he occasionally buys and sells a lot of lumber. Ile owns the Kent business block in Tonawanda, and is a stockholder in the State and Lumber Exchange banks. He is a man of eminent business ability, and
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
has probably done as much as any man within her bounds to encourage and build up the material interests of Tonawanda, although his manner is so modest and re- tiring that a stranger would get no such impression by mecting him. He is respected and honored most by those who know him best. Ile was elected president of the vil- lage some twelve years ago, and served one term with distinction, since which time he has declined official position of any grade.
On December 27, 1860, he was united in marriage with Bettie Ransom, daughter of Asa and Betsie (Clark) Ransom. Mrs. Kent's grandfather, Asa Ransom, Sr., was a native of Massachusetts, who removed to Geneva, New York, and from there to Buffalo in 1797. He was a silversmith, and worked for the Indians on the site where the city of Buffalo now stands, when there were only three other white families in that locality. He acquired and spoke several Indian languages. His son, Asa Ransom, father of Mrs. Kent, was the first white male child born in Erie county. He was born in the town of Clarence, June 16, 1801. His sister, the late Mrs. Frederick B. Merrill, was the first white child born in Buffalo, on the spot where the liberty pole now stands. In 1824 Mr. Ransom married Betsie Clark, daughter of the late Hon. Archibald S. Clark, of Erie county, and in 1847 settled on the eastern shore of Grand Island, which was then a virgin forest. With intrepid spirit he began the battle with nature which all pioneers must wage, and ere long beheld the wilderness about him blossom as the rose. He was among the early navigators of Niagara river, and scenied to delight in enterprises which re- quired great courage to complete. His home was noted for its hospitality, and his
heart and hand were always ready to pro- mote every good work, in all the varied walks of life. No one in the community was more highly respected or revered. A man of such kindly traits and positive char- acter necessarily became a striking figure, both in public and private life. Always an unswerving democrat, he was frequently honored with high official trusts, which he conscientiously discharged. In his religious affiliations he was what is commonly called a Disciple, and was instrumental in founding the society now composing the Christian church in Tonawanda. He was very active for a man of his age to within a few weeks of his death, which occurred on February 1, 1891, and which event removed one of the last remaining links in the chain of pioneer life in western New York. His wife died in September, 1886, leaving behind her many blessed memories of kindly deeds nobly done. Her life was largely devoted to the welfare of others. At the homes of the afflicted and by the bedside of the sick she was both friend and physician, and many yet live to testify to the loveliness of character and devoted piety which marked this matchless woman. Mr. and Mrs. Kent have four daughters living, two of whoni are married and reside in the city of Buffalo : Mrs. Pendennis White and Mrs. George McDonald. The other two, Mary Ransom and Bessie Alexandra, live with their par- ents in their elegant residence at Tonawanda. This edifice was erected in 1889, and is one of the most convenient and comfortable homes in the city. From an architectural standpoint it is imposing and ornate, and credit for the excellent taste displayed in its varied appointments is largely due to Mrs. Kent, who is a lady of great intelligence, and possesses many rare accomplishments.
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
She is a member of the church of Christ. In Mr. Kent's home here is gathered a splendid library, containing the best works of the world's best authors in all depart- ments of learning and knowledge. Their old homestead on Buckhorn Island is now a summer resort, and their country home- stead on Grand Island was recently sold to others, but in their Tonawanda home they live, surrounded by all the elegance and refinement that marks wealth and culture.
JOHN A. MERRITT, a member of the
Niagara county bar, and the present postmaster of the city of Lockport, is a son of Jolin M. and Nancy R. Merritt, and was born in Tecumseh, Lenawee county, Michigan, November 24, 1851. Some time prior to the war of 1812, his paternal grand- father, Shubal Merritt, came to Niagara county from his native town of Rye, in Westchester county. He purchased a farm, but devoted the most of his time to brick- making. He reared a family of six sons and one daughter. One of these sons, John M. Merritt (father), was born in 1809 at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and came with his father to Niagara county, where he be- came a farmer. He was a republican in politics, held several town offices, and died in 1872. His first wife was a Miss Bigford, who died and left two sons: George, a to- bacconist at - Tecumseh ; and Harvey, a lumber dealer in Michigan. His second wife was Nancy R. Albright, by whom he had three sons: Edward H., now engaged in the lumber business at Big Rapids, Mich- igan ; John A., and Willis, who practiced law at Tecumseh for several years before his death.
Mrs. Nancy R. Merritt was a daughter of
Jacob Albright, who came to Niagara county and settled in the town of New Fane, on the lake shore, before the war of 1812.
Jolın A. Merritt received his education in the Tecumseh schools and Ann Arbor uni- versity, which educational institution he attended for two years. Leaving the uni- versity lie came to Lockport, and read law with E. M. Ashley, and, after completing his course of reading, was admitted to the bar. Immediately after admission he opened an office in Lockport, where he has been practicing ever since without intermission, except the time required for the full dis- charge of the duties of the office of county clerk, which he held for six years.
On February 17, 1872, he married Seraph A. Hyde, daughter of David H. Hyde, of the town of Somerset. They have one child, a son, named Allen N.
Politically he is a republican. In 1880 he was elected county clerk of Niagara county, and at the end of his term of ser- vice, in 1883, was re-elected for a second term, which expired December 31, 1886. Before being elected county clerk he served as deputy sheriff successively under sheriff's Norman O. Allen and S. Clark Lewis. On April 9, 1891, he was appointed and com- missioned by President Harrison as post- master of Lockport for a term of four years. He has been a Mason for several years, and is a member of Red Jacket Lodge, No. 646, Free and Accepted Masons, of Lockport. While still active in the practice of his profession, yet he fully dis- charges every duty of his office as post- master, and has so conducted the post-office since it came under his charge as to render satisfaction alike to the public and the postal authorities at Washington city.
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
W ILLIAM R. CULVER, the present active and efficient stenographer of the court of Niagara county, is the son of Rufus and Elizabeth Culver, and was born in the city of Lockport, Niagara county, New York, November 3, 1854, His pater- nal grandfather, James Culver, was a native of Connecticut, and served from that State as a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1820 he left his New England home to settle at Lundy's Lane, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he followed carpentering for many years before his death in 1861, at eighty- seven years of age. He had seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom three are yet living. Rufus Culver, one of the four sons, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, and in 1835 came to the town of New Fane, this county, which he left after arriving at the years of ma- turity to engage in the mercantile business in the city of Lockport. In 1878 he retired from all active business pursuits, and since then has passed his years pleasantly in his comfortable home in this city. He is a democrat politically, and a member of the First Methodist church of Lockport. He married Elizabeth Preston, who was born in February, 1831, and they are the parents of three children: Sarah, wife of Arthur Burtis, a hardware dealer of Lockport; William R., and Gertrude.
William R. Culver was reared in his na- tive city, where he received his education in the public schools, and then engaged in newspaper work until 1880. He was city editor of the Lockport Times until it was merged into the Union, when he became assistant city editor of the latter sheet. After one year's work on the Union he ac- cepted the position of stenographer of the courts of Niagara county, and has served
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