USA > New York > Niagara County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York > Part 54
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JOHN FLEMING, the leading general merchant at Lewiston, and a good ex- ample of the self-made men of modern times, is a son of James and Margaret (Simpson) Fleming, and was born October 23, 1826, in County Antrim, Ireland. His father and mother were both natives of the Emerald Isle, but their ancestors had moved to that country from Scotland. In 1846 they emigrated to America, and located in the village of Lewiston, this county. Here they lived until overtaken by death, the father dying in 1870, at the age of sixty- nine years, and the mother in 1859, aged sixty-four. James Fleming (father) was engaged in shipping fruit to Canada for a
number of years. He was a republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church, as was his wife. He married Mar- garet Simpson, and reared a family of six children.
John Fleming was sixteen years of age when he came to this country, and had re- ceived a fair education in the public schools of his native land. He arrived at Lewiston in July, 1842, and has lived here ever since. Soon after coming to this village he learned the trade of tanner and currier, and after completing his trade rented the tannery in which he had learned the business from its owner, and operated it for several years. He then erected a tannery for himself, and successfully managed it until 1868, when he sold his interest in the stock, but retained the ownership of the buildings. In 1871 he embarked in general merchandising at Lew- iston, and now carries the largest stock of general merchandise to be found in that vil- lage. His trade has grown to be quite ex- tensive, and he has a prosperous and lucra- tive business.
On April 18, 1849, Mr. Fleming was mar- ried to Margaret Miller, a daughter of George Miller, then of Lewiston, but born in Glasgow, Scotland. To this union was born a family of eight children : Margaret A., John M., Mary E., James A., George E., Ada C., Irene I., and Benjamin K. Of these Margaret A. married Dr. James K. Stockwell, of Oswego, New York; John M., who married Emma E., daughter of Rev. J. Odell, of Lewiston, is in the New York Cen- tral freight office at Buffalo; Mary E. is the widow of Dr. W. S. McCollum, and now re- sides with her father; James A., who mar- ried Lena M., daughter of John Carr, of Lewiston, is a clerk in his father's store; George E. resides in the city of Buffalo, and
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
the others are all unmarried and living at home.
For many years Mr. Fleming has been a leading member and elder in the Presbyte- rian church of Lewiston. In politics he is a republican, and served as an officer in the custom house here for two years. During the war he sent a substitute to the army, and did what he could to strengthen the government in its efforts to put down armed resistance to its authority. It is said that when he landed on the docks here, in 1842, his fortune consisted of fifty cents. He brought into play the powers of body and mind with which he had been endowed, and by industry and careful management soon began to aeeumulate property. Ile now ranks with the most respected, substantial, and prosperous citizens of Niagara county, and his career demonstrates anew what may be accomplished by poor boys if they will only apply their energies in the right diree- tion, and never falter in the face of adverse circumstances.
H' ENRY H. FROST, a veteran among the business men of the village of Son- erset, and a leading citizen of this section, who has been prominent for many years, is a son of Solomon and Anna ( Hoag) Frost, and was born March 30, 1816, at Oak Hill, Albany county, New York. The Frosts are of English extraction, the family being transplanted to America at an early day. Jordan Frost (grandfather) was born on Long Island, but removed to Duteliess county, and later to Albany county, where he died in 1835, at the age of eighty-six * years. He was a tailor by trade, and fol- lowed that oeeupation during the early part of his life, but in after years became a
farmer. He was a Quaker in religion, and married Amy Underhill, by whom he had a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. One of these sons was Solomon Frost ( father ), who was born in Dutchess county, January 20, 1792, and removed with his parents to Albany county, and from there to Rensselaer county, in 1822. From the latter county he came to the town of Somerset, this county, in 1835, and loeated two and one-half miles west of the village of Somerset, on the Lake road, where he purchased a farm containing one hundred and thirty-two acres. He cleared up and improved this farm, and lived upon it until his death, April 28, 1870. IIe was formerly a Jacksonian demoerat, but soon after the organization of the Re- publiean party he attached himself to that political body. In religion he adhered to his early training, and was a member of the society of Friends. He married Anna Hoag in June, 1815, and to them was born a fam- ily of eight children, five sons and three daughters : Henry H., the subject of this sketch ; Iliram, now living on the old home- stead; Sarah, who married John E. Cush- man, and resides in the city of Lockport; Amy, married Andrew Hamlin, a farmer in the town of Wilson; Alexander, a retired farmer and grocer of Grand Rapids, Miehi- gan ; Almon, who married Jane Fuller and went to England, where he now resides; Phoebe, and Isaac, who married Ruth Ful- ler, and is a prosperous farmer of the town of Somerset.
The maternal great-grandfather of Henry H. Frost was Paul Hoag, a native of Dutch- ess county, where he lived and died. He was also a member of the society of Friends, and reared his family in that faith. IIe married Elizabeth Chase, by whom he had
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
eleven children. Henry Hoag (grandfather) was the eldest of this family, and was born in Dutchess county, but after attaining manhood removed to Albany county, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was a farmer and a Quaker, and married Sarah Haight, to whom were born two sons and three daughters. One of these daughters was Anna, who married Solomon Frost, and became the mother of Henry H. Frost. She was born at Nine Partners, Dutchess county, and died in . 1891, aged ninety-four years. The Hoags are noted for their longevity.
Henry H. Frost grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving his education in the public schools of his neighborhood. After receiving sufficient learning, he began teach- ing during the winter months, still intent on study for self-improvement. In this way he taught nine terms, working on the farm in summer. He continued farming until 1865, when he removed to the village of Somerset, and embarked in the mercan- tile business in partnership with C. J. Ald- rich, under the firm name of Aldrich & Frost. When this enterprise had been con- ducted for some eight months, Mr. Frost purchased his partner's interest, and two months afterward associated himself with Albert Van Wagoner, the style of the firm being Frost & Van Wagoner. This part- nership lasted two years, at the end of which time Mr. Van Wagoner retired, and Mr. Frost conducted the business alone un- til 1871. In that year he took in William Scism, and the firm name became Frost & Scism for about nine months, after which Mr. Frost did business in his own name until 1889, when his son, Solomon W., be- came his partner, under the style of H. H. Frost & Son. This partnership has contin-
ned to the present time, and the firm has met with good financial success, and estab- lished a large and prosperous business. In 1865 Mr. Frost took out a license for con- veyancing, and has since conducted this business in connection with his store, doing a great deal of work in this line.
On September 27, 1843, Mr. Frost was united in marriage with Julia Wilcox, of Somerset, this county. To their union was born a family of two sons and two daugh- ters : Albert E., married Libbie Atwater, and is a farmer in the town of Somerset; Anna, married Anson Aldrich, of Ton- awanda; Frances, married George B. Hood, a farmer of the town of Somerset; and Solomon W., who married Hannah Meade, and is a member of the firm of H. H. Frost & Son.
In politics Mr. Frost was formerly a dem- ocrat, but is now a republican. He has served as town superintendent of schools two years, and as justice of the peace for one year, to fill a vacancy. The town clerk's office has been in his store for twen- ty-eight years, during twelve of which he served as clerk, and his son has filled the position since, with the exception of one year. Mr. Frost has been a notary public for fourteen consecutive years. He is a de- vout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has served as class leader for many years. He has been superintendent of the Sabbath school for a period of nine years, and is recognized as one of the lead- ers in this field of labor.
W ILLIAM F. GASSLER, the well- known and popular baker, who is numbered among the most successful busi- ness men of Niagara Falls, is a son of
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
Emanuel F. and Wilhelmina F. (Binder) Gassler, and was born in Germany, August 9, 1843. His ancestors werc natives of Germany for unknown generations, and in that country he was reared and educated. He received a fine practical education in tlie German National schools, and after completing the course of studies, became an apprentice in the bakery business, which trade he learned thoroughly in every detail. He then entered the imperial army of Ger- many, and served four years, when he re- ceived his discharge from further military service, and determined to leave the Father- land and come to America. In 1868 he arrived at the port of New York, and locating in that city, he engaged in the bakery business, and remained there for some time. In 1869 he removed to Niagara Falls, and opened a bread, pie, and cake bakery, and has continued in that line of business ever since, meeting with great success, and several times enlarging and improving his facilities for serving the public.
On May 30, 1870, Mr. Gassler was united in wedlock with Rosina R. Gamm, of Ni- agara Falls, and they have an only son, William F., who resides at home with his parents.
In political belief Mr. Gassler is a den- ocrat. He is a member of St. Paul's Epis- copal church at Niagara Falls, and earnest and active in the support of the various interests of the church. He is also a men- ber of Niagara Frontier Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons. IIc is a man of great energy and capacity for details in his business, strictly upright in his dealings, and may be set down as among the most prosperous and popular business men in the village.
L FREDERICK LEUPPIE, an industri-
ous and useful citizen of Niagara county, residing at Niagara Falls, is a son of Samuel and Susanna (Church ) Leuppic, and was born in Switzerland, May 7, 1844. The Leuppies are an old Swiss family, and all their ancestors, so far back as anything is known of them, lived and died in that country -except the grandmother of Fred- erick. Samuel Leuppie (father) was born in Switzerland, but emigrated to America in 1848, and located near the city of Buffalo, New York, but two years later removed to Niagara Falls, where he lived until his death, in 1871, at the age of fifty-five years. He was a baker by trade, and married Susanna Church, by whom he had a family of twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. Those who lived to reach maturity were : Sophia, who married Casper Rosli (now deceased), of Clifton, Ontario, but who for many years was proprietor of the Rosli house, in the city of Rochester, where liis widow now lives; Samuel R., who enlisted in 1862, in the 8th New York artillery, and served until his death, which resulted from a wound received in the battle of the Wild- erness ; Frederick, the subject of this sketch ; John, who resides in Buffalo, New York, where he is manager of the Western Union Telegraph office; Mary, deceased; Carrie, married Charles H. Taylor, and lives at Port Huron, Michigan; Louise, now in Buffalo, a teacher in public school No. 6; Ida, a professional nurse, who had charge, as head nurse, of Newport hospital for some time, and died at Niagara Falls in 1886; and Edward C., who is passenger agent for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh rail- road, at Rochester.
Frederick Leuppic received a common school education in his youth, and afterward
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elerked in the grocery store of W. F. Evans four years, at length becoming a time- keeper in the New York Central Railroad Company's shops at Niagara Falls. About 1864 he learned the trade of machinist in that village, and began working in the shops of the New York Central railroad, where he proved so efficient and trustworthy that lie was retained in the employ of that company for eighteen years. At the end of that time he left the employ of the rail- road company, and formed a partnership with William Philpott, Jr., under the firm name of Philpott & Leuppie, and began business on their own account at what was known as the "lower raee," at Niagara Falls. They remained in that locality until the State elaimed the land, it being ineluded in what is now the State reservation, and then removed to the river bank in the mill- ing distriet. There they did business until September, 1891, when they erected their present new shop, for the purpose of man- ufacturing special machinery, whiel is a handsome stone structure, 40x80 feet in dimensions, with two stories and a base- ment, and completely fitted up in fine style from top to bottom.
On October 26, 1871, Mr. Leuppie was married to Nellie Vogt, daughter of Martin Vogt, a brother of Jaeob J. Vogt, whose sketeli will be found in this volume. By this marriage Mr. Leuppie has had four children : the first died in infaney ; Fred- erick William, died when only six years old ; Ethelbert Walter and Edward Clar- enee, both living at home with their parents.
In his politieal affiliations Mr. Leuppie is a republican. He is a member of the Pres- byterian ehureh, and is likewise a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Niagara
Chapter, No. 200, Royal Arch Masons, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is also a member of the Royal Templars.
ATRICK F. KING, now serving as district attorney for Niagara county, was born February 22, 1860, at Towanda, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Jolin and Mary (Brown) King. The family is of Irish deseent, and were natives of County Clare, in the north of Ireland, as far back as tradition extends. There John King (grandfather ) was born and passed his days. There, too, his son John ( father ) first saw the light, about the close of the first quar- ter of this eentury. At the age of twenty- five he emigrated to America and learned the trade of stone-eutter, at which he worked in many of the eastern and middle States. In his later life he became a farmer. In 1849 he married Mary Brown, by whom he had a family of ten children. He is a Ro- man Catholie in religion, and lives at Hart- land Corners, where he is postmaster and engaged in merchandising.
Patriek F. King was educated in the com- mon seliools and the Union sehool at Lock- port, eommeneed teaching when nineteen, and in 1883 began the study of law in the offices of Jolin E. Pound and William C. Green. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1886, and has been in regular prac- tiee at Loekport since that time.
In politics Mr. King is a democrat, and served as justice of the peace to fill a va- eaney, in the winter of 1877. In 1889 he was elected district attorney of Niagara county, and has since creditably discharged the duties of that office. He is a popular young lawyer, and has a promising future before him.
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
T. JAMES McMASTER, a prominent dealer in musical goods at Lockport, and a popular and highly esteemed citizen of Niagara county, is a son of William G. and Joan (Sybrandt ) McMaster, and was born in Lockport, Niagara county, New York, on August 3, 1847. The McMasters are of Scotch descent, and trace their ances- try back to the time the Mayflower landed its little band of pilgrims on these shores. William G. McMaster (father) was a native of Washington county, being born near Troy in 1799. In 1836 he came to Niagara county and located in the city of Lockport, where he continued to reside until his death, in the spring of 1882, at the age of eighty-three years. In early life he secured a fair education, and by study and a wide range of reading added to his stock of knowledge until he was regarded as one of the best posted men in his city. IIe always took a deep interest in the subject of popu- lar education, and was connected with the board of education here and in the east for nearly half a century. He was one of the three original founders of the Lockport Union school, and did much to aid that in- stitution during its earlier years. He was one of the committee of three who had charge of putting in the Holly water works in the city of Lockport, which city was the first that ever introduced or tested the Holly system of water works. For a time he was engaged in the mercantile business in Lockport, where he was very popular and successful, but having accumulated a competency he retired from active business some years before his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a republican in politics. His wife was born in Washington county, New York, and died at her home in Lockport in 1867,
aged sixty-five years. The maternal great- grandfather of T. James McMaster was Rip Van Dam, first governor of the State of New York.
T. James McMaster was reared and edu- cated in the city of Lockport, attending the Union school there until he had received a good English education. After completing his studies and leaving school he embarked in the jewelry business in his native city, and continued in that line very successfully until 1877. In 1883 he opened a music store and began handling pianos, organs, and all kinds of musical merchandise. This enterprise has also been successful, and his trade lias steadily increased in volume and importance until it is among the best in this part of the State.
In addition to this business Mr. MeMas- ter owns considerable real estate in and around the city. He is still unmarried, and for a quarter of a century has been a men- ber of the Hydrant Hose company. In politics he is a stanch republican, yielding a steady support to the platformis and candi- dates of that party, but is not what would be termed a bitter partisan. He is popular both as a business man and in social circles, and a very pleasant, agreeable gentleman to meet.
C EORGE F. NYE, a popular young busines man and cashier of the customs office at Suspension Bridge, is a son of John F. and Julia A. (McKnight) Nye, and was born in Lockport, Niagara county, New York, March 4, 1864. His grandfather, Willard Nye, was born near Cape Cod, Massachusetts, but removed to the village of Somerset, this county, in 1834, where he lived until his death in 1860, at the advanced age of sixty-nine years. He was
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a shoemaker by occupation, and a devoted member of the Presbyterian chureh, serving as deaeon for many years, and contributing largely of his time and means for the ad- veneement and upbuilding of the various interests of the church. He married Sarah Pease, and reared a family of three sons and three daughters. Robert McKnight (maternal grandfather) was born in 1789, in Geneva, New York, but removed to New Fane, this eounty, where he lived until his death in 1843, at the age of fifty-four years. IIe was a very extensive farmer and land owner, possessing at the time of his death more land than any other man in the county. He erected and operated a flouring mill near the village of Charlotteville, and married Eliza Combs, by whom he had six sons and three daughters. John F. Nye (father) was born in the town of Somerset, this county, in 1832, and removed to the city of Lock- port, where he now resides, about 1853. On going to Loekport he engaged in the dry goods business, and continued in this line until 1890, when he retired from aetive business pursuits. In political faith he is a republican, and for many years took an active interest in the success of his party. He is a devoted member of the Loekport Presbyterian ehureh. In 1857 he married Julia A. MeKnight, to which union an only son was born, George F., the subject of this sketch.
George F. Nye was edueated in the Loek- port Union school, but before graduating he left sehool to aeeept a position as elerk in the office of the Michigan Central railroad at Suspension Bridge. He was employed in this eapacity for three years, when he became teller in the bank of Supension Bridge, at Suspension Bridge, where he also remained for a period of three years.
At the end of that time he was appointed by Major James Low, collector of customs, as eashier of the distriet of Niagara, with headquarters at Suspension Bridge, which position he still oeeupies. He is a young and active republican, who bids fair to make his mark in polities and win distinction for his name. He is a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge, No. 132, Free and Aeeepted Masons. No young man is more popular, or has made his way with more uniform suecess, and from the vantage ground which he now oeeupies it is not difficult to predict for him a brilliant future and a useful life.
REV. THOMAS F. HINES, pastor of the ehnreh of the Sacred Heart at Suspension Bridge, New York, was born May 10, 1826, in the Parish of Ballymore, County Westmeath, Ireland. His parents, Patriek Hines and Bridget Smith, left their native land in March, 1828, for their new home in the "Land of the Free."
Thomas F., in his youth, attended the parochial as well as public sehools. Later on in life he entered the college of Notre Dame, Indiana, but remained there only a short time. The elimate did not agree with his health. Afterwards, in September, 1849, he went to Montreal, Canada, where he entered the college of the Assumption, and remained four years. He then went to Buffalo diocese, where Rt. Rev. Timon adopted him and sent him to his seminary in Buffalo city, which was then in charge of the Oblate Fathers. He remained there until March, 1859, when he was ordained priest, and sent as an assistant priest to Rev. Father O'Connor, of Canandaigua, Ontario eounty. After a short time he was recalled, by Bishop Timon, to Buffalo, to
Per: Thomas B. Aires
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
re-organize the St. Joseph's Orphan Boys' asylum, located at Limestone Hill, whieli work was immediately begun in the month of May. A building forty by fifty feet, three and one-half stories high, was fin- ished and ready for oceupation on the 1st of November the same year. It was the wing of the center building ereeted in 1858 and 1859, sixty by seventy feet. During tlie years 1861 and 1862 the effects of the eivil war began to be manifest in the large number of helpless and unprovided children that were seen on the streets of our city of Buffalo. This new charitable demand be- came pressing on the good Bishop Timon, who decided to provide a home for the eliildren of the patriotie fathers and brothers who were on the field of battle, ready to give up their lives for their country's cause. Father Hines was selected, and authorized by his Bishop to arrange for the erection of a suitable home for this class of children, where their training in schools and in useful industries might be carried out. A new building sixty by seventy feet, four stories high, with a wing forty by fifty fcet, three and one-half stories high, was begun, and completed in October, 1864, at which time it was opened. Shops and machinery were required to give employment to this number of boys. It was decided by the board of managers, in 1867, to ereet shops suitable for chair faetory and boot and shoe business. Later on electro-plating was introduced. All these enterprises demonstrate his practical ability for ereating and managing such a varied institution. In 1873 the people of the little parish of St. Patrick needed more church aeconunodation. The untiring zeal of Father Hines had a new field open to him. He set about the erection of the new St. Patrick's church, ninety-six feet long
and forty-eight feet wide, side walls twenty- two feet in height, with steeple one hundred and thirty feet high. This church was dedicated in August, 1875.
Sonie signs of the great wear and tear began to make their appearance on the constitution of this truly devoted priest. In 1881 it was decided by Father Hines' phy- sician, as well as advised by his Bishop, Rt. Rev. S. V. Ryan, that he must withdraw from a life so very active and rest for awhile.
Now, after a period of twenty-five years' serviee, laborious and severe, to stand and look back over the field of his labors, and see so many living monuments of his zeal and fervor, are what few men ean behold. But his labors have not ended here, as the next ten years will show. He was not long in his new mission at Suspension Bridge until his praetical knowledge of building was required. The erection of a new school house was necessary for the accommodation of the Catholic children of the parish. In 1883 he began the ereetion of a school house forty-eight by thirty-two feet, two stories high. In 1885 he began to prepare for the building of a parochial residence, which was finished in 1885. After its completion he begins the improvement of the old St. Raphael's church by putting in steam and a front addition. This edifice was destroyed by fire on the 14th of November, 1888. By the direction of Rt. Rev. S. V. Ryan, his bishop, and the desire of his congregation, he prepares to build his new church. The corner stone of the new church was laid on Sunday, May 12, 1889, and it was dedicated on Sunday, February 16, 1890. Its dimen- sions are one hundred and thirty-six feet long, sixty feet wide, with spire one hundred and fifty-two feet in height, design Gothic, plans and specifications by Mr. M. Sheehan,
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