USA > New York > Niagara County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York > Part 60
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Throughout life Mr. Cross has always made it his aim to be ahead of his business, and never allow his business to be ahead of him. His natural taet and keen insight, together with good judgment, has enabled him to become remarkably successful in whatever line of commercial enterprise he has been engaged. He has always enjoyed the confidence of the people, which lias also contributed to his success in business life, and at the present time his real estate trans- actions involve some of the most valuable property that is in the market. Sidney S. Cross is one of the founders of Cataract Lodge, No. 54, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Lockport, in which organization he has always been an active, prominent, and useful member.
G EORGE H. PIERCE, an active and successful young business man of fine reputation, was born at Suspension Bridge, Niagara county, New York, January 24, 1868, and is a son of Henry F. and Jane E. (Samways) Pierce. His grandfather,
George HI. Pierce, came to the falls in 1854, and remained there until 1866, when he re- moved to Suspension Bridge. He lived the remainder of his life there, and died there, in 1868, at the age of sixty-two years. Ile went into the lumber business the same year he came to the falls, which he continued for a number of years, and was also engaged in the retail coal trade at Sus- pension Bridge for a time. Politically he was a democrat, and took considerable in- terest in party affairs. He was an active member of the Baptist church, and married Abigail Roberts, by whom he had three children. Henry F. Pierce (father) was born at Wheatfield, Niagara county, in 1840, and removed to Niagara Falls with his parents in 1854, where he lived until after his marriage, in 1866, when he moved to Suspension Bridge with his father, and remained there until 1868, when he re- turned to Niagara Falls, and resided at that place until his death, in 1887, at the age of forty-seven years. He studied law, and was graduated from the Albany Law university in 1860, after which he practiced his pro- fession for a short time at Suspension Bridge, and then embarked in the lumber and coal business. In partnership with G. HI. Howard, he also conducted a private bank at Clifton (now Niagara Falls), On- tario, Canada, and was a prosperous and suc- cessful business man. Politically Mr. Pierce was a staneh and ardent demoerat, ever ac- tive in the interest of his party and influen- tial in its eouneils. He was president of Ni- agara Falls village for two years, and served as supervisor for three years. He was also a member of the board of education, and president of the fire department, and always took a deep and active interest in the pro-
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gress and development of the village. He entered the 28th New York infantry at the beginning of the war as first lieutenant, and was taken sick and returned home, but afterwards entered the 2nd New York mounted rifles as first lieutenant, and was promoted to major in the same regiment. He was afterward brevetted lieutenant- colonel. In 1866 he married Jane E. Sam- ways, and to them were born three sons and six daughters.
The maternal grandfather of the present George H. Pierce is William Samways, who emigrated from England to this country in 1833, and now resides at Niagara Falls. A sketch of this gentleman appears elsewhere in this volume, which see.
George H. Pierce, after attending the common schools of his native county, en- tered De Veaux college, from which insti- tution he was graduated in the class of 1886. He then entered Hobart college, at Geneva, this State, where he remained one year, but on account of business demands on his time, did not remain to graduate. In 1888 he began the wholesale coal busi- ness at Suspension Bridge, in partnership with J. M. Hancock, the firm name being Hancock & Pierce. This partnership has been continued to the present time, and the firm has been very successful, having built up a large and lucrative trade.
In politics Mr. Pierce follows the tradi- tions of his ancestors, being an active, in- telligent democrat, who takes great interest in the triumph of democratic principles, and is rapidly acquiring influence among his party associates. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and regular in attendance on its services. He is yet a young man, but has already laid the solid foundations for a successful business career, and, possessed of
energy, enterprise, and superior business ability, bids fair to leave an enduring mark on the development and history of the vil- lage and county.
JOHN G. FREEMAN, an old and popu- lar citizen and business man of Lock- port, who has traveled extensively abroad and occupied many positions of honor and trust at home, was born in the town of Cambria, Niagara county, New York, April 3, 1821, and is a son of Alexander and Mary (Gould) Freeman. Alexander Freeman was born January 27, 1796, in Ontario county, this State, and came to Niagara county with his parents in 1806, when a lad of only ten years. He grew to manhood here and became one of the early, hardy, honest, enterprising pioneers of western New York. On February 20, 1817, he married Mary Gould, daughter of the late John Gould, Sr., of Cambria, and settled on a tract of land purchased of the Holland Land Company. This land was then a wilderness, but he cleared up a fine farm and erected comfortable buildings thereon, and lived here until his death, April 9, 1869, when seventy-three years of age. His wife had preceded him some thirty years, dying August 16, 1840.
John G. Freeman received his early education in the public schools of his native county, and, afterward, at the age of twenty, supplemented this instruction by a course of two terms in the academy at Millville, Orleans county. To this broad foundation in general knowledge he has added by wide reading and a close study of events. After leaving school he engaged in the occupation of farming, and altogether has passed a quarter of a century on the farm. In 1856
J. MANY & CO.
John G. Freeman
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
he embarked in the dry goods business in the city of Lockport-his store being located on Main street-and was thus engaged two years, when he became half owner of what was then known as the Journal and Courier newspaper, and spent some six years as an editor and publisher. Later he began buying and shipping grain, becoming one of the principal grain and produce dealers of that city. He conducted this business for a period of six years, after which he removed to his farm in the town of Cambria, and for some years again engaged in the cultivation of the soil and and in fruit growing. He afterward moved into the town of Lockport and had charge of the poor house in that town for two years. In 1888 he was president of the Niagara County Pioneer association, and was prominent in organizing the Niagara County Justice of the Peace association, and is now secretary of the Niagara County Protective association.
In his political faith and affiliations Mr. Freeman is a republican, giving that party a loyal and active support at the polls and elsewhere. He served as superintendent of schools in the town of Cambria for twelve years, and has always taken an active interest in the great cause of popular education. He was also elected and served in the capacity of justice of the peace for the extended period of sixteen years in the town of Lockport, and four years in the town of Cambria, few of his decisions ever having been reversed. He was endorsed twice by both parties in the town of Lockport, in his race for justice of the peace. He is at present serving as supervisor of the town of Lockport, this being his third term in that position. An election to a third term in this office is unusual in that town,
and the present instance may be regarded as a fitting tribute to the fidelity and good judgment that has characterized his administration of that and other offices which he has so frequently been called upon to accept.
While attending school at Millville, Mr. Freeman became acquainted with Sarah Owen Thomas, and on September 13, 1842, they were married. She died October 25, 1891, greatly beloved by a wide circle of friends.
For nearly half a century Mr. Freeman has been connected with the Masonic fraternity, being now a member of the lodge at Lockport. He has been quite a traveler in his day, having visited most of the points of interest in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and France, and was a regular weekly correspondent to the Journal. He has always been active and enterprising, and now, at the age of seventy-one, is hale and hearty, and bids fair to see many more years of popularity and usefulness.
S OLON S. POMROY, editor of the Ni- agara Falls Journal, and a highly es- teemed writer and business man of Suspen- sion Bridge, was born September 22, 1830, at Bennington, Wyoming ( then Genesee) county, New York, and is the son of Seth and Betsey ( Lewis) Pomroy. His great- grandfather, Seth Pomroy, was one of three brothers who came from England in the eighteenth century and settled in North America. When trouble arose between the mother country and her American depen- deneies, he espoused the patriots' cause, and served as a captain in the Revolutionary army. He was a farmer by occupation, and after the struggle of the colonists had been
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
crowned by a glorious independence, he returned to peaceful pursuits, and lived and died in the old Pomroy homestead at East Hampton, Massachusetts. He married early, and had a family of five sons and four daughters. His grandson, Seth, father of Solon S., was born in 1783 and reared on the old homestead in Massachusetts. After attaining manhood he went to Long Island, then to Skeneatlas, this State, where he kept a drug store one year, after which he went to Genesee county and became one of the pioneer teachers of that section. He also followed farming for a number of years, and in 1839 came to Lockport and began contracting and building. In politics a whig and later a democrat, he served as constable and justice of the peace, and during the last ten years of his life was overseer of the poor in the city of Lockport. He died in August, 1865, aged cighty-two years. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and one of the founders and first elder of the Second Ward Presbyterian church. He was twice married-first to Betsey Lewis, by whom he had one son, Solon S., and two daughters: Chloe, who died in 1867; and Saloma, married to John F. Fisher and now living in Kansas.
On December 25, 1859, Mr. Pomroy was united in marriage with Helen M. Strong, daughter of Charles Strong, a prominent merchant of Lockport. To this union were born two children : Nellie M. and Kate W., the latter married to John Hancock and has one child, Dorothy. Charles Strong enlisted as a quartermaster in the 151st New York volunteers, and was mustered out as major. He died in 1865, but his widow is still living in Lockport.
Solon S. Pomroy received his education in the academy at Lockport, under the
tutelage of the late M. C. Richardson. After leaving school he learned the printing business, and at the age of eighteen was made local editor of the Lockport Daily Courier, in which capacity he served two years, and then became editor-in-chief until 1854. In 1857 the paper was sold to John G. Freeman who consolidated it with the Journal. In 1859 Mr. Pomroy began the publication of an independent weekly newspaper called the Niagara Chronicle, and in 1860 he established the Lockport Daily Union, and edited it four years, when he sold the property to Royal Chamberlain and R. M. Skeels. He then embarked in the commission business with his father-in- law, Charles Strong, and the firm did a large general commission business until Mr. Strong's death in 1865. In the year 1867, Mr. Pomroy became treasurer of the Lockport Glass Company, which position he occupied for two years, when he removed to Saginaw, Michigan, and started the East Saginaw Daily Courier (the first democratic paper in that State outside of Detroit), and published it two years. The Courier is still a flourishing paper. In 1871 he returned to Lockport and became editor of the Lockport Morning Times, after which he went to Kansas City, where for two years he was man- ager of the Kansas City News. Returning once more to Lockport he remained on the Times until 1878, when he removed to Suspension Bridge, and the next year purchased the Suspension Bridge Journal, which he yet owns and edits, and which in his hands has become one of the leading democratic newspapers in this part of the State. He originated and helped carry forward the agitation which resulted in the erection of the Cantilever bridge connecting the United States with Canada at Suspension
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OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
Bridge, and was one of the commissioners for locating its site. This bridge has been of immense advantage to the development and growth of the town. In politics Mr. Pomroy has always been a democrat, and as a eitizen and journalist has labored for the good of the party and the spread of sound democratic doetrines. He was canal eolleetor at Lockport in 1857 and 1858, and eleeted to the State assembly in 1866 from the first assembly distriet of this county. He is a prominent member and vestryman of the Episcopal church, and is widely known as a conscientious gentleman, a pungent writer, and an intelligent business man, who has taken an active interest in the material development of not only his own village, but of Lockport and Niagara county as well.
A. AUGUSTUS PORTER belonged to a family that has distinguished itself for probity, intelligence, industry, success, and seholastic ability. He was a son of Albert H. and Julia ( Matthews) Porter, and was born in 1836, at Niagara Falls, Niagara county, New York. The family is of En- glish extraction, and for several generations native of Connecticut. Augustus Porter (grandfather) was a native of Connecticut, but eanie to this eounty about the close of the last century. He was a surveyor by profession, and did much of the early work in the western part of New York. He first located at Selilosser landing, this eounty, about 1805, where he remained but a short time, finally locating in the village of Ni- agara Falls in 1808. His house was burned in the war of 1812, and the house now standing on the same location was built in 1818. He built the first grist mill at Niagara Falls, and together with Mr. Barton,
of Lewiston, had exclusive control of the portage business from Schlosser to Lewiston, a distance of seven miles ; also owned vessels on the lake, and being one of the pioneers, his business was such as is usually engaged in where a new country is being fitted for civilization and productiveness. He was the real projector of the hydraulic canal, but did not live to see it consummated. His sons and grandsons, however, were instru- mental in placing this great improvement on a solid foundation. In polities he was a demoerat, or republican, as termed in the early history of political parties, but the Jeffersonian party was organized in 1801, and it was opposed to the Federal party. He was the first postmaster at Niagara Falls, served as county judge of the terri- tory which is now embraced in the counties of Erie and Niagara, then all embraced in Niagara, and Buffalo was the county-seat. He served in this capacity for several years, serving when judges were appointed and corresponded to our present judge. He also served as a member of the constitutional convention that was called to revise the constitution of the State. He married Lavina Steele, by whom he had one child, Augustus. After her death he married Jane Howell, and had three sons and two daughters. One of these sous, Augustus S., was a graduate of Union college, studied law, went to the State of Michigan, where he was mayor of Detroit, and elected to the United States seuate for one term. He returned to Niagara Falls, where he lived the remainder of his days, leaving two daughters at his death. Peter B., another of their sons, graduated from Hamilton college, read law, was elected to the assembly two terms from Niagara county, was honored with being elected speaker of the house one session, and died
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at an advanced age. Lavina E., the eldest daughter, is deceased; and Jane S., young- est daughter, married David J. Townsend. Albert H. Porter (father), the eldest son of Augustus Porter, was born in October, 1801, at Canandaigua, New York, came with his father to Niagara county, where he was reared on the old homestead, and where he resided until his death, January 31, 1888. He was a general business man, built the first mill to manufacture paper by machinery, locating it on Bath island, operating it for a number of years. He also owned and controlled much valuable real estate, and was active and energetic in business affairs. He married Julia Matthews, by whom he had five children: Vincent M., died in youth ; Albert Augustus ; Vincent M., born July 14, 1841, in the village of Niagara, was graduated from Union college at Schenectady in 1863, after which he engaged in engineer- ing for several years, and since then has devoted his time and attention to real estate dealings, and the settling up of his father's estate, which was large and complicated, and from that time has more extensively engaged in real estate transactions. He is a republican, takes an active part in party matters, and is the oldest of this branch of the family living, and resides on the old homestead property ; Julia M., wife of John H. Osborn, of Auburn, New York, who is secretary of the Osborne Reaper works, of that city; and Jane H., wife of Arthur Robinson, a manufacturer of Rochester, New York.
Albert Augustus Porter was graduated from Amherst college in 1859, and after leaving school studied law with Smith & Lapham, of Canandaigua. He was admitted to practice law in 1862, and came to Niagara Falls, where he followed his profession with
good success until his death on March 15, 1888. In politics he was a republican, and took an active part in political contests. He was appointed a United States consul at Clifton by President Lineoln, which position he held for several years. He was president and trustee for the town of Niagara Falls for a number of years, served as a member of the board of education, and was an Episcopalian in religion, of which church he was a vestryman.
In 1862 he married Julia G. Jeffrey, a daughter of Alexander Jeffrey, a native of Edinburg, Scotland, who came to the United States and located in Canandaigua. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter were born three sons and three daughters: Alexander J., who embarked in business on his own account at Auburn as manager of one of the de- partments of the Osborne Manufacturing Company for eight years, came in March, 1888, to Niagara Falls, and devoted his time and attention to developing the Niagara Tunnel Power Company, and subsequently. engaged in the manufacture of paper, acting as secretary and treasurer of the Pettebone Paper Company. He is a director in the street railway company, the Cataract bank, Niagara County Savings bank, Niagara River Navigation Company, secretary and treasurer of Niagara Falls Power Company, and seeretary and director of Niagara Falls Water Works Company. He is a republican, a member of the Republican State committee, and is popular with the people, as he was elected supervisor of Niagara, a democratic town, by about one hundred majority ; Albert H., a civil engineer by profession, was for a number of years on the new Croton aqueduct in New York city, and is now located at Niagara Falls, where he is chief engineer of the Niagara Falls Power Company. He
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is a member of the board of education, a republican in polities, and a member of the Episcopal church; Augustus G., attending De Vcaux college ; Bessie R., wife of Clarenee R. Edwards, a first lieutenant in the United States army, stationed at Fordham, New York; Julia M., and Charlotte R., both at home.
A. J. Porter well sustains the business reputation of his father, and is connected with most of the leading branches of busi- ness in Niagara Falls. He and those of the family who are still living may be justly proud of the ancestral name, as it is linked closely with the development and history of this section of New York. We find nothing to mar the record, and this great success has been the result of scholastic culture and intelligent business tact and skill, coupled with honesty, integrity, and industry.
W ILLIAM LANE, M. D., has passed an epoch in the study and practice of medicine which, measured by time, would cover but a small extent in the age of med- ical science ; but, counting the advance in the knowledge of diseases and their treat- ment, it covers more space than all of the previous centuries combined. In all de- partments of the profession there has been but the one word-advance; and it now stands before the world as a science which is rapidly approaching a condition of com- parative perfectness. Dr. William Lane was born in Gainsborough township, Lin- coln county, Ontario, on May 3, 1833. IIe was reared in his native town, and at the age of seventeen years had acquired a good academie education. IIe entered Victoria college at Toronto, from which institution he was graduated in 1861, with the degree
of M. D. This education was supplemented by a course at the Physio-Medical institute at Cincinnati, of which institution he is also a graduate. Dr. Lane is the first person of his native township to graduate at a medi- cal college, and the second to obtain a di- ploma from a university. After receiving his collegiate degree he located in southern Illinois, and was fast building up a practice when he determined to emigrate to St. Catharines, Ontario, where he practiced medicine for ten years. In 1874 he located at New Fane, Niagara county, New York, where he was engaged for sixteen years in the practice of his profession. There being no good schools at New Fane for the edu- cation of his children, Dr. Lane moved to North Tonawanda in the spring of 1891, and his children were sent to the Buffalo schools. He is building up a fine practice at North Tonawanda, and he is known in the community as a man whose sterling worth, unaffected manners, generous im- pulses and active brain make him a leader among men. His courteous bearing, his high sense of honor, his acknowledged ability and professional skill, have secured for him that honorable fame to which all men aspire. In many a home there is an nn- written history of his medieal skill, and humane devotion to the interest of the sick, and this if written would be the highest tribute possible to bestow. Dr. Lane is ree- ognized as being wise, skillful, and trust- worthy. His quict firmness, his ability and skill, make him an ideal physician. Dr. Lane is a prohibitionist, recognizing the needs of our country in the matter of a re- form in the liquor laws. His advocacy of this principle is strong and humane, and he has the keen foresight to recognize that the time is coming when our country will be
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rescued from the gulf of intemperance into which it has fallen.
In 1861, Dr. Lane was married to Martha, daughter of John Corwin, of Drummond- ville, Ontario. They have three children, two sons and one daughter : Frank is in the printing business, and Mary and William are preparing for the practice of medicine and law. Dr. Lane is a member of the Ni- agara County Medical society, and in church relationship he is a Methodist.
Dr. Lane's paternal grandfather was a native of New England. He was a farmer, and a united empire loyalist. He moved to Canada after the Revolutionary war, where he remained until his death. His maternal grandfather was an officer of the Hessian army, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Saratoga. Dr. Lane's parents were Nathan and Mary ( Moot) Lane. Na- than Lane was a native of one of the New England States, and moved to Canada with his parents when quite young. He lived in Canada until his death, in 1850, at the age of sixty-one years. He was a farmer, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Mary Lane, Dr. Lane's mother, was a native of Albany, New York, and came to Canada when but twelve years of age. She died in 1865 at the age of seventy-thrce.
O. W. CUTLER, proprietor of the Union Printing and Publishing house, at Loekport, and a popular local leader in the Democratic party of Niagara county, resid- ing at Suspension Bridge, is a son of John and Betsy (Knowlton) Cutler, and was born in Newbury, New Hampshire, April 1, 1846. His grandfather, Joseph Cutler, was a native of Massachusetts, but removed to Newbury,
New Hampshire, where he lived until his death, in 1854, at the age of sixty-three years. He was a farmer who owned mueh land, and eondueted extensive operations. In political belief he was a democrat of the strict school, and was active in behalf of his party's interests. He married Sallie Wells, and by this union had a family of three children, who grew to mature years. His son, John Cutler (father), was born in New- bury, New Hampshire, in 1820, and died in that State in 1857. During his early life he was engaged in teaching school, but later became a farmer and merchant. He married Betsy Knowlton in 1844, and had a family of two sons and one daughter, the subject of this sketch being the only one who grew to maturity. John Cutler was a very ardent and enthusiastic democrat, taking an active part in the political campaigns of his time. Indeed, his death might be traced to over- work in the Buchanan campaign of 1856, during which he contracted a cold, which ran into quick consumption and terminated his earthly career in the year following. He served as chairman of the board of select- men for a number of years, and was post- master at South Newbury, New Hampshire, during the administration of President Pierce. He also served as adjutant in a regiment of militia in that State, a position in which he took special pride, his nature containing a large military element. He was one of the most prominent and influen- tial nien of his town, being regarded as a leader by his fellow townsmen. He was a ready debator, and an excellent extempo- raneous speaker, possessing tact, ability to quickly seize a point in his favor, or see a weak place in his adversary's argument, and gifted with unusual eloquence in de- livery.
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