USA > New York > Niagara County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
570
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
sor, Canada ; George R., a real estate agent of Kansas City, Missouri; Charlotte, who died in 1875; Charles H., now in the hard- ware business in San Francisco, California ; Walter, who died in 1876; and Edward E., a druggist of Suspension Bridge.
Since coming to this country Mr. Phil- pott has been a republican in politics, yet is no aspirant for office, and never allows political affairs to interfere with or take his time from his business. He and all of the members of his family are members of the Baptist church of Niagara Falls, of which he is a trustec and deacon, and a member of the building committee. IIe is a charter member and past officer of a council of the Royal Templars.
H ON. LEE R. SANBORN, a leading republican, prominent Masonic digni- tary, and honored citizen of Niagara county, residing at Sanborn, is a son of Rev. E. C. and Elizabeth (Randall) Sanborn, and was born near Brockport, Monroe county, New York, August 8, 1831. Ilis grandfather, Mark Sanborn, was born in New Hamp- shire, March 16, 1750, and was of English extraction, as was his wife, whose natal day was July 17, 1754. Ebenezer Cleveland Sanborn (father) was born in 1794, and after attaining manhood became an itiner- ant preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, being located first at Brockport, New York, on coming into this State. He was twice married, his first wife being Almira Smith, by whom he had five chil- dren : Myra Ann, Ruth, Salina, Israel G., and Josiah W. After her death he married Elizabeth Randall, by whom he had two children : Lee R., and one who died in infancy. All these children are now de-
ceased except the subject of this sketch and Josiah W., who entered the United States army.
Lee R. Sanborn was educated in the com- mon schools of this State, and in that most elevating of educational institutions, an in- telligent and refined Christian home circle. In 1848 hc removed to this county and located in what is now the village of San- born. Here he engaged in manufacturing pursuits and in the lumber business, and became so popular that the citizens named the town Sanborn in his honor. He has done much for its business success and moral improvement. The sterling honesty and integrity of his character, and the up- rightness of his conduct in dealing with his fellow men, early brought him into prom- inence with the people of his village, who called him to positions of trust and responsi- bility. He has held nearly all the important offices in the town. Mr. Sanborn is a re- publican in politics, and in 1870 and 1871 he represented his district in the State leg- islature, and took an active part in the stormy sessions of that body. In 1886 he was appointed by the governor as a member of the board of management for the New York State institution for the blind at Batavia. Hc has served continuously as president of the board of trustees of this institution. While giving prompt attention to public trusts, and contributing to every business enterprise of his own town, he has at the same time been engaged in managing his extensive lumber interests in northern Michigan. He entered the grand council of Royal Templars of Temperance, of New York, in its fifth year, at Auburn, and in 1887 was elected as representative to the supreme council, and by that body was at once made a life member of the board of
571
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
direetors. He was appointed by the late supreme eonneilor, Hon. John II. Croeker, as chairman of the finance committee, to which position he has been regularly reap- pointed by succeeding executives. Through the hands of this committee passes every bill before it is paid. Mr. Sanborn is a gentleman of superior eulture, and has long been known as a strong supporter of the work of all beneficiary societies; is affable and pleasant in disposition, an able speaker, and a warn friend and earnest advocate of all institutions ealeulated to ameliorate the conditions and alleviate the sufferings of his fellow men. By his kindly disposition and many aets of benevolenee he endears him- self to all with whoni he comes in eontaet, and every interest that engages his atten- tion is benefited and prospered by his serviees.
On September 9, 1849, Mr. Sanborn was united in marriage to Julia C., daughter of Edward Crawford, and to this union was born a family of six sons: John E., who married Mary Stevens, by whom he has one son and one daughter, and resides in Mieh- igan, where he is engaged in the lumber business; William H., married Eleanor De- foe, and also lives in Michigan, engaged in the lumber business; Enoeh C., married Addie M. Dodge (who died September 25, 1880), and resides at Ossineke, Michigan, where he is postmaster and a general mer- chant; James L., married Loretie Roberts, by whom he has three children, and is a real estate and lumber dealer in Michigan ; Charles G., married Helen Goss, has one son and one daughter, and is proprietor of the roller mills at Sanborn ; and Clinton F., who married Clara E. Sutherland, by whom he has one daughter, and is a dealer in agricultural implements, produce, lumber,
ete., and travels very extensively. The father of Mrs. Lee R. Sanborn (mother), Edward Crawford, was born in New York in 1812, and in 1835 married Emaline Ran- olds, daughter of Squire Ranolds, a wealthy land owner. Mr. Crawford died in 1886, aged seventy-five years, but his wife is yet living, healthy and aetive, though in her seventy-eighth year.
Hon. L. R. Sanborn owns forty aeres of most fertile land, devoted mostly to fruit growing. It is well watered, handsomely arranged, extremely productive, and the fenees, buildings, ete., are substantial and elegant. He owns an evaporator, and seeures recreation in superintending the preparation of his fruit in first-elass shape for careful and fastidious buyers. He is a member of Genesee Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, and is a Seottish Rite Mason, and member of Ishmalia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a Royal Templar, past grand eouneilor of the State, and a member of the supreme lodge of the United States, E. A. U., and Ancient Order United Workmen, and is an honorary member of the Grand Army of the Republie.
H' ENRY HUBBS, a well-known hotel nian, and prosperous and respected eitizen of Niagara Falls, is a son of Samuel and Jemima (Banta ) Hubbs, and was born in the town of Royalton, Niagara county, New York, April 17, 1841. The Hubbs' eame originally from Holland. John Hubbs (grandfather) lived and died in Saratoga county, this State. He was a farmer by oeeupation, and also dealt in live stock. In polities he was a whig, and married, and had a family of eleven children: Alexan- der, David, George, William, Ammidee,
572
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Viletta, Mary, Julia, Betsy, and Samuel. Samuel Hubbs (father) was born in Sara- toga county, this State, about 1806, and removed to Niagara county in 1838, settling in the town of Royalton, where he lived until his death in 1852. By occupation he was a farmer, a whig in politics, and mar- ried Jemima Banta, a daughter of Peter Banta, by whom he had eight children, seven sons and one daughter. Six of the sons died in infancy, and the daughter, Elizabeth, married J. Bunnell, and is now deceased.
Henry Hubbs received his education in the common schools of Royalton, and re- mained on his father's farm until he was eleven years of age, when he hired out as a laborer to a neighboring farmer. He continued to work on the farm until he was thirty years of age, when he came to Ni- agara Falls and began the construction of what is now known as the Temperance House. This building is a handsome struct- ure, and well adapted to hotel purposes, containing fifty-eight sleeping rooms, and a fine office and parlors, and affording ex- cellent accommodation for at least one hun- dred guests. Mr. Hubbs is an attentive and accommodating host, and his hotel is deservedly popular with that large class of Americans whose business or inclination cause them to spend much time in travel. At this house they find the comforts of a home, and every attention that could be desired.
In October, 1862, Mr. Hubbs was united in marriage to Charlotte Hyatt, by whom he had one daughter, Lottie. His wife died in 1864, and he was again married, this time wedding Jane E. Phelps, a daughter of Randolph Phelps, of the town of Royal- ton, this county.
In politics Mr. Hubbs is a republican, but has never taken any active part in political contests, contenting himself with discharg- ing the ordinary duties of good citizenship, and casting his vote for the men and meas- ures most likely, in his judgment, to sub- serve the best interests of the public. He is an active worker of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and takes a patriotic interest in every movement calculated to strengthen American institutions and pop- ularize government of the people by the people.
JOSEPH V. CARR, a prominent hotel keeper and secret society man of Ni- agara Falls, is the son of John and Eliza- betli (Spencer) Carr, and was born Decem- ber 23, 1840, at Lyons, Wayne county, New York. His grandfather, John Carr, Sr., was a native of. Maryland, who removed to Wayne county at an early day and settled on a farm where the village of Lyons now stands. Here he lived and died, a farmer by occupation and a democrat in politics. HIe married and had a family of eight chil- dren, five sons and three daughters: John (father), George, Upton, David, Rebecca, who married David Gay; Polly, married William Bockoven; and Charlotte. John Carr (father) was born in Maryland about 1802, and came to Wayne county when a young man, where he lived until his death, in 1854. He was a shoemaker and dealer, a democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Episcopal church. He mar- ried Elizabeth Spencer, and reared a family of eleven children : John, died in 1852, aged twenty-one years; William Edward, a farmer, living in Missouri; Charlotte, who married Charles Smith, now deceased, and lives at Fort Scott, Kansas; George W., a
573
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
farmer at Coldwater, Michigan ; Sarah, died in 1845; Francis A., who enlisted in the army in the fall of 1862, served through the war in General Banks's army corps, with which lie was engaged on several hotly contested fields without receiving a wound, and after the war married and now lives at Lyons, Wayne county; and Joseph V. Charles Spencer (maternal grandfather) was a native of England, and followed a seafaring life. For many years he was a well known sea captain.
Joseph V. Carr's educational advantages were few, his father dying when he was only eleven years of age, after which he worked on a farm about eight months out of the year for seven years, receiving from nine to fifteen dollars a month. Such ad- vantages as came in his way, however, were gladly improved, and formed the foundation of what has become a good business educa- tion. In 1862, lie came to Niagara Falls as night watchman at the Cataract house, when it was run by Whitney & Gerald. He was steward of this popular hotel for nine- teen years, beginning at a salary of twenty dollars a month, and receiving a salary of two thousand dollars a year when he re- signed. In 1880 he opened a hotel on Goat Island and conducted it successfully for two years, when he took charge of the Niagara house, one of the best hotels in the village of Niagara Falls, where he is still located and still busy attending to the wants of the traveling public. Politically he is a demo- crat, and while not taking any very active part in politics, has served as trustee of the village of Niagara Falls, and other minor offices. He is a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons ; Niagara Chapter, No. 200, Royal Arch Masons, and Genesee Commandery, No. 10,
Knights Templar, at Lockport, beside being a member of Ishmalia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Buffalo.
On November 5, 1867, Joseph V. Carr was united in marriage with Emma Clark, daughter of Charles Clark, deceased. To this union was born one son, Willian E., who entered De Veaux military school, and was graduated therefrom in June, 1886, after which he matriculated at Hobart col- lege, Geneva, this State, and was graduated with the class of 1890. He is now studying law in the office of Ely & Dudley at Niagara Falls.
A NDREW J. HAMLIN, an old and highly respected citizen of Niagara county, and a retired business man of Ni- agara Falls, is a son of John and Susan (Treadway) Hamlin, and was born July 29, 1831, in New Hartford, Oneida county, New York. John Hamlin (father) was a native of Connecticut, but came to New York and settled at New Hartford, where he died in 1837, at fifty-five years of age. He was a blacksmith by trade, and an inn keeper. He served in the war of 1812 as a fife major, was a democrat in politics, and mar- ried Susan Treadway, by whom he had seven children, six sons and one daughter, all of whom are dead except Andrew J. and his sister, now Mrs. Dr. Barrows, of Cin- cinnati, Ohio.
Andrew J. Hamlin received a good com- mon English education in the schools of his native county and in Buffalo, to which place he removed with his mother and the rest of the family in 1840. He was a clerk in the city of Buffalo for about six years, and then went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was engaged as a clerk but a short time, when, in 1854, he came to Niagara Falls
574
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
and embarked in the grocery business. He continued successfully in this line of trade for thirty-five years.
On April 14, 1862, he was united in mar- riage to Sarah H. West, who bore him one child, a son, Frederick J., who is in the saloon business at Niagara Falls.
In political opinion Mr. Hamlin is a deni- ocrat, and has been frequently honored by political preferment, being elected and serv- ing for twenty years successively as treasurer of the village, and also as town collector for one year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, connected with Niagara Frontier Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons ; Niagara Chapter, No. 200, Royal Arch Ma- sons; and Genesee Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. He is also a member of Council No. 6, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is active and carnest in his support of the various interests of the village.
G EORGE F. ATHEARN, the popular clerk and book-keeper of the State reservation at Niagara Falls, who has had some practical experience in the rough but romantic life of the great west, is a son of Cyrus and Lydia (Stetson) Athearn, and was born May 24, 1833, in the city of Buffalo, New York. His grandfather, George Athearn, lived for many years in, and was probably a native of Nantucket, Massachusetts. He was of Irish extraction, was a sailor and whaler by occupation, and died at his home in Nantucket. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Athearn was Snow Stetson, born in a suburban village near Boston, Massachusetts, followed ship- building nearly all his life, and died in the city of Boston at an advanced age. Cyrus Athearn (father) was born at Nantucket,
Massachusetts, on July 7, 1791, received his education in the schools of his native town, and while yet a young man went to New York city and began business for himself as a dealer in flax seed. In 1822 he removed to Buffalo, New York, and commenced manufacturing and dealing in tobacco. He was married in New York city two years later to Lydia Stetson, by whom he had a family of three sons and three daughters, only two of whom are now living. The deceased were : Adaline, Frances M., James, and one who died in infancy. Those living are Eliza, and George F., the subject of this sketch. Cyrus Athearn continued in the business of a tobacco manufacturer until his death in 1854. Politically he was an old-line whig, and was elected and served as president of the then village of Buffalo one term. He was one of the organizers of Trinity Episcopal church at Buffalo, and a devoted meniber of that church until his death.
George F. Athearn received his education in the schools of Buffalo, and after completing his studies there he went west in 1857, and engaged in the forwarding business on the Mississippi river between Dubuque, Iowa, and St. Paul, Minnesota. He was thus employed for three years, when he removed to California and engaged with the Overland Mail Company, their route extending from San Francisco, California, to St. Louis, Missouri. This was probably the longest mail route ever operated by one company or under one contract, being two thousand eight hundred and eighty miles in length. Mr. Athearn's section extended from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a distance of five hundred miles, and he made two round trips every month for nine months, having driven in that time over eighteen thousand
575
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
miles. He then joined an Arizona mining company and went down into Arizona near the Mexican frontier, and became interested in mining. He served as treasurer of this company for two years, and afterwards entered the employ of the United States government at the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Indian agency. Here he remained for three years, and then followed mining for some time. In 1874 he determined to return to New York and locate at Niagara Falls, his mother having removed to that village in 1869. She died at her home there in 1877. Soon after coming to Niagara Falls, Mr. Athcarn was offered and accepted the position of book-keeper and clerk for the Prospect Park Company. IIe served the company in that capacity until the State purchased and assumed control of the park, and his work had been so correct and efficient that the State authorities retained him in the same position. He has continued to occupy this place to the present time, faithfully discharging its responsible duties, and rendering satisfaction alike to his official superiors and all who have business with his office.
On January 1, 1890, Mr. Athearn was wedded to Augusta Spencer, a daughter of John L. Spencer, of Lockport. Mrs. Athearn is an intelligent, capable woman, possessing many interesting traits of char- acter and very popular among her friends and acquaintances. She is a member of the Episcopal church.
In politics Mr. Athearn is a straight republican, taking an intelligent interest in the great political questions of the day, and actively supporting the cardinal principles of his party, and yet so broad in his views and so tolerant of the opinions of others as to be popular even among his political
opponents. He is a member of St. Peter's Episcopal church at Niagara Falls, and active in support of all church interests. He lives in a beautiful but unpretentious home, and enjoys the respect and estcem of all who know him.
JOHN GENTZ, of North Tonawanda, is a son of John and Mary Gentz, and was born in Germany, on the 24th day of May, 1846. He came to the United States when in the sixth year of his age, with his mother, and located in Niagara county, where he was brought up on a farm. He received a common school education, and was about to engage in business for himself, when the grim spectre of war overshadowed the country, and after the war had raged for more than three years, and the destiny of the country seemed to be in doubt, he en- listed in company B, 10th United States infantry, and served three years. He was engaged in the battles of the Wilderness, Virginia, May 6, 1864; Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 19, 1864; North Anna River, Virginia, May 24, 1864; Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 2 and 3, 1864; siege of Petersburg, Virginia, and Weldon rail- road, Virginia, August 18, 19, and 20, 1864. Hc was wounded at Weldon railroad, but not discharged in consequence of the wound, but was discharged after the term of three years had expired. He enlisted February 4, 1864, and was discharged February 4, 1867, and after being discharged, returned to North Tonawanda, where he has resided ever since. For many years he engaged in ordinary day labor, from which he accumulated a small amount of money, and in 1884 he engaged in the grocery business, which he has continued to the
576
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
present time. He has built up a lucrative trade, and owns the large store, built in 1889, and which is still increasing in value, on Oliver street, and where he carries on his business.
In December, 1870, he united in marriage with Frederica Demler, of Tonawanda. They have one child, a son, Albert C., who is a bright, active young man, of good busi- ness habits, and now a partner with his father in the grocery business. Mr. Gentz's mother lived but one year after her arrival in this country. She was a native of Ger- many, and a devout member of the Lutheran church.
In Christian faith Mr. Gentz is a Lutheran, and in politics is a republican, with which party he has been identified for many years, and cherishes the memory of the heroes who bled and died that the country might be saved. He is respected in the community, and is a man of business integrity and character.
G EORGE P. SMITH, one of the most progressive and leading business men of North Tonawanda and Niagara county, is a son of Hon. Henry P. and Christiana (Long) Smith, and was born in the city of Lockport, Niagara county, New York, June 15, 1842. On the paternal side he is of English descent. His grandfather, Isaac Smith, was a native of New London, Con- necticut, and in early life removed to Warren county, New York, in the neighborhood of Lake George, where he embarked in luni- bering for a short time, after which he came to Niagara county, and finally settled in Michigan, where he died. He married, and reared a family of fourteen children, eleven sons and three daughters, of whom the sons made in measurement a combined height of
sixty-six feet. One of these stalwart sons was Hon. Henry P. Smith. He was born in Warren county in 1811, and came with his parents, 1819, to Niagara county, where he died in 1874. He resided on a farm near the suspension bridge until 1830, when he came to North Tonawanda, where he re- sided until his death, except eight or ten years spent at La Salle. He embarked in the lumber business in 1844, and had charge of the first lumber rafts that were towed on Lake Erie. These rafts he towed from different points on that lake to North Ton- awanda. He dealt extensively in lumber, was successful in all his business ventures, and stood well in the different communties where he resided at different times. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church, took a deep interest in whatever affected his county, and always worked with a will in whatever he engaged. He was a whig, an American, and a republican in politics, and was elected by the republicans in 1860 as a member of the New York legislature, although he never voted the republican ticket until the day he was elected as an assemblyman. His widow, whose maiden name was Christiana Long, is a native of Marietta, Pennsylvania, and re- sides at the present time at La Salle, this county. She was born in 1819, and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. She is a daughter of Benjamin Long, who came from Pennsylvania to this county in 1825, and settled near North Tonawanda, where he died, in 1862, aged seventy years.
George P. Smith was reared principally in North Tonawanda, and received his edu- cation in Genesee college. In a short time after leaving college he engaged in the lumber business on Grand Island, in Ni-
577
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
agara river, which he followed there until . 1862, when he removed to Saginaw Bay, Michigan, where he has been interested in the lumber business ever since. In 1874 he returned to North Tonawanda, remained two years, then went back to Saginaw Bay, where he resided for nine years, and at the end of that time came back again to North Tonawanda, of which place he has been a resident ever since. He is now president of the Tonawanda Luniber and Saw Mill Com- pany, which owns the largest and most cont- plete steam saw mill in western New York. This mill is built entirely of iron and steel, and cuts special bill timber of white or Norway pine or oak of any size or length. Their property has a dock frontage of twelve hundred feet on the Niagara river, and is ten acres in area, while to accommo- date their increasing business they have rented another yard of twenty acres. They employ over one hundred and twenty men, and their trade extends over various sections of the eastern and middle States. Their offices are located on River View avenue, near Washington, and they have nearly two hundred thousand dollars invested in their well equipped plant. The immense amount of business transacted by this com- pany does not take all of Mr. Smith's time, and his well-known business ability, ex- perience and success, have led many other business firms to sell him stock and engage his services in the management of their dif- ferent plants. Thus he is president of the Tonawanda Standard Light and Power Company, the Standard Gas Company, of Tonawanda, thic Tonawanda Street Railroad Company, the Ironton Land Company, of North Tonawanda, the United States Water Works Company, the North Tonawanda Land Company, and the Niagara Real Es-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.