USA > New York > Niagara County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York > Part 65
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
On April 28, 1842, Eldert Van Woert Dox was united in marriage with Susan
585
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
Yates, daughter of Joseph Yates, then of Erie county, but formerly of Schenectady county. She was born in the latter county June 16, 1816. Her father was the lineal descendant of an old Holland family, and a near relative of Governor Yates. He re- moved to Wilson, this county, in 1850, and invested largely in real estate in that vil- lage. By his marriage as above set forth, Mr. Dox had a family of seven children. The eldest of these was a son, Isaac Dox, who received his preparatory training in the Wilson collegiate institute and at Clav- erack academy, Columbia county, and then entered Union college, from which he was graduated in 1865. After graduation he took a two years' course in the engineering department of the same institution, and upon the completion of this course imme- diately engaged in railroad engineering, and has followed this business ever since. He has been very successful, especially in tun- nel work, and occupies the position of res- ident engineer on the Buffalo & Geneva railroad, now in course of construction. He is forty-eight years of age, married, has one son, and his family resides at Lockport, this county. The second child was a daugh- ter, Sarah A., who was also educated at Wilson collegiate institute and Claverack academy, was a successful teacher, and for a time had charge of the Bloomfield semi- nary in Pennsylvania. She was subse- quently married to George E. Hackett, and died at Altoona, Pennsylvania, in 1870, at the age of twenty-six years. The third in order of birth was a son, Edward Everett, who received his education in the Wilson academy and Lockport Union school, and after engaging in railroad work for several years, finally settled in his native town as a carpenter and joiner. He is forty-three
years of age, and married Maria E. Haner, by whoni he has one son, named Lee R. Rutger Dox is the fourth child, and his early training was obtained in the Wilson academy and Lockport Union school, whence he entered Rochester university, where he took a full course of four years. He afterward took an additional course of three years at the Rochester Theological seminary, and then became a minister of the Baptist church, and in this sacred call- ing he has been engaged ever since. He now has charge of the Tioga Street Baptist church in the city of Philadelphia, where he has earned considerable reputation as an able and popular pulpit orator. He is forty years of age, married, and has three children, all sons.
The fifth child of the subject of this sketch was a daughter, Virginia Dox, who was educated in the schools of Wilson, Lockport, Claverack academy, Mt. Carroll seminary, in Illinois, and Ann Arbor uni- versity, in Michigan. Teaching has been her life work, and nobly has she adhered to it. She has for several years been employed by the New-west educational commission among the Mormons in Idaho, the Jesuits at San Mateo, in New Mexico, and the In- dians in Oklahoma. She has also lectured in the eastern States in behalf of the com- mission. She now has charge of the Mex- ican department of the New-west academy, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is thirty-eight years old and unmarried. The next child is Frances Alida, who was edu- cated in the schools of Wilson, and married Hervey Sanford, a prosperous real estate and insurance agent, residing in that vil- lage. She is thirty-six years of age, and has no children. The youngest, Charles Yates Dox, obtained his education in the
586
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
best schools of Wilson and Loekport and the Commercial academy at Rochester. He took to engineering at once, and has fol- lowed the profession ever sinee, being em- ployed mostly on clectrie and cable roads. He is thirty years of age, married, has one daughter, and has his home in West Val- ley, Cattaraugus county.
Eldert Van Woert Dox has led a fairly aetive business life. He has served as jus- tiee of the peace for nearly forty years, and was custom house offieer one season. He is a member and elder of the Presbyterian church, and has been repeatedly elected as trustee. IIe has frequently served as trustee and chairman of Greenwood Cemetery as- soeiation, and was a member of the board of trustees of Wilson Collegiate institute until its transformation into the Wilson Union sehool, the establishment and per- petuity of which is due very largely to his personal influenee and exertions. In poli- ties Mr. Dox was a democrat until 1848, when he became a republican, and has sinee been thoroughly identified with that party. He has never sought or received political favors, but has repeatedly been elected trustee and president of the village of Wil- son on a purely business basis. He eon- tributes liberally and cheerfully to many charitable and benevolent objects. His principal occupations in life have been dis- pensing justiee, surveying, and fruit grow- ing. He and his wife now occupy the old mansion alone, but the solitude that might otherwise invade its walls is dispelled by the remembranee that their sons have all grown up to be respectable, intelligent, honorable, honest, and industrious men, and are all good republicans, with no danger of their ever doing anything to bring the gray hairs of their parents in sorrow to the grave.
Mr. Dox says the greatest mishap of his life was the destruction of his business bloek, on Young street, by the memorable fire of August 19, 1890, whereby the con- tents of his office, law books, reeords, val- uable papers, field notes, and charts- accumulated during forty years of service as surveyor and justice-were wiped out of existence, entailing an irreparable loss. Mr. Dox is still in fairly good health, with a reasonable probability of many years yet of life to be enjoyed in peace and happiness as a fitting reward for a long life of active usefulness, and all the saered duties of life faithfully done.
EV. PATRICK VINCENT KAV- ANAGH, C. M., a prominent edueator, a sound theologian, an able preacher, and the present head of Niagara university, Western New York, is a son of Patriek and Mary (Butler) Kavanagh. He was born in Ireland, May 12, 1842. His father, also born in Ireland, towards the elose of the last century, eame in 1849 to Buffalo, New York, where he died in 1876, in the eighty- first year of his age. He was a farmer by oeeupation, a Catholie in religious faith and profession. He was married to Mary Butler, likewise born in Ireland, and who passed away in Buffalo in 1878, at the age of seventy- eight years.
At seven years of age, Patriek Vineent was brought by his parents from Ireland to Buffalo. In his youth he attended Saint Patrick's sehool, Saint Joseph's school, and the Buffalo high school, spending a year in the latter place; after which he entered the seminary of Our Lady of Angels (Niagara university), Suspension Bridge, New York, graduating from that celebrated institution
587
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
in 1866. On August 19 of the same year, he was ordained priest by the late Bishop John Timon.
Shortly after his ordination he was made prefect of discipline in the collegiate de- partment of the university, and was also chosen as a professor; serving in both capacities nntil March, 1871, when he was elected vice-president of the university. After seven years of attentive and effective service in the last named position, he was, in 1878, upon the departure of the late pres- ident, Robert E. V. Rice, C. M., for Europe, elected to succeed him as president of the Niagara university, and has served in that important capacity ever since.
The institution over which Father Kav- anagh presides is situated on the highest point of Mont Eagle ridge, on the New York bank of the Niagara river, between Suspension Bridge and Lewiston, and was originally known as the college and seminary of Our Lady of Angels, a name suggested by Pope Pius IX. In front of the institution flows the turbulent Niagara, which Richelieu once dreamed of harnessing as a tributary to New France. To the southwest is the famous Devil's Hole, with Table Rock above, where the English in 1763 were massacred by the French and their Indian allics. Close by runs a stream still known in local history as "Bloody Run," from the fact that its waters were purpled by the awful slaughter of the English convoy.
Two hundred and fifty feet below this stream, a little to the west, and in full view from the seminary grounds, is the famous whirlpool, in whose scething waters more than one foolhardy swimmer has met death. Near by one gets a view of the Seminary Rapids, said to be the most dangerous on the river. Northward, on the Canada side,
stands Brock's monument, commemorating the spot where that general fell while fighting against the Americans in the war of 1812. Under the shadow of this monument lies the quiet village of Queenstown, and directly opposite, the no less quiet and picturesque village of Lewiston, both once so famous in our second war with England. Still beyond stretches the broad expanse of Lake Ontario, with the coast line of Toronto sixty miles away, at times sharply defined in the distance.
The entire region in the neighborhood of the institution is invested with historic and poetic interest. Here Hennepin con- templated the glories of nature when the Falls were as yet unknown to Europeans, and nature was here clothed with all her primeval wildness. La Salle roamed here in quest of new discoveries; here Chatau- briand sat and dreamed, drinking in those inspirations which lend such a romantic charm to his writings.
In May, 1857, the college and seminary of Our Lady of Angels was founded by the Rev. J. J. Lynch, C. M., afterwards arch- bishop of Toronto. On April 20, 1863, it was chartered, and on December 5, 1864, wastotally destroyed by fire. Pope Pius IX. contributed one thousand dollars toward its rebuilding, and a year later one wing of the present splendid edifice was erected. In 1865 the main building was projected, and three years later the other wing was added. In 1867 the college museum, containing choice specimens, a laboratory, etc., for the nse of the students, was in full operation. In 1874 the college chapel, 78x120 feet, was commenced, and was opened for service in 1886. In 1883 the institution was chartered as Niagara university, and at the present time has over two hundred students in the classical department alone, many of whom
A
588
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
are preparing for the Catholic ministry. Departments of philosophy and theology are established for the members of the senior classical grade, while the department of medicine, known as the Medical college of Niagara university, is under the immediate supervision of some of Buffalo's ablest physicians, Dr. John Cronyn, a physician of national repute, being president. Not an unimportant feature of the classical course, to which the faculty of the university are remarkably devoted, is the maintenance of a bi-monthly paper, the Niagara Index, through whose columns the students are afforded excellent opportunities for im- proving themselves in the study and practice of English.
While granting, like other universities of good standing, the degrees of A. B., A. M., and the degrees of medicine, no honorary de- grees are conferred. Indeed, the economy with which the ordinary degrees are con- ferred, has invested this institution with an importance not frequent when sheepskins may sometimes be had for the asking.
Father Kavanagh is a man of fine per- sonal appearance, while in manner he is courtly and affable. The personal regard in which he is held by the old students and friends of the Niagara university was evinced last October, when he celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. On that occasion more than two hundred of his former pupils assembled at the Seminary to do him honor, presenting him among many other gifts with a purse of five thousand dollars. Owing to his continuous labors as a responsible officer, and later as the chief head of the university, Father Kavanagh was not able to avail himself of much needed rest until the year 1890, when he was enabled to make a
voyage to Europe, visiting France, England, Ireland, Switzerland, and Italy. A man of kcen observation, he brought back with him as some of the results of his extensive travels, notes and general information con- cerning the old world, all of which he de- lights in imparting to his present students. While in Rome, the " Eternal City," he was the recipient of many attentions from the dignitaries of the foreign colleges, but nothing pleased him more than to meet and enjoy the company of several of his own dear boys, once inmates of Niagara, but now finishing their course as theologians in the American college.
A. FRANK A. ALLEN, a member of the firm of Allen Brothers, the leading builders and contractors of Niagara Falls, and a trustee of the village, was born in the village of Lewiston, Niagara county, New York, January 9, 1864, and is the second child born to Alphonso and Mary Ann (Clair) Allen. The paternal grand- father, Alphonso Allen, was a native of Grand Isle, in Lake Champlain, and also died there. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and married and had two sons. Al- phonso Allen (father) was born on Grand Isle, October 28, 1800, and removed to Lewiston, this county, in 1841, where he died in 1883. He was a carpenter and contractor, and built many of the houses in that part of the county. He was a repub- lican in politics and a Presbyterian in reli- gious belief. He married Mary Ann Clair, a daughter of Michael Clair, and had a family of six children : Andrew J., a loco- motive engineer, married Mary Gowdy, and resides at Charleston, Illinois ; A. Frank A., the subject of this sketch ; James Frederick ;
589
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
Michael C., married to Catherine Brennan, of Niagara Falls; Martha; and Alexander, now an employee of the firm of Allen Brothers. Mrs. Allen was born in Wex- ford, Ireland, in 1800, and came to this country, locating at Picton, in Ontario, Canada.
A. Frank A. Allen received a good English education in the common schools of his native village, and afterwards learned the trade of carpenter with his father, and worked at that business alone for a number of years. In 1884 he located at Niagara Falls, and formed a partnership with his brother under the firm name of Allen Brothers. This firm is largely engaged in contracting and building, and some of the handsomest residences in the village were constructed by them. In connection with this business they also own and conduct a retail lumber yard, which supplies lumber to many other builders. In the line of contracting they handle the largest business of any firm in Niagara Falls, and their reputation for looking after details and doing all work accurately and well is so firmly established that their operations increase in importance every year with the growth and development of the village.
A. Frank A. Allen married Mary Haney, daughter of George Haney, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States and located at Niagara Falls. Mrs. Allen was born at Suspension Bridge. This union has been blessed with three children: Frances C., born October 3, 1887; George, born September 14, 1888; and Mary Grace, born May 16, 1890.
In politics Mr. Allen is a demoerat, with the profound conviction of the righteous- ness of the cardinal principles taught by that party, and consequently very earnest in
the support he gives his party. He is now . serving as one of the trustees of the village of Niagara Falls, being eleeted in March, 1890, and is also president of the fire department since that date. He is a member of St Mary's Roman Catholic church of Niagara Falls, and likewise of the Catholie Mutual Benevolent association of that vil- lage, and of the Royal Arcanum, of which he is regent.
C YRUS J. O'LOUGHLIN, a druggist, who has been in business at Niagara Falls for twelve years, and is well and favorably known in Niagara county, is a son of Bernard and Margaret ( Akin) O'Lough- lin, and was born August 17, 1852, at St. Catharines, Ontario, Dominion of Canada. The grandfather of Cyrus J. O'Loughlin was a native of Ireland, and lived all his life in that country, dying at an advanced age. Bernard O'Loughlin ( father) was born on the Emerald Isle about 1829, and emi- grated to America and settled at Hamilton, Canada, but later removed to St. Cathar- ines, where he now resides. His voeation was that of a tailor, to which business he devoted all his aetive life, but has now re- tired and is spending his latter days in quietude and comfort. He married Mar- garet Akin, who was of English descent, and by this union had three sons: Henry, now in the coal business at St. Catharines, Canada; Albert, a druggist at St. Cathar- ines; and Cyrus J.
Cyrus J. O'Loughlin was educated in the schools of St. Catharines, and at the Cana- dian institute at Woodstock, from whichi latter institution he was graduated in 1873. He then began a course of study in the College of Pharmacy at Toronto, and was graduated in pharmaceutical chemistry in
590
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
June, 1877, after which he opened a drug store at St. Catharines, where he was en- gaged in business for two years. In 1880 he removed to the United States, locating at Niagara Falls, in which village he opened a drug store at No. 48 Falls street, and has since given his time and attention to this business. He is a man of fine education, very careful and accurate in compounding prescriptions, and has acquired a general knowledge of medicine. IIe makes it a point to keep a complete stock and be ready at all times to supply any article in his line that the necessities or inclinations of the public may require. From a recent publi- cation we take the following concerning Mr. O'Loughlin's pharmacy :
"The business men of Niagara Falls are in touch and step with the progressive movement of the place, and the many hand- some business houses there to be found attest the truth of this statement. Notice- able among them is the 'Niagara Phar- macy,' which enjoys the enviable reputation of being one of the first in its line in west- ern New York; and the thoroughness and completeness demonstrated in every depart- ment have given this house more than a local celebrity. Mr. C. O'Loughlin, the proprietor, is the sole manufacturer of the famous 'Niagara Spray' cologne, which is sold generally throughout the United States and Canada, and which has also, by reason of its excellence, found a market in many of the cities of the old world. It will repay the tourist, while sojourning at Niagara, to visit this model establishment and inspect the complete and elegant stock which it contains."
On September 12, 1877, Mr. O'Loughlin was united in marriage with Elizabeth Walker, daughter of Roland Walker, of
Niagara Falls, and to them has been born a family of four children : Walker, Harry, Cyrus, and Jennie. Mrs. O'Loughlin is a woman of much intelligence and refined taste, and very popular among her friends.
In his political affiliations Mr. O'Loughlin is a democrat, and very firm in his support of that party and its principles and policy. He has several times represented his town in the county conventions of his party, but has never taken any very active part in practical politics, further than to discharge at all times the general duties of good citi- zenship. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and takes an intelligent and active part in advancing the interests of his church and people. He served as treasurer of the hook and ladder company for four years, and is very popular and highly respected by his large circle of friends and the general public.
JOHN CLAYTON LEVEL. One of
the many active business men of Ni- agara Falls who deserve distinction, is John Clayton Level. He was born in Garrett county, Kentucky, June 15, 1838, and is a son of Clayton Level. Having been left motherless at a very early age, he began the battle of life when but a mere boy. His opportunities for receiving an education were limited, but by persevering efforts he became fairly educated in the city of Buf- falo, this State, where, during the day, he was employed in carrying water for the laborers in the shipyards, but in the evening attended a night school. Afterwards he was engaged as a laborer in the Niagara White Lead works, of which he soon be- came overseer, and served in that position for three years. For a time he ran a hack, and was later engaged in the livery busi-
591
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
ness, first as sole proprietor and afterwards as partner under the firm name of Level & Ferrick. He was appointed ticket agent of the New York & Erie railroad, at No. 157 Exchange street, Buffalo, and held the position for eleven years, during which time he was proprietor of the Adelpha .theatre. Later the republicans elected him overseer of the poor in the city of Buffalo, and at the expiration of his term he was appointed assistant superintendent of police, in which position he remained until the force was done away with by legislative action. Six months later he was honored with the office of general deputy district marshal of the United States, in and for the northern district of New York, and serving in this capacity for seven years, he secured from the State of New York the franchise of the carriage service for the reservation at Ni- agara Falls. In 1886 he organized a stock company, of which he became manager and president, and has held these positions ever since. He was one of the original projectors of the cyclorama of the battle of Gettys- burg, at Niagara Falls, which has been exhibited so successfully since throughout the Union. He was a member of the com- pany which laid out the Niagara Falls race course and fair grounds in 1887, and served as superintendent of construction.
He united in marriage with. Rebecca Robertson, a daughter of Thomas Robert- son, a native of this State.
John Clayton Level has lived a busy, active life, and many useful enterprises attest his industry and perseverance. He has always been energetic and active in what- ever he has put his hand to, and has thus, by determined and persistent action, won where success seemed almost impossible. Realiz- ing early in life that both physical and
mental powers were given to man to be freely used, he has made that intelligent use of them that has made him both useful and influential in his community.
r ANIEL J. TOWNSEND, now de-
ceased, was a wealthy car manufacturer and real estate owner in the city of Buffalo, and was a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Jack- son) Townsend. He was born on October 17, 1810, at Southfield, Orange county, New York, and died at his home in the city of Buffalo, July 27, 1890. Isaac Townsend (father) was also a native of Orange county, where he became an iron manufacturer, owning and operating an iron furnace for a number of years. Later he removed to Illinois, where he purchased a large farm and superintended it until his death. He wedded Elizabeth Jackson, of New York city, and by this marriage had a family of three sons and two daughters.
Daniel J. Townsend received a classical education, and removed to Illinois with his parents, where for a time he engaged in farming and then returned to New York and located in the city of Buffalo, where he became a car manufacturer, and continued in that line of business until 1861. He be- came a large real estate owner in that city and lived there until his death. He was an energetic, active business man and did much for the advancement of the material inter- ests of his community. He aided greatly in the improvement of the park at Niagara Falls and added much to its beauty and symmetrical arrangement.
Daniel J. Townsend was married to Jane S., daughter of Judge Augustus Porter (see sketch of the Porters), and to their union were born two sons, who died in infancy, and
592
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
three daughters: Elizabeth Jackson, Jane Hammond, now the wife of E. S. Wheeler, and Lavina Porter, who married L. W. Pet- tebone-a sketch of whom appears else- where in this volume. Elizabeth J. Town- send and Mrs. Wheeler are now traveling in Europe.
In politics Daniel J. Townsend was a re- publican and served as president of the village. He was a member of the Episcopal church, in which he was warden for many years. He was distinguished for great executive ability, and was widely known and highly honored by all who knew hini.
G EORGE W. BENNETT. One of the
active and enterprising business men of Barker's is George W. Bennett, whose large mercantile establishment is daily visited by many people. He was born in the town of Somerset, Niagara county, New York, June 20, 1842, and is a son of Storrs and Matilda (Martin) Bennett. The Bennetts are of English extraction. Ira Bennett (grand- father) was born in Genesee county, where he died in 1855, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and lived a useful and active life. He married Achsah Colb, and reared a family of three sons and three daughters. Storrs Bennett (father) was born at Pine Hill, Genesee county, and from there came to Niagara county, in 1836. He located one-half mile south of Barker's, where he resided for ten years, and at the expiration of that time became a resident of the town of Hartland, and lived there twenty years. One year after the close of the civil war he moved to Johnson's Creek, where he died, in 1891. He devoted his earlier life to agricultural pursuits, but lived in retirement
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.