USA > New York > Niagara County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York > Part 66
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
after 1861, and enjoyed the fruits of his earnest labors. He was a democrat, and married Matilda Martin, by whom he had three children : Achsah (deceased), Martin (deceased), and George W.
George W. Bennett received a fair educa- tion in the common schools, and afterwards attended Yates academy for a number of terms. Leaving school, he engaged in teaching for four terms, but preferring the life of a farmer to that of a teacher, he then turned his attention to farming, and lived faithful to that occupation for eighteen years. For the next two years he sold agricultural implements, and in 1885 en- gaged in the mercantile business in partner- ship with L. Perrigo, under the firm name of Bennett & Perrigo. This firm continued in business for one year, and at the end of that time Mr. Bennett purchased his part- ner's interest, and has ever since been the sole proprietor of the store. He carries a full line of general merchandise, and has a stock worth of over eight thousand dollars. He is an affable gentleman, well liked by his patrons, and has an extensive trade. He owns a fine fruit farm in the town of Somerset, consisting of fifty-two acres, and the condition in which it is kept evinces industry, neatness, and regularity in work.
George W. Bennett has been twice mar- ried. In 1863 he united in marriage with Ophelia Wood, a daughter of Noah Wood, of Hartland. She died in 1864, at the early age of twenty-two years, and two years later, in 1866, he married Mary E. Foote, daughter of R. C. Foote, of the town of Wilson.
In politics Mr. Bennett is a hearty sup- porter of the Democratic party. He is a member of Somerset Lodge, No. 639, Free and Accepted Masons, Somerset Lodge,
593
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has served ereditably as an officer in a lodge of the Independent Order of Good Temp- lars. He is a publie-spirited man, and one who is ever interested in the material ad- vaneement of his village and its business prosperity, in which he has been an in- portant factor for the last six years.
A LFRED D. FISK. One of Niagara county's self-made men is Alfred D. Fisk, a prominent citizen of Somerset, who served under Taylor and Scott in Mexico. He was born at Arcade, Wayne county, New York, February 11, 1826, and is a son of James G. and Mary (Alexander) Fisk. The Fisks are of Holland extraction, and David Fisk (grandfather) was a native of the Bay State, where he lived the greater part of his life. He came to Wayne county, and from there removed to Pontiac, Michigan, where he met a very sudden death, at the age of seventy-nine years. He became proprietor of a hotel, and was married and reared a family of six sons and five daughters. The maternal grandfather of Alfred D. Fisk was James Alexander, born June 3, 1770, and died in 1818, aged forty-eight years. He married Catharine (McCurdy ) Campbell, who was born in 1773 and died in 1812. Hc was of Scotch extraction, and passed the greater part of his life in the State of New Hampshire. From there he came to Wayne county, where he died at a ripe old age. He married and had a family of eight children. James G. Fisk (father) was the eldest of six sons, and was born on the old battle ground of Stillwater, Saratoga county, Oc- tober 10, 1791. In early life he came to Wayne county, where he resided until 1830, when he came to this county and located in
the town of Somerset. Here he purchased a traet of land covered with woods, but he soon eleared out a valuable farm, and there lived until October 10, 1864, when he died. About this time, his friends; unconscious of his death, were gathering in to give him a surprise, but when they came the scene was changed, and they were amazed at finding him silent in the sleep of death. By occu- pation he was a farmer, and in polities a whig and republican. In religious sentiment he was a faithful member of the Baptist church, in which he held various offices, and always manifested a great desire for strengthening the cause of Christianity. IIe married Mary Alexander, who was born in New Hampshire, and died in Somerset in September, 1889, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. To them were born five sons and five daughters : Emily, deceased ; Catherine, deceased; Mareus, deceased; Clarinda, who married Sidney Smith ; Caro- line, deceased; Mary, who married a Mr. Millis, deceased; James A., resides in Somer- set; Myran, enlisted in the Union army in 1862, and served in Company A, 184th New York infantry (Captain Wilder's con- pany), and was killed in battle in 1863, while serving as corporal; and Alfred D. Of the other children we do not have the names.
Alfred D. Fisk received his education in the common schools. ITis means of receiv- ing a higher education were quite limited, and leaving school, he became a sailor on the lakes between Sacket's Harbor and Chicago, and on the ocean. In 1848 he enlisted in the Mexican war under General Taylor, and remained in active service until the close of the war. IIc helped to capture the city of Mexico, and afterward met with a shipwreck, which landed him, with about
594
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
half of his company, upon a coral reef. Here they remained nine days, when they were rescued by a passing ship and taken to Havanna, and from there returned to Mexico and rejoined their company.
On November 26, 1851, he married Eliza Jane Robinson, a daughter of Edward Robinson. To them was born one child, Emma, who married Andrew T. Pease, a resident and prosperous farmer in the town of Somerset.
In politics Mr. Fisk is a democrat, and manifests great interest in political affairs. Having made his own way through life, he deserves credit for the success he has achieved, and is one of the few surviving veterans of the Mexican war, who fought under Taylor on the Rio Grande, and then helped under Scott to plant the banners of the Republic over the halls of the Montezumas.
W ILLIAM SHEPARD, an excellent citizen of the county, and a leading stone mason, contractor, and supply dealer of Niagara Falls, is a son of James and Mary (Gibson) Shepard, and was born No- vember 2, 1832, in the city of Lockport, Niagara county, New York. The Shepards are of English descent. James Shepard (grandfather) was born, lived, and died in England. The maternal grandfather of William Shepard was a Methodist minister named George Gibson, also a native of that country, where he died. James Shepard (father) was born in England during the first year of the present century, and when nearly thirty-two years of age left that country and came to America, locating in the city of Lockport in 1832. In 1851 he removed to Niagara Falls, where he lived until his death, in 1876. He was a con-
tractor and builder by occupation, and a whig and republican in politics. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and married Mary Gibson, by whom he had a family of three sons and two daughters, all born in Niagara county : William, the leading subject of this sketch; Jane, who married Thomas Tugby, of Niagara Falls; Mary, who married J. T. Brundage, of the same village, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; James G., to whom a separate paragraph is devoted fur- ther along; and George M., engaged for some time in the fancy goods business at Niagara Falls, but now a traveler.
William Shepard was educated in the schools of Lockport, and at the age of fif- teen began learning the trade of stone mason. He worked with and for his father until after his marriage, and then began business on his own account as a mason and contractor. He has always worked in this line since coming to Niagara Falls, and has achieved a good reputation and built up a large business. In connection with his mason and contracting business, he keeps supplies of all kinds of masons' building material.
Mr. Shepard was united in marriage with Arabella Livingstone. By this union they had a family of five children : James L., who married Laura Pierce, and is now a railroad engineer, residing in Chicago, Illi- nois ; Jennie, deceased at the age of twenty- four; John, who died in infancy; George G., married to Edith Pfeffer, and is teller in the Niagara bank at Niagara Falls; Wil- liam A., engaged in business with his father; and Charles T., living with his parents.
In politics William Shepard is a repub- lican, and keeps well posted on the politi-
595
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
cal questions of the day, always giving his party an active support, but not a bitter partisan. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Worknen, and of the Royal Templars.
James G. Shepard, a brother of William, and son of James and Mary (Gibson ) Shep- ard, was born March 19, 1839, in Lockport, New York, and was edueated in his native eity and at Niagara Falls. He worked with his father as a stone mason until the break- ing out of the civil war, and then, Septem- ber, 1861, enlisted in company I of the 44th New York infantry, where he served as sergeant. In July, 1862, he was wounded at Malvern Hill, eame home and engaged in recruiting for the 8th New York infantry, but was not able to go with it to the front. He afterward served as recruiting officer for company B, 151st New York infantry, and was made second lieutenant of this eom- pany, and later was promoted to be first lieutenant. He served with this company for seven months, when he was discharged on account of his old wound not healing. On the 1st of October he was appointed first lieutenant in the veteran reserve corps, and was assigned to duty as adjutant of the fourth veteran reserve corps, serving chiefly at Roek Island until he was mustered out, July 4, 1866. From the time of his enlist- ment to the date of his final discharge he was only out of the service about five months, and while at the front served with the historic Army of the Potomac. About 1869 he embarked in the fancy goods busi- ness at Niagara Falls, and has been engaged in that line more or less ever since. He is also a manufacturer of fancy goods in eon- neetion with his store. In politics Mr. Shepard is a staneh republican, and served as deputy collector and inspcetor of cus-
toms at Suspension Bridge from 1880 to 1884. He is a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons ; Ames Chapter, No. 88, Royal Arch Masons ; and Genesee Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. IIe is also a member of Dudley Donnelly Post, No. 133, Grand Army of the Republie, at Suspension Bridge, and of the Royal Templars.
James G. Shepard was wedded to Eliza- beth B. Rees, a daughter of Harry Rees, and to theni have been born two children : George R. and Mary G. Harry Rees was a native of England, and served as captain in the Royal engineers. He died at Cape Town, Africa, being one of the volunteers who went into that country in the employ of the British government.
T THOMAS W. ROBINSON, a busy and prosperous business man of Niagara Falls, and well known citizen of the county, was born at Lewiston, Niagara county, New York, on November 4, 1834, and is a son of William and Sarah ( Wilson) Robinson. His grandfather, John Robinson, is supposed to have been born in Pennsylvania, from which State he removed to Lewiston, this county, where he died. He was a farmer by occu- pation and served in the war of 1812. He married, and had a family of five sons and two daughters. One of these sons was John Robinson (father), who was born in the town of Lewiston, this county, where he lived for sonic time, and then removed to Canada, where he died. He was a tanner by trade, but later in life purchased land and followed farming, and was a republican in politics and a member of the Baptist church. He married Sarah Wilson, and to them were born three children, one son and
596
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
n
two daughters. The son is Thomas W., the subject of this sketch, and the daughters are Amanda, who married Anson Garner, a farmer of Ontario, Canada; and Abigail, who lives at Drummondsville, Canada.
Thomas W. Robinson was reared in Can- ada and educated in the common schools of that British dependency. After leaving school he became a farmer and followed that business for about five years. In 1866 he left Canada and removed to Niagara Falls, where he worked as a laborer for some time. He finally secured a position as baggage master for the New York Central railroad, in which capacity he served for two years. He then procured an outfit and began carting and hauling. Subsequently he opened a small flour and feed store, which business, by careful attention, energy, and enterprise, has increased rapidly until he now owns a first-class store, carrying large quantities of grain, flour, feed, etc. To this he some time ago added the livery business, and now keeps some fine horses, with buggies, car- riages, and complete equipments to accom- modate the general public. He is also proprietor of the Niagara Bottling works at Niagara Falls, and in addition to his store on Second street, which is twenty-two by fifty feet and two stories high, and his hand- some residence, he also owns and rents six houses in the village. He is a good type of the busy, energetic, and successful American business man.
In March, 1861, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Cinderilla Smith, daughter of William L. Smith, of Canada. To their union have been born three sons: William F .; Charles A., a photographer; and Mar- low W., who married Mary Murphy, of Niagara Falls, where they reside.
Politically Mr. Robinson is rather inde-
pendent, being now identified with neither party. He is not unmindful of the general duties of good citizenship, but while elosely watching the trend of politieal events he votes for the men and measures which in his judgment are best calculated to subserve the public welfare. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and an active, earnest, successful business man, with hosts of friends who rejoice in his pros- perity.
H ON. WILLIAM CARYL ELY, a
young attorney who is already one of the most prominent men of Niagara Falls, a leading lawyer and an active and influential cititizen, is a son of W. H. and Ellen (Caryl) Ely, and was born February 25, 1856, in Middlefield, Otsego county, New York. The Elys are of English extraction, the founder of the family in America emigrating from that country and settling at Lynne, Con- necticut, only a few years after the historic Mayflower landed her pilgrim band at Ply- mouth Rock. Here Sumner Ely, grand- father of William Caryl Ely, was born. He was reared in Connecticut, and entering Yale college, was graduated from that now venerable institution in 1804, in the elass with John C. Calhoun, and others who afterward became distinguished. After graduating he studied medicine, and located in Otsego county, New York, where he practiced his profession until his death. He was a democrat in politics, and an intimate friend of Horatio Seymour, and won con- siderable distinetion in political circles, hold- ing many offices of trust and emolument, bestowed by his party and fellow citizens. Among these was the office of supervisor of his town, in which he served continuously for twenty-one years. He was a member of
597
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
the New York State senate for four years, and some time president of the New York State Medical society. He married Hannah, daughter of Colonel Benjamin Gilbert, and by this union had a family of five sons. Colonel Gilbert was a soldier and officer in the Revolutionary war. He was a second cousin to the Marquis de La Fayette, that distinguished French general who so nobly aided the American colonists in their struggle for independence, and after La Fayette as- sumed command in the field Col. Gilbert served on his staff as aide. He was a dem- ocrat in political faith, and was the first sheriff of Otsego county, this State.
W. H. Ely (father) was born at Middle- field, Otsego county, this State, in 1829, and after attaining manhood embarked in the mercantile business at that place, to which he afterward added dealing in real estate, and devoted all his active life to these two lines of trade, meeting with good success and acquiring a snug fortune, in the enjoy- ment of which he now lives, retired from the cares and perplexities of business life. In politics he is a democrat, as his father was, and has served ten years consecutively as supervisor of his town. He was elected a member of the State assembly from Otsego county, and served two ternis, and received a nomination from his party for the position of State senator. He married Ellen Caryl, and to their union were born two children : Adriel B., educated at Media, Pennsylvania, married the daughter of a retired English officer, now deceased, and lives in New York city, where he is engaged in the practice of dentistry ; and William Caryl, the subject of this sketch. The maternal grandfather of William Caryl Ely was Leonard Caryl, also descended from an old English family. He was born in the town of Worcester,
Otsego county, this State, in 1799, engaged extensively in mercantile pursuits, and died in Otsego county in 1885. He married Mary Crippen. Politically he was a demo- crat, and took a prominent part in the political contests of his day, being elected to the State assembly from Otsego county, and served two terms. He was once a can- didate for congress from the Otsego county district, against Sumner Ely (paternal grandfather), and each had so many stanch friends in the party that a rupture ensued, which defeated them both, and led to the election of their political opponent, though their party was largely in the ascendency in the district at that time.
William Caryl Ely received his early edu- cation in the Cooperstown Union school, and later took a course of training at Gerard academy, after which he entered Cornell uni- versity, from which institution he was grad- uated. He then read law at East Worcester, Otsego county, was admitted to the bar of that county in 1881, and practiced there un- til 1885, when he removed to Niagara Falls, where he has been engaged in a large and constantly growing practice ever since. The firm of which Mr. Ely is a member are the counsel of the Cataract bank and Niagara County Savings bank, of which Mr. Ely is a trustee. He prepared the act for the incorporation of the Niagara Falls Power Company, of which he became a trustee and its attorney. In his practice he makes a specialty of the business of corporations, and has clients who represent vast business interests.
Mr. Ely was united in marriage with Grace, daughter of Henry Keller, of Cobles- kill, Schoharie county, this State, and to them has been born one daughter, Marion. In political faith Mr. Ely follows the
34
598
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
traditions of his family, and is an intelligent and enthusiastic democrat. He served as clerk of the board of supervisors of the town of Otsego in 1880 and 1881, and was elected supervisor of his town in 1881, and again in the year following. In 1882 he was elected to the State assembly from the first assembly district of Otsego county, and re-elected in 1883 and again in 1884. At the session of 1885 lie was the democratic can- didate for speaker of the assembly, and was the leader of his party in the assembly that year. In the autumn of 1891, at the urgent solicitation of his personal and political friends in Niagara county, he became the candidate of the Democratic party for the office of justice of the Supreme Court for the eighth judicial district of New York, and received a hearty and gratifying sup- port from his party. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and is serving as a vestryman in that church. He is also a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons, beside holding membership in a college fraternity known as the Chi Phi. Mr. Ely has already won a proud position at the bar and in politics, and with his well known industry and unusual ability, there is great promise in the future for him.
AMOS H. GARDNER, a popular young attorney of Lockport, and for several years special deputy clerk of the courts of Niagara county, is a son of Ira J. and Harriet (Starbuck) Gardner, and was born May 26, 1865, in the town of Somerset, Niagara county, New York. The grand- father, David Gardner, was a native of Scipio, Cayuga county, this State, but removed to Niagara county about 1825 and
located in the town of Somerset, which was then a wilderness. He was a Friend or Quaker in religion, married and reared a family, of whom Ira J. (father) was one. Ira J. Gardner was born in Cayuga county about 1824, and when little over one year of age was brought by his parents to Niagara county. After attaining manhood he fol- lowed the occupation of farming, in which he was quite successful ; was a democrat in poli- tics, and married Harriet Starbuck, who was a daughter of Isaac Starbuck, and was born in 1775, on the site of the battle of Stillwater, in Saratoga county, New York. By this marriage he had three sons and one daughter: Fred D., now residing on the old homestead in the town of Somerset ; Lyman, who died in youth; Mary R., who married S. P. Denton of Somerset, this county ; and Amos II. The Starbuck family from which Amos H. Gardner is descended on the maternal side, settled on Nantucket island. In course of time the family became too numerous to be properly accommodated on the island and began to spread over the New England States. The great-great- grandfather (maternal) of Amos H. Gard- ner left that island about 1715. His grandson, Isaac Starbuck (grandfather), located in Cayuga county, New York, and about 1823 removed to the town of Somerset, Niagara county, where the mother of Mr. Gardner was born in 1831.
Amos H. Gardner was educated in the Genesee Western seminary at Lima, Liv- ingston county, taking the full course and graduating from that institution. Here he also received a course of training in elocu- tion. He then entered the law office of William C. Green in Lockport, and began preparing for the bar. After completing his course in law and passing the usual
599
OF NIAGARA COUNTY.
examination, he was admitted to practice on October 8, 1891. He immediately opened a law office in the city of Lockport, where he has rapidly won recognition at the bar, and promises to become one of the prominent attorneys of Niagara county. He is reputed to possess the leading traits that characterize a great lawyer, and while very popular at the bar, is greatly sought after by clients.
On June 16, 1891, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Ada Darling, daughter of H. S. Darling, of Lockport. Mrs. Gardner is quite popular in social circles, and is a lady of much natural refinement and many accomplishments.
In politics Mr. Gardner is an ardent demo- crat, and keeps well posted on the political movements of both the great parties. He has served as clerk of the courts for four years, with the title of special deputy clerk, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
W ALLACE C. JOHNSON, a leading civil engineer and well-known citizen of Niagara Falls, is a son of James and Frances (Whitney ) Johnson, and was born in Granville, Massachusetts. IIis grand- father, Eli Johnson, was a native of one of the northwestern counties of Connecticut, and removed to Massachusetts, -where he died. He was first a cooper, and later be- came a farmer. His son, James Johnson (father), was born in Connecticut about 1826, and removed to Granville, Massachu- setts, where he still lives, and where he owns and operates a large wood-working mill. He is an ingenious wood worker, and a republican politically, taking an active part in local politics. He is a member of the Congregational church, and devotes both time and means to the advancement of
the various enterprises and interests of that church. He married Frances Whitney, and to them were born four children, two of whom died in infancy, the other two being the subject of this sketch and his sister, Jennie.
The maternal ancestors of Wallace C. Johnson were of English descent, the Whit- neys having settled in New England at a very early day. His maternal great-grand- father was a native of Granville, Massachu- setts, as was his wife, and they moved to Ohio and became pioneers in that State, and were among the founders of Granville, Ohio, which village was named for their native town in Massachusetts. They reared a family of twelve children, and lived to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of their marriage. Samuel W. Whitney (maternal grandfather ) was a native of New England, and lived and died in Massachusetts. He was by turns a cloth dresser, a mechanic, and a farmer. He married Morilla Dicken- son, who is still living at the age of over eighty years, and had three children : Fran- ces (mother), who is yet living; Milton B., a prominent attorney at Westfield, Massa- chusetts, and a graduate of Williams col- lege ; and one dead.
Wallace C. Johnson received his early education in the common schools of Massa- chusetts, and then took a course in Williams college, after which he entered the Polytech- nic institute, of Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 1884. For a short time he was with the Holyoke Water-power Company, at Holyoke, Massachusetts, and in 1886 came to Niagara Falls, where he entered the employ of the Hydraulic Power and Manufacturing Company in the capacity of civil engineer. He has held that position for six years, giving general satisfaction to
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.