USA > New York > Genesee County > History of the Genesee country (western New York) comprising the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates, Volume IV > Part 34
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 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
Mr. Hanlon was a faithful communicant of St. Mary's Catholic church and in politics was without party bias. He never aspired to public office but as a private citizen always did his full share in upholding the principles of civic cleanliness and progress by casting his ballot for those who were best able to further those ends.
TERRENCE J. HANLON
351
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
In every relation of life Mr. Hanlon acquitted himself with dignity, fidelity and honor, thus winning the approbation and esteem of his fellowmen, and his death on the 13th of July, 1923, was deeply mourned by a large circle of stanch friends, as well as by the members of his immediate family. Mr. Hanlon's residence, since July, 1917, had been at No. 353 Barrington street, where his widow now resides.
OTTO WALCHLI.
The horizon of every man's achievements is fixed by his own volition. Otto Walchli, who possesses the requisite ability and the equally necessary qualities of ambition and industry, has rapidly progressed since his initial effort was made in the business world and now exerts a strong influence in industrial affairs as vice president of the Wellsville Refining Company, Incorporated, with which he has been identified for the past twelve years. He was born in the village on the 16th of July, 1895, and is a son of Gottfried and Anna (Grief) Walchli, natives of Bern, Switzerland. They were married in that country and migrated to America in 1888, coming direct to Wellsville. Here they have since made their home and the father is now an engineer in the wax factory of the Wellsville Refining Company.
Otto Walchli is a graduate of the Wellsville high school, in which he completed a commercial course, and in 1912, when seventeen years of age, entered the employ of the Wellsville Refining Company, Incorporated. He first worked in the plant and in 1915 was given a clerical position in the office. That his services were of value to the company is proved by the fact that he was chosen for the responsible office of secretary in 1918, in which year he also became manager, and since May, 1920, he has served as vice president of the firm. He still acts as manager and during his administration a high degree of efficiency has been attained in the operation of the business. The refinery has a capacity of thirty thousand barrels a month and its products are gasoline, kerosene, fuel and lubricating oil, and wax. The company is doing a capacity business and ranks with the largest industries of the kind in this region. Mr. Walchli has an aptitude for business management and his cooperation has been sought by other large corporations. He is vice president of the Allegany Pipe Line Company, secretary of the Union Pipe Line Company and treasurer of the Fords Brook Pipe Line Company of Wellsville, all of which derive benefit from his connection therewith.
On September 8, 1920, Mr. Walchli was married to Miiss Marion C. Judge, a daughter of Levi and Emma (Chamberlin) Judge of Wellsville. Mr. and Mrs. Walchli have a son: John W. Walchli, who was born June 26, 1921. Mr. Walchli is a Rotarian and the nature of his recreation is indicated by his connection with the Wellsville Country Club and the Brookland Rod & Gun Club. He is a Mason in high standing and in 1922 was master of the blue lodge of Wellsville, becoming high priest of the chapter in the following year. He belongs to the commandery at Hornell, New York, to the consistory at Corning, and to Ismailia Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Buffalo. Although but thirty years of age, Mr. Walchli's achievements would do credit to a man many years his senior, and in view of what he has already accomplished, much may be expected of him in the future. His personality is one that inspires respect and confidence and his many friends in the village have watched his career with interest, rejoicing in his success, for it has been worthily won.
HON. JOHN KNIGHT.
Hon. John Knight, lawyer and lawmaker, is a prominent representative of the legal fraternity in Wyoming county who has followed his profession at Arcade during the past twenty-eight years and has also long been active in public service. Since 1917 he has ably represented his district in the state senate. The town of Arcade is proud to number him among her native sons, for it was here that he was born on the 30th of April, 1871, his parents being Andrew J. and Althea E. (Angier) Knight. It was about the year 1810 that William Knight, the paternal grandfather of John Knight, removed from Massachusetts to the Genesee country and here spent the remainder of his life. Andrew J. Knight, the father of Mr. Knight of this review, devoted the greater part of his life to law practice in this portion of the state and was district attorney for Wyoming county. In his demise, which occurred in Febru-
352
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
ry, 1917, the community sustained the loss of one of its leading attorneys and highly respected citizens.
John Knight received his early educational training in the grade and high schools of his native town, continued his studies in the Central high school of Buffalo and then matriculated in the University of Rochester, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1893. In preparation for his chosen calling he subsequently became a student in the Buffalo Law School and afterward read law with his father until admitted to the bar in 1896. He then became an associate with his father under the firm style of Knight & Knight, which was main- tained until 1914, when the firm name was changed to Knight, Knight & Bentley. Three years later, upon the death of the elder Mr. Knight, this assumed its present form of Knight & Bentley. Mr. Knight's success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. An excellent presence, an earnest man- ner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability accurately to apply its principles make him an effective advocate.
Politically Senator Knight is a stanch republican who has long been active and influential in the local ranks of the party. He filled the position of town clerk from 1891 until 1895, was referee in bankruptcy for Wyoming and Genesee counties from 1898 until 1903 and made a splendid record as district attorney for Wyoming county during the decade between 1903 and 1913. In the latter year he was elected to the state assembly, wherein he served for four years, giving earnest and thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement. In 1917 he was chosen to represent the forty-fourth district in the state senate, in which body he has remained to the present time, so that he has been connected with many important legislative enactments. In 1925 he was elected president pro tem of the senate.
On the 27th of November, 1896, in Newport, New York, Mr. Knight was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Fenner, a successful school teacher of that place. They have one daughter, Althea Jane. Mr. Knight is an attendant at the Baptist church and in fraternal circles is well known as a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He also belongs to the University Club of Buffalo, the Arcade Club and the Silver Lake Country Club, and derives his greatest pleasure from outdoor sports and activities. He has ever been a man of action rather than of theory and the subjective and objective forces in his life are well balanced, for he has never allowed personal interests so to monopo- lize his time as to exclude his active participation in those events wherein the public welfare is a matter of deep concern.
ANTHONY J. HEINZLE.
Anthony J. Heinzle, master plumber and steam-heating engineer, and a recognized authority on sanitary plumbing in Rochester, is a native son of that city and has lived there all his life, engaged in the business in which he has been recognized as a leader since the days of his young manhood. He was born May 27, 1867, and is a son of Joseph Anthony and Mary A. (Aman) Heinzle, natives of Germany, the latter of whom lived to be past eighty-one years of age, her death occurring in Rochester in 1912. Joseph Anthony Heinzle, who died in Rochester in 1868, was one of that sterling class of German immigrants known as "Forty-eighters", of whom in their generation New York had many representatives. Following the unsuccessful revo- lution in the Palatinate in 1848 he found political conditions in his native land unen- durable to his freedom-loving soul, and in company with many of his restless com- patriots he found political freedom and refuge in America. He had been well trained as a carpenter and builder and upon his arrival in this country became located in Rochester, where he became engaged as a building contractor and where he continued in that business until his death, one of the substantial citizens. He and his wife were earnest adherents of the Roman Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith.
Reared in Rochester, Anthony J. Heinzle received his education in St. Joseph's parochial school and as a boy became employed during school vacations in a local clothing store. When fifteen years of age he became apprenticed to the plumbing trade, his initial connection in that relation having been with the plumbing estab- lishment of Gauhn & Bassett. While he was thus connected, the senior partner, John B. Gauhn, sold out to Henry B. Howe and the business was continued as the present Howe & Bassett Company. Not long afterward Mr. Heinzle transferred his services to the new establishment set up by Mr. Gauhn and later also was employed in the
ANTHONY J. HEINZLE
22-Vol. IV
355
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
respective establishments of F. R. Walker and R. T. Ford, the latter of whom now is the proprietor of the Richford and Ford hotels.
For years Mr. Heinzle continued working as a journeyman plumber, during that time becoming recognized as an expert in this line, and then in 1903 he became engaged in business on his own account and has since been thus engaged, one of the most efficient and successful contractors in that line in western New York. Upon opening a shop of his own Mr. Heinzle took a small room at No. 702 University avenue, in a good residential district, with a view to catering especially to the immedi- ate needs of the people of that section of the city, but he soon found that the demand for his services was not to be confined to locality and as this demand grew he found his quarters inadequate to his expanding business. In 1913 he moved into his present location at No. 666 University avenue, where he erected a substantial building, with special reference to the needs of his plant and has since been located there, with an establishment recognized as being second to none of its kind in the city. Mr. Heinzle is recognized as an authority on sanitary plumbing and gas and steam-heating and the installations he has made include those in various public buildings hereabout, as well as in office buildings, business establishments and any number of the finer residences of the city. Mr. Heinzle is a member of the local organization of master plumbers and has filled all the official chairs of that organization. He also is a member of the National Master Steam-Fitters Association.
Mr. Heinzle has been twice married. On September 1, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma R. Sheller, daughter of Benedict Sheller of Rochester. Mrs. Emma R. Heinzle died on February 11, 1921, leaving besides her husband two children -a daughter, Ruth J., and a son, Herbert J. Heinzle, the latter of whom is now engaged in business with his father in the plumbing establishment on University avenue. He married Catherine Menges of Rochester and lives at No. 6 Gordon road. Miss Ruth J. Heinzle became the wife of Walter J. Bayer, son of Charles M. Bayer, and has a daughter, Mary Agnes. On February 5, 1924, Anthony J. Heinzle was married to Miss Adelia V. Leighton, daughter of George and Victoria Leighton of Freeport, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Heinzle are members of the Roman Catholic church and are republicans. Mr. Heinzle is a fourth degree member of the local council of the Knights of Columbus and is also a member of the Knights of St. John, in which latter organization he has been through the chairs.
WALTER FRANKLIN ARTHURS.
Walter Franklin Arthurs is a resident of Arcade who has been an active factor in journalistic circles of the Genesee country during the past three decades as the editor and publisher of the Wyoming County Herald and of other enterprising newspapers in Erie and Cattaraugus counties. He was born in Milton, Ontario, Canada, on the 4th of November, 1871, his parents being James E. and Elizabeth (Brownridge) Ar- thurs. The father, a successful school teacher who subsequently turned his attention to merchandising, was a lifelong resident of Ontario, Canada, where the family has been represented for a number of generations.
Walter Franklin Arthurs received his education in the grade and high schools of his native province and after putting aside his textbooks became identified with jour- nalistic interests in connection with the publication of the Erin Advocate at Erin, Ontario, where he thus remained for one year. Subsequently he spent two years as editor of The Arthur Enterprise at Arthur, Ontario, after which he was associated for a similar period with the firm of Geis & Company, conducting a printing estab- lishment in Buffalo, New York. Later he was connected with The Buffalo Times and then with The Buffalo News until 1894, when he came to Arcade, New York, here purchasing the Wyoming County Herald, of which he has since been the editor and publisher. Mr. Arthurs is likewise editor and publisher of the Holland Review at Holland, New York, the Cattaraugus Press at Delevan, New York, and the Sardinia Censor at Sardinia, this state. The combined circulation of these papers is over thirty-two hundred. The value of the local newspapers in the upbuilding of the best interests of any community is universally conceded. The rule is that good papers are found in good towns, inferior journals in towns of stunted growth and uncertain future. It is not so much a matter of size as of excellence and of adaptability to the need's of its locality. These conditions given, in an appreciative and progressive com- munity the size of the paper will take care of itself in a way mutually satisfactory to
356
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
publishers and patrons. The worth of Mr. Arthurs' work as a journalist is widely acknowledged in this part of the state.
On the 24th of December, 1893, in Hinsdale, New York, Mr. Arthurs was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Capron, daughter of George Capron of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Arthurs have become the parents of three sons, namely: Glen W., who re- ceived the degree of M. D. from the University of Buffalo in 1918, and is a practicing physician of Niagara Falls, New York; Ward H., a publisher of South Bend, Indiana; and W. Boyd, who is a student in the medical department of the University of Buffalo. Mr. Arthurs is an enthusiastic supporter of the republican party and a popular mem- ber of the Arcade Club and the Arcade Men's Club. Fraternally he is identified with the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic order in Arcade and also with the local organization of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Outdoor life affords him needed recreation and he finds much pleasure in motoring, baseball and fishing.
RIGHT REV. MGR. RICHARD O'BRIEN, V. F.
Right Rev. Mgr. Richard O'Brien, pastor of the Immaculate Conception church of Wellsville during the past quarter of a century, has by papal decree been elevated to the dignified position of monsignor. He is a native of Albion, Orleans county, New York, and a son of James and Elizabeth (Kane) O'Brien. The father, who was born in Limerick, Ireland, about 1830, came to the United States in 1850 and lived to the age of eighty-three. The mother, who was born in Armagh, Ireland, was eighty-two years of age when called to the home beyond in 1917. Richard O'Brien has four brothers and one sister: John M., James, William P., Mary E., now wife of Charles A. Littlefield of Buffalo, and Martin R.
Richard O'Brien began his education in a parochial school of his native city and later spent one year as a high school student in Albion, while subsequently he at- tended St. Michael's College of Toronto, Canada. His college seminary course was pursued at Assumption Shrine of Sandwich, Ontario. On the 21st of December, 1895, he was ordained to the priesthood at Toronto, Ontario, by the bishop of London (the late Archbishop O'Connor), after which he served as assistant rector of St. Columbus church in Buffalo until June, 1899. He was afterward pastor pro tem at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament and Chapel Parish at the corner of Utica and Delaware avenues in Buffalo, from June 24, 1899, until January, 1900, since which time he has filled the pastorate of the Immaculate Conception church in Wellsville, New York. Father O'Brien was appointed dean by Bishop Carlton during the latter's administration as bishop of Buffalo. It was during the administration of Right Rev. William Turner that the dignity of domestic prelate was. conferred upon him by the pope through the intercession of Bishop Turner, and since his ecclesiastical promotion he has borne the title of Right Rev. Monsignor O'Brien, V. F.
The new edifice of the Immaculate Conception church was completed in December, 1896. Its communicants number sixteen hundred, comprising three hundred and forty families. The modern three-story school building was finished in 1913, at a cost of eighty thousand dollars. This is a chartered institution embracing a two-year high school course and has an attendance of two hundred and five pupils under the super- vision of seven teachers, of the Sisters of Mercy. Every department of the church work has been successfully carried forward under the inspirational guidance of Mon- signor O'Brien, who has not only won the love and cooperation of his parishioners but has made an enviable impression and many friends among people of non-Catholic sects. His title of honor came as a reward of merit and he donned the robe of his high office with a record of work well done. Monsignor O'Brien is chaplain of the Knights of Columbus at Wellsville.
LYNN S. BENTLEY.
Lynn S. Bentley is a successful young attorney of Arcade, where he has been engaged in practice during the past decade, being now junior member of the well known law firm of Knight & Bentley. He has filled the office of justice of the peace for the same length of time, while in 1921 he was president of Arcade village, which is his native town. He was born on the 21st of February, 1889, and is a son of Morris and Helen (Sherwood) Bentley. The father, who has been a lifelong resident
RT. REV. MGR. RICHARD O'BRIEN, V. F.
359
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
of this part of the state, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and is well known and highly esteemed in the community in which he makes his home. Gideon Bentley, the paternal grandfather of Lynn S. Bentley, was the first representative of the family to settle in the Genesee country. Sarah Meech, the great-great-grandmother of L. S. Bentley in the maternal line, was the first white child born in Arcade.
In the acquirement of an education Lynn S. Bentley attended the grammar and high schools of Arcade and then entered upon specific training for a professional career as a student in the University of Buffalo, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1911. Admitted to the bar the same year, he became a mem- ber of the law firm of Falk, Phillips, Schlenker & Bentley in Buffalo, where he con- tinued in practice until 1914, when he returned to Arcade and has here remained. He was formerly a member of the firm of Knight, Knight & Bentley, but since the death of the elder Mr. Knight the firm name has been Knight & Bentley. An extensive clientage is accorded the partners, who have been connected with considerable im- portant litigation. Mr. Bentley enjoys a merited reputation as a capable attorney whose success has been gained through industry, careful preparations and devotion to the interests entrusted to him. He acts as counsel for the Citizens Bank of Ar- cade, the Odell & Eddy Company, the Arcade & Attica Railroad Corporation and other concerns.
On the 10th of August, 1915, in Java, New York, Mr. Bentley was united in marriage to Miss Sara Healy, daughter of Elmer C. Healy of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley have a son, Robert O., who was born on the 17th of July, 1918. In community affairs Mr. Bentley has taken an active and helpful interest that has led to his choice for public office. He made a commendable record as president of the village of Arcade in 1921, and since 1914 has ably served in the capacity of justice of the peace. His religious faith is indicated by his attendance at the First Baptist church of Arcade.
Fraternally Mr. Bentley is identified with the Masonic order, to the work of which he devotes considerable time, belonging to Arcade Lodge No. 419, F. & A. M .; Arcade Chapter, R. A. M., of which he is a charter member and first high priest; to the Scottish Rite bodies at Olean and Buffalo; and Ismailia Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Buffalo. Mr. Bentley joined the Delta Chi fraternity while a college student and is a valued member of the Arcade Men's Club. Motoring is a source of great pleas- ure to him. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Wyoming County Bar Association, the Erie County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association, and his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession recognize in him a man who is always faithfully loyal to the highest standards and ethics of the calling.
GEORGE GIBSON SHEPARD.
There is no single element which has a greater effect in upholding the financial stability of a community than has a carefully organized and conservatively conducted bank, and of such an institution George Gibson Shepard is the head. For the past ten years he has successfully guided the destiny of the Niagara Falls Trust Company and he also has other business interests of importance, while he is likewise a leader in projects for civic betterment. He is one of the city's loyal sons and was born October 16, 1865, of English lineage. His father, William Shepard, was a native of Lockport, New York, and came to Niagara Falls as a boy. He was a building con- tractor and his constructive labors were vital elements in the development and im- provement of the city. In Niagara Falls he was married to Miss Anabel Livingston, who was a native of Scotland, and during her childhood the family migrated to the United States. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shepard, six sons and a daughter. George G., of this review, is the fourth in order of birth and the only one of the children now living.
George Gibson Shepard attended grammar school and afterward completed a course in the De Veaux College, of Niagara Falls. His initial experience in financial affairs was gained as a clerk in the Cataract Bank of this city, which he entered at the age of eighteen, and for ten years he remained with that institution, gaining valuable training and experience. The business was discontinued in 1893, at which time Mr. Shepard was acting as assistant cashier, and in the following year he aided in organizing the Electric City Bank, of which he became cashier and a director. It was operated under that name for ten years and in 1904 a consolidation was affected.
-
360
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
It has since been known as the Niagara Falls Trust Company, of which Mr. Shepard became president in 1914, and under his able administration the institution has become recognized as one of the strongest financial organizations in the city. He is well versed in the details of modern finance and a keen student of human nature. Mr. Shepard also serves as vice president of the United Hotels Company of America and treasurer of the Niagara Searchlight Company, Incorporated, being a director of both, and his name likewise appears on the directorates of the Cataract Theatre Corpora- tion, the Niagara Building Corporation, the United States Light & Heat Corporation and the Niagara Falls Hotel Corporation, all of this city, and the Seneca Hotel Corporation of Rochester, New York. He combines a capacity for detail with the ability to think in large terms and is actuated at all times by an accurate sense of business exigency.
The growth and progress of his city is a matter in which Mr. Shepard takes much personal pride and his talents are enlisted as readily for the public weal as for his own success. He was for many years a member of the board of education of Niagara Falls, of which he was president for seven years, and has been president of the library board for about fifteen years. He is a member of the grade crossing advisory board and is serving on various committees in charge of public improve- ments. He is responsible for the organization of the Chamber of Commerce and has been its president.
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.