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 79
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
CHARLES I. SHELDON
833
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Politically Mr. Sheldon gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has taken the third degree in the Knights of Columbus, which indicates that his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church, and he is also a member of the Rochester Lodge of Elks. Socially Mr. Sheldon is much liked and has many friends, especially among the members of the Rochester Automobile Club, to which he belongs. In connection with his business interests he maintains membership in the Rochester Real Estate Board. Mr. Sheldon is deserving of a generous measure of credit for his attainments in the business world, for he has made his own way from the time he was sixteen years old and has had to depend upon his own efforts for his advance- ment. During the first year as the head of his own business he laid an excellent foundation for future development and did an amount of business that gave promise of much greater things to come.
WILLIAM HENDERSON.
As secretary of the Livingston Lumber Company, William Henderson is one of the important factors in the commercial life of Caledonia, Livingston county, New York, and his company furnishes employment for many of its residents. He was born in Caledonia, March 28, 1878, the son of George and Margaret (Hall) Henderson, the father being a native of Canada and the mother a native of Ireland. Both are deceased.
William Henderson received his education in the grade and high schools of Caledonia, and followed this with a course in the Mechanics Institute, at Rochester, New York. The lumber business of which he is now secretary was organized in 1907 by the firm of Smith & Henderson, was incorporated in 1912, and is now known as the Livingston Lumber Company, G. A. Mitchell of Buffalo, New York, being president of the company. It transacts a large business in lumber of all kinds, and ships extensively. Mr. Henderson is a member of the Masonic order, is a republican in his political ideals, and in religion is connected with the United Presbyterian church.
Mr. Henderson was married in July, 1906, to Viola Smith of Avon. Two children were born to their union: Elizabeth Louise and Arthur William. By a second mar- riage, to Maude Wells of Warsaw, Mr. Henderson has one child, Louise.
DELBERT P. SNYDER.
Delbert P. Snyder, formerly and for twelve years clerk of Allegany county, is now engaged in looking after his various business interests and also the duties of secretary and treasurer of the Cuba Fair and Racing Association of Cuba, New York. He is a native son of Allegany county and has been a resident of that county practically all his life. He was born on a farm in the immediate vicinity of the village of Cuba, September 28, 1861, and is the son of Lucius H. and Emily (Rinker) Snyder, both old families in this section of New York, the latter of whom is still living with a daughter in the village of Belmont, New York. Lucius H. Snyder was a substantial farmer in his neighborhood, but died in the year 1864, while his son, Delbert P., was yet in his infancy. After the death of his father the subject of this sketch made his home with his grandfather, Jacob Rinker, until nearly grown up.
Reared on the farm of his grandfather, in the vicinity of Cuba, Delbert P. Snyder received his education in the district school on Keller Hill and in the high school in Cuba, and for some years thereafter engaged in teaching and farming, at first living on rented farms, but within a few years becoming the owner of his grandfather's farm; living there and conducting the farm until he left Cuba to take up his residence in Belmont, on the 1st of January, 1913.
In November, 1902, he was elected to represent his town on the board of county supervisors, taking over the duties of that office on the 1st of January, 1903, and by successive reelections filled that office until the end of the year 1912, when he resigned to accept the office of county clerk, to which office he was elected in November, 1912. While serving on the board of supervisors, Mr. Snyder was elected chairman of that body for the year 1908. He was appointed secretary of the draft board by Governor Whitman. and served in that capacity throughout the World war.
Mr. Snyder entered upon the responsible duties of the office of county clerk on the first of January, 1913, and by successive reelections served four terms in that
834
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
office, his last term ending on the 31st of December, 1924. In addition to performing the exacting duties of his official position Mr. Snyder acquired other substantial inter- ests in the county and since the year 1910 has been a member of the board of directors of the Cuba National Bank. Since 1913 he has been a director in the Allegany County Telephone Company and has other interests that give evidence of his success as a man of affairs.
For years he has been one of the leaders of the republican party in Allegany county; for many years was a member of the county committee, and for several years held the office of chairman of that body, and in that capacity he has done much to promote the party's interests in this section of the state.
Mr. Snyder has been twice married. His first wife, Tena (German) Snyder, passing away while living on the farm on Keller Hill, in December, 1912. On September 2, 1914, in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, New York, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Towle, a lady of considerable experience in secretarial work, and one who has been a valued assistant to him in the duties of keeping the records of the county during the long period of his incumbency as county clerk. Mrs. Snyder was graduated from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont, in 1897, with the degree of A. B., and later took a course in a business college at Jamestown, New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are members of the Presbyterian church in Belmont, New York, and take much interest in church work as well as in the general social and cultural activities of the city. Mr. Snyder is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
H. ACTON LANGSLOW.
H. Acton Langslow, a veteran of the World war, is a successful representa- tive of industrial interests in Rochester as president of The Falls Furniture Com- pany, Incorporated, which he organized for the manufacture of chairs. To those at all familiar with the commercial and industrial history of Rochester, the name of Langslow is well known. Henry A. Langslow, the paternal grandfather of H. Acton Langslow, was the organizer of the chair manufacturing concern conducted under the name of Langslow, Fowler & Company. His birth occurred within twelve miles of London, England, on the 16th of November, 1830, but the greater part of his life was spent in this country. Upon coming to the New World in 1849, he landed in Nova Scotia, whence he proceeded to Prince Edward Island, and from there to Boston, Massachusetts, where he spent about a year. He next made his home in New York city, where all of his children were born. In 1850 he had been united
in marriage to Miss Catharine M. Cardiff, a native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and they became the parents of five children: Henry Richard and Thomas Walter, both deceased; Louis A. G., the father of H. Acton Langslow; Stratton C., president of the Langslow-Fowler Company, furniture manufacturers of Rochester; and Helena M. For ten years Henry A. Langslow was engaged in various occupations in New York city, and then came to Rochester in 1860, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. Here his time was principally devoted to the furniture business. In 1875 he associated himself with the furniture firm of Burley & Dewey, and six years later became vice president of their successors, the I. H. Dewey Furniture Company, in which capacity he continued until January, 1885, when he and his son, Stratton C. Langslow, withdrew. He then organized the firm of Langslow, Fowler & Company, of which he was the senior member and manager up to the time of his death, which occurred on November 12, 1899.
Louis A. G. Langslow, father of H. Acton Langslow of this review, was born in New York city, December 7, 1855, and received his education in the schools of Rochester. For several years he was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes but in 1890 became identified with the firm of Langslow, Fowler & Company. He had attained the age of sixty-three years when called to his final rest in 1918. It was in Rochester, in 1883, that he was married to Miss Isabella Canny, a native of Wayne county, New York, who still survives him. Their family numbered five chil- dren, three of whom are living: R. L., vice president of The Falls Furniture Com- pany; Mrs. E. M. Leastman; and H. Acton.
H. Acton Langslow was born in Rochester, on the 21st of December, 1884, attended the public and high schools in the acquirement of an education and subse- quently pursued a course of study in the University of Rochester. After putting aside
H. ACTON LANGSLOW
837
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
his textbooks he entered the contracting business in connection with the General Crushed Stone Company, being employed as foreman. When this country entered the World war he enlisted for service with the Eleventh United States Engineers and was sent overseas, remaining on active duty on the front for twenty-two months and being in the thick of many battles. Mr. Langslow was promoted from the ranks, receiving a commission as first lieutenant. After being discharged from the army, in New York city, he returned to Rochester and secured a position with the Langslow- Fowler Company, under the presidency of his uncle, in order that he might acquaint himself with the business of chair manufacturing. On the 1st of May, 1922, he severed his connection with that concern, having in the meantime established and organized The Falls Furniture Company, which has already become one of the prosperous indus- trial enterprises of this city. He has developed an extensive business in the manu- facture of chairs and rockers of the better grade, his splendid executive ability and sound judgment proving effective elements in the steady growth and expansion of the company, which is a close corporation, with H. Acton Langslow as president and R. L. Langslow as vice president.
Mr. Langslow is a member of the American Legion and is further identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Greek letter society known as Delta Kappa Epsilon. In the city in which his life has been spent the circle of his friends is an extensive one. He is energetic, straightforward and honorably ambitious and measures up to the highest standards of personal honor and present-day business ethics.
JOSEPH MUTSCHLECHNER.
Joseph Mutschlechner, editor and proprietor of The Allegany Citizen at Allegany, Cattaraugus county, and one of the real veteran printers and publishers of the Genesee country, is a native son of the Empire state and has lived in this state all his life, a resident of Cattaraugus county for almost fifty years. He was born in Lancaster, Erie county, January 20, 1856, and is a son of Adolph and Ann (Heindel) Mutschlechner, natives of Germany, whose last days were spent in Lancaster. Adolph Mutschlechner was well reared in his home country and had good schooling there. Following the unsuccessful political revolution in Germany in 1848, a movement in which he took an earnest part, he came to this country, thus becoming one of the thousands of German '48ers who established themselves in this country during the late '40s and early '50s of the past century. For a time after his arrival here he was located in Chicago and then settled in Lancaster, this state. For years he was a teacher in the Lancaster parochial rural schools and he also for years was a chemist in a glass factory, continuing thus engaged until his death in 1873.
Reared in Lancaster, Joseph Mutschlechner had his local schooling in that place and supplemented this by a course in Canisius College at Buffalo. While in Buffalo he became interested in "the art preservative of all arts" and following an apprentice- ship in a printing office in that city, returned to his home town and in 1877 established The Lancaster Star, a newspaper that is still carrying on, now being published under the name of the Enterprise-Times. In the next year (1878) Mr. Mutschlechner disposed of his interests in Lancaster and went to Olean, where he became employed in the office of the Olean Record. He later was a clerk in the mercantile establish- ment of N. S. Butler & Company and in 1882 bought a stock of goods and became engaged in merchandising on his own account, a line which he carried on for four years, at the end of which time, in 1886, he sold his store and returned to his first love, the print shop, starting a job printing establishment in Olean. For seven years he operated this printing plant and then closed out at Olean and moved his shop to Allegany. He did well in his printing business here and in March, 1896, added to his general printing line the publication of a village newspaper, starting The Alle- gany Citizen, which he ever since has conducted, a period now of almost thirty years, and in which publication he has long had the able assistance of his two sons. The early issues of the Citizen were printed on the larger of the two job presses which then constituted the press equipment of Mr. Mutschlechner's job shop but when the success of his modest venture was assured he put in a cylinder press and as circumstances warranted continued to add to his equipment until he came to have everything requisite for the proper operation of an up-to-date newspaper and printing office, including a linotype machine and other modern aids to the art of printing. The job printing side of the business is well equipped and Mr. Mutschlechner and his sons do all kinds of job work called for in the trade area centering in Allegany.
52-Vol. IV
838
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
Joseph Mutschlechner married Miss Clara M. Krim of Lancaster and they have three children: Two sons, Joseph F. and Aloysius; and a daughter, Mary A., the latter of whom is the wife of Mark Moyer of Buffalo and has two sons, Gerard and Mark Moyer. Mr. Mutschlechner's sons finished their education in St. Bonaventure's parochial schools and the public schools at Allegany and his daughter finished her schooling at St. Elizabeth's Academy at the same place. The sons have from the days of their boyhood been able assistants to their father in the newspaper and printing office. Upon setting up his newspaper in Allegany, Mr. Mutschlechner became an ardent, enthusiastic and tireless "town booster" and it is freely admitted in the com- munity that his public advocacy of measures of improvement was largely responsible for setting Allegany out along the lines of modern progress in the way of village incorporation, street paving, an adequate fire department and the construction of a waterworks system. When the village was incorporated he was elected first clerk of the new corporation and in that capacity opened the books and had much to do with getting things started out right, a service which was but one of the many he has rendered the community and which will make his name an enduring one in the annals of that progressive and flourishing town.
CHARLES WILLIAM COLLAMER.
Charles William Collamer is one of Rochester's best-known builders and his work, which is of great variety and extent, is to be found in many parts of the city. He was born in Rochester, July 24, 1884, and his parents, William and May (Swager) Colla- mer, were also born in this city. The paternal grandfather, Charles Collamer, was a pioneer settler of Rochester and one of the first superintendents in the employ of the New York Central Railroad. His son, William Collamer, also entered the service of that corporation, of which he was likewise a trusted employe. His death. occurred in 1888, and his widow passed away in 1906.
Charles William Collamer attended grammar school No. 33 and continued his studies in the Rochester Free Academy, from which he was graduated at the age of seventeen. He afterward served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade and when a young man of twenty established a business of his own, becoming a building con- tractor. He has engaged in this business for more than twenty years and during this period has erected many homes, as well as churches and other public buildings which are an ornament to the city and a feature in its substantial improvement. He em- ploys competent workmen and never allows the slightest detail of a contract to be slighted. He has been successful in his business and his work is of high character. Thoroughness and reliability have won for him a foremost position among the leading builders of Rochester.
On February 14, 1906, Mr. Collamer was married to Miss Anna Gifford, who was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Gifford. She passed away December 25, 1919, leaving two sons: Richard W., who was born in October, 1908; and Robert G., born in April, 1911. On November 15, 1921, Mr. Collamer was married to Miss Mildred Langlois, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Langlois, prominent residents of this city.
Mr. Collamer is a thirty-second degree Mason and also belongs to the Shrine. He is a member of the Masonic Club and the nature of his recreation is indicated by his connection with the Rochester Yacht, Athletic and Automobile Clubs. His entire life has been spent in this city and many of his warmest friends are acquaintances that he has had since boyhood. He has been both the architect and builder of his fortunes and ranks with Rochester's self-made men and highly esteemed citizens. Mr. Collamer's residence is at No. 48 Clifford avenue.
MARC D. JOHNSON.
In the matter of seniority there is no disputing the claim of Marc D. Johnson, proprietor and editor of the Randolph Register, to be numbered among the members. of one of the real "first families" of the Genesee country, for his grandfather, Marcus H. Johnson, bore the honor of having been the first male white child born in Cat- taraugus county and the family has been represented here ever since the coming of that grand old person's father, James G. Johnson, to this region. Marc D. Johnson
CHARLES W. COLLAMER
841
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
was born in Randolph and his interests always have centered there, his service in " the local newspaper field now covering a period of forty years and more. He was born June 23, 1866, and is a son of James G. and Mary (Dow) Johnson, the latter of whom also was a member of one of the pioneer families in this section, the Dows having been represented here since settlement days. The late James G. Johnson, who died in 1910 and who for years was known as one of the leading lawyers of Cat- taraugus county, was a son of that Marcus H. Johnson, mentioned above as having been the first white male child born within the present confines of Cattaraugus county, a son of James G. Johnson, whose services here in settlement days did so much toward the development of proper social and economic conditions in the time when this region was being claimed to the uses of civilization.
Reared in Randolph, Marc D. Johnson finished his education in Chamberlain Institute and became interested in the newspaper business. After serving a four- year apprenticeship in the composing room of The Weekly Courant at Randolph he started as a journeyman printer. In December, 1886, he then being twenty years of age, Mr. Johnson returned to Randolph and bought the plant and goodwill of The Register, a newspaper at that time being published in the village. Four years later he bought The Courant, the paper on which he began his career, and merged it with the Register. Later he bought The Enterprise and has since been engaged in the publication of The Register, one of the best established newspapers in the county, representing that prosperous and progressive territory comprised within its circula- tion area. The history of The Register dates from 1865, in September of which year was established at Randolph an experimental newspaper which was given the name of The Rural City Budget, a name which presently was changed to The Register and has so continued, a name thus familiar to three generations of readers throughout this section. Mr. Johnson is a republican and his editorial columns have ever sup- ported that party. For two terms he served his town as postmaster and he also has rendered service for several terms as a member of the board of supervisors.
On October 16, 1891, in Randolph, Marc D. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Ora Thorpe, daughter of Walter Thorpe of Napoli, and they have a very pleasant home in Randolph. Mr. Johnson is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, affili- ated with the blue lodge at Randolph and with the consistory at Buffalo, and he is a member of the First Congregational church, of which he is one of the trustees.
ALBERT L. SHANER.
Albert L. Shaner, a well known oil producer, business man and agriculturist of Bolivar, Allegany county, is a successful American citizen who raised himself to a position of leadership and affluance through his own unaided efforts. Born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1865, he came from a family that has long resided in the Keystone state. His grandfather, Samuel Shaner, was born in the environs of Philadelphia, in 1800, but moved to western Pennsylvania as a young man, making his home there until his death in 1873. His son, Samuel R. Shaner, father of Albert L. Shaner, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and spent most of his mature life as a farmer in Clarion county, where he died February 22, 1916. He enlisted in the Civil war and was a member of Company E, Seventy-eighth Regiment. He served three years and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. His wife, Maria (Fry) Shaner, was born in 1846, and is still living in Clarion county, at the age of seventy-nine.
Albert L. Shaner obtained a common school education in the district schools of his native county. In 1881, at the age of sixteen, he started to work on a farm and later was employed on a railroad for a time. On the 1st of February, 1882, he came to Bolivar, New York, where he found employment as a teamster. After about three years of this work he started in on the tool dressing trade, working around the oil wells, where he learned much about drilling and handling oil, as well as the dressing of tools. Up to the 1st of January, 1894, the young man worked on oil leases, but at that time he bought some property of his own to develop for 'oil. He was successful in this enterprise and ere long had made a place for himself among. the prosperous oil producers of this field.
While oil is his chief interest Mr. Shaner by no means centers his efforts upon this one line of work. He does some farming in this vicinity and furthermore has an interest in the Harderson Ranch Company of Santa Paula, California. Together with a partner, H. O. Severson, he conducts a large hardware store and filling station
842
THE GENESEE COUNTRY
in Bolivar, under the firm name of Severson & Shaner, and is financially interested in other local enterprises. Among the latter is the State Bank of Bolivar, of which he is a director; the Union Pipe Line Company of Wellsville, of which he is a stock- holder and director; the Bolivar Richburg Electric Light Corporation, of which he is president; the McDonell & Brannen Corporation, in which he is a stockholder and director; and the Maple Grove Cemetery Association of Bolivar, of which he is president.
Mr. Shaner was married on May 3, 1887, to Miss May Rounds of Bolivar, who passed away January 13, 1907, leaving five children: Ruby Z., who is the wife of Archibald D. Piper of Bolivar, is the eldest; Arthur W., of Bolivar, is an oil producer and drilling contractor. He married Mildred Wilson of Bolivar and they have one child, Marlin Christine; Lester Workman, also engaged in oil production and drilling contracting in Bolivar, married Miss Flora Amsden of Bolivar and they have a daughter, Virginia Mae; Samuel is interested in the same line of work as his brothers and also resides in Bolivar. He married Miss Alta Allen of Bolivar; the oil and drilling business has likewise enlisted the interest of the youngest son, Fred C., who has followed the family example and remained in Bolivar. His wife was formerly Miss Susie Lewis of Bolivar. Four children of Mr. and Mrs. Shaner are deceased: Myrtle, who died in 1921, at the age of twenty-six; Clifford, who passed away at the age of thirteen; Harry, who was not yet a year old when he died; and Howard, whose death occurred at the age of seventeen months. Mr. Shaner was again married on the 25th of November, 1909, Mrs. Lulu Mehrton of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, becoming his wife.
Mr. Shaner is well known in Masonic circles, both in Bolivar and elsewhere. He belongs to the blue lodge and chapter at Bolivar, the commandery at Olean, the consistory at Buffalo and also to Ismailia Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Buffalo He is likewise affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star in Bolivar and was a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows. Generally speaking, Mr. Shaner is a republican in his political views, but he has always given his whole-hearted support to the cause of prohibition. Believing that the abolition of the saloon, liquor traffic and all their attendant evils would make for better social, moral and physical condi- tions in this great land of ours, he early enlisted as one of the workers for this once unpopular movement and has the great satisfaction of seeing the "prohibition" amend- ment adopted in this country. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bolivar.
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.