Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 43

Author: Pool, William, 1825-1912, ed
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: [Syracuse] : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 820

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Maria A. Pryne, daughter of Francis P. Pryne of Herkimer, in 1850. He has one daughter, Mary E. Edmonds, wife of John J. Edmonds of North Tonawanda. Mrs. Judd died September 25, 1893. Mr. Judd was engaged in the State Engineer's De- partment on the enlargement of the Erie Canal from the west line of Oneida county, to the lower lock in Frankfort, Herkimer county, about three years, under William J. McAlpine and William B. Taylor, respectively, chief engineers and surveyors of the State of New York. In 1848 and 1849 Mr. Judd was baggage master on what is now the N. Y. Central Railroad, from Albany to Buffalo, single track, and only one track in what is now the Exchange street depot in the city of Buffalo. On the 23d day of May Mr. Judd took his demit from Olive Branch Lodge No. 40, Frankfort, Herkimer county, and removed to North Tonawanda, N. Y., and opened his law office where he has been in practice forty four years. On his arrival at North Tona- wanda he affiliated with Tonawanda Lodge No. 247, F. & A. M., and long since a past master thereof. Mr. Judd has been appointed and elected to fill various offices of trust in North Tonawanda and Niagara county. When the North and South villages were one, he was one of the trustees thereof and drew the articles incorporat- ing the village of North Tonawanda, also the articles incorporating the Col. John Sweeney Rural Cemetery, and was trustee thereof for many years. Mr. Judd was superintendent of common schools of the town of Wheatfield three years, town clerk two years, village clerk two years, president of the Board of Health six years, and a member of the Board of Education about fifteen years, justice of sessions of Niagara county two years, and is now serving his thirty-ninth year as justice of the peace of the town of Wheatfield. Mr. Judd is a lifelong Democrat and represented the first Assembly District of Niagara county in the State Legislature two years 1891 and 1892, and assumed the gavel at the speaker's solicitation three times each year, and performed the duties thereof with honor to the Legislature and the first Assembly District of Niagara county which he had the distinguished honor to rep- resent, and credit to himself.

Lennon, John, was born at Rome, N. Y., October 29, 1853, a son of the late Thomas Lennon, a mason and builder of that place. He was educated in the public and parochial schools of Lockport, whither his parents had removed in 1855, and at the age of fifteen began his business career by learning the trade of mason and builder with his father, which he followed until 1876, at which time he established himself in business at Lockport, as a contractor and builder, in which he is still engaged. In 1891 he removed to Niagara Falls, where he now resides. Mr. Lennon is well known throughout the northern section of New York State and has erected many imposing buildings in the principal cities, including the State Armory at Niagara Falls, at a cost of $80,000, and has been awarded the contract for the building of St. John's Protectory at Buffalo to cost $100,000. Mr. Lennon was married in Septem- ber, 1874, to Ella McBride of Brockport, and they have five children. Mr. Lennon is now serving his second term as a member of the Board of Public Works, which will expire in March, 1899.

Wagenschuetz, Fred F., Wheatfield, was born in Germany, February, 11, 1866, and was brought to America by his parents in 1868, settling in Niagara county. Mr. Wagenschuetz first began business life in the employ of Nice & Hinkey in the hard- ware business and in 1893 embarked in business for himself, as dealer in hardware,

stoves, etc., also plumbing and tinning and has done some excellent work in good residences in this locality. In November, 1896, he married Christina Ackerman. Mr. Wagenschuetz is regarded as one of the sound and prominent mercantile men of North Tonawanda. His parents were Frederick and Wilhelmena Wagenschuetz, both natives of Prussia.

Praker, E. C., was born in Wheatfield, a son of August and Wilhelmina (Krull) Praker, natives of Prusia; August Praker came to America in 1847 when he was seventeen years of age. After a clerkship of six years in Buffalo, Mr. E. C. Praker began business for himself in his present stand, 245 Paynes avenue corner Thompson street in North Tonawanda, in a general grocery business. He is not only an able and successful business man, but is highly popular and takes a warm interest in the German Lutheran church, of which he is a member and has been its treasurer for several years. In 1887 he married Flora Zimmerman and they have one daughter, Viola, born February 21, 1893.

Carr, William I., was born in Suspension Bridge, N. Y., August 9, 1865, a son of William Carr. He attended the public schools of his native town and when nineteen years of age entered the freight offices of the West Shore Railroad Company, as a clerk and served that company until 1892, when he was appointed agent at Niagara Falls, for the Adams Express Company, which was superseded by the United States Express Company in 1893. Mr. Carr remained in the employ of the United States Express Company as agent, until 1897, when he resigned his position and retired for the time being. September 21, 1896, he married Eva Ralston of Hamilton, Ont.

Carr, William, was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., June 3, 1827, a son of the late John Carr. He was educated in the public schools at Pekin, N. Y., whence his parents had removed in 1830, and at the age of sixteen years began clerking in the dry goods establishment of William Fleming at Pekin, where he remained for two years. He was later employed in the same business in Buffalo, and in 1850 returned to Pekin, where he entered the general store of his father. In 1854 he engaged with the New York Central Railroad Company as track superintendent and retained that position until 1870, when he was appointed a deputy collector at the United States Custom House, Niagara Falls, and filled that office until 1874. He was then ap- pointed deputy postmaster at the village of Suspension Bridge, and later was made postmaster at the same point, in which position he remained until 1889, when he retired from active life. June 30, 1853, Mr. Carr married Amelia L. Barnum of Wheatfield, and they have had eight children, six of whom survive. Mr. Carr is a highly respected citizen and one of the landmarks of Suspension Bridge.

Doebler, Charles G., Wheatfield, was born in Germany in 1856, and came to America in 1867, with his parents and only brother. They settled in Niagara county and began farming, in which occupation Charles G. was reared. After following different occupations interspersed with farming, he finally went into a planing mill of the Export Lumber Company in 1882. He was subsequently employed with A. M. Dodge & Co., and in 1888 formed a partnership with Mr. W. W. Robertson. (An outline of this business will be found in the article headed W. W. Robertson.) Mr. Doebler married Elizabeth Lang of Buffalo, and they have five children: Charles, Rosa, Alfred, Herman and Hulda. His parents were Louis and Dora Doebler, both

deceased, as is also his brother William, referred to above. Mr. Doebler is a prom- inent Republican, and a trustee of St. Matthew's church.

Allan, William, was born in Scotland, and came to America in 1883, settling in North Tonawanda, after traveling considerably over the Union. He is the leading builder of the city and has put up many of the finest buildings in the place, includ- ing the residences of Messrs. Spilman, Bliss and Batt, his own, and others. He also built the armory in Tonawanda, the best in the State. Mr. Allan is a member of the Odd Fellows, is a past-grand of the Subordinate Lodge and chief patriarch in the Local Encampment; he is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1889 he married Anna Sticht, of Fort Plain and they have two children, Cora and Walter. Mr. Allan has two children, William and James, by his first wife who lived in Scotland.

Hale, Clinton E., is a native of New York State and a son of Calvin and Mahaley (Tryon) Hale. He is related on his mother's side to the poet Bryant and on his father's side to several noted men of his name in the annals of old New England. Mr. Hale learned the trade of machinist in Massachusetts, and has worked in Ma- lone, N. Y., Potsdam, and Lockport and other points for prominent concerns and in North Tonawanda for the Buffalo Steam Pump Company. In the spring of 1894 he embarked in business for himself as general machinist and bicycle repairer and em- ploys two assistants during the busy season. In 1891 Mr. Hale married Anna Colby, and they have two children, Ida and Raymond.

Graf, C. A., was born in Willand, Ontario, Canada, March 23, 1850, a son of Ed- ward and Fredericka Graf, natives of Germany, and now living in Welland, Can. C. A. Graf settled in Martinsville in October, 1883, although he had lived in this country a good deal previously. In 1883 he established a harness business in Mar- tinsville, which he still conducts. He was postmaster at Martinsville for four years under President Harrison, and was again appointed in November, 1896, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Dornfeld; on April 8, 1897, he was again appointed for a period of four years. He was trustee of the village of North Tona- wanda for two years and is a notary public. He married Philipine Pfaender, and their children are John, Thomas, Harvey, Theodora, Clara, Maggie and Catherine. Theodora married Otto Leverance and Clara married Chris. Fritz.

Rogge, Charles, was born in Germany, March 4, 1847, and came to America in 1870, settling in Martinsville in 1878. He learned the trade of blacksmith in Ger- many and has pursued that trade with great success in this country. He also owns a cider mill and has a commodious home in Martinsville. January 20, 1874, he mar- ried Miss Schunk, and they had seven children: Kate, Henry, Carl H., Elizabeth, Wilhelm, Emma and Ida. Mr. Rogge is a member of the A. O. U. W. (as is also his son Henry), of the Select Knights and of the firemen; he was also on the Excise Board for three years. Mr. Rogge was at sea in a German ship for five months as engineer and ship blacksmith. Mrs. Rogge was born in Germany and was three months old when she came to America.

Walck, Gottlieb, was born in Wheatfield, June 16, 1849, a son of Christian and Wilhelmina (Wendt) Walck, natives of Germany. Mr. Walck is engaged in farm- ing and has been thirty years on the present farm, being very successful in his busi- ness. He is also popular politically and has been excise commissioner and has been

supported by a large majority in the Republican party for other offices. May 2, 1872, he married Mary Thiele, and they have five children: George, Annie (married Charles Doering), Esther, Ellen and Adelaide.

Scanlon, P., was born in Buffalo, in 1849, and has resided in North Tonawanda for twenty-eight years, where he is proprietor of the Niagara Frontier House, a fine new block which he built on the site of the old Frontier House, which was destroyed by fire. The building is 56 by 44 feet in dimensions and contains twenty rooms be- sides Scanlon's Hall, which is the' entire size of the building. Mr. Scanlon is a prominent society man, a member of the C. M. B. A., the Hibernians, the N. C. P. A., the Press Club of Buffalo, and Alert Hose Company No. 1, besides a German society. In 1883 he married Kate Hennerberger, and their children are George, Charles, Frank, Edward, William and Kate, all of whom, except William, are children of Mrs. Scanlon's by a previous marriage. Frank assists his father in the business and is also a member of Alert Hose Company, Mr. Scanlon owes his success in life en- tirely to his own efforts and ability ; as a youth and young man he was in the raft- ing and lumber business much of the time in Michigan.

Jacobs, Hiram M., was born in North Tonawanda, August 18, 1856, a son of H. C. and Caroline Jacobs. He was educated in the public schools and followed railroad- ing on the Lake Shore and the New York Central for many years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, both subordinate lodge and encampment and is an active Re- publican, having served on committees and as a delegate to the assembly and other conventions. He is collector for the village of North Tonawanda and has been elected five years in succession, and it is a notable fact that he has headed the polls at every election.

Pearce, John C., was born in the town of Wheatfield, Niagara county, N. Y., May 12, 1837. He lived on the farm until twenty-eight years of age, when he learned the trade of carpenter, joiner and millwright and has followed this since. Mr. Pearce has been assessor of the town of Wheatfield for six consecutive years and is well known all over the county as an able official; he has also been constable and town clerk. In 1869 he married Polly Ann Jacobs. His parents were Benjamin S. and Vashti (Milliman) Pearce, and his brother, Filander Eugene Pearce, lost his life in the Civil war from wounds and exposure. His grandfather, Abiram Milliman, was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Schumacher, C. F., was born in North Tonawanda, February 23, 1868, and has resided in this city all his life. He was a clerk for twelve years and in 1892 embarked in the grocery business for himself, in which he has been remarkably successful. He is a member of the Select Knights, Odd Fellows and the firemen, having served ten years with the last named; he has also been assistant foreman and trustee of the firemen. In 1896 he married Hattie Hempel. His parents were Henry and Mary Schumacher, natives of Germany, where they were married and came to America about 1864.

Kelsey, W. E., was born in Indiana, but removed to Topeka, Kan., with his parents when seven years of age. They lived there nine years and then came east to De- troit, where he was engaged in the wool business until 1893, when he came to North Tonawanda and embarked in the lumber business as partner in the firm of Kelsey

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& Gillespie. They do a large wholesale business, handling about twenty million feet of lumber annually. Their plant occupies about four acres of ground and they employ an average force of about thirty men. In 1885 Mr. Kelsey married Julia C. Tannahill and they have two sons, Edward and Robert. His parents were Charles E. and Harriet (Mather) Kelsey, and Mr. Charles E. Kelsey has been a prominent lumber merchant of Detroit for many years.

Rock, James E., was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., April 9, 1871, and is a son of James Rock, retired. James E. Rock was educated in the public and parochial schools of Niagara Falls and at the age of twenty-one entered the dry goods business, as a partner of the Hon. Thomas V. Welch, and remained as such until 1892, at which time he bought out his partner's interest in the business and has since success- fully carried it on alone. Mr. Rock possesses a finely trained tenor voice and is fre- quently heard in amateur operatic productions. He has been a member of the Niagara Falls School Board since the organization of the city.

Stanley, Lyman G., was born in Vermont in 1842, and lived there until ten years of age. His father was a farmer and he was reared to that occupation. August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 30th Iowa Infantry, and served in Sherman's army, was with him in his operations around Vicksburg, thence to Chattanooga, on to Atlanta and from there in the celebrated march to the sea. He accompanied his regiment to Savannah and thence to Washington, where he participated in the grand review. He was honorably discharged June 16, 1865, and is a member of Scott Post 129. After the close of the war, his brother, who was postmaster of Tonawanda, died and his sister being appointed postmistress, he took charge of the office for her, a posi- tion he filled for thirteen years, or until the spring of 1879. In 1866 he established a stationery business in South Tonawanda and in 1870 a drug store, aud upon leaving the post office he turned all his attention to these enterprises. In 1890 he started a drug store in North Tonawanda and these have become prominent factors in the business life of the twin cities. Mr. Stanley is a prominent Mason and has been master of the Blue Lodge and high priest of the chapter ; he is also a member of the Commandery. He was trustee of Tonawanda and has been treasurer of the school board. He married Cornelia Payne, daughter of Col. Payne and they have one daughter, Ethel. His parents were M. J. and Mary (Ames) Stanley. His father served in the war of 1812 and was one of the twelve men detailed to blow up old Fort Erie.

Kelley, George H., was born in Middleport, September 28, 1866. His father, P. Kelley, was a native of Ireland and settled in Middleport, where for over forty years he has been engaged in the railroad business. George H. Kelley was educated in Middleport and learned telegraphy, and for twelve years was in the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company. June 4, 1894, he was appointed by President Cleveland, postmaster, which office he still retains. Mr. Kelly is a progressive man and has always taken an active interest in all public affairs.

Judson, George D., was born three miles west of Middleport, December 22, 1858, and was a son of George Judson who was born in Hartland in 1802 and was engaged in building and dealing in real estate and keeping store at Johnson Creek for many years, and who about 1854 moved to Lockport where he erected the Judson House,

now known as The Grand, and a number of the hotels and business blocks of Lock- port, and who died in 1866 in his sixty-seventh year. George D. Judson was edu- cated at St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y., and was graduated in 1880. He then began the study of law with L. F. & G. W. Bowen of Lockport, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1882. He immediately began the practice of law in Middleport and continued up to 1895, when he went to New York city and practiced for about a year, then returned to Middleport and was made attorney and secretary of the Mid- dleport Manufacturing Company. Since the suspension of business by that corpora- tion, Mr. Judson has been engaged in the general practice of law, making corpora- tion business a specialty.

Warren, A. Frank, proprietor of the Lock City Laundry, and one of the most respected citizens of Lockport, was born in the town of Walworth, Wayne county, N. Y., November 27, 1866. His first business experience was as a clerk in a grocery at Fairport, for A. D. Churchill & Son, in whose employ he continued for two years, when he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the services of the K. D. Box Company, where he remained for a few years and then removed to Lockport, N. Y., where he formed a copartnership with Mr. C. E. Webster in the laundry business. This firm was succeeded by Mr. Warren, the present proprietor, in October, 1896, and he has since conducted a large and prosperous business. All the latest im- proved machinery is used and he gives employment to a large number of men and women. In May, 1888, he married Sarah L., daughter of A. D. Churchill of Fair- port. Mr. Warren has always been identified with the Republican party, but has never sought political honors. He is affiliated with a number of societies, being a member of Lodge No. 476, Free and Accepted Masons

Allen, Norman O., an enterprising and successful real estate and loan agent of Lockport and one of the most respected citizens, was born in the town of Wilson, Niagara county, N. Y., December 5, 1840, a son of Parmer and Mary (Tower) Allen. He was educated in the public schools and the Wilson Academy; after finishing his schooling he was engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war, when he en- listed in the 28th N. Y. Infantry as corporal and was promoted to sergeant and when mustered out in June, 1863, held the office of second lieutenant. After the war he returned to Lockport and was appointed deputy sheriff under James D. Ames from 1864 to 1867. He was afterward under sheriff for three years and then elected sheriff for a term of three years; since that time he has been engaged in the real estate and loan business. He was married in 1874 to Mary Stebbins of Lockport.

Hobbs, John W .- This popular and efficient manager of the Bell Telephone Com- pany of Lockport was born in the town of Greenfield, Luzerne county, Pa., October 6, 1850. His parents removed to Bradford county when he was quite young and where he attended the common and high schools. He was engaged in farming until 1880, when he removed to Buffalo and entered the service of the Bell Telephone Company as inspector, with whom he continued for three years, and then went with the Central Union Telephone Company at Jacksonville, Ill., remaining there for two years, and was transferred to Cairo, Ill., where he remained until 1887, when he re- moved to Lockport and became the manager of the Bell Telephone Company, his present position. He is a son of Alanson and Irene (Wallace) Hobbs, who were of

English and Irish descent. He was married January 27, 1875, to Elizabeth J., daughter of Lorenzo Simonds of Pennsylvania, and they have two sons, Herbert C. and Rosco S.

Batt, J. B., was born in Cheektowaga, March 1, 1859, where his father was en- gaged in the saw mill business. Mr. Batt was bookkeeper in the Williamsville brewery for six years, after which he was railroading for two years. In 1880 he married Mary Daumen, and their children are John, Linus, Mary and Althea. For seven years Mr. Batt was in the lumber business in connection with the Christ Fritz estate at Martinsville, and a year ago he embarked in the bicycle business and re- pair shop on Webster street, North Tonawanda. He has been an active Democrat and was trustee of the village of North Tonawanda, N. Y., two years; he was also tax collector of Amherst, Erie county, two years.

Miller, John, was born in Alsace, France, February 15, 1855, a son of Andrew and Sophia (Mosher) Miller. He immigrated to America in 1870, landing in New York August 5, of that year; he first went to Hamilton, Canada, where he remained three years, thence to Buffalo, where he engaged in the meat business for a time and then went to Lancaster, Erie county, where he was associated in business with his brother. After seven years in Lancaster, he came to North Tonawanda in the spring of 1881 and has since conducted a prosperous meat business. Mr. Miller married Anna Rhenet, also of German parentage, but a native of Lancaster, and they have six children: John, Lawrence, Lottie, Albert, Rosa and Eugene.

Steele, W. Wallace, one of Lockport's leading wholesale liquor men, was born in Lockport, N. Y., September 10, 1849, and has always resided in that city. He at- tended the Lockport public schools and afterwards took a thorough course at the Rochester Business College. His first business experience was with the wholesale liquor firm of John W. Steele & Co., in which he remained as a partner until 1878, and upon the organization of the succeeding company; became the senior member of the firm of Steele, Torrance & Co., which continued until 1883, when Mr. Torrance and Hon. R. B. Hoag retired, and since that date he has conducted the business alone under the name of L. L. Steele. In November, 1872, he was married to Lydia L. Freeman, daughter of Benjamin F. Freeman of Middleport, N. Y. He is a prom- inent member of Genesee Commandery No. 10, Ames Chapter No. 88, Bruce Council No. 15, Red Jacket Lodge F. & A. M., No. 646. He served his ward on the Board of Supervisors for Niagara county for the years 1876 and 1877 to the full satisfaction of his constituents. He is also a member of the Exempt Firemen, having served a full term with Protection Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, and is at present an active member of the Sons of St. John and Malta, Under many business difficulties in former years, he has always shown that indomitable business energy which has en- abled him to laugh at misfortune and to place himself in the front ranks with the successful men at the present time.

Neff, John F., jr., was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., June 25, 1864, a son of the late John F. Neff. He attended the public schools of his native town and at the age of sixteen, entered upon an active career in the freight offices of the Rome, Water- town & Ogdensburg Railroad Company at Suspension Bridge, where he remained until that road was consolidated with the New York Central Railroad in 1891. In

April, 1892, he was appointed chief clerk in the freight offices of the consolidated roads and is still an incumbent of that office. December 11, 1895, Mr. Neff mar- ried Miss Hassenflue of Cleveland, O. Mr. Neff is a worthy and trusted . official and is a member of the Niagara River Lodge No. 785, Free and Accepted Masons.

Schuyler, Robert A., was born at Seneca Falls, N. Y., November 3, 1848, a son of Rensselaer Schuyler. He was educated in the public schools of his native township and when sixteen years of age began his business career, as shipping clerk for the Downs Manufacturing Company, at Seneca Falls, N. Y. In 1871 he entered the em- ploy of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company and has remained in their service ever since, with the exception of five years in which he was a deputy collector of customs at the port of Suspension Bridge. He is at present filling the position of cashier for the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Co. and the R. W. & O. R. R. Co. at Suspension Bridge. Mr. Schuyler is a faithful aud trusted officer and justly de- serves the respect and high esteem in which he is held by all. April 14, 1885, he married Mary E. Baker and they have one child, Mary G. Mr. Schuyler is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, is Recorder of Niagara Commandery No. 64, K. T., Past Chancellor of Niagara Lodge No. 383, K. of P., and is quartermaster-sergeant of the 42d Separate Company, N. G. S. N. Y.

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Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 43

Author: Pool, William, 1825-1912, ed Publication date: 1897 Publisher: [Syracuse] : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 820

Author: Pool, William, 1825-1912, ed
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: [Syracuse] : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 820