Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 45

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

USA > New York > Niagara County > Landmarks of Niagara County, New York > Part 45

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Benham, Nathaniel L., was born at Seneca Falls, N. Y., October 29, 1851, and was the third son of John A. Benham, who was a builder and contractor there, and died in Sacramento, Cal., in 1890, at the age of seventy. Mr. Benham is a direct descendant of John Benham, who came to this country in 1630 from Plymouth, England, settling at Dorchester, Mass. In 1639 John Benham accompanied the colony of Eaton and Davenport to New Haven and was one of the heads of seventy families that constituted that settlement. On the maternal side he is a descendant of Cary Latham, who was one of the founders of New London, Conn. Mr. Benham received his education in the public schools of Seneca Falls and later in the Seneca Falls Academy and prepared for college. At the age of seventeen he began teach- ing school in the town of Seneca Falls, and afterwards was connected with the

schools of the village of Seneca Falls for eight years. During this period he had been studying law in the office of J. N. Hammond, at Seneca Falls, and in 1878 he was admitted to the bar of the State of New York. He practiced his profession at Waterloo (the county seat of Seneca county), being the senior partner of the firm of Benham & Rood, until 1880, when he removed to Buffalo. He there engaged in the railroad business with the New York Central Railroad and afterwards in the general eastern freight office of the Michigan Central Railroad. In 1884 he was appointed principal of the Niagara Falls Union School and remained as such until 1891, when he was chosen superintendent of the public schools of the village of Niagara Falls. On the organization of the city of Niagara Falls he was continued as superintendent of the city schools. He also is clerk of the Board of Education. He has been for many years a director of the Niagara Permanent Savings and Loan Association, one of the most flourishing local loan associations in the State. He is a past master of Niagara Frontier Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M., and a member of Niagara Chapter No. 200, R. A. M., and Niagara Commandery No. 64, K. T. In 1886 he married Margaret E. Sheldon of Niagara Falls, by whom he had three children, two of whom, daughters, are living.

Dean, William H., was born at Detroit, Mich., November 8, 1837, and is a son of Frederick Dean, a butcher, who removed to Niagara Falls in 1838. In 1848 his parents removed to Lewiston, N. Y., where he took up his studies in the Lewiston public schools, and at the age of fifteen he left school and entered business with his father, where he remained until 1859, when he returned to Niagara Falls, forming a partnership with William M. Sherwood and establishing a meat market business, which was successfully carried on for twenty years. The partnership was dissolved in 1881, and since that time he has continued in the same line of business alone. Mr. Dean married Ada M. Brook at Lewiston in 1858, and has had three children, two of whom survive, William H. Dean, jr., and F. A. W. Dean. Mr. Dean has been for twenty years a member of the A. O. U. W.

Shepard, William (deceased), was born at Lockport, N. Y., November 21, 1832, a son of James Shepard (deceased). He was graduated from the Union School of Lockport and at an early age took up the trade of mason and builder, serving his apprenticeship with his father at Lockport. In 1851 the family removed to Niagara Falls, where William at once established himself in business and from that time until he passed away, on November 20, 1895, prosperity attended his efforts. His building work was always so well done that it was a model of perfection and his sterling worth was soon recognized, hence his success. Among the most prominent structures at Niagara Falls that stand as monuments to his skill are the Interna- tional Hotel; the Inclined Railway at the State Reservation; the immense mills of Schoellkopf & Matthews, and many of the finest residences of the city. His last important contracts were the building of the great plant of the Carborundum Com- pany and the Shelter house on Goat Island. Mr. Shepard was a man of fine mind and of domestic tastes, preferring his home to outside organizations, being a mem- ber of the Royal Templars and the A. O. U. W. In 1855 he married Anna Belle Liv- ingston, and they had four sons: James L., George G., Will A. and Charles T., one daughter, Jessie A., all of whom survive, and one daughter, Jennie, who died at the age of twenty-three, in 1882.

Shepard, George G., was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., November 16, 1865, a son of the late William Shepard. He was educated in the public schools and De Veaux College at Niagara Falls, and when eighteen years of age entered the employ of the Cataract Bank as a runner, but soon rose to the position of assistant cashier, which office he filled until 1893. In December, 1894, Mr. Shepard became identified with the Electric City Bank as its cashier and still retains that position. November 15, 1890, he married Edith Pfeiffer and they have one child, Marion. Mr. Shepard is a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M., of Niagara Chapter No. 200, R. A. M., and has been a member of the 42d Separate Co., N. G. N. Y., since 1889, and second lieutenant since January, 1897.

Porter, Alexander J., was born at Niagara Falls, June 29, 1863, a son of the late Hon. Albert Augustus Porter of that city. He received his education under private tutors and at the age of seventeen removed to Auburn, where he became manager of one of the departments of the Osborn Manufacturing Company and remained with that firm until 1888, when he returned to Niagara Falls to assume the position of treasurer of the Pettebone Paper Co., of which Maj. L. W. Pettebone is vice-pres- ident, and still remains in that office. In 1888 he was appointed secretary of the Niagara Falls Power Company to succeed the original secretary, Mr. George N. Miller, and retained that position until 1894. Mr. Porter is a director of the Niagara Falls and Suspension Bridge Railroad Company, a director of the F. W. Oliver Com- pany and vice-president and director of the Dobbie Foundry Co., and has been a trustee of the Niagara County Savings Bank since its incorporation in 1891. In June, 1894, Mr. Porter was married to Maud M., a daughter of President John W. Lang- muir, of the Queen Victoria Park, Canada, and they have two children, Albert A. and Margaret J. Mr. Porter is a man of high attainments and is highly honored and respected by his fellow citizens, and well sustains the reputation of his father and the Porter family.

Jameson, William Arthur, was born near the city of St. Stephen, N. B., at the head of tidewater and navigation on the St. Croix River. He is the son of Charles Jameson, whose ancestors were Scotch. The latter was both a shipbuilder and farmer, and still resides in that city at the age of eighty-nine years. Mr. Jameson inherited a taste for mechanics and gained considerable knowledge of the practice of the same during his youth. In the fall of 1870 he left home, reaching Hartford, Conn., September 30 of that year, and at once obtained a situation with the Weed Sewing Machine Company. He was at first engaged at general repairs about the manufactory, and afterwards spent several years at carpentry and building. In 1877 he removed to Wallingford, Conn., taking a position with the Oneida Com- pany, which was just arranging to manufacture spoons, forks, etc., remaining there until 1881, when the company decided to move its works to Niagara Falls. May 1, 1881, he removed to the latter place, superintended the construction of the factory buildings and installed the machinery plant for the manufacture of plated ware. He afterwards superintended the manufacture of these wares until April 1, 1893, when an engagement covering sixteen years was voluntarily severed to enable Mr. Jameson to start a new enterprise, the Niagara Silver Company. As manager of this company he arranged for securing the present premises and the erection of buildings, purchased and installed the machinery and turned out the first finished

spoon July 15, 1893. Mr. Jameson is a stockholder in the Carter-Crume Company, of which the Niagara Silver Company is a branch; also in the Oneida Company, several building and loan associations and land companies. He is also interested in real estate, including several land syndicates. April 9, 1873, he married a New England lady, whose maiden name was Clara A. Jameson. They have an adopted daughter, Daisy Gertrude. Mr. Jameson is a man of enterprise, public-spirited and highly respected in the business and social world. His success as a business man is due entirely to his own untiring energy, and he might be regarded as the highest type of a self-made American citizen.

Vogt, Jacob B., was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., April 11, 1852, a son of Jacob J. Vogt, a prosperous farmer of that place, now retired. Jacob B. Vogt was edu- cated in the public schools at Niagara Falls and De Veaux College and later took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Buffalo. After finishing his schooling in 1871, he returned to his father's farm and remained there until 1873, when upon coming of age his father set off for him from his farm 150 acres of cleared land, which he cultivated and from which he received the proceeds until 1882, at which time he purchased that plot of land from his father and continued at farming, and in 1889 bought twenty acres more of the home farm. During the land boom of

1891 he sold 165 acres from his farm at a good round sum an acre and built for him- self a handsome residence on the remaining five acres, where he now resides, leading the quiet life of a retired farmer. Mr. Vogt has dealt extensively in real estate and has been successful in all of his operations. October 18, 1876, he married Mary S. Whitney, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Garrett) Whitney of Niagara Falls, and they have four children, J. Whitney, Catherine E., Charles W. and Clarence B.

Esslie, Adam, deceased, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, April 23, 1831, and educated in the common schools of his native town. In 1854 he immigrated to America, settling at Niagara Falls, N. Y., where he took up the calling of farmer, and in 1868 bought fifty acres of fertile land in the town of Niagara, and established the present Esslie homestead farm. He was an industrious and highly respected farmer and esteemed by all his fellow citizens, and was deeply mourned upon his passing away, November 12, 1888. Since his decease Mrs. Esslie has continued to reside at the farm near the historic Schlosser's dock, a typical country home. Mrs. Esslie has reared a family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all of whom are still living. During the land boom in 1891 she sold half of her farm (twenty-four acres) at eight hundred and fifty dollars an acre, for which her husband had paid but eighty dollars an acre. Mrs. Esslie lives a quiet, retiring life, much esteemed by her neighbors and friends. Adam Esslie was married in January, 1861, to Caroline Stricker, a daughter of George Stricker of Niagara Falls. Mr. Esslie and family were members of the Lutheran church. In politics he was a Democrat.

Hulett, Judge Theodore G., was born at Williamsburgh, Mass., June 13, 1811, and is a son of Anthony Hulett. Mr. Hulett received very little schooling and at the age of twelve left home and apprenticed himself to Jason Clapp, a carriage maker at Pitts- field, Mass., at a salary of fifty dollars a year, one quarter's schooling and furnished his own clothing. From his employer he obtained a loan of fifty dollars, giving his note, and purchased a small library and a box of tallow candles in order to read and

study at night. After serving his apprenticeship he was in Pittsfield, Albany and Troy, working at his trade in summer and reading law in the winter for three years. He came to Niagara Falls in 1834 and after working two years at the manufacture of carriage springs, he went into business for himself. In 1847 he mas made superintend- ent of the first suspension bridge across Niagara River; he invented and built the iron basket which hung beneath the railway suspension bridge and which is now in the rooms of the Buffalo Historical Society. He has superintended the building of many suspension bridges in various parts of the country and he invented and patented the cast iron shackle fastenings which secure the cables of the first Niagara Suspension Bridge, built in 1865, to the anchors. In 1858 he built the Niagara Falls Gas Works and run them for twelve years. He built gas works in 1870 at Dansville and War- saw, N. Y., and in 1873 he constructed the oxyhydric gas plant at Buffalo, on plans furnished by a prominent French engineer. In 1849 he was elected justice of the peace of the town of Niagara and held that office for over thirty consecutive years; during that time he also served as judge of the Courts of Sessions and Oyer and Terminer of Niagara county for four years. He took an active part in the cause of the Union during the war and assisted in raising and equipping the 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ; he devised and executed means by which soldiers' families were relieved to the extent of $28,000 without creating an indebtedness of the town. Late in life he originated the idea of cementation of the dead and was elected president of the American Cementation Society on November 26, 1886. Judge Hulett has attained some fame as a poet and is to-day what may be termed one of the best living ex- ponents of the old school. He keeps fully posted on the times and bears a wide rep- utation as a most skillfull and ingenious civil engineer. In 1833 he married Mercy A. Bailey of Pittsfield, Mass., and they had three children, only one of whom sur- vives, Mrs. J. B. Gates, of Niagara Falls. He has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren living. Mrs. Hulett is dead. In politics he was originally a Whig, later a Republican.

Lovell, Prof. Thomas B., was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., November 12, 1838, and is a son of Robert Lovell who was a baker of that city. He attended the public schools at Rochester, whence his parents had removed in 1843; in 1852 his parents removed to Nunda, where three years later he entered the Nunda Academy and was graduated from there in 1857. The following fall he entered the Rochester (N. Y.) University, where he completed the classical course, graduating in 1862; and had conferred upon him the degree of A. B. and three years later the degree of A. M. by the Rochester University. In 1863 he was appointed principal of the Penfield (N. Y.) Seminary, where he remained for one year, when he went to the Marion Collegiate Institute, at Marion, N. Y., in the same capacity (principal), holding that position till 1870, when he was appointed principal of the Attica (N. Y.) Union School, remaining there until, on August 1, 1892, he received his appointment as principal of the Cleveland Avenue High School, at Niagara Falls, which position he now holds. In 1891 he was chosen president of the Principals' Association of New York State. April 14, 1864, he married Ada V. Hammond, and they have one son.

Dobbie, John, was born at Thorold, Ontario, Canada, January 17, 1862, a son of

the late Archibald Dobbie, who was a prominent manufacturer and machinist of that place. Mr. Dobbie was educated in the public schools of his native town and at the Hamilton (Ont.) Business College; at the age of sixteen he removed with his father to Buffalo, where he learned the machinist trade in his father's foundry, and followed that pursuit for eight years. From 1886 to 1887 he was engaged in a bank- ing institution at Buffalo, at the end of which time he entered the employ of a manufacturer of heavy machinery, where he remained for five years. In 1892 he formed a partnership with his brother, A. J. Dobbie, and John Stuart, and built the present plant at Niagara Falls, where, under the firm name of Dobbie & Stewart, they successfully carried on the manufacture of machinery and machinist's imple- ments until 1896, when the partnership of Dobbie & Stuart was dissolved and the Dobbie Foundry Company, of which John Dobbie is the president, was incorporated as a stock company, since which time the business has been controlled by that com- pany. In September, 1889, Mr. Dobbie married Linnie I. Jones of Louisville, Ky., and they have one son, John C.

Bierstadt, Charles, was born at Solingen, Prussia, November 28, 1819, a son of the late Henry Bierstadt. He was educated in the national schools of his native town and New Bedford, Mass., whence his parents removed in 1831. At fifteen years of age he began his apprenticeship at cabinetmaking and during his six years of service he spent some time in the study of photography, in which, in 1856, he and his brother Edward made numerous trials and experiments which proved successful, and then they established themselves in business as photographers. In 1863 Mr. Bierstadt removed his business to Niagara Falls, N. Y., where he has since carried it on with great success. He is an expert in stereoscopic views and has in connec- tion with his manufactory a large bazaar where his views and many relics and curios are displayed to advantage.

Babcock, Edward O., was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., November 29, 1861, a son of the late Asel Babcock. He attended the public schools at Jamestown, N. Y., and Jamestown Collegiate Institute and was graduated from the latter institution in 1880. In the same year he entered the employ of J. W. Prossor & Co., wall paper dealers of Jamestown, and remained with that firm until 1884, at which time he re- moved to Niagara Falls, and after two years of service with Benjamin Rhodes in the same line of business he formed a partnership with Mr. Rhodes, which existed until 1889, when Mr. Babcock bought out his partner's interest in the business and has ever since operated it alone and has been successful and popular. October 29, 1885, he married Jennie Davy, and they have one child, Howard O. Mr. Bab- cock is a member of numerous organizations and enjoys the high esteem of his fel- low citizens.

Welch, John H., was born at Brockport, N.Y., July 17, 1863, a son of John Welch. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, the State Normal School and St. Joseph's College at Buffalo, and later took a course in the Notre Dame (Indiana) University, and was graduated therefrom in 1881. For several years there- after he was employed as a clerk in the Chicago office of the Grand Trunk Railroad Company and later removed to Rochester, N. Y., where he learned the clothing business with M. H. Carroll and in 1887 he returned to his home town and entered

into business with his brother, as the Welch Hat and Clothing Company, carry- ing on that business successfully until 1892, when he removed to Niagara Falls and established his present business as clothier and tailor. June 12, 1894, Mr. Welch married Catherine G. Kirby, and they have one child, Albertine L. Mr. Welch is a member of Niagara Council No. 1,397, Royal Arcanum; of Niagara Chapter No. 346, B. P. O. E., and of Rescue Hook and Ladder Company No. 2. He is a man of genial manner, of business ability and tact and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Horne, Hon: Walter P., was born at Boston, Mass., April 20, 1849, and is a son of John Horne (deceased). Mr. Horne was educated in the public schools of Boston and at the age of sixteen came to Suspension Bridge and found employment in the stock yards of the New York Central Railroad Company at that place, where he re- mained for two years, at which time his cousin, George E. Brock, persuaded him to leave the stock yards and help him in his meat market. He remained with Mr. Brock until 1871, when he launched out into the flour and feed business as his own master, and carried that business on successfully until the spring of 1872, when he re- turned to Boston, thence in 1874 to Suspension Bridge, and assumed the manage- ment of Atwood's Western Hotel. He continued there until 1883, and upon the death of the proprietor he purchased the hotel, remodeled and refurnished it and has operated it successfully ever since. In 1896 he purchased a half interest in the Lockport Union Sun Publishing Company, which he still retains. On April 15, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Suspension Bridge, and on June 15, 1894, was given a new commission embracing Suspension Bridge and Niagara Falls, as postmaster, which position he now holds. Mr. Horne is vice-president of the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Electric Light and Power Company and a director of the Bank of Suspension Bridge. He has been president of the School Board of Suspension Bridge, president of the Board of Water Works, member of the Board of Trustees of the village and was a member of the Legislature from 1885 to 1886.

Welch, Hon. Thomas V., was born in Camillus, Onondaga county, N. Y., October 1, 1850, a son of the late Thomas Welch and Honor Holland Welch. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Niagara Falls, to which place his parents came with their family in 1856, and he began his business career in 1873 as freight agent for the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company. In 1875 he engaged in mercantile business, from which he retired in 1893. He was clerk of the village of Niagara Falls in 1873, 1874; village trustee 1875, 1876; supervisor of the town of Niagara 1876, 1877, 1878, being chairman of the county board during the latter year. He was Member of Assembly, 1882, 1883, 1884, and advocated the estab- lishment of the State Reservation at Niagara. July 16, 1885, he was appointed superintendent of the State Reservation at Niagara, which position he still holds. In 1886 he became an incorporator of the Niagara Falls Power Company and was a director of the company until the development of the water power was assured. He is president of the Niagara County Savings Bank, a trustee of the Niagara Falls Public Library, and a trustee of Niagara University.

Topping, Michael, was born at Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England, June 5, 1835, a son of the late Michael Topping, who came to America in 1853 and died in

Niagara Falls in 1884. Mr. Topping was educated in the Shaftoe Memorial School at his native town and immigrated to America with his parents in 1853, settling near London, Ontario. In 1865 he removed to Niagara Falls and took up the, calling of carpenter, which trade he had learned during his sojourn in Canada and which he has pursued ever since. Mr. Topping leads a quiet, retired life, respected and highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M., of Niagara Chapter No. 200, of Niagara Commandery No. 64, and is also a Royal Templar and a charter member of the A. O. U. W.

Brooks, Frederick, was born at La Salle, N. Y., July 5, 1858, a son of the late George Brooks. He attended the public schools of his native town until thirteen years of age, when he went to work for Jackson Angevine, and in 1881 he entered the employ of Daniel Dietrich, a carpenter and builder at La Salle, where he learned the trade which he has followed ever since. For some time after serving his apprenticeship he did journeyman work. In 1892 he formed a partnership with Robert Greenwaldt of La Salle, and under the firm name of Brooks & Greenwaldt they have erected a number of fine buildings in Niagara Falls and vicinity and have been successful in all of their operations. April 15, 1884, he mar- ried Sophia A. Ortt of La Salle, and they have one child, Serena A. Mr. Brooks has served the town of La Salle for a number of years as trustee and highway com- missioner.

Flagler, Gen. Benjamin, was born in Lockport, N. Y., December 10, 1833, a son of Sylvester Flagler, a prosperous and highly respected farmer of that place. Mr. Flagler was educated in the public schools of Niagara county and at Lockport Union School. After leaving school he remained at home on the farm until 1859, when he entered the Erie Canal collector's office at Lockport, as chief clerk. In 1861 he en- tered the service of the United States as captain of a company of the 28th N. Y. Vols., the first regiment organized in Niagara county at the breaking out of the Civil war. The regiment was ordered to the front and during the battle of Win- chester, Va., Captain Flagler was seriously wounded, necessitating his discharge from the service. He returned to his home at Lockport and some time later was ap- pointed inspector of customs at Suspension Bridge, in which capacity he served un- til 1864. In 1872 he was appointed special deputy collector at the same port and re- tained that position until 1878, when he was made collector of customs for the dis- trict of Niagara, remaining in that office until 1886. January 1, 1895, he was ap- pointed chief of ordnance of the State of New York, on the staff of Governor Mor- ton, with the rank of brigadier-general, and was reappointed to the same position by Governor Black, and is the present incumbent. In 1886 he became one of the organizers of the Bank of Suspension Bridge, of which he was made president and which office he still fills; he was also active in the organization of the Niagara Falls and Suspension Bridge Railroad Company, of which he became president and re- tained that position until 1890. He is first vice-president and a director of the Niag- ara Falls Power Company and a director of the Bank of Niagara at Niagara Falls. November 9. 1859, he married Martha J. Mcknight of the town of Newfane, and they had one son, Sylvester, deceased. General Flagler is a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M., of Niagara Falls, and a thirty-third degree honorary member of the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction, and has been

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Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 45

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