USA > New York > Niagara County > Landmarks of Niagara County, New York > Part 57
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Braas, Charles F., was born at Woodward's Hollow, Erie county, N. Y., May 24. 1863, a son of Michael Braas. He was educated in the Erie county public schools and left school at the age of sixteen years to learn the carpenter trade with his father at Boston, N. Y. April 5, 1886, he removed to Niagara Falls, where he plied his trade until 1888, at which time he formed a partnership with his brother, Nicholas L. Braas, and under the firm name of Braas Brothers, they have successfully car- ried on the business of general contractors ever since. They have contracted for and built many large structures in the city of Niagara Falls and the surrounding country and were very popular in the business community. Mr. Braas was married in October, 1888, to Margaret O'Brien, who died in 1892; February 12, 1895, he mar- ried Annie Rieger of Niagara Falls. He is a member of the C.M.B.A. and C.B.L. of Niagara Falls.
Barr, Robert, was born in the North of Ireland, January 5, 1850, a son of George Barr, now retired. In 1852 George Barr immigrated with his family to America, leaving Robert to complete his education in his native country. The family settled at Buffalo, N. Y., where Robert at the age of thirteen years joined them and re- mained until 1864, when he removed to Niagara Falls and spent two years in learn- ing the tobacconist's trade. In 1866 he enlisted in the 2d Infantry, U. S. Army, and was sent to Louisville, Ky., where he was stationed for three years. At the expira- tion of his enlistment he returned to Niagara Falls, and to the tobacconist's trade, which he followed until 1882, at which time he was appointed gate tender of the new Suspension Bridge and held that office for three years. He then, in 1885, en- listed with the 42d Separate Co., N. G. N. Y., as armorer, and still retains that posi- tion. In 1871 Mr. Barr married Rachael Goodman, who died in 1879, leaving two children, and in 1880 he married Mary Watts of Niagara Falls and they have one child. Mr. Barr is a member of the Odd Fellows and other organizations and is justly popular among all classes.
Braas, Nicholas D., was born in the town of Concord, Erie county, N. Y., November 3, 1865, a son of Michael Braas. He attended the public schools until 1883, when he began learning the trade of carpenter with his father at Boston, N. Y., which he has made his life business. November 22, 1886, he removed to Niagara Falls, and continued working at his trade for two years, at which time he formed a partnership with his brother, Charles F. Braas, under the firm name of Braas Brothers, and they have executed many large contracts for buildings in Niagara county. September 15, 1896, Mr. Braas married Mary E. Mahoney. Mr. Braas is a member of the C. M. B. A. of Niagara Falls, and is highly respected by all who know him.
Cary, Eugene, was born at Dunkirk, N. Y., November 21, 1857, and is a son of Richard L. Cary, a merchant of that place. Eugene Cary attended the public schools at Dunkirk, and later took a course at Cornell University, from which he was graduated in 1878. Iu the fall of the same year he entered the office of County Judge T. P. Grosvenor, at Dunkirk, where he read law until 1881, at which time he was appointed superintendent of public schools at Bedford, Iowa, and retained that position until June, 1884. He then returned to Buffalo, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York; since that time he has been in continuous practice in Dunkirk, Forestville and Niagara Falls, removing to the latter city in October,
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1885, where he formed a partnership with H. C. Tucker, which was dissolved in 1887. In 1893 he formed a partnership with William C. Wallace, practicing law under the firm name of Cary & Wallace, and has a large and rapidly growing practice. Mr. Cary is a member of the Board of Education at Niagara Falls, a director of the Power City Bank and is a prominent Republican politician. July 5, 1882, he married Mary M. Waud of Buffalo, and they have two children, Richard L. and Anna.
Cocker, William, a well respected citizen and saw manufacturer of Lockport, was born in Sheffield, England, November 29, 1834, a son of Samuel and Mary (Gregory) Cocker. His father was a saw manufacturer and learned his trade in that city famed for its many cutlery manufactories. He came to this country in 1851, locating in Rochester, where he died in 1876. William Cocker came with his parents to this country and located in Rochester, where he learned the sawmaker's trade with Mr. Joseph Flint of that city and remained with him six years. In 1857 he removed to Lockport and engaged in the manufacture of saws on a small scale. By hard work, industry and strict economy, he has built up a large and prosperous business and owns and operates a large factory at Nos. 89-91 Market street, 40 by 132 feet, three floors and basement, and a full force of skilled men are regularly employed. He was married in March, 1855, to Priscilla Stokes of Rochester, who died in 1873; to them were born two daughters: Mrs. Anna Schank of Lockport and Mrs. Arthur Kelly of Rochester. Mr. Cocker has always been identified with the Republican party and takes an active interest in the promotion of his party principles. He is a man of high Masonic standing and a member of the Episcopal church.
Corwin & Hubble, General Merchandise .- This firm is composed of C. P. Corwin and G. E. Hubble. C. P. Corwin was born in Porter, N. Y., May 12, 1863, a son of Charles B. and M. A. (Cory) Corwin. He was reared on a farm and educated at Wilson Union Schools and was graduated in 1889 from Rochester Business Univer- sity. He was a clerk for W. H. H. Ransom & Son for ten years and then engaged in mercantile business with Edward H. Taggart and after three years formed a partnership with E. H. Hubble, the firm being Corwin & Hubble. Mr. Corwin is a Republican and has been notary for one year. November 16, 1892, he married Annie E. Pratt. G. E. Hubble was born in Canada, October 17, 1869, a son of Erastus and Clara (Barnum) Hubble, natives of Canada. Erastus Hubble died in 1871, and in 1874, his wife and son came to Ransomville, leaving one brother in Canada, O. A. Hubble. May 15, 1896, G. E. Hubble married Ida M. Tower of Ransomville, N. Y.
Carroll, Daniel C., a son of Michael and Bridget (Hussee) Carroll, was born in Lockport, Niagara county, N. Y., October 27, 1853. His parents were natives of Ireland and immigrated to this country in 1848. Daniel C. Carroll has always resided in the city of his birth and was employed in various capacities until 1875, when he was appointed first clerk in the canal collector's office. In 1876 he accepted a posi- tion as one of the recording clerks in the county clerk's office, Col. George L. Moote being at that time clerk of the county. He also served Amos W. R. Henning, as special deputy and assistant abstract clerk, remaining in that office until December 12, 1880, when he was elected justice of the peace. In November, 1886, he was elected county clerk on the Democratic ticket, and in 1889 was re-elected to the same office. December 15, 1886, he married Clara J. Trankle, and they have two children, Clara and Howard Leslie.
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Campbell, Emmett, was born in the town of Cambria, Niagara county, N. Y., Au- gust 10, 1852, a son of Jeremiah and Emily (Parker) Campbell. His father died in October, 1882, and his mother in April of the same year. His grandfather, William Campbell, was a native of Vermont, but the progenitors of the family were Scotch. Emmett Campbell has pursued the occupation of farming all his life, and has re- sided on his present farm of 258 acres for thirty-one years. In 1874 he married Kitty Townsend, and their children are May, Edith E., Gertrude S., Kittie and Erwin T. May Campbell married Walter Moss and they carry on the Campbell farm, which is devoted to general farming and considerable fruit growing.
Crosier, W. D., was born in the town of Cambria, N. Y., March 29, 1850, a son of Luther W. and Mary E. (Playter) Crosier. Luther W. Crosier was born in Cam- bria, December 27, 1822, and was a farmer until 1873, when he retired and now lives in the village of Pekin, and has served as assessor for six or seven years. Mr. Crosier's grandfather, William Crosier, came from Massachusetts to Cambria and was one of the pioneer families of that town; he settled the new land now owned by William H. Crosier, in 1819. W. D. Crosier was educated at the Lockport Union School and has followed farming on the homestead farm of sixty acres, making a specialty of dairying and garden fruit. In 1876 he married Addie E., daughter of Chauncey and Phebe A. (Leech) Whitney, natives of Ontario county. Mr. and Mrs. Crosier are the parents of three children: Luther L., Alice M. and Bertha E. In politics Mr. Crosier is a Republican and has been collector and seven years town clerk. He is a member of Lodge 41, A. O. U. W., and of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pekin.
Cramer, J. A., was born in Tonawanda, N. Y., a son of John A. and Caroline (Klein) Cramer, natives of Germany. J. A. Cramer was educated in the schools of Tonawanda and Buffalo; he began his business career as bookkeeper for Dr. Wende and inspector for the Board of Health. During this time he also sold bicycles, and in 1894 embarked in the bicycle business for himself. of which he has made a pro- nounced success; he carries machines of all prices to suit all kinds of customers and the most durable makes. His own reliability and high standing as a business man makes his stand headquarters for bicycles in this part of the State. In the $100 machines he carries the Barnes, Spalding, Trinity and Wolf American; in the $75 machines, the Envoy and Fleetwing; the Electric City at $60 and a wheel at $37.50; besides the Cramer at $50, made especially for him ; he also carries all kinds of juven- ile wheels; a full line of sundries and everything to build a bicycle.
Collins, Peter, one of the enterprising farmers of Newfane, was born in Munster, County Clare, Ireland, a son of Andrew and Susan Collins, both of whom died in Ireland. He came to America in 1856 and located in Orleans county, N. Y., where he remained several years, when he came to Niagara county and bought a farm of eighty seven acres in the town of Newfane, where he has since resided. He mar- ried Ellen Fox, who was also born in County Clare, Ireland, and came to America with her parents, who located in Lockport, where they died. To Mr. and Mrs. Col- lins were born eight children, three of whom are living: Martin, the oldest, mar- ried Mary Maholland and resides in Lockport; Thomas and Sarah are at home. In 1894 Mrs. Collins and two daughters, Ellen and Mary, died. Andrew died in 1890,
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Daniel P., 1891, and Stephen T., 1892. All are members of the Catholic church in Newfane, which has a membership of about 200. Mr. Collins is a pleasant and sociable gentleman.
Chapman, Harrison S., president of the Field Force Pump Co., and a prominent citizen of Lockport, was born September 18, 1849, a son of Leander F. and Hannah (Kirkpatrick) Chapman, who were descended from old English stock and settled in America at a very early date. H. S. Chapman received his education in the public schools and the Friendship Academy in Allegany county, N. Y., from which he was graduated in the class of 1865. His first employment was as a brakeman on the Erie Railroad, but was soon promoted to the position of conductor and served in that capacity for five years, at which time he was again promoted to passenger con- ductor and continued as such until 1891. In 1882, however, he became connected with the Field Force Pump Co., and since 1891 has given his entire attention to the company's extensive affairs. He has always taken an active part in public affairs and was twice elected a member of the Board of Education, and is serving the second year as president of that body. He is associated with many societies, among which are the Masons in all its branches, and the Order of Railway Conductors. June 8, 1871, he married Florence J. Hendershott of Hornellsville, N. Y.
Carey, M. E., was born in Ireland, December 24, 1856, and immigrated to America in 1862. His father, Daniel Carey, immigrated to America in 1860 and settled in the town of Somerset, where he has always been identified as a farmer. M. E. Carey was educated in the common schools, and in 1882 purchased the grocery business in which he is still engaged. In 1882 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Dennis Cary. Mr. Cary is one of the conservative business men of his town, serv- ing as trustee and was elected president of the village in 1897.
Croy, Peter R., was born at Kirkwall, Scotland, June 17, 1867, a son of the late William Croy. He attended the public schools at Ottawa, Canada, whither his par- ents had removed in 1873, and at the age of thirteen entered the drug store of Will- iam A. Lloyd, at Ottawa and remained there one year, when he took a course in the Ottawa Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated in 1883 and at once returned to the drug store of Mr. Lloyd, where he continued for three years. In 1885 he removed to Buffalo, N. Y., and was employed for four years in the drug stores of Stoddart Bros., and Harries Bros. In 1890 Mr. Croy removed to Niagara Falls and established his present store where he has ever since enjoyed a large and growing business. May 3, 1890, he married Imogene McPherson, a daughter of Donald McPherson of Le Roy, N. Y. Mr. Croy is a member of the Niagara Council No. 1,397, Royal Arcanum, and of Court Evershed No. 638, Independent Order Foresters of Niagara Falls, and of Niagara Lodge No. 342, B. P. O. E.
Cassidy, Michael E., was born at Wilson, Niagara county, N. Y., July 12, 1854, a son of Michael Cassidy. He attended the public schools at Porter, whither his parents had removed in 1857, and at seventeen years of age he left school and com- menced his business career. In 1871 he removed to Niagara Falls, where he was employed in various capacities and for a number of years among the leading hotels. In 1880 he entered the employ of the Miller & Brundage Coach Co. where he has remained ever since, being appointed to his present position of foreman in 1892.
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In 1890 Mr. Cassidy married Margaret Cawley, who died in 1893, leaving five chil- dren, three of whom survive. Mr. Cassidy is a member of the C. M. B. A.
Clark, Thomas E., was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., April 12, 1829, a son of Henry W. Clark (deceased). He was educated in the public schools of his native town and in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, N. Y. At the age of sixteen years, he entered the office of the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad Co. (now N. Y. C. R. R. Co.) at Niagara Falls, as a clerk and was later an engineer and conductor. He remained with that company until 1878, when he practically retired from active life; from 1847 to 1850, Mr. Clark lived in Boston, Mass., where he served his ap- prenticeship at the machinist's trade. He is a member of the A. O. U. W .; has served as a trustee of the village of Niagara Falls, and as general village superin- tendent and was for one year a member of the Board of Health. In 1859 he married Mary P. Bairsto of Lewiston, N. Y., and they have one child, a daughter.
Damon, Ephraim, was born at Chesterfield, Mass., December 16, 1830, a son of the late Salmar Damon. He was educated in the public schools of his native place and removed with his parents to Bridgewater, Mass., at the age of twelve. He there went to work on his uncle's farm and continued until 1852, when he removed to Ni- agara Falls, N. Y., and entered the employ of the New York Central Railroad Com- pany, with which company he has served continuously for forty five years, being now one of the oldest engineers in the service of that road and has been running as an engineer since 1854. Mr. Damon is a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad En- gineers and has been for a great many years. In 1856 he married Sarah E. Robin- son of Niagara Falls and they have had five children, three of whom survive; Mrs. Damon is a daughter of the late Capt. Joel Robinson, prominent in the history of the Niagara River, and who became famous by piloting the Maid of the Mist through the Whirlpool rapids.
Day, Emerson, was born near Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., July 18, 1830. His father, Asa Day, was a native of Vermont and came to Niagara county in 1832, settling in Lockport, where he was identified as a farmer. Emerson Day was ed- ucated in the town of Lockport and in 1881 came to Gasport, where he now resides. In 1853 he married Caroline, daughter of John R. Lounsberry (born April 4, 1835, and died January 16, 1896), and they have two children: Wilber S., and Mrs. Della E. Manchester. Mr. Emerson is one of the conservative men of the town and has served as highway commissioner and takes an intelligent interest in school and church matters.
Dunkleberger, Solomon B., was born in Perry county, Pa., March 1, 1820. His father, Benjamin Dunkleberger, was also born in Pennsylvania, the family coming from Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1776. Benjamin Dunkleberger married Elizabeth, daughter of John Harmony. He came to the town of Royalton in 1838, where he was a farmer; he was a wagon maker by trade. He died in 1857. Solomon B. Dunkleberger was educated in the common schools and in 1852 married Frances, daughter of Michael Brown, and they have one son, Harvey. Mr. Dunkleberger is one of the representative farmers of his town; starting in life empty handed, he has achieved a success by the untiring industry of his character and to-day is one of Niagara county's leading farmers. He has served his town as poormaster for twelve
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years and takes an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions and has ever been recognized as a man of sterling integrity whose word is as good as his bond. He first bought a farm in 1843, and after keeping it four years he sold it, and of the money he received for it he gave $1,000 to his younger brother William and $700 to his father. He also clothed and paid the schooling of his brother Will- iam. After this he bought the farm on which he now lives and kept adding to it until he now has 110 acres of land.
Wilcox, Thomas J., was born at Cambridge, N. Y., December 21, 1864, a son of the late Garrett W. Wilcox, banker. He attended the Rochester Academy and Rochester Business University, and when twenty years of age entered the insur- ance office of E. N. Hill at Brockport, N. Y., where he learned the business and continued there for two years. Later he opened an insurance office in Brockport, but in 1892 sold out and removed to Niagara Falls, where he has since remained in the same business successfully representing twenty-two fire, life and accident in- surance companies. He is secretary and treasurer of the Niagara Land Invest- ment Company, secretary and treasurer of the Falls View Land Company, and is interested in the Hygeia Ice Company. He is a prominent member of Niagara Frontier Lodge No. 624, F. & A. M., of Niagara Council No. 1,397, Royal Arcanum, of Niagara Chapter No. 342, B. P. O. E., and Niagara Chapter, I. O. O. F. He is also district manager of the Cosmopolitan Building and Loan Association of Syra- cuse, N. Y., and is an extensive property owner. March 1, 1897, Mr. Wilcox in- corporated and became president of the T. J. Wilcox Insurance Company, under whose control his insurance business has since been operated.
Tower, George P., was born in Porter, N. Y., May 19, 1836, a son of Peter and Olive (Baldwin) Tower. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Wilson Academy; he is a farmer and fruit grower, having 231 acres and sixty acres of fruit. He was married in 1860 to Elizabeth Peet of Lewiston, and they had six children: Fred P., Sarah E., Cyrus Peet, Jennie Lind, Porter B. and Peter V. (twins). Mrs. Tower died in 1879 and in 1882 he married Mandama Woolson, widow of Orlando Holden, who died in Sherman, Texas, in 1880. Mr. Tower is a Republican in politics and has been deputy collector at Youngstown. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Tower's father, Peter Tower, assisted in building the first grist mill at Niagara Falls and the first bridge across to Goat Island. Morgan wrote the secrets of Masonry while boarding with Mr. Tower in the house Luke Tower now resides in. He kept store in the house where his son Peter now lives for thirty-one years. He was poormaster for a number of years and highway commissioner, and was very kind to the poor; he also speculated con- siderably in land. For years he made all the coffins in this section of the country. The first town meeting was held at his house and the first school house outside of the village was on his land.
Folger, P. W., was born in Pendleton, Niagara county, N. Y., April 13, 1835, a son of Daniel Folger, jr. (born in Vermont, December 5, 1806), and Mary P. An- drus (born in Vermont, July 26, 1810). The grandfather of the subject came to Pen- dleton in a very early day, where he died in 1856; he erected the first barn built on the Holland Land Company's land. Daniel Folger, jr., cut the first tree in the town
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of Pendleton ; he died October 4, 1871, and his wife on March 6, 1879. P. W. Folger was reared on a farm and educated in Wilson Collegiate Institute. He is a farmer and owns 200 acres of land and has 2,000 fruit trees. November 16, 1859, he married Eliza A., daughter of George F. and Sarah A. Griffin, and they have one son, Zerenbe C., born December 25, 1869, who is a farmer and resides at home. Mr. Fol- ger is a Republican. His wife died June 25, 1895.
Mackenna, Franklin J., was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., May 16, 1870, and is the youngest son of Joseph Mackenna, a prosperous furniture dealer and undertaker of that city. Mr. Mackenna attended the public schools at Niagara Falls until 1884, when he entered Niagara University at Lewiston, N. Y., and in 1886 he gave up his schooling and entered the office of Eugene Carey, where he read law for three years. He was admitted to the bar of the State of New York in 1892, and at once entered into the successful practice of his profession at Niagara Falls, with the firm of Ely & Dudley, where he continued until 1893, when he withdrew from the office of said firm and has successfully practiced alone since that time. Mr. Mackenna is the embodi- ment of energy and self-reliance and honored by all who know him. May 20, 1892, he married Katherine Sullivan of Niagara Falls, and they have two daughters, Ger- trude M. and Kathleen B.
Pettit, George, was born in Galloway, Saratoga county, N. Y., February 6, 1825, a son of Thomas and Martha Pettit. Thomas Pettit was born in Claverack, Colum- bia county, and Martha, his wife, was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county. They lived and died in Saratoga county, where he was an extensive farmer and miller; they had'ten sons and five daughters. He died February 3, 1826, and his widow March 9, 1843. George Pettit was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Wilson Collegiate Institute, He came to Wilson when a young man of seventeen years and worked on a farm for a short time, when he purchased himself a farm and now owns 130 acres in Wilson, where he now resides. He was engaged in the mercantile business for four years and was engaged as commercial traveler, selling to wholesale trade for twenty years. In politics he has been a Republican since 1856 and was postmaster under Fillmore. He is a member of Ontario Lodge No. 376, F. & A. M., and Chapter No. 511, R. M. R. ; also several of the minor lodges. February 6, 1850, he married Anna L. Pease, daughter of Enoch Pease (see biograph- phy of A. Douglas Pease), and they had two children: Grace I., a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy and married E. H. Moote, a cabinet maker in Pullman Car Works, who died November 17, 1894; and Lizzie M., wife of Ira Brown. Mr. Moote was a son of George L. and grandson of Jacob Moote, who came from Germany to Porter in an early day, where he lived and died. George L. Moote married Zermah Wil- son, daughter of Luther, son of Reuben Wilson, the man from whom the village of Wilson was named. Mr. Pettit's grandfather, Seth Pettit, was born in New York city and was an only child of his father, whose home was in New York city. He married and went to sea and was never heard of. His son, born and named Seth, was the starting of this branch of the Pettit family and was the father of fourteen children, most of whom had large families.
Pettit, John, was born in Fulton county, N. Y., September 15, 1818, a son of Sam- uel and Elizabeth (Oliver) Pettit. His father died in Fulton county and his mother
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came to Wilson with her family, where she died. John Pettit was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was fourteen years old when he came to Wilson, where he has since lived; he is a farmer and owns 110 acres of land. He has made his own way in the world and is one of the well-to-do men of Wilson. He married Elizabeth L., daughter of Gilman Cushing, an early settler of Wilson, and they have three children, Levi G., Mary E. and Helen E. Mr. Pettit was first a Democrat in politics, but is now a Republican; he is a member of the Baptist church and has been trustee for several years.
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