Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 63

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 63

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Pfohl, Peter P., was born at Buffalo, N. Y., November 24, 1867, a son of Peter Pfohl. He attended the public schools of his native town and when fifteen years of age entered the general offices of the New York Central Railroad Company at Buffalo, and was later made ticket agent for that company at Suspension Bridge, where he remained until 1894. In that year he became identified with the Power City Bank at Niagara Falls as its teller, in which office he still remains. In March, 1884, Mr. Pfohl married Mary C. Porter, a daughter of Roderick D. Porter of Niag- ara Falls, and they have two children, Edson and Roderick.

Cumro, William C., was born in Wilson, August 30, 1866, a son of Charles C. and Minnie (Ganshow) Cumro, natives of Germany, who came to Wilson about 1852 without any money and began work in Tonawanda and then worked on a farm for $10 per month. Charles C. first bought ten acres, and at the time of his death, in 1891, was the owner of 260 acres. In 1890 he built a fine residence where William C. now lives. He was a Republican and took active part in politics, and was a dele- gate to Saratoga at the State Convention. He was one of the prominent men of the town and a member of the German Lutheran church, and assisted in building both churches in the town. He and wife had only one son, William C. Cumro, who was reared on a farm and educated at Wilson Union School and Buffalo Business Col- lege, graduating therefrom in 1887. He was for some years engaged with the New York Central Railroad Company, in the freight office at Buffalo, and was with the Saginaw Hardware Company of Saginaw, Mich., as cashier and assistant bookkeep- er, but at present is engaged in farming. January 10, 1895, he married Matilda, daughter of Fred Bidel of Wilson, and they had one son, Charles L. Mr. Cumro is a member of Ontario Lodge No. 376, F. & A. M., and is also a member of the A. F. I. In politics he is a Republican and takes an active part.

Wiehle, John, was born at Suspension Bridge, January 19, 1863, a son of George Wiehle (deceased.) He attended school in his native town, and when fifteen years of age began learning the carriage maker's trade, which he followed for six years. He then took up the carpenter's trade, at which he spent about eight years. In 1891 he established his present hotel and restaurant, where he has been very suc- cessful. In 1887 Mr. Wiehle married Amelia Fisher of Canada, and they have had five children, two of whom survive. Mr. Wiehle is a member of the I. O. O. F., Niagara Falls Lodge No. 81.

Gillespie, James, Wheatfield, was born at St. Catherines, Ontario, and came to North Tonawanda when twenty-one years of age. In 1879 he embarked in the lum- ber business in the firm of Plumsted, Gillespie & Hines; this firm continued ten years, and for a few months in 1889 it was Plumsted & Gillespie. On May 1, 1893, Mr. Gillespie became associated with Mr. W. E. Kelsey in the firm of Kelsey & Gil- lespie, which is to-day one of the leading lumber firms of North Tonawanda. Mr. Gillespie was trustee of North Tonawanda from 1891 to 1895 and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Foresters and the A. O. U. W. ; he is past master in the Workmen and past chief ranger in the Foresters. In 1880 he married Ellen C. Scott,

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and they have six children: William, James, George, Etta, Ada and Rhea. While Mr. Gillespie was chairman of the sewer and finance committees in North Tonawanda, the first paving of streets was done and many other important improvements carried out.

Miller, George O., Wheatfield, was born in Ontario, Canada, but has lived in the United States since his seventeenth year. He learned the trade of plumber at Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Detroit. In 1885 he came to North Tonawanda and in 1889 be- gan business for himself ; he is the leading plumber in the' place and has done the plumbing in many of the best blocks and residences of the Twin Cities. Among them may be mentioned the residences of James S. Thompson, S. A. Kelsey, G. A. Bliss, Charles Weston, Mrs. Hough, J. P. Mckenzie, Fred W. Ives, the Smith block and many others. He has invented and patented an admirable device for local ven- tilation in closets and also a fountain window brush. Mr. Miller married Alice M. Sutton, and they have one son, George P. Mr. Miller's parents were natives of England.

Webster, A. H., was born in Knowlesville, Orleans county, November 24, 1865, and lived in the country for sixteen years, when he came to Buffalo, April 4, 1882, and embarked in the grocery business along with his father. He came to North Tonawanda, August 13, 1886, and went into the lumber business with A. Weston & Son, where he remained two years; he was then with Hollister & Co. for two years and with W. H. Gratwick for two years, when he went into business for himself, taking contract work in lumber and saw mills. This he followed until the fall of 1892, when he opened a flour and feed store in the Post-office block, which he still conducts. In January, 1894, he became treasurer and manager of the Gurney Cab & Transfer Company, which has proved a pronounced success in his hands; there is no stable in Buffalo that can surpass them in any way. He was married on March 12, 1890, and his wife died July 21, 1894. Mr. Webster is a member of the Odd Fel- lows and was secretary of the National Republican League for two years; he was auditor for the town of Wheatfield, and was nominated by his party for trustee of North Tonawanda.

Clark, Rev. Thomas F., Wheatfield, was born in Buffalo, and educated in Canisius College where he spent six years, at Allegheney, where he was one year, and at the Propaganda, Italy, where he studied for five years. He was ordained May 30, 1896, and soon after was appointed to North Tonawanda. The Roman Catholic church of North Tonawanda dates its history from 1887, when Father J. M. Bustin selected the present site on the corner of Vandervoot and Robinson streets; previous to this a mission service was held at Hent's Hall. The church was completed in 1888 and was dedicated November 18, 1888, being named the Church of the Ascension. This building was burned about Christmas of 1894, and the present fine brick structure was erected in the summer of 1895. July 8, 1896, Rev. Father Cronin was appointed priest and on September 2, 1896, Father Clark came as assistant and resident priest.

Bellinger, W. H., Wheatfield, was born in Amherst, Erie county, N. Y., and has lived in North Tonawanda thirty-two years. He has been associated with the lum- ber business since its inception in this place; he was State inspector when the lum- ber was all measured here before being shipped. The firm of Rumbold & Bellinger

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was formed December 1, 1891, the members of the firm being J. H. Rumbold and W. H. Bellinger; they have a dock front of 600 feet and their yards run back 1,500 feet and they handle from twelve million to thirteen million feet of lumber annually. Mr. Bellinger married Emma Angevine and they have five children: Wesley, Fred, Laurenda, Genevieve and Luella. His father was one of the early settlers in this part of the State. The family is of the Mohawk-Dutch extraction.

Wattengel, M. J., was born in Germany, September 6, 1848, and came to America with his parents in 1853. They settled in La Salle and he learned the tinner's trade and then went into the hardware business in North Tonawanda. This business he conducted for sixteen years, when he sold out and embarked in the livery and under- taking business. Mr. Wattengel is an active Republican and has been treasurer of the village five years and trustee two years; he has also been school trustee three years and has been a delegate for his party many times. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Iroquois and the Select Knights. In 1872 he married Lottie Rich, and they have ten children: Christopher A., W. F., Alfred, Norman, Ada, Cora, Lulu, Mabel, Edna and Zella.

Smith, Albert R., Wheatfield, was born in North Tonawanda, August 18, 1871, and was educated in the North Tonawanda High School and Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Buffalo. He read law with L. T. Payne for three years and was admitted to the bar July 29, 1896. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a charter member of the I. O. O. F. No. 663, and a trustee in the Royal Arcanum ; he is also a member of the 25th Separate Company and has been since its organization. He enlisted as corporal, was promoted to sergeant and finally to first sergeant June 15, 1896. In the spring of 1896 Mr. Smith was put in nomination by the Democratic party for trustee of the village. His father, John N. Smith, came to Tonawanda in the early fifties.

Williams, M. B., Wheatfield, was born in Tioga county, Pa., November 25, 1851, and was brought to North Tonawanda by his parents in 1852. In 1865 he went to Saginaw, Mich., with his father, who was in the lumber business. He attended col- lege until twenty years of age, when he went into business with his father in the manufacture of shingles, and so continued until the spring of 1875, when he went to Kentucky and embarked in the saw mill business, operating in Lincoln and Pulaski counties until the spring of 1884, when he returned to North Tonawanda and en- gaged in the shingle business until the fall of 1888. He then went to Warren county. Pa., and entered the employ of Fred Smith & Co., lumbermen, where he remained two years, and then conducted the business alone until the spring of 1896, when he came to North Tonawanda and went into the coal business in the firm of Hempel & Williams. In 1873 Mr. Williams married Mary Babcock. His parents were James and Harriet Williams. His father came from Wales to this country in 1846 and was in business from 1848 to 1868, in the manufacture of shingles and in saw mill trade.

Smith, Mason M., Wheatfield, was born in Michigan, and was connected in the lumber business in that State with the firm of Ross & Bradley, prior to coming to North Tonawanda in 1894, to take charge of the business of Mr. Godkin of that place. He is one of the enterprising and successful lumber men of the Lumber City and the business under his management amounts to ten million feet of lumber annu-

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ally. He was assistant superintendent for Ross & Bradley for three years before becoming manager for Mr. Godkin. In 1895 Mr. Smith married Sarah L. Ross, daughter of G. A. Ross of Detroit. Mr. Smith's parents were Marcellus S. and Cornelia (Andrews) Smith. His father died in 1893 and his mother in 1890. After leaving Ross & Bradley, Mr. Smith went to Pittsburg, Pa., and remained there until 1893, when his father's death took him back to Michigan to settle up the estate. After this was done he came to North Tonawanda.

Shine, P., was born in 1853, and came to North Tonawanda in 1870. In 1884 he embarked in the liquor business and is recognized as one of the active and successful business men of the Twin Cities. He was trustee of North Tonawanda during the years 1891 and 1892, and was chairman of the street committee; Webster street being paved during his term of office. Mr. Shine married Mary Wright, and they have three children, Thomas, Edward and Floretta. Previous to entering into business for himself Mr. Shine was on the police force for seven years.

Gillie, William M., was born in Scotland in 1852, a son of John B. and Ann Jane Gillie, and came to America with his parents in 1854. He learned the blacksmith trade and was in that business for himself eleven years, when he branched out into the machinery business and finally formed the stock company of Gillie, Goddard & Co. They manufacture merry-go-rounds, bicycles, etc., and also have a foundry. Their trade extends all over this country, Canada, Mexico and other points such as Buenos Ayres, New Brunswick, etc. Mr. Gillie has been trustee of the village for two years and was re-elected in the spring of 1896. He is a member of the Odd Fel- lows and the A. O. U. W. He married Mary Campbell, and their children are Har- old, James, Agnes and Jean.

Wiedman, Leonard, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, January 3, 1863, and came to America in 1883. He learned the trade of joiner in Germany, and after working for W. A. La Deux for one year, entered the employ of Gombert & Thomp- son and was in that mill for thirteen years. Mr. Wiedman is second assistant chief of the fire department and was trustee of the village for two years. In the spring of 1896 he was again nominated for trustee by the Democratic party and received the largest vote cast in the caucus. He was one of the first water commissioners of the village and was on the Board of Health two years. An idea of Mr. Wiedman's suc- cess as a business man can be obtained from the fact that he owned three lots and a house before he was married and has never owed any man a dollar. He married Bertha Gombert, and they have two sons, Edward and George.

Mundie, John, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, October 17, 1863, and came to America in 1882, settling in Middleport for a short time, thence to North Tonawanda, where he entered the employ of A. W. Story, jeweler, and after a time became a partner in the business. Subsequently he and Mr. McCoy bought out Mr. Story's interest and formed the present firm of Mundie & McCoy, which is the leading jewelry house of the Twin Cities. Mr. Mundie served five years as member of the 20th Separate Company and is a member of the Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum. He did active service with the 25th in the great strike in Buffalo and also during the strike of lumbermen in North Tonawanda. He married Jennie Warren, and they have two sons, Warren and Donald. Mr. Mundie's parents were Cummine and Jane

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(Florence) Mundie; Mrs. Mundie's father was one of the prominent men of the past generation in North Tonawanda. He was supervisor of the town, superintendent of a division of the canal, and held other responsible offices. He died in 1895.

Butler, Capt. Mighells B., was born at Phelps, Ontario county, N. Y., November 22, 1856, a son of Edgar D. Butler. He attended the public schools of his native town and later De Veaux College, from which institution he was graduated in 1876. He then took a year's course in Harvard College and later became master and com- mandant of De Veaux College at Niagara Falls; still later he attended lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, and in 1881 was gradu- ated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College and practiced medicine in the Hygienic Institute at Geneva for one year. In 1884 he removed to Suspension Bridge, where he formed a partnership with Martin V. Pearson, as M. V. Pearson & Co., and successfully carried on the wholesale and retail grocery business and in 1890 they opened a branch store at Niagara Falls. In 1892 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Butler retaining as his share of the business the store at Niagara Falls, which he sold out in 1895; in 1893 he established the large department store (of which he is still manager) and in December, 1896, sold out to Hodge Bros., who in turn sold to the present owners, Faxson, Williams & Faxson. In 1881 Captain Butler married Jessie Jackson of Ithaca, and they have three children. Captain Butler is com- mander of the 42d Separate Company, N. G. N. Y., and a member of Niagara Fron- tier Lodge No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons and of Niagara Falls Chapter No. 346, B. P. O. E. He is also a trustee of De Veaux College and a member of the Board of Public Works.

Allen, Arthur N., was born in Orleans county, N. Y., February 29, 1860, and is a son of Henry T. Allen, who removed to Niagara Falls in 1861, where he became pro- prietor of a large book, stationery and wall paper business. Arthur Allen attended the public schools at Niagara Falls and at the age of eleven years, took charge of a news stand owned by his father, in the International Hotel, which he operated without help for several years. At the age of sixteen he took his father's place in the business, where he remained until 1885, when he established himself in the same line of business. In 1888 he bought out the dry good business of Max Hutzel, which he carried on successfully for four years, when he sold out to S. D. True, and became a dealer in real estate. In 1893 he formed a partnership with George D. Belden, in the business of ticket brokerage, which he still carries on in connection with his real estate business.

Brackenridge, William A., was born at New York city, June 15, 1856, and at an early age began studying civil engineering, and from 1877 to 1880 was engaged with the engineers corps on the New York Elevated Railroad. In 1880 he was appointed resident engineer for the New York, Lackawana and Western Railroad Company in the construction of their road between Binghamton and Buffalo. In 1882 he became identified with the Rapid Transit Railroad between New York and Boston and later became principal assistant engineer in the building of the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad. For the 'next three years, from 1886 to 1889, he was principal assistant engineer of the Long Island Railroad and spent the following year in Europe study- ing engineering. Upon his return to America in 1890, he was engaged to do engi-

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neering work for the Connecticut State Railroad commissioners. In 1891 he re- moved to Niagara Falls and was appointed division engineer in charge of a part of the works of the Niagara Falls River Company ; in 1895 he was appointed engineer of the Cataract Construction Company and the allied companies, the Niagara Devel- opment Company and the Niagara Water Works.

Dickey, Andrew, was born at Wilmot, Sullivan county, N. H., in 1835, and was a son of James Dickey, a farmer of that section, now deceased. Andrew Dickey was educated in the public schools at his native place, and early in life entered and learned the foundry business He was a hard worker and close observer and mas- tered all the details of his chosen vocation so that at the age of twenty he was ad- mitted into the well known firm of Perry & Co., N. Y., as junior partner. He re- mained there for twenty-nine years, and in 1804 accepted the position as superin- tendent of the Pittsburg Reduction Company and has served in that capacity ever since.

Young, Robert D., was born at Thornton, England, June 7, 1836, and was a son of Thomas Young, a well known and prosperous mason and builder, who immi- grated to America in 1837, settling in Ontario, Canada, where he remained until 1852, then removing to Niagara Falls, where he died in 1868, at the age of sixty years. Robert D. Young was educated in the public schools of Canada and removed with his parents to Niagara Falls, where he learned the builder's trade with his father and has continued in that business ever since, gradually extending his work until at the present time he is one of the best known and most successful builders in Niagara county. October 20, 1862, he married Elizabeth Wells of Niagara Falls, who died in 1890; on February 25, 1892, Mr. Young married Sybil C. Dart of Niagara Falls. Mr. Young is a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M., of the Niagara Chapter No. 200 R. A. M., and has been a member of the A. O. U. W. since 1875.

Denison, Byron B., was born in Cayuga county, October 23, 1857, and is a son of John M. Denison, a merchant. Byron Denison was educated in the public schools of that county and at the high school at Auburn. At the age of eighteen he entered the store of Abram Fenners, at Troopsville, N. Y., where he remained until 1878, when he was appointed a private on the Auburn (N. Y.) police force. He continued there until 1880, at which time he entered the service of the New York Central Rail- road Company as city ticket agent at Auburn. On March 1, 1813, he was made city passenger and ticket agent at Niagara Falls, which position he still retains.

Huff, James B., was born in Tonawanda, October 14, 1857, and has resided here nearly all his life. He has been actively engaged in the lumber business for years and was a member of the firm of Watkins & Huff, which dissolved in 1892, since which time he has conducted the business alone. He handles about fifteen million feet of lumber annually, dealing at wholesale in both dressed and rough lumber, and employs about twenty-five men. Mr. Huff is a prominent Mason of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Grotto. He married Ella L. Long of Tonawanda, and they have three children: Benjamin, James and John. Mr. Huff was clerk of the village five years, truestee two years and treasurer two years. His grandfather, Stephen Huff, was a soldier in the war of 1812.

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Schulmeister, J., Wheatfield, was born in Germany in 1857, and came to America in 1870. He has resided in North Tonawanda for twenty-two years and has been in business since 1882; he was in the old Doake block at first, but after that was burned he built his present block, containing three stores, and is the leading dry goods merchant of the Twin Cities. He married Emma Duckwitz of Buffalo, and they have three children: Arnold, Herbert and Ferdinand. Mr. Schulmeister's par- ents were Christian and Frederica Schulmeister, both natives of Germany. Mr. Schulmeister is one of the representative business men of this county. He began life as a clerk, and while yet a young man, is at the head of a lucrative business; owns a fine business block and an elegant residence on Goundry street.

Richardson, G. L., D. D. S., Wheatfield, was born in Attica, Wyoming county, N. Y., and was educated at the academy at Attica and the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1887. He began practice at Attica, but after two years removed to Castile, where he remained two years, when he came to North Tonawanda, and after a business connection of over two years with Dr. Wright, he opened his present office in 1894. Dr. Richard- son has a high reputation in his profession. His parents were William Duane and Jennette Richardson ; his grandfather, Aaron Richardson, was a native of Berkshire county, Mass. The progenitor of the Richardson family of America, was Jonathan Richardson, who came from England about the year 1700, and settled in Massa- chusetts. His son Jonathan was the father of Rufus, who was the father of Aaron above mentioned.

McBlain, Thomas J., was born at Belfast, north of Ireland, April 20, 1866, and was a son of Robert McBlain, now deceased. At an early age Thomas J. McBlain was sent to a boarding school at Lynn, Cheshire county, England, where he remained for seven years. He was then matriculated at Cambridge University, England, and in the same year, 1880, his parents removed to America, settling near London, On- tario, where his father bought a large farm. Thomas (the oldest of the four chil- dren) then settled down to farming for the space of five years, at which time he en- tered the office of a regular school physician and remained there for one year. In 1886 he began his course in medicine at the Western University at London, Ontario, and was graduated therefrom in 1891, coming at once to Niagara Falls, N. Y., where he opened an office and has since remained in the general and successful practice of his profession. December 20, 1896, he married Lillian Murphy of Niagara Falls, N. Y.

Town, W. S., M. D., was born in Jackson, Mich., June 9, 1853, a son of Salem L. and Jane E. (Howell) Town ; Salem L., a native of Albany, born December 25, 1826, and Jane E. a native of Cambria. The grandparents, Levi and Mariah (Coon) Town, came to the town of Cambria in 1830, and settled on a farm where they re- mained until their death; he died in 1881, and she in 1878. Salem L. Town followed farming in Cambria and spent two or three years in Michigan. He was a Republi- can and served six years in succession as supervisor of Cambria. He died in 1891 and his widow in 1895. Dr. Town was reared on a farm and educated at Wilson in the public schools, and was graduated from the medical department of the Univer- sity of Buffalo, February 25, 1880. After graduating he immediately commenced

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practicing at Smithville, Genesee county, where he remained two years, and then removed to Cambria, where he took up the practice of his old preceptor, W. C. Ray- mond, and now has a growing and lucrative practice. In June, 1895, he married Clara W., daughter of Bernard W. Ginty of Lockport.

Townsend, John P., Somerset, was born in the town of Antwerp, Jefferson county, N. Y., December 3, 1821, and is a son of John D. and Amanda (Pardee) Town- send, both of whom were natives of New York. His father was born in 1795 and died when ninety-five years old. He moved to Niagara county in April, 1865, settling in Somerset, where John P. now lives. Mr. Townsend was married March 15, 1845, to Cynthia Perkins, daughter of Abraham Perkins. They have four chil- dren: Leonora, born April 27, 1857, now Mrs. Theodore Slade; George R., born March 12, 1850; Mary L., deceased, born May 31, 1855, was married and died in October, 1896, and Byron B., born January 29, 1864. Mr. Townsend is a member of Somerset Lodge No. 639, F. & A. M. He has twelve acres of fine orchard and raises grain and stock, and is a prosperous farmer.

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Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 63

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