USA > New York > Niagara County > Landmarks of Niagara County, New York > Part 65
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Knapp, Edward, was born in the town of Royalton, July 25, 1853. His father, Silas Knapp, came from Westchester county to Niagara in 1840, where he purchased a farm. He married Mary, daughter of Adelbert Penley, who was among the pio- neers of the town, and he bought his land of the Hall & Lamb Co. Edward Knapp was educated in Lockport and for fifteen years followed farming. In 1892 he invented a patent bean picker, which he is now manufacturing in Middleport. In 1875 he married Ida, daughter of Seymour Compton, and they have one daughter, May. Mr. Knapp is one of the progressive men of his town, taking an intelligent and active interest in school and church work.
Kilborn, Horatio, has been prominently identified with the insurance business in Lockport since 1851, nearly fifty years. He was born in the town of Burlington, Otsego county, N. Y., January 21, 1821. He removed to Lockport in 1837, where he was variously employed until 1851, and then embarked in the insurance business, in which he has since been engaged. Mr. Kilborn has always been identified with the Democrat party and was for five years a member of the Board of Supervisors, one year its chairman, and was for six years a member of the Board of Education. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Presbyterian church.
Kinney, John F., sheriff of Niagara county, was born at Newfane, N. Y., August 24, 1856. He attended the public schools of his native town and was engaged in farming until 1883, when he removed to Lockport and entered into the hay and pro- duce business, in which he was engaged for four years. He was at this date ap- pointed jailer, which position he held for three years, when he became deputy sheriff, holding that position for three years, then under sheriff for three years and in 1896 was elected sheriff for a term of three years. He was married January 26, 1891, to Minnie E. Brockin of Niagara Falls, N. Y.
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Kelly, J. W. H., was born in Walworth county, Wis., April 25, 1865, a son of James H. and Ellen (Kerr) Kelly. His parents came to Lewiston in 1870 and the family has resided here ever since. His father embarked in the grain, coal and im- plement business and for some time J. W. H. Kelly has been the active manager of the business. He is an active Democrat and has been delegate to three State con- ventions, besides serving on the county committee for years, and is regarded as one of the leaders in this part of the country. He has been treasurer of the village of Lewiston for ten years and was elected trustee in the spring of 1897. Mr. Kelly has five sisters: Mrs. Truman Carr, Catherine, Adeline, Mary and Gertrude. James H. Kelly was born in Allegany county, N. Y., and came to Lewiston when a young man, and later moved to Wisconsin, where he remained six years and then returned to Lewiston. He was engaged in the fruit business from 1870 to 1878, when he em- barked in the grain business as stated. He is still interested in fruit growing and agriculture and has a fine fruit farm. He has been prominent in public life as well as in business, and has been collector of the port, assessor, village trustee and pres- ident of the village.
Kanett, Charles W., was born in Germany in 1828, and came to America in 1843. He clerked for a time in Lockport and then came to St. Johnsburg, finally settling in Bergholtz, where he has since resided and conducted a very successful business. He has been postmaster for thirty-six years, a record not equaled by any other man in the county. He was also constable twenty years, tax collector four years and supervisor three years; he has been a Republican since the days of Buchanan. In 1858 he married Wilhelmina Loger, and they had seven children: Charles A., John, Annie, Kate, Gussie, Rosina and Rudolf.
Arnold, Henry F., was born April 16, 1869, in Somerset, and is a son of Daniel and Delia Arnold, both natives of this State. His father died in 1871 and his mother in 1883. There were four children in this family: Ida, deceased, Elmer, de- ceased, May, now Mrs. E. O. Denton, resides in Somerset, and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Arnold attended school at Yates Academy, after which he engaged in farming. December 20, 1893, he married Nellie E. Tayer, daughter of Milford and Emma Tayer, both of Niagara county. Her father died in 1871, and her mother in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have two children: Emma E., born October 17, 1894, and D. Elwood Arnold, born November 22, 1896. Mr. Arnold has an orchard of fifteen acres, 200 pear trees, 500 peach trees, grain of all kinds, and stock. He is a member of K. O. T. M. No. 467, Somerset Lodge.
Kelsey, Charles L., was born in Indiana, July 26, 1858, but had his initial business experience in Detroit, where he worked for W. E. Tunison in the stationery business six months and then learned the candy trade. He was next assistant bookkeeper for a ship chandler, and in the fall of 1878 went to Arkansas as a bookkeeper in the real estate business. He shortly afterwards purchased the business and conducted it until the fall of 1883, when he was appointed government special agent of the in - terior to look after fraudulent land claims. He held this position until the spring of 1886 when he resigned and purchased a saw mill in Oregon, which he ran one year, when he sold out and came east. In 1887 he went into the lumber business in Detroit with his father, who had extensive timber lands in Michigan and was con-
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nected with that enterprise until he came to North Tonawanda in 1896 to establish his present business, that of dealer in Washington red cedar shingles and lumber. Mr. Kelsey married Emma Wilshire, who died in 1887, leaving one son, Charles L. Mr. Kelsey is a member of the Elks and Knights of Pythias.
Angevine, Jeremy, was born in the town of Mendon. Monroe county, N. Y., No- vember 17, 1822, a son of Philip and Polly (Dewig, a daughter of Capt. John Dewig, of the war of 1812) Angevine, natives of Vermont. Philip Angevine came to Niagara county in 1844, and ran a hotel in Lockport for five years; he died in 1871, and Mrs, Angevine in 1880. Jeremy Angevine commenced business in Lockport in a hotel in 1844, which he carried on for several years; he then purchased a farm and in 1889 removed to Cambria, where he has since carried on general farming and stock rais- ing. In 1857 Mr. Angevine married Hannah Wiman, and they have six sons and six daughters: Juliette, wife of Frank Simons: William, farmer at Newfane; Jane, wife of Charles Garbit, carpenter and joiner; Charles, works the home farm, mar- ried Anna Elwood; Arthur (deceased); Sadie; Stella, wife of Frank Halifax; Jer- emy, jr. ; Frances, wife of Frank White; John; Minnie, wife of John Mills; Edward and Harry (deceased), and Hannah, at home. Mrs. Angevine died in January, 1881.
Ackerman, Arthur H., was born in Wilson, N. Y., December 19, 1857, a son of Richard and Orpha (Brown) Ackerman. Richard Ackerman was born in Saratoga county and Mrs. Ackerman was born in Wilson, and was a daughter of Andrew Brown who came from Saratoga county very early and settled in Wilson, where he resided until his death. Arthur H. Ackerman was reared on a farm and educated in Wilson; January 29, 1890, he married Millicent Dearborn, born in Wilson and daughter of Benjamin and Amanda (Baldwin) Dearborn. Benjamin Dearborn came to Wilson when a young man, from Maine. He was a Democrat and was supervisor for seven years in succession and held other minor offices. He was engaged in mercantile business in Wilson for a number of years; he died December 26, 1885, and his widow July 24, 1886.
Allen, I. N., was born in Clinton county, N. Y., June 19, 1822, a son of Abel and Mary (Weaver) Allen. Abel Allen was born in Plattsburg and his father was one of the very first settlers in Plattsburg, where he came in an early day and bought 500 acres of land. Mr. Allen died in 1839 and his widow in 1865. They had seven children, all dead save I. N. Allen. Mr. I. N. Allen was married to Lucy A. Pardy, November 1, 1848, and they have two children, Hattie Lawton, who resides in New York and is an inventor; and Frank W. Allen, who resides in Rochester, where he is a manufacturer of baking powder, perfumes and essences. Mr. Allen was en- gaged in farming in Clinton county and when he removed to Niagara county he en- gaged in merchandise as well as farming; he has a large pear and quince orchard. His barn was destroyed in 1878 by the only cyclone known in the history of Niagara county. His horse, which was in the barn, was left standing amid a heap of broken and splintered portions of the barn, and was not injured in the least.
Austin, Ansel P., was born in Seneca county, N. Y., July 26, 1850, and his home was there until 1882, when he came to Tonawanda. Since coming to this place he has been active in promoting its best interests both in a business and public way. He was police justice for four years and discharged the duties of his office with
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marked ability. He was elected street commissioner in the spring of 1896, which office he still holds. Mr. Austin also carries on a large real estate and insurance business. He is a veteran of the late war, having enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, Company E, on December 30, 1863. He served in the 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in all the operations in the Wilderness, at Cold Har- bor and Petersburg, besides many lesser battles. He is a member of the G. A. R., Post W. B. Scott, No. 129, and has been its commander. Mr. Austin married Mary S. Allen of Seneca county and they have two daughters: Florence and Marcellene.
Pettit, Enoch, was born in Galloway, Saratoga county, N. Y., March 23, 1820, a son of Thomas and Martha (Duel) Pettit. Thomas Pettit was born in Claverack, N. Y., and Martha was born in Greenfield; they both lived and died in Saratoga county (see biography of George Pettit). Enoch Pettit was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools; he is a farmer, having cleared about 100 acres of land in his native county. He came to Wilson May 12, 1842, and has lived here since. Novem- ber 10. 1847, he married Juliett G. Pratt, and they had one daughter, Mary E., wife of Alfred A. Navoty; she died April 23, 1894, leaving five children: Arthur E., Winifred P., Chester A., Mildred O. and Wilford H. Mr. Pettit enlisted August 26 1862, in Co. F, 151st N. Y. Vols., and served nearly three years. In politics he is a Democrat and a member of Peter A. Porter Post No. 126, G. A. R.
Pierce, Mail W., was born in the town of Middlefield, Otsego county, N. Y., in 1826, a son of John and Mariette (Runnels) Pierce, natives of New York. Mr. Pierce came with his parents to Erie county, where they remained for three years, thence to Niagara county, settling in the town of Hartland. In 1857 they moved to Michi- gan, where John Pierce bought a farm and remained there until his death, which occurred December 18, 1867. M. W. Pierce returned to Hartland in a short time and eugaged in farming, which has been his lifelong vocation, He attended school for a short time while in Michigan, and finished his education in the public schools of Hartland. He was first married to Nancy Chapman, daughter of Daniel and Lucinda Chapman, and to this union were born three children: Ida, now Mrs. George Gill, born in November, 1852, and is the mother of two children, Burt and Murt; Fred was born in 1859, and married Hannah Seward of Holland; she was born in 1857, and is a daughter of Thomas and Ann Seward, they have one son, Frank, born in 1880, and one daughter, Ida Pearl, born June 25, 1889, died October 27, 1889. Mr. Pierce married Martha Carpenter for his second wife, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth Carpenter. Her father was born May 2, 1790, and her mother November 25, 1794, both now deceased. There were four sons and four daughters in this fam- ily, of whom the four sons are dead; the daughters are Phoebe, Mrs. Northrup, re- sides in Adrian, Mich. ; Eunice, Mrs. Thurber, resides in Dover, Mich .; Elsie Ann, Mrs. Hagaman, resides in Fairfield, Mich., and Martha, Mrs. Pierce, born June 29, 1836, and was first married to John A. Marshall of Fairfield, Mich., April 2, 1857, and had two children by her first husband: Anabella, born October 4, 1858, died January 6, 1860; George B. Marshall, born June 4, 1861, married Arvilla Mason of Fairfield, Mich., June 17, 1881, and had one son, John E., born April 20, 1883, died in 1885. Mr. Pierce's brother, Norman, was born in 1853, and resides in Lenawee county, Mich. His wife was Eliza Remington, who died of heart failure. Mr. Pierce has been school trustee and served his district faithfully. He has a fine home
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and has a windmill and a tank holding 150 barrels of water, from which he waters his stock and the plants of two very large and fine green houses. Mrs. Pierce is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and active in church work.
Pease, William Bradford, was born in Somerset, Niagara county, July 31, 1830. His father, John Pease, was a native of New Jersey and came to Niagara county at eight years of age with his parents, John A. Pease and wife, settling in the town of Somerset in 1812, and through life was identified as a farmer. John Pease moved to Erie county, Pa., and married Betsey, daughter of William Sherwood, and spent their life at Girard, Pa. Bradford Pease remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, when he returned to Niagara county and settled in the town of Lock- port. In 1854 he married Ursula, daughter of Levi Hathaway, who was a native of Middleboro, Mass., settling in the town of Lockport in 1844. He was pastor of the Royalton Christian church for seven years, and died in 1863 in his seventy-fourth year. William B. Pease is one of the conservative men of his town, taking an active interest in educational and religious institutions, serving as trustee of the Christian church for eighteen years, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.
Parker, Quincey G. T., a son of George T. and Erminda M. (Randall) Parker, was born in the town of Wilson, Niagara county, N. Y., November 6, 1858. He was educated at the public schools of his native town and later took a law and commer- cial course at the Rochester Business University, after which he removed to Mich- igan and in 1883 was admitted to the bar in that State After continuing a very successful practice in Michigan for five years, he returned to Lockport and in 1889 was admitted to practice in New York State, where he has since conducted a large and growing practice. In December, 1886, he married Jennie Kilpatrick of Mich- igan. He is a member of a number of societies, being a Mason of high standing, a member of the J. O. U. A. M., the Royal Arcanum and the N. G. S. N. Y. He has also contributed to a number of leading journals and periodicals.
Praker, August C., was born in the town of Wheatfield, Niagara county, N. Y., February 10, 1868, and after receiving a thorough education in the union school, clerked for his brother, E. C. Praker, for three years. In 1893 he embarked in the meat business and is both popular and successful. In 1893 he married Minnie Penslien, and they have three children: Clarence, Elmer and Adeline. His parents were August and Minnie Praker. August Praker came to this country when seven- teen years of age and his wife at five years of age; they are now living in the town of Penfield.
Payne, Lewis T., Wheatfield. was born in Tonawanda, June 14, 1860. He was educated in Buffalo and at Cornell University, which he entered in 1879 and grad- uated in the class of 1883. He studied law with Brundage & Chapman, and was ad- mitted to the bar in April, 1886. On June 1, 1886, he opened his law office in Ton- awanda. In November, 1885, he married Luella Kennedy and they have three daughters: Eda, Margaret and Helen. Mr. Payne was corporation counsel for North Tonawanda from 1886 to 1890, and is now counsel for the Board of Water Commis- sioners. He was counsel for the Diamond Match Co. and others vs. Scribner, a suit involving $70,000 and which he won.
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Graves. Selden E., lawyer, was born at Albion, Orleans county, N. Y., November 11, 1844. He attended the public schools and in 1863 was graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. with high honors, being third in his class. After graduating he began the study of law in the office of the Hon. Sanford E. Church and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He served one year in the war of the Rebellion as a captain in the 8th N. Y. Cavalry; after the war was over he returned to Pendleton and engaged in sheep raising for a number of years. In 1878 he removed to Lock- port and resumed the practice of law in company with Mr. B. L. Burrow, which co- partnership continued for three years and since that time he has conducted business alone. He is a son of Nelson A. and Maria (Buch) Graves, natives of Rochester, N. Y. February 1, 1872, he married Jennie E. Canfield of Hamburg, N. Y.
Goerss, C. F., was born in Wheatfield, a son of Frederick and Charlotte Goerss. His father came to America in 1843, and his grandfather served under Blucher in the war against Napoleon Bonaparte. In politics Mr. Goerss is a Republican; he was appointed deputy collector of customs May 30, 1890, and has since filled that position most admirably. He has been assessor of the town of Wheatfield three years, justice of the peace four years, justice of sessions two years, and member of assembly two years. In 1876 he married Albertina M. Schulz, and they have five children: Agatha A., Appolonia V., Marcus A., Frederick W. and Margaret E.
Getz, Franklin, Wheatfield, was born in Pennsylvania, September 25, 1826, but came to Erie county with his parents when a child. They settled at what has since been known as Getzville in the town of Amherst. the place taking its name from this family. He was a farmer for years, but came to Tonawanda in 1880 and has since been engaged in the milling business. He married Mary Long, and they have one son and two daughters: Sherman, Mrs. Alta Steinhouse and Mrs. Susan Staley. Sherman Getz married Jennie Evans. Mr. Getz was the discoverer and developer of natural gas at Getzville and is still interested in operations there. He has also invented a valuable device for tunneling the Model City. His parents were Joseph and Susan (Lapp) Getz, who came to this part of the country nearly twenty years ago.
Van Slyke, Alvin, was born in Pendleton, December 13, 1838, a son of John B. and Mary (Ail) Van Slyke, natives of Sullivan, Madison county, N. Y. John B. Van Slyke was born in October, 1805, and has spent the greater part of his life on the farm in Pendleton; his wife was born in 1818 and died December 8, 1893. Of this family besides the subject were Hattie A., widow of Daniel Rupert; Ellen E. Dalen- baagh; Wilbur W. of Michigan; Washington, farmer at Pendleton, and Mary E., died at the age of four. The parents of J. B. Van Slyke, Garret and Nancy (May- bee) Van Slyke were natives of Schoharie county and after several moves finally settled on the Ridge in Pendleton, where he died at the age of fifty three and his widow at eighty-three. He was taken prisoner in Canada during the Revolutionary war. In 1871 Alvin Van Slyke married Harriet, daughter of Joseph F. and Julie (Beebe) Ellis of Wheatfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Slyke have been born five chil- dren: Fannie L., Maud E. (married Arthur V. Tripp), Mabel J., Wilber J. (died in infancy), and Edith H. (died April 19, 1882, aged five months). Mr. Van Slyke fol- lowed farming until 1886, when he engaged in the coal, grain and feed business at
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Beech Ridge. He is a Republican in politics and has been highway commissioner and supervisor for four years; he is a member of Centennial Lodge No. 14, A. O. U. W., at Tonawanda.
Van Shuler, Duane, was born on the Van Shuler homestead, April 3, 1860, which was built by his grandfather, James Van Shuler, who came from Schoharie county to Niagara about 1825, taking up a large tract of land from the Holland Land Com- pany. He was one of the largest contractors in Western New York, and with his son, James Taylor Van Shuler, furnished the stone used in the enlargement of the Erie Canal. The firm remained in active business up to the time of the death of J. T. Van Shuler, which occurred in 1863. Duane Van Shuler has continued the business of building materials, but is principally interested in farming.
Van Horn, Theodore H., Lockport's leading druggist, was born at Newburgh, Or- ange county, N. Y., August 11, 1832. After attending the public schools he entered a drug store as a clerk and after four years' service removed to the West, where he remained for a few months, when he returned to Lockport and engaged in the drug business on his own account which he conducted for ten years. He at this date dis- posed of his drug business and engaged in the tanning and oil refining business, which he carried on for five years, when he again embarked in the drug business, since which time he has devoted his entire time and attention to that business. Oc- tober 28, 1859, he married Loraine, danghter of David M. Mather of Lockport.
Vandervoort, Levant R., Wheatfield, was born in North Tonawanda, and edu- cated in the schools of that place. He engaged in the lumber business at the age of fourteen and has been connected with it ever since. In 1891 he became a member of the firm of Smith, Fassett & Co. Mr. Vandervoort has always taken a lively in- terest in the welfare of North Tonawanda, and was elected president of the village in 1895. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Blue Lodge, and Chapter. In 1883 he married Annie T. Fassett. Mr. Vandervoort's parents were J. D. and Sarah (Ransom) Vandervoort, both descendants of the oldest families in this part of the State.
Le Van, Abram K., was born in the town of Lockport, N. Y., August 15, 1832, a son of Thomas and Mary (Kissinger) Le Van. Thomas Le Van came from Milton, Pa., in 1831, to Lockport, where he bought land and carried on farming; he also speculated some in land, buying farms in Cambria and other places, which he sold. Abram K. Le Van was reared on the farm in Lockport and has always followed farming, dealing extensively in fruit and grain. In 1852 he married Clarinda, daughter of Ezekiel Campbell of Cambria, and they have two children: Willis, farmer at Pendleton, and Rosalie, wife of Ovid Manning, a farmer in Pendleton. Mr. Le Van is a Republican and has been assessor for twelve years. He is a mem- ber of Pekin Lodge No. 41, A. O. U. W.
Lahey, Richard, was born in Royalton, October 29, 1851. His father, P. Lahey, came to the United States from Ireland in 1850, settling at Dundee and in 1852 came to Gasport, entering the employ of the New York Central and Hudson River Rail- road Company and continuing in their employ for twenty years, when he purchased the farm where he now resides. Richard Lahey was educated at Gasport and Lock-
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port, and in 1881 entered the employ of the railroad company. In 1872 he came to Gasport and in 1875 was appointed agent, which position he still retains. In 1877 he married Ida E., daughter of Capt. Charles Soper, and they have three children: Arthur R., Elizabeth and Louise.
Lutts, Henry, was born in Porter, N. Y., June 28, 1846, a son of Harry and Annie (Belknapp) Lutts; he born in Porter and she in Cambria. The maternal grand- father, Timothy Belknapp, lived in Cambria and spent his last days in Ohio. Henry Lutts was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Wilson Aca- demy. He now owns about 300 acres of land and is extensively engaged in peach, plum and pear raising, having 1,000 plum trees and 4,000 pears; he is also engaged in the nursery business. October 17, 1872, he married Augusta Smithson, daugh- ter of Richard Smithson, an early settler of Porter. To Mr. and Mrs. Lutts have been born three children: Frank, Grace and Harry, all living. In politics Mr. Lutts is a Republican and he enlisted in Co. D, 1st N. Y. Engineers, and served until the close of the war, participating among others in the battles of Deep Bottom, Dutch Gap and the evacuation of Richmond.
Lambert John, was born in England, county of Huntingdonshire, village of Era, April 15, 1828, and came to the United States in 1848, settling in Lockport, where he was engaged in blacksmithing. In 1886 he established the hardware business, which he transferred to his son, John F., in 1895. In 1852 he married Anne, daugh- ter of Thomas Dunkling. Mr. Lambert is one of the conservative men of Lockport and has served as alderman for two terms.
Lawson, Oliver, one of the enterprising young men of North Tonawanda, is a na- tive of Norway and came to America in 1878. He is an expert sail maker and joined the United States flag ship Pensacola, of the South Pacific station, and made a round trip with her, being paid off at a New Hampshire port. In 1884 he went to Chicago and came to Buffalo in the fall of the same year, where he took a course in the College of Commerce, and in 1891 came to North Tonawanda and established his present business, that of manufacturer and dealer in tents, awnings, flags, cano- pies, decorations, etc. He has a spacious building and employs from four to six hands; the quality of the work may be judged by the fact that he supplies Armitage, Herschell & Co. with all their canvas goods. In 1896 Mr. Lawson married Julia Daley of Buffalo. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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