Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 68

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 68

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Dickinson, James A., was born in the town of Newfane in 1843, a son of Hosea and Johanna (Lindsay) Dickinson. His father was raised in Eastern New York and came to Niagara county in a very early day, locating in Newfane, where he bought a farm and died in 1848. His mother was born in Cayuga county in 1821 and came to Niagara county with her parents in a very early day. His grandmother was born on shipboard just outside of New York; she was of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Dickin- son's mother died in 1888; there were three children in this family: George (de- ceased), born in 1837, and died in 1861; James A. and Adelaide (twins). His sister married S. S. Wilson of Appleton. James A. Dickinson recieved his education in the public schools of his county and after finishing his schooling engaged in farm- ing. August 4, 1864, he married Harriet J. Branch, a daughter of Jefferson and Sarah (Meader) Branch. Mrs. Dickinson was born June 15, 1846, and came with her parents to Niagara county, first locating in Cambria, where they remained for about two years, then came to Newfane, and located permanently. Her father died in 1872 and her mother in 1876. There were nine children in this family: James

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Branch, who resides on Hess road; Viola C., died July 27, 1896; Harden, died in August, 1895; Julia, died in May, 1852; William D., resides in Newfane; Clarissa A. resides in Lockport; Calvin D., resides in Tonawanda; Andrew J., resides in New- fane, and Mrs. Dickinson. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have one son, Jay, who was born in 1867; he married Mary J. Frost, and they have three children: Clara, Ray- mond and Dorathy. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson spent the winter of 1896-97 in Cali- fornia; he is engaged in fruit and grain growing and is a successful farmer, his farms in the county comprising about 180 acres. In politics he is a Democrat.

Ferguson, Fred H., was born in the town of Newfane March 25, 1852, a son of Hiram and Lucretia Ferguson. His father was born in Vermont, November 11, 1811, and came to the town of Newfane in 1822, he being the only man at the time of his death who held an original deed of land in Newfane, from the Holland Purchase. The deed was given January 30, 1838, and is now in the hands of our subject, who owns the homestead at Appleton. When his father bought this farm there had not been a stick cut on it and by frugal industry he cleared the farm and hewed a home out of the wilderness. His mother, Lucretia (Woodward) Ferguson, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, November 29, 1815, and came to Niagara county in 1831; she was married in 1833, and had six children: A. M., resides in Lockport; D. M., in Osage, la .; Mrs. M. J. Goodspeed, in Waverly, Ia. ; N. P., in Nashua, Ia .; F. H., and Mrs. A. F. Outwater, in Rochester. Hiram Ferguson died in February, 1890, and his widow in 1896. F. H. Ferguson received his early education in the schools of his town and finished at Lockport Union School, after which he engaged in farm- ing. In 1884 he engaged with E. P. Haynes in the produce and commission busi- ness at Appleton and they continued together for two years, when Mr. Haines re- tired from the firm, and since then Mr. Ferguson has conducted the business alone. He is one of the largest dealers in the county and has handled nearly 60,000 barrels of apples and pears during the past season ; he also handles grain and agricultural implements. In 1879 Mr. Ferguson married Bertha E. Maxwell of Newfane, and they had four children : Fannie, born May 17, 1880; Effie, born in July, 1883; Floss E., born in July, 1884, and A. Maxwell, born in 1887. Mrs. Ferguson died in Novem- ber, 1894, aged thirty-nine years. She was a Christian lady and with her family was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Ferguson is a Republican and served as postmaster at Hess Road (now Appleton) under President Grant and President Har- rison. He is also a Mason, being a member of Somerset Lodge No. 281, F. & A. M., of Somerset.

Rosebrook, Herman, Wheatfield, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 7, 1851, and came to America in 1868. He followed railroading for some time and was . conductor on the New York Central for three years. He was the first yardmaster at North Tonawanda and one of the first at Black Rock. In 1876 he engaged in farm ing in the town of Wheatfield, which is still his occupation. He married Annie Rosebrook, and their children are Frederick, William, Herman, Albert, Edwin, and Matilda and Paul, who died in April, 1897. Mr. Rosebrook is one of the leading men in the town and city. He was collector for Wheatfield in 1893 and has been trustee of North Tonawanda for two years; he was nominated by the Democratic party for president of the village in the spring of 1897. April 13, 1897, he was elected super-

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visor of the town of Wheatfield on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Rosebrook and his family are members of the German Lutheran church of North Tonawanda.

Morgan, John C., was born at Fairview, Erie county, Pa., August 8, 1855, and re- ceived his education in the public schools of his native town and for a short time at- tended a business college in Michigan. At the age of twenty-three he entered into a partnership with H. F. Watson, a paper manufacturer at Erie, Pa. At the end of three years he removed to Battle Creek, Mich., where he erected a paper mill and continued in business until 1889, when he sold out to the American Strawboard Company of Chicago, remaining with them under contract for two years as assistant general manager of their twenty-eight paper mills In March, 1892, Mr. Morgan re- moved to Niagara Falls, N. Y., and commenced the construction of the plant of the Niagara Falls Paper Company, of which company he is secretary and general man- ager. The mill was completed in May, 1893, and run by steam power until January, 1894. Upon the completion of the big plant and tunnel of the Niagara Falls Power Company the works of the paper mill were operated by that power. Mr. Morgan is a man of sterling worth, of liberal education and of wide experience and influence, and is highly honored and esteemed by all. He is a director of the Electric City Bank of Niagara Falls and is otherwise identified with the business interests of the city. December 22, 1881, Mr. Morgan married Hattie, daughter of George Dewey, of Ashtabula, O., and they have one daughter, Gladys.

Hays, Otis B., was born in the town of Somerset, February 6, 1835, a son of James and Olivia (Brown) Hays. Olivia Brown Hays was born January 4, 1803, in Hadley, Massachusetts, and came with her parents, Otis and Lydia Brown, to Somerset. James Hays was born in 1800 in Pennsylvania, and came to Somerset about 1824, and married in 1826, settling on the farm now owned by George Higgs, and where Otis B. Hays was born. There were eleven children in this family: James (deceased), died in 1896; Lemuel, resides in Somerset; Lydia Ann, widow of Amos P. Kelsey, resides in Michigan; Albert, resides in North Hartland; Edwin (deceased), killed in September, 1896, by being thrown from a wagon; Otis B .; Sidney, killed at Sail- or's Creek. April 6, 1865; he was in the 151st Regt. N. Y. Vols., Co. K .; Aurelia, married John Garbutt; Martha, died in 1870; Emma, Mrs. Andrew Armstrong; Alice, died about about 1884 at Sheldon, Iowa. Mr. James Hays died April 28, 1863, and his widow is living at this date, aged ninety-four, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Armstrong, Mr. Otis B. Hays enlisted in Co. H, 49th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, in September, 1861; after being furnished with equipments, the regiment went to Washington, where they remained one night and then crossed over into Virginia. On February 24, 1861, Mr. Hays was made second lieutenant, and October 18, 1864, Major A. W. Brazee's term having expired, Mr. Hays took command of the Provost Guard, 2d Division, 6th Corps, and was staff officer of Gen. George W. Getta, com- manding division. The regiment remained in service until June 27, 1865, when it was mustered out; they took part in about forty battles including the following: Gettys- burg, Wilderness, Petersburg, Cold Harbor, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Cedar Creek, Siege of Yorktown, and the defense of Washington. March 22, 1869, Mr. Hays married Grace M., daughter of Jonathan and Martha (Wood) Fuller, born in Massa- chusetts. Mr. Fuller was born in 1800, and Mrs. Fuller in 1805. They were mar- ried in 1830, and came immediately to Saratoga county, where he engaged in a

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woolen factory. He died in 1871, and his wife in 1869. There were eight children in this family: Lydia Ann, died in 1854; Emeline Coolidge, died in 1867; Thomas Scott, resides in Gansevoort, Saratoga county, enlisted in 1862 in 77th N. Y. Vol. Infantry and was mustered out in July, 1865; he was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, and was confined in Andersonville prison for six months, when he was discharged; Helen Sophia, died in 1852; John Henry (deceased); David Addison (deceased) and Grace Maria, Mrs. O. B. Hays. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have five children living: Norman Samuel, born October 30, 1870, mar- ried to Miss Florence A. Brownson, and resides at Middleport, is proprietor of the Crayon Portrait Co .; John Garbutt, born December 22, 1873, died March 6, 1874; Marian Aurelia, born July 6, 1876; Charles Otis, born November 6, 1877; Ella Watts, born March 17, 1882; Leslie Scott, born April 4, 1884, and Ralph Stanley, born Jan- uary 19, 1891, died September 1, 1891. Mr. Hays is a member of C. L. Skeels Post No. 349, G. A. R. of Hartland, and has filled all the positions of the post. Mrs. Hays, two daughters, and one son, Charles, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Hartland, and Marion, Charles and Mrs. Hays are members of the Christian Endeavor. Norman and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and now re- side at Jamestown, N. Y.

Gardner, Hon. Hiram, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., January 8, 1800. As a young man he began the study of law in the Rensselaerville (N. Y.) Academy, later in New York city, and was admitted to the New York State bar in 1822, then came to Lockport and practiced his chosen profession, being called to fill the position of county judge of Niagara county. He married Sarah A., daughter of Asahel Scovell, of Orwell, Vt. Returning to Lockport, he resumed the duties of his large practice and was afterwards elected to the Assembly and served a term as canal commissioner of the State of New York. He was afterward re-elected to the office of judge of Niagara county, resigning that office in January, 1874. Mr. Gardner was one of Lockport's representative citizens, a man who through life ever ad- vanced the best interests of his fellow men. At his death, March 13, 1874, all busi ness places were closed, an honor which has occurred but twice in the history of the city. Of him it may well be written "An honest man is the noblest work of God."

Clifford, Martin, junior member of the lumber firm of James Clifford, jr., & Broth- er, is a native of Lockport, was born December 27, 1854, and has always resided in the city of his birth. After attending the public schools he was variously employed until 1888, when he engaged in the manufacture of shingles at Gasport, Niagara county, in which he was very successful for six years. In 1894 he formed a copart- nership with his brother, James Clifford, jr., and they now own and operate one of the leading lumber industries in this section of the country. Mr. Clifford is a son of James and Margaret (Carney) Clifford, who came to this country from the north of Ireland in 1832 and settled in Niagara county, N. Y. Mr. Clifford has always been identified with the Democratic party and in 1887-88 represented the Fourth ward of Lockport as its alderman. He is an honored and respected citizen. Mr. Clifford married Mary J. Flynn June 19, 1893, and they have three children, Martin J., Lorretto and Louis C.

Clifford, James, jr .- Among the native born residents of Lockport, who have spent

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their lives in the city of their birth, and who have always been active in the affairs of the city, may be mentioned Mr. James Clifford, jr., who was born August 30, 1846, and whose first schooling was obtained from the public schools of that city. The first position Mr. Clifford ever held was that of lumber salesman, with Mr. Rob- ert James, in whose employ he remained for five years, when he entered the employ of P. M. Ranney, who was also in the lumber business. In 1882 he formed a copartnership with Mr. S. B. White, under the firm name of White & Clifford, deal- ers in timber, shingles, etc., and was succeeded by James Clifford, jr., & Bro. in 1894, which is now one of the largest lumber firms in Niagara county. Mr. Clifford has always been identified with the Democratic party and was one year chief of police, two years on the Board of Alderman and three years water commissioner, and is now on the special water committee. He has been for many years a member of the Fire Department of Lockport, and is now on the exempt list and a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association. He is a son of James and Margaret (Car- ney) Clifford, who came to this country from Ireland in 1832. Mr. Clifford was mar- ried to Mary A. Smith of the town of Royalton, Niagara, county, May 28, 1874, and they have four children: Anna J., Margaret E., James E., and John F.

Daniels, Willard, J., was a native of Whiting, Addison county, Vt., and was born May 21, 1813. He as a young man settled at Toledo, Ohio, at the age of eighteen, where he was actively engaged in the real estate business, afterwards coming to Lockport in the fall of 1853 and continuing in the same business. In 1838 he married first, Caroline Walbridge; they had four daughters, all of whom are still living. Mrs. Daniels died in the fall of 1849. December 31, 1855, he married Isadore E., daughter of Otis Ransom Hopkins of Clarence, Erie county, N. Y. Mr. Daniels was one of Lockport's conservative business men, taking an active in- terest in the development of his city and ever ready to aid the best interests of relig- ious and educational institutions. At the time of his death he was probably the largest property owner in Toledo. His death occurred November 20, 1877, and was a loss not only to his family, but to all who knew him. Politically Mr. Daniels was a Democrat. His brothers, W. P. and S. Rollin, were also actively identified in the development of the city of Lockport, where S. Rollin Daniels set- tled in 1825.

Moore William K, was born in Grimsby, Upper Canada. February 22, 1821. His father (Pearce Moore) and mother were natives of Hunterdon county, N. J. He married Orpha, daughter of Jonathan Wolverton, both families being among the pioneers of New Jersey. Pearce Moore and his family moved into Canada in 1800. He was a hatter by trade and died in 1831. In 1837 his widow with her family came to Lockport, where William K. was educated. He erected the Pine street flouring mill in 1860, which he carried on until 1887; it is now occupied by the Lockport Water Works. In 1843 he married Sabrina Glass, who died in 1871, leaving four daughters, once since deceased. Mr. Moore is one of the conservative men of his town, and has ever received and merited the respect of his associates. In politics he has always been a Republican.

Buck, Champlin Fletcher, M. D .- This eminent physician and surgeon was born in Lockport, Niagara county, N. Y., October 3, 1861. The foundation of his educa-

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tion was laid in the public schools, supplemented by a thorough course at the De Veaux College in 1879. He began the study of medicine at the New York Homeo- pathic Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1885 with the degree of M. D). He then spent one year at Ward's Island Hospital, after which he removed to Buffalo and began the practice of his profession. In June, 1893, he removed to Lockport, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Western New York, the Lockport Wheelmen, of Red Jacket Lodge, No. 646, F. and A. M., and the Country Club. June 15, 1896, Dr. Buck was appointed city physician and health officer. Dr. Buck has a collection of some very rare implements of war, which he has displayed in his office, some of which is very valuable. Among the most noted ones, and one that is most prized by him, is an old English shot gun, which is six feet eleven and a half inches in length. There are others from the interior of Africa and the most remote parts of Asia, all of which are very interesting to see.

Bradley, Artemas A., is one of the leading attorneys of the Niagara county bar. He was born in the town of Lockport, Niagara county, N. Y., March 29, 1857, a son of Alanson and Nancy (Carlton) Bradley. He was educated at the public schools and the Lockport Union School, from which he was graduated in 1879. In Septem- ber of that year he entered the law office of Joshua Gaskill as a student, where he remained until he was admitted to the bar January 12, 1883. He immediately began the practice of his profession in the city of Lockport and in 1890 formed a copartner- ship with Hon. John A. Merritt, which firm has since conducted a large and growing business in the general practice of the law. July 9, 1885, he married Mattie E. Vicary of Lockport, and they have one son, Harold. Mr. Bradley has always taken an active interest in municipal affairs. In politics he is a Republican, and is widely known as a fluent and forcible campaign speaker. He has been active in the Y. M. C. A. Association, is interested in the educational institutions of the city, and is at present a member of the Board of Education. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.

Richardson, H. Gardiner .- Among the younger members of the Niagara county bar, none are more prominent than H. G. Richardson. He is a native of Lockport and has spent his entire life in the city of his birth and was educated in the public schools of that city, graduating from the Union School with high honors in 1890. He at this date determined to study law and accordingly entered the office of Joshua Gaskill as a student, and in 1893 was admitted to the bar. Mr. Richardson has al- ways been identified with the Republican party and in the spring of 1897 was elected justice of the peace. Although he is comparatively a young man, he has the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen and has before him, apparently, many years in which to develop the prosperous career he has started upon. He married, June 4, 1895, Miss Maud Durston, daughter of Charles F. Durston of Auburn, N. Y. They have two sons. Mr. Richardson is a member of the East Avenue Congregational church, Lockport.

Matthews, Richard, was born in Wiltshire, England, May 17, 1823, a son of Thomas and Priscilla Matthews. Mr. Matthews married in England, Eliza Shipp, June 4, 1854, and they immigrated to America in 1857, settling in Eagle Harbor,

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where they remained seven years, and then removed to Olcott, where he was ap- pointed lighthouse keeper in 1873. The lighthouse is a pyramidal wooden tower, square in plan with an elevated walk connecting the tower with the shore; they use the sixth order Hains round wick mineral lamp, which can be seen at a distance of eleven miles. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have five children, two of whom were born in England: Eliza J, born July 6, 1855, a widow of Eugene Stout, and has two children, Seymour and Seba; Richard S., born February 11, 1857, married Ella May ; William T., born August 25, 1858, resides in Rochester and married Cora Barron ; George H., born October 12, 1861, married and lives at Topeka, Kan., and Lora M., born July 4, 1868, now Mrs. William S. Parsons of Montrose, Col. Mr. Matthews and his wife are members of the Methodist Wesleyan church of Olcott, of which the former is a trustee.

Evans, Edward, was born in Haldimand county, Ontario, Canada, September 14, 1830. At the age of sixteen he went upon the lakes and continued his connection with them in the timber business for many years. He has transported as much as 200,000,000 feet of timber from the northwest for eastern markets. He has done a great deal to develop and build up North Tonawanda, and is a large owner of real estate in the corporation. He was instrumental in opening the first bank in Tona- wanda, the banking house of Evans, Killmaster & Co., in 1872, which became a de- pository of State funds and which was succeeded in 1877 by the house of Evans, Schwinger & Co. In 1883 he was one of the organizers of the State Bank. Three years later Mr. Evans organized and became president of the Lumber Exchange Bank. But it is as a political reformer that Mr. Evans has achieved the broadest and perhaps the most enduring fame. In the early '50's, while yet in Canada, he es- poused the cause of William Lyon Mckenzie, and his early advocacy of the princi- ples of that great reformer evinced his political sagacity, for the Reform party is to- day in power in Canada. In 1887 the National Reform party held its first conference in Buffalo. Conferences have been held since in Syracuse, Chicago, St. Louis and Pittsburg (its headquarters being now in the latter place) and Mr. Evans has been prominent both in its counsels and its offices since its first conference in 1887. It is his unfaltering belief that this party is destined to become great, because of its aims and principles which are certain to attract all fair-minded, intelligent men, when they become familiar with them. In 1884 Mr. Evans was nominated for Congress on the Prohibition ticket, and ran ahead of the rest of the Prohibition candidates in the United States. The following year he was nominated for secretary of state by the Prohibition party, and ran ahead of his ticket. Mr. Evans was formerly chairman and is now first vice-president of the National Reform Party, of which Prof. William J. Seeley, of Wooster, Ohio, University, is chairman, and it is not saying too much of him to assert that he is capable of filling any office with ability and distinction. December 29, 1851, Mr. Evans married Nancy Campbell Bissette, of Trafalgar, Ontario, Canada, and they have six children living, four sons and two daughters, and four de- ceased. Mr. Evans and his family are connected with the First Christian church of North Tonawanda.

Stocum, Hector M., Wheatfield, was born at Hurd's Corners, Yates county, N. Y., De- cember 13, 1835. When he was three months old his parents removed to Elmira, N. Y., and in 1852, he removed to New York city, where he lived until 1857, when he

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returned to Elmira. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 107th Regt., N. Y. Vols., which served withi the 12th Corps in the Army of the Potomac. He was in the field until the fall of 1863, participating in the battles of Antietam, South Mountain, and Chancellorsville, when he was transferred to the department of the Cumberland, Louisville, Ky., where he remained in the pay department until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Elmira and embarked in the lumber business. In 1867 he removed to Corning and in 1869 to Painted Post, still continuing in the lumber business. August 23, 1873, he came to North Tonawanda and established himself in the lumber business, which he continued up to 1888. Since that time he has given his attention to the affairs of the Gas Light Company, of which he is manager. He has long been prominent as a business man in this part of the State and was presi- dent of the Lumbermen's Association for two years and president of the Business Men's Association for two years; he has also been president of the Union Repub- lican Club. He has been a Republican since that party was formed in 1856, in which year he cast his first vote on Duane street, New York city, and he was a member of of the Republican County Committee for Wheatfield, Niagara county, five years. March 17, 1897, he was elected village treasurer, and upon the incorporation of the city became city treasurer. In 1863 he married Ann E. Bennet, and they have two sons; Solomon Bennet and Thomas Edward. His parents were Eliphalet Miller and Emily (Hurd) Stocum.

Tompkins, James S., was born in Niagara county, September 18, 1830; he was reared on the farm and followed that occupation for a great many years. He also deals in timber to some extent. He came to North Tonawanda in 1890 where he still resides. In 1889 he married Sarah J. Humphrey of Erie county. They have an adopted son, W. Tompkins, superintendent of the poor of Niagara county. Mr. Tompkins's father, James, was one of the early settlers of Niagara county. His father went to Canada in the early part of the nineteenth century and when the war of 1812 broke out he was pressed into the British service. Refusing to fight against his native land, he was ordered to leave the country, so returned to the United States and settled in Niagara county. Mr. Tompkins was for two years, 1884 and 1885, in the United States Custom service. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and a popular and public spirited man.

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Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 68

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