Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 70

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 70

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Mann, Willis T., Somerset, was born in Somerset, January 13, 1857, and is a son of Oscar E. and Hannah E. (Merritt) Mann, both natives of New York. His father was born in Oswego, N. Y., and came with his parents to Somerset, when two years old, in 1835. Mr. Mann was educated in Lockport, and at Cornell University, where he took a course in agriculture and horticulture in 1877 and 1878. Mr. Mann was among the first to recognize the relation of fungus diseases to the failure of fruits,

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and in a report before the Niagara County Farmers' Club in July, 1890, explained the relation of such diseases to fruit failures and recommended the spraying of trees for their prevention. The experience of the past six or seven years has demon- strated the truth of his conclusions, and the methods he advised have since become generally recognized as essential to successful fruit culture. He has been called to address meetings of different farmers' and fruit growers' conventions, and his hear- ers have profited largely by following his advice. He is scientific authority on all subjects pertaining to horticulture. April 10, 1879, he married Carrie R. Townsend, daughter of Elisha C. and Ann Eliza Townsend, and they have two children : Ger- trude E., born June 6, 1880, and Horace T., born November 12, 1884. Mrs. Mann was born November 1, 1859. Her father was born in Somerset and died in January, 1862. Her mother died March 24, 1897.

Corwin, Phineas H., was born in the town of Newfane, March 9, 1835, a son of Phineas H. Corwin, sr., who was born in Orange county, N. Y., and came to Niagara county in a very early day, when the country was entirely new, and engaged in farm- ing on the Hess Road, where all was a wilderness. Mr. Corwin, sr., married Elvira Sawyer, and they had five children: William V., resides in Newfane; Phineas H., jr., Mary F., married Mr. Brown and lives on the Hess Road; Orlando D., died March 17, 1854, on his seventeenth birthday; and Adaline R., who died December 13, 1858. Mr. Corwin died at the age of fifty-eight years and Mrs. Corwin at the age of seventy-eight. Mr. P. H. Corwin received his early education at the Newfane schools, finishing at the academy at Lima, after which he engaged in teaching win- ters and farming summers. He has been engaged in the piano and organ business in Newfane, also in the fruit evaporating business. He has a section of land in Ne- braska, and a farm in Michigan, eighty-four acres in Newfane where he resides, fifty-two northeast of his home and property in the city of Lockport; he has sixty acres of fruit on his home farm and has a fine nursery of peach trees. Mr. Corwin was a director of the Orleans and Niagara County Insurance Company for several years, for six years was a director in the Niagara County Agricultural Society, vice- president two years and president for two years; during his administration the so- ciety was in a flourishing condition. On January 1, 1861, he married Mary A. Phillips; she is the daughter of James C. Phillips who was a soldier during the Civil war and held the rank of lieutenant. They had nine children: Charles D., William H., Burt, Arthur, Norton (deceased), Leighton, Sarah E., wife of Twiston Burgess of Lockport, May and Ray. Mr. Corwin has been assessor of his town for three years, served two years as supervisor and was the nominee of the Republican party for school commissioner in 1882. He is a third degree Mason, joining in 1863. Mr. Corwin is a member of the Baptist church and for nine years was clerk of the Niag- ara Baptist Association. His wife is a member of the Methodist church.

Hatch, Charles W., one of the enterprising and successful men of Lockport, was born in the town of Murray, Orleans county, N. Y., January 13, 1851. Mr. Hatch received his education from the Holley Academy and the Brockport Normal School; he then engaged in teaching for a number of years and after this service embarked in the flour, grain and produce business, and in 1882 removed to Lockport to take charge of the Niagara County Fruit Company's extensive business, and has since resided in that city. This company was organized and incorporated under the laws

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of New Jersey, with headquarters at Philadelphia, Mr. Hatch being the manager of the Lockport branch. He has always taken an active part in politics and in 1888 was elected supervisor of his ward; was a member of the city Board of Health for four years, chairman of the Republican County Committee for two years and its sec- retary for one year, and takes an active interest in municipal affairs. He is a mem- ber of the Anglers' Club and was its president for two years. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the Royal Arcanum and of the Lock- port Fire Department. June 5, 1872, he married Avis, daughter of Hon. John Berry of Holley, Orleans county.

Pierce, John S., was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., March 10, 1827, a son of the late Sullivan Pierce of that place. John S. Pierce was educated in the public schools of Niagara Falls, and at Rochester; at the age of seventeen he began an active busi- ness career which has extended over nearly forty years. He has been engaged in numerous business enterprises, the most important among them being the building of the inclined railway at Suspension Bridge, which descends the river bank at the Whirlpool Rapids. He was for three years a depuly collector in the United States Custom House and served the village of Niagara Falls as chief of the police depart- ment for ten years, as well as having been superintendent of the village for a num- ber of years and trustee for two years. He is an extensive property owner and a highly respected and honored citizen. In 1854 Mr. Pierce married Laura Smith of Rochester, and they have had five children, only two of whom, Maurice H. and Carlton Pierce of Niagara Falls, survive. Mr. Pierce is the second oldest native citizen of Niagara Falls and is now retired from business. He has always been a staunch Democrat. He is a member of Niagara Frontier Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M., and is one of the oldest Masons in the county.

Robson, John B., was born in the town of Hartland, October 11, 1833, and is a son of Kendrah and Ruth (Breckon) Robson, natives of England. His father came to America with his parents in 1820 and his mother in 1830. His grandfather owned the first nursery in Niagara county, the orchard on the old homestead being of stock from that nursery. Mr. and Mrs. Robson had thirteen children: James, John B. (as above), Mary A. and Elizabeth (deceased), Rachel (deceased), Christie (matron at Union Springs Friends School), William D., Charles M., Eliza J. (married James Garbutt), Alice, Henry (deceased), Francis (died in infancy), and Ella. John B. Robson was married twice, first to Mary J. Sturtevant, who died in October, 1872, and second to Mary E. Foote in 1883. Mr. Robson was a member of the 8th N. Y. Cav., enlisting August 12, 1862, and was engaged in the following battles: Loudon Valley, Barber's Cross Road, Fredericksburg, Gordenville, Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford and many others, serving until July 7, 1865, when he was discharged. He is now a member of Willis S. Hinman Post No. 178, G. A. R.

Kinyon, John, jr., one of the most enterprising and successful farmers of Hart- land, was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1832, and is a son of John and Lydia , Kinyon, natives of Chenango county. In 1835 his parents moved to Orleans county on the county line between Orleans and Niagara counties, thence to Hartland, Niagara county, settling one mile north of Middleport, where John Kinyon, jr., now resides. They gave each son a farm and removed to what is

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now North Middleport. Mr. Kinyon, sr., died in 1885 and his wife in 1882. They were both active in the development of their section of the county and endured the trials and hardships incident to the settlers of a new country. They were Universalists, and did much to aid in building up their chosen church. There were seven children born to this union: A child who died in infancy; Charles, a farmer in Hartland; George (deceased), lived in Sycamore, Ill., died in 1896; Israel (de- ceased), died about 1840, in Hartland; Albert a retired farmer, resides in Middle · port; and Betsey Ann, who died when ten years of age. In 1855 John Kinyon, jr., married Editha H. Sheldon, and they have six children: George, married and re- sides in Orleans county on one of his father's farms adjoining the homestead; Charlie, married and resides on his farm of eighty acres, which joins his brother's; Martha (Mrs. Charles Spalding), resides in Shiawassee county, Mich .; Addie (Mrs. Grant Clark), resides in Orleans county, at County Line Corners; Flora (Mrs. Verne Shedbolt), resides in Genesee county; and Carrie is at home with her parents. In 1845 Mr. Kinyon went to Iowa and bought a farm of 160 acres, which he disposed of in war times. To his untiring efforts the public is indebted for the crushed stone road extending from the Ridge Road to Middleport. He is a prominent member of the A. O. U. W. at Middleport, is a lifelong Democrat, and joined the Silver Democratic party at its organization. He has served his town as highway commis- sioner for two years.

Wilson, S. S., was born in the town of Wilson, Niagara county, N. Y., April 17, 1840, a son of Stephen and Eleanor Wilson. Stephen Wilson was born in Saratoga county, September 23, 1800, and removed to Niagara county, settling in Somerset, where he remained twelve years and then moved to Wilson, where he remained six- teen years and then moved to Newfane, where he died in 1881, and his widow in 1896. They had these children: Elizabeth, Matilda, John A., Charlotte, Eunice, lives in Pontiac, Mich. ; Harvey, S. S., Hezekiah, lives in Binghamton, N. Y. ; Mary, lives in Lockport; Martha (deceased), and William, who lives in Lockport. S. S. Wilson married Adelaide Dickinson of Newfane, December 24, 1873, and they have three children: Emma, born December 19, 1874, married George D. Linsey; Allen, born March 19, 1867, married and resides at home, and Burt, born July 17, 1871, lives at home. Mr. Wilson is engaged in fruit and grain growing and stock raising. He is an ardent silver man, is well read and keeps abreast of the times. He is meeting with the success of an untiring business man and is apparently in a prosperous condition.

Wilson, William T., was born in the town of Newfane in 1846, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Temple) Wilson, natives of Yorkshire, England. His father came with his parents to America in 1833, and located on the Erie Canal, two miles east of Lockport, where the subject's grandparents died. Daniel Wilson came to Newfane in 1849 and located east of Wright's Corners, where he remained until his death in 1884. His mother resides with her son, Robert D. Wilson. William T. Wilson re- ceived his education in the common schools of Newfane, after which he engaged in farming. He has married twice, first to Martha H., daughter of Stephen Wilson, and they had four children: Raymond, born in 1878; Robert, born in 1879; Lester, born in 1881, and George, born in 1884. Mrs. Wilson died in 1889, and in January, 1895, he married Mary B. Adams, and has one child by this marriage, Eugene, born

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September, 1895. Mr. Wilson moved on to the farm he now owns in the spring of 1878 and is engaged in fruit and grain growing. He has twelve acres of peach orchard, four of pears, four of plums and sixteen of apples.

Worden, Paul B., was born in the town of Wheatfield, Niagara county, N. Y., April 30, 1835, a son of Isaac and Martha Worden. Mr. Worden was reared on a farm and has always followed farming as his life occupation. In 1866 he located on his present place, where he makes a specialty of gardening and growing plants for market, which he has followed extensively for twelve years; furnishing dealers in Buffalo, Tonawanda and Niagara Falls. In 1860 he married Angeline Pool of Halls Station, and they have two children: Eugene, a Postal telegraph operator at North Tonawanda and who was a candidate for town clerk on the Republican ticket, and Nellie, teacher at La Salle, was educated at Lockport Union School under Brown- ing

Wilson, Charles, was born in the town of Lockport, July 6, 1845. His father, Joseph Wilson, a native of Yorkshire, Eng., came to the United States in 1840 with his parents, Daniel and Martha Wilson, who settled near Wakeman's Bridge, taking up their land from the Holland Land Company. Joseph Wilson married Caroline Hampshire, and through life has been identified as a farmer. Charles Wilson was educated in the common schools and in 1866 married Betsey A. Dale, who died in 1868, and later he married Mary O'Brien, and they have three children; Ray, Caro- line and Edith. Mr. Wilson is one of the oldest hotel proprietors in Niagara county ; in 1891 he came to Gasport and purchased the hotel which bears his name and which he rebuilt and refurnished.

Walker, Charles M., was born at Ayr, Ontario, Canada, December 22, 1845, and came to the United States when young. He started out in the business of life as collector for Brinston & Co. and remained with them three years, when he entered the drug trade and continued for fifteen years in Lewiston. He was postmaster from 1869 to 1879, president of the village for a term and trustee for three terms; he was also one of the county coroners for two years. Mr. Walker has long been iden- tified with the agricultural and fruit growing interests of Lewiston and is one of the leading and most enterprising men of this part of the county. He is a Republican in politics and has been delegate to many conventions. In 1868 he married Laura A. Walker, and they have three children: Mrs. Harry Hull, Mrs. George Carter and Jessie Walker. Mr. Walker's parents were John and Hannah (Hungerford) Walker. His father was a participant in the Patriot war of 1837 in Canada and fought on the Patriot side with William Lyon Mackenzie. He wasa native of Washington county, N. Y., but died at Ayr, Can. The Hungerfords are an old American family and of historic celebrity.

Wilkeson, William, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., June 17, 1846, a son of Eli and Julia (Allen) Wilkeson. Eli Wilkeson was a son of Judge Samuel Wilkeson, one of the founders of the city of Buffalo and also one of the bondsmen for the completion of the Erie Canal, and was instrumental in the construction of the Buffalo break- water and harbor, thereby locating the city of Buffalo at present site instead of Black Rock. He served in the war of 1812 and died at Tennessee. He was a large prop- erty owner in Buffalo, also large iron manufacturer and real estate dealer ; he served

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one term as mayor of the city also. William Wilkeson was reared in Buffalo by an uncle and educated in a college in Pennsylvania. He enlisted in 1863 in Co. E, 15th Pa. Cavalry, and served until almost the end of the war. He located in Porter, on River avenue, and purchased 125 acres of land, and is engaged in fruit growing, having seventy acres of fruit. In 1867 he married Ellen Osborn, and they had two children, Mary and Louise. Mr. Wilkeson has always been a Republican, but not an aspirant to office. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and of the Universalist church. Mary married John J. O'Connell.

Williams, Roderick Norton, was born in Chestnut Ridge, town of Lockport, Oc- tober 8, 1823. His father, John Williams, was a native of Connecticut and came to Niagara county in 1817, buying his land of the Holland Land Company and through life was identified as a farmer. He married Catherine, daughter of Henry Norton, sr. He was an upright, conscientious man who ever advanced the best interest of his town and townspeople. "Roderick N. Williams was educated in Lockport, and there engaged in the dry goods business for thirty-one years. In 1880 he retired and engaged in farming. In 1852 he married Minerva, daughter of Abram L. Jones. Mrs. Williams died in 1883, and he married Lizzie, daughter of Gottlieb Holland, and they have two children, E. John and Catherine Irene. Mr. Williams is one of the representative men of the town, taking an active interest in educational and re- ligious institutions and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity who has ever received the respect of his associates.

Wilson, John H., was born in the town of Lockport, April 10, 1843. His father, Joseph Wilson, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to the United States in 1829, at the age of twelve years, with his parents, Daniel and Martha Wilson. They bought a farm in the town of Lockport, where they have been identified for five generations. Joseph Wilson married Caroline, daughter of John Handshire, who came to Lockport in 1825, and who was one of the leading farmers of Niagara county. Thoroughly interested in educational and religious institutions and in the development of his town, Joseph Wilson also has been one of the representative farmers of the town and at eighty years is still active. John H. Wilson was educated in Lockport, and in 1864 married Alice, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Calvert, and they have two children: Edward C. and Olive. Mr. Wilson is recognized as one of the conservative men of his town, taking an intelligent interest in school and church work, and has ever been recognized as a man of sterling integrity whose word is as good as his bond.

Wendt, A. M., was born in Martinsville, December 4, 1854, a son of Frederick and Louise Wendt, natives of Germany, who came to America in their youth. When ten years of age Mr. Wendt moved to Illinois with his parents, where he remained four- teen years; he then returned to Martinsville and purchased a farm which he sold in 1893 and started his grocery business at No. 317 Schenk street, which he still con- ducts. Mr. Wendt is not only a thorough business man, but is also prominent in local politics; he is a prominent Democrat and was elected trustee of the village in 1896, which office he still holds; he is also a trustee of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Wendt married Elizabeth Will and they have two sons, Frederick and William.

Williams, J. W., was born in Carbondale, Pa., a son of Rev. David and Margaret

ALLAN HERSCHELL.

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Williams; his father died in Elmira in 1884, and his mother is still living. J. W. Williams has been engaged in the railroad business all his life; he was connected with the Erie Railroad for twenty-one years and came to North Tonawanda as agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad, September 21, 1892. He is an efficient railway officer and has the reputation of being one of the most reliable and energetic railroad men in the county. He is a member of the Foresters and of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has passed through the Blue Lodge, chapter and commandery and has held nearly every office in the Blue Lodge. In June, 1882, he married Emma A. Kelts, and they have one son, Forrest P.

Witmer, Elias, was born at Suspension Bridge, October 8, 1816, and was a son of Abraham Witmer, a worthy farmer and early settler of that section, now deceased. He received his education in the public schools of his native place and early in life learned the trade of tailor, which he plied for a number of years. Ill health caused him to give up his business and return to the homestead farm, where he has ever since resided, following the calling of farmer. Mr. Witmer is a member of numer- ous agricultural societies and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

Williamson, W. F., was born in Hancock, N. Y., November 16, 1872, a son of Samuel and Catherine Williamson. He was educated in the schools of his native place and began his railway career in North Tonawanda, as bookkeeper in the freight office, which position he filled for two and a half years, when he was promoted to the position of agent at Akron. This office he filled so successfully that in March, 1897, he was again promoted and made agent for the New York Central at North Tonawanda. Mr. Williamson is energetic and enterprising and his duties always re- ceive his best attention. He is an active member of the Methodist church and was formerly secretary of the Epworth League at Akron.

Dean, Frederick E., was born at Lewiston, N. Y., January 4, 1859, a son of Ed- win Dean, at present a farmer of Youngstown, N. Y. Frederick E. Dean was edu- cated in the public schools of Niagara county; he left school at an early age and went into business with his father; at his majority entered the employ of the Niag- ara Falls and Suspension Bridge Street Railroad, rising through all the grades to the position of superintendent, which position he held at the time of his resignation in 1889. During the following three years until 1892, he was engaged in the livery busi- ness which he operated successfully. In 1893 he established the present city market of which he became clerk and still retains that position. Mr. Dean has been prominent in business circles and as contractor, helped build the Buffalo and Niag- ara Falls Electric Railroad; also is interested in the quarries of this section.

Herschell, Allan, vice-president of the house of Armitage-Herschell Co., was born in Scotland, April 27, 1851, a son of John and Jessie Herschell, and came to America in 1870. He learned the trade of moulder in Arbroath, Scotland, and fol- lowed the same business for some years in this country, working in Buffalo, Toronto, Chicago and Boston. In 1873 he became a member of the company of Armitage, Herschell & Co., and in 1894 he made a trip over nearly all the eastern world for his house, visiting British India, France, Egypt, the British Isles and other parts; he also traveled over a great part of the United States and in both hemispheres intro- duced many of their machines. He was a charter member of Columbia Hook and

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Ladder Co., the first fire company organized in North Tonawanda, serving as its secretary for two years and president for one year. He was elected and served as trustee of North Tonawanda for three years; is a regular attendant and liberal con- tributor to the support of the Presbyterian church; is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and A. O. U. W. lodges, and is a thoroughly reliable and enterprising citi- zen in every way. In 1882 Mr. Herschell married Ida M. Spilman, and they have three children, Buela C., Raymond Le Roy and Margaret Caroline.

Herschell, George C., has been a factor in the growth and development of North Tonawanda since 1872, and is prominent both in public and business life. He was born in Scotland. December 2, 1848, and came to America in 1869. , He learned the trade of machinist in Scotland and pursued it both in the old country and the United States until 1873, when the firm of Armitage, Herschell & Co. was formed. He is treasurer of the Armitage-Herschell Co., which was incorporated in 1890, and has been extremely successful and which contributes in no small degree to the prosperity of the Twin Cities. Mr. Herschell is treasurer of the Board of Water Commissioners of North Tonawanda and has been since its organization; he was one of the organizers of the Tonawanda Natural Gas Co. and is its treasurer. He is a prominent Republican and his voice is always influential in the councils of his party. Socially Mr. Herschell is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church. July 20, 1882, he married Char- lotte B. Wilson of Buffalo, and they have four children: Jessie C., James W., Walter G. and Mary Esther. Mr. Herschell's parents were John and Jessie (Christie) Herschell, natives of Scotland, who came to America in 1870. Mr. John Herschell was for many years a prosperous coal merchant and contractor in Scot- land and was also engaged in business in this country for some years before retiring from active pursuits.

Lange, August, was born in Germany, September 14, 1835, and came to America in 1844 with his parents, Christian and Christina Lange. They settled near Berg- holtz and were farmers, which occupation Mr. Lange still pursues, although he has been in the mercantile business also since 1882. February 14, 1865, he enlisted in the 26th Cavalry and served until the close of the war. He was postmaster under Cleveland's first administration for four years and was reappointed under Cleve- land's second administration in 1894. In 1866 he married Annie Plaster of Wheat- field and they have twelve children: William, born December 12, 1870; Albert, born November 2, 1872; Philip, born November 24, 1877; Agnes, born July 23, 1867; Louise, born August 13, 1868; Lydia, born May 10, 1873: Minnie, born January 20, 1876; Molly, born July 1, 1879; Mamie, born December 13, 1880; Lena, born September 9, 1883; Anna, born December 26, 1884 and Elsie, born April 30, 1887. Mr. Lange has been tax collector and was leader of the band for the German church for thirty two years. Mrs. Lange was born October 24, 1847, and her parents were Henry and Dorotha Plaster.

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Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, Part 70

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