USA > New York > Erie County > Memorial and family history of Erie County, New York, Volume I > Part 25
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June 21, 1882, Mr. Getz married Cora E. Williams, daughter of William I. Williams of Buffalo. The only child of the union was a daughter, Geraldine, who died at the age of eighteen months.
NORMAN E. MACK, editor and proprietor of The Buffalo Times, and Democratic National Committeeman, is equally well-known as a newspaper man and in public life. The success Mr. Mack has won is the logical result of ability. The news- paper enterprise of which he is the head was built up by him from the foundations. He is so thoroughly identified with The Times that a history of that paper is in a sense a history of his career. Yet he is a man of wide activities. Prominent in the State and National Democracy, he is one of the trusted leaders of his party. He is a progressive citizen of Buffalo, aiding its institutions and furthering its development. As an editor Mr. Mack represents popular principles. His paper has always been a powerful champion of reform movements and sound municipal government. Mr. Mack is independent in his views and has the courage of his convictions. His editorial opinions carry weight and are widely quoted. Frank in his dealings with the people, he has been conspicuously rewarded by the public trust. His Americanism is of sterling metal. Mr. Mack's per- sonal traits correspond with his career. He is direct of speech,
Norman I. Shack
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quick of perception and strong in execution. His position is a representative one, and he has won his way to it by energy, resourcefulness and the practical qualities which mark the able man of affairs. Mr. Mack was born on the 24th of July, 1858. The beginning of his career in Buffalo, however, dates from 1879.
On the 7th of September of that year he issued the first number of The Sunday Times. The business was located at a small' office at No. 202 Main street, and was the modest beginning of a great and successful enterprise. Two years afterwards the headquarters were removed to No. 50. Seneca street. Here was set up the first press. The next year, during Mr. Mack's absence at New Orleans, a fire occurred in the building, necessitating the removal of the plant to No. 271 Washington street. In May, 1883, Mr. Mack bought the mercantile printing concern at No. 191 Main street. Mr. Mack now resolved to embark in an under- taking attended with far greater responsibilities than any he had yet attempted. On the 13th of September, 1883, he pub- lished the first issue of The Daily Times. From the outset the paper made its way. That it was established was due to its proprietor's belief that there existed a fair field and a public demand for such a newspaper, and the event justified his judg- ment. The paper was clean, spirited and newsy, and its inde- pendence, liberality and manly straightforwardness took a. strong hold on the popular mind. The Daily Times rapidly increased in circulation and advertising.
In March, 1906, The Times' plant was destroyed by fire. The disaster was a severe one, and the manner in which it was retrieved is one of Buffalo's most striking instances of indus- trial resource and enterprise. The destruction of the plant did not interrupt even for a day the publication of the paper. Before the ashes had ceased smoking the place of the conflagra- tion became a scene of bustling activity, and like magic The Times establishment rose from its ruins. New presses and
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linotype machines were procured and they are now installed in a handsome modern building complete in all its mechanical appliances, with admirably appointed editorial rooms and a palatial business office. Mr. Mack not only rebuilt his plant but greatly extended his operations.
The Times is the people's paper. It is Democratic in policy and principles, a steadfast supporter of the candidates of the Democracy and an insistent advocate of party unity. It is a friend of individual enterprise and a champion of fair play and the rights of the citizen. It is active in the furtherance of the welfare of Buffalo, believes in honesty in municipal affairs and the application of business common sense to administrative methods and holds that public office is a public trust. Many substantial improvements, many rectifications of wrongs are due to the fearless efforts of this progressive paper. It has brought about the use of free textbooks in the public schools of Buffalo, the enjoyment of free music in the parks, the erection of markets, and the privileges of shorter hours and better pay for our policemen. It has led successful crusades against over- head wires, overcrowding in public schools, and grade crossings. One of its recent enterprises was the rescue of the Buffalo parks and trees from the menace of the tussock moth, which threatened to ruin the natural adornments of our city. As a newsgetter The Times is unexcelled, and its swift and accurate investigations have, in not a few instances, brought criminals to justice and removed the stigma from defenseless innocence. When the 13th Regiment went to the Spanish-American War, Mr. Mack supplied the soldiers daily with copies of his paper, and continued to do so when the regiment was sent to the Philippines, the period of field service being more than three years. In 1903 the regiment, in token of its appreciation pre- sented Mr. Mack with a superb loving cup. The Times has won many municipal and political victories, notable among which are its defeat of the Board of Police Commissioners, in 1891, in the attempt to superannuate Superintendent Morin, the
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securing of a just count which resulted in the election of Andrew Beasley, Democratic candidate for Assessor, and the local campaign of 1897 in which The Times alone of all the English papers of the city espoused the cause of the Democratic party which proved successful, and was largely the means of electing Dr. Conrad Diehl for Mayor.
Personally as well as in his capacity of journalist, Mr. Mack has always been active in politics. In 1884 he was a strong supporter of Grover Cleveland. He has many times been a delegate to Democratic local and State conventions, was dele- gate to the Democratic National Convention of 1892, and served that year as New York member of the Notification Com- mittee. In 1896 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He vigorously supported Mr. Bryan. For two terms he represented his Congressional district on the Demo- cratic State Committee, declining a third term. In 1900, and again in 1904 he was chosen National Committeeman, a position which he has ever since continued to fill, and wherein he has won eminent credit as a party adviser and leader. He has for a number of years been regarded as the most prominent Demo- crat in Western New York and is today a figure of national importance in his party.
Mr. Mack is identified with a number of representative insti- tutions and societies. He has served as a member of the Board of Park Commissioners and served for years on the executive committee of the State Associated Press. He is a member of the Buffalo, Ellicott, Country and Press clubs, the Orpheus and Liedertafel societies and other organizations, and is promi- nent in social life.
On the 22d of December, 1891, Mr. Mack married Miss Harriet B. Taggart of Buffalo. Mr. and Mrs. Mack have two daughters, Norma Emily and Harriet Taggart Mack.
REV. SAMSON FALK, D.D. Of this late eminent divine, it may fitly be said that his life was one which radiated the light
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of learning and breathed the spirit of beneficence, brotherhood and peace. Dr. Falk was born for his vocation. Endowed with superior abilities, he might have won success in many secular pursuits. Dr. Falk deeply felt the obligations of his sacred calling. Gifted with wide scholarship, brilliant eloquence, intellectual acumen and practical capability, all these acquire- ments and characteristics contributed their share to the com- pleteness and consistency of his career. He was a citizen as well as a pastor. His friendships included many men of many creeds.
Samson Falk was born in Hochburg in the Kingdom of Wuertemburg, Germany, February 7, 1827. He received his lay education at the State University of Wuertemburg, and afterward studied for the Jewish ministry.
Rabbi Falk came to America in 1853. Soon after his arrival he was chosen to minister to a large congregation in Albany, N. Y., his pastorate continuing till 1862. In that year he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1865, when he came to Buffalo as pastor of Temple Beth Zion, the Reformed Jewish Synagogue of this city.
The relation of Dr. Falk with Temple Beth Zion forms a notable part of local ecclesiastical history. He enjoyed the esteem and friendship of local clergymen without regard to denomination. On several occasions he exchanged pulpits or held union services with a fellow-clergyman of the Unitarian Church.
Dr. Falk joined in all movements for the welfare of his fellow-men of whatever race, and his eloquent voice was often heard in this behalf upon the public platform. He was actively identified with various charities and other institutions, being the founder of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum of Western New York, located at Rochester, filling the post of Examiner in the Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati, and holding the position of Director of the Buffalo Historical Society.
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EUGENE LAWRENCE FALK is one of the most accom- plished and successful members of the Buffalo bar. His rise in his profession may deservedly be called brilliant. He commands the confidence of the community, stands high in the estimation of his brethren of the bar, and' enjoys a large practice. He has an enviable reputation for success in the conduct of difficult cases. He is eminent alike in the civil and criminal depart- ments of the law.
Mr. Falk is a son of the Rev. Samson Falk, the noted divine, and was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 3, 1866. His early education was obtained in the grammar schools and Central High School of Buffalo, the University of New York and Columbia University Law School, from which he was gradu- ated in 1887 with the degree of LL.B. The same year he was admitted to the bar, and returning to Buffalo he began the practice of his profession in partnership with Charles S. Hatch, under the firm style of Hatch & Falk. In 1888 Mr. Falk began the practice of the law by himself and he has remained alone ever since. He was counsel for the defendant in the famous case of Howard Henham, accused of the murder of his wife, and who, after his conviction had been confirmed by the Court of Appeals, obtained a new trial and was eventually acquitted. This forensic contest was one of remarkable character, abounding in exciting contingencies and dramatic events, and the case ranks among the " causes celebres " of the criminal jurisprudence of New York State.
Mr. Falk is a member of the State and the Erie County Bar associations, and the Lawyers' Club. He has taken all the Scottish Rite degrees of Masonry up to and including the 32d degree, and is a member of Ancient Landmarks Lodge and Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Board of Management of Temple Beth Zion. He belongs to the Ellicott and Apollo clubs, and is a member of private clubs.
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April 11, 1893, Mr. Falk was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Pauline Wolf, daughter of Nathan Wolf and Carrie (Rothschild) Wolf of Buffalo.
MAURICE BYRON PATCH, Superintendent of the Buffalo Smelting Works, is one of the foremost metallur- gists of the country and also holds a high rank as an industrial executive. Mr. Patch is by profession a mining engineer, but his activities have covered too wide a range to be adequately characterized by reference to a single pursuit. He has made applied science a life study, is an expert chem- ist, mine surveyor and practical operator in min- ing and smelting, and is particularly well-known in the department of MAURICE B. PATCH. copper metallurgy, to which he has devoted years of special research. He is a typical representative of science in the modern and American acceptation of the word-namely, science which proceeds directly from theory to practice and which finds its province in the development of the natural resources of the country and in the creation of industries.
Maurice B. Patch comes from one of the old and distinguished families of New England, being descended from the Patches of Salem and Beverly, Mass., the earliest homes of the family, who were pioneers of those places, where they were located as
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early as 1700. Benjamin Patch, born 1673, was a descendant of the Patches of Salem and Beverly. His son, Jonathan Patch, of Concord, served as a Minute Man in the Revolutionary War and was the first settler at Otisfield, Me. Jonathan's son, Tarbell, grandfather of Maurice B. Patch of Buffalo, was born at Otisfield in 1791 and was a farmer. He married Eliza Shedd, a descendant of an old family of Braintree, Mass., by whom he had six children. His son, Benjamin, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Otisfield, Me., in 1821, resided in Lowell, Mass., and fifteen years ago came to Buffalo, where he now resides. He married Harriet Elizabeth Knight, a de- scendant of John Knight who came over in the ship "James" in 1635 and settled in Newbury, Mass. Mark Knight, one of his descendants, served in the War of the Revolution, and Samuel Knight, maternal grandfather of Maurice B. Patch, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Col. Nathaniel Jordan, one of Mr. Patch's ancestors in the direct line, was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Revolution. The family was distinguished for its piety and uprightness of living.
Mr. Patch was born at Otisfield, Me., June 8, 1852. After receiving the elementary part of his education in the public schools of Lowell, Mass., he entered the Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology, where he pursued a course in mining and engineering, being graduated in 1872 with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences. The same year he went to Georgetown, Col., where he began the practice of his profession as a mining engineer, being engaged there two years in the survey of mining properties and in kindred work. He then removed to Houghton, Mich., where he became the chemist of the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Smelting Company. This position offered Mr. Patch peculiar advantages for making an exhaus- tive study of copper metallurgy, a line of research which had always been congenial to him. During this period he also won a wide reputation as a mine surveyor and chemist, as well as in other branches of his profession, with the result that he was
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presently offered by the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company the position of designer and superintendent of its proposed new smelting plant at Lake Linden, Mich. He accordingly removed to Lake Linden, where he remained for five years, carrying out his contracts with the company and occupying himself in gen- eral professional work. His successful services for the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company led that corporation to offer him the place of Superintendent of its works in Buffalo, where he came in January, 1891, and he has ever since been the executive head of the Buffalo Smelting Works, which were organized under his supervision. The enterprise with which Mr. Patch has now been for so many years identified, is one of Buffalo's most important industries. Its plant is located on the Niagara River at the foot of Austin street, and is one of the most thoroughly equipped of its kind in the world. The copper ore used in the works at Buffalo is shipped at Lake Linden on Lake Superior in an especially chartered fleet of steamers, and on its arrival at Buffalo is unloaded by ingeniously devised machinery at the company's docks. The copper produced is shipped to all parts of the world. The plant has a capacity of 6,500,000 pounds of copper a month. Electricity is largely employed in the manu- facturing processes, which require nine furnaces and the labor of 250 men. Sound business management and scientific methods are apparent in every detail of the industry.
As a scientist, Mr. Patch has done much original work and has made several valuable discoveries. For market conditions he has the eye of a practical industrialist, and though Lake Superior ore constitutes the raw material which is worked up in his plant, he is a keen observer of copper-ore developments in the Far West, in Mexico, Central and South America, Australia and South Africa. He is interested in several mining com- panies, and in addition to his mining operations, he has on different occasions shown himself a financier of sound ability. While in Michigan he assisted in the organization of the First National Bank, at Lake Linden, and the Superior Savings Bank,
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at Hancock, and was a Director in both institutions so long as he continued to reside in the State.
Mr. Patch is a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. He is a citizen of marked public spirit, and from the time of his arrival in Buffalo has taken an active interest in movements for the general welfare of the city. In 1907 he was appointed a member of the Grade Crossing Commission.
July 6, 1875, Mr. Patch married Emily Isabella White, a daughter of Rollin White of Lowell, Mass., noted as an inventor of firearms, including the celebrated Smith & Wesson revolver. The White family were prominent residents of Vermont, and furnished many soldiers and officers in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Patch is a descendant of the famous Peregrine White of Puritan times. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Patch are as follows: Emily H., wife of William Henry Barr, general man- ager of the Lumen Bearing Company; Nathaniel Knight Bailey, manager of a branch plant of the Lumen Bearing Company at Toronto, Canada; Ethel A., wife of Dr. Walter G. Phippen, a practicing physician at Salem, Mass., and Maurice B., Jr., and Howard R., who are students at Hobart College.
HON. HENRY HAMILTON PERSONS, former Senator, President of the State Water Supply Commission, banker and head of extensive business interests, has united important per- sonal activities with a distinguished public career.
Mr. Persons comes of a family well-known in Western New York. Many representatives of the Persons name settled in Sheldon, Wyoming County, in 1806, and Uriah Persons came to Sheldon as early as 1790. He was the father of Robert G. Persons, who moved to Aurora, Erie County, about 1815. Robert G. Persons was a farmer all his life. He was a promi- nent man in Erie County and took an active interest in Demo- cratic politics. He married Alta Hamilton. Their children were Harry H., Henry Z., Lucy T. (Mrs. Horace Prentice), Robert G., and Byron D. Persons. Robert G. Persons died on the 31st of August, 1864.
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HENRY ZIBA PERSONS was born in East Aurora, Erie County, N. Y., November 5, 1819. He was educated in the grani- mar schools of his native town, and at the Aurora Academy. He began his business career at Machias, Cattaraugus County. Later he returned to East Aurora, where in 1845 he opened a general store. Mr. Persons continued to be engaged in mercan- tile pursuits until 1887. In 1882 the Bank of East Aurora was organized. Mr. Persons served for a number of years as its Vice-President, being later elected President, in which capacity he continued till his death. He was an ardent Repub- lican and a strong supporter of the Union during the Civil War. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster by Abraham Lincoln, and continued to hold that office throughout Lincoln's administra- tion and for more than twenty years thereafter. He was sev- eral times elected Supervisor, and Loan Commissioner.
He was a liberal contributor to the Presbyterian and other churches, and gave largely to charitable causes. In 1849 Mr. Persons married Mary White, daughter of David P. and Betsy (Platt) White of East Hamburg. The children of the union, Henry Hamilton Persons and Helen Persons were twins. The daughter died in infancy. Mrs. Persons, who was born May 20, 1822, still lives in East Aurora. Henry Z. Persons died in February, 1901.
Henry Hamilton Persons was born in East Aurora December 16, 1851. He attended grammar schools and Aurora Academy, and studied a year at Cornell University. When twenty-two years old, Mr. Persons entered his father's store, and later received a half interest in the establishment. He devoted him- self to mercantile business till 1882, when he became cashier of the Bank of East Aurora. In 1887 he sold his store and there- after gave his attention to banking. In 1901 he was elected President of the bank to succeed his father, and has since con- tinued to hold that office. In 1898 Mr. Persons was elected Vice-President of the Buffalo Commercial Bank, and later was chosen President, which position he retained until the bank was
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sold to the Marine National Bank in 1903. Of the latter bank Mr. Persons became Vice-President, serving till 1904.
Mr. Persons was among the organizers of the Frontier Tele- phone Company, was chosen its Vice-President in 1903, and was later elected President, which office he held until the Consoli- dated Telephone interests purchased the stock of the Frontier Company in 1905. He is now Vice-President and a Director of the Frontier Telephone Company. Mr. Persons is President of the Hayes Lithograph Company, and the J. W. Ruger Manufac- turing Company of Buffalo, and is a Director of the Union Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Persons has always been active in Republican politics: After serving as Village Trustee of East Aurora, he was elected Supervisor, and held that office from 1884 to 1894. He served in the State Senate during 1894 and 1895, was Chairman of the Committee on Canals, and had an important part in procuring the $9,000,000 canal appropriation. He was also a member of the Committees on Villages and Banks as well as of the special committee to investigate the murder of Ross by " Bat " Shea in the Troy election riots.
In June, 1905, Governor Higgins appointed Mr. Persons Presi- dent of the State Water Supply Commission, for a term of five years. As President of this important body Mr. Persons has shown signal ability and a persistent industry and is one of the strongest factors in the Commission's usefulness.
Since 1890 Mr. Persons has been a director of the Queen City Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and is among its most active workers. Since 1890 he has served as trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora. He is a member of the Ellicott Club of Buffalo.
June 30, 1876, Mr. Persons married Rebecca Ellen Sandford, a daughter of the Rev. Richard M. Sandford, then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at East Aurora, and Ruth (Hunger- ford) Sandford. The children of the marriage are: Richard Sandford Persons, who in 1904 married Pearl Williamson, daughter of Eli Williamson of Buffalo; James White, Mary Hungerford, Albert H., Henry Z., and Robert H. Persons.
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JOHN JOSEPH HYNES is one of Buffalo's well-known lawyers and one of the first fraternal insurance men in the country. He takes a keen interest in civic matters, has held responsible official places and is notably identified with the cause of education, being at the present time a member of the Buffalo Board of School Examiners.
Mr. Hynes is of Irish ancestry, coming of a family for cen- turies prominent in the counties of Clare and Galway, and distinguished for patriotism and staunch Catholicity. On the maternal side he is derived from the Feeneys of Galway, a stock which is one of the oldest and best known in that country. The father of John J. Hynes was Michael Hynes and his mother was Catherine Feeney, who died in 1875. They came from Galway, Ireland, to this country in 1846, and settled in Buffalo. Michael Hynes was a ship carpenter and followed the craft until his death in 1876. He was one of the pioneer shipwrights of Buffalo, and spent practically all his life with the ship-building concerns of Bidwell & Banta and Mason & Bidwell, though for a few years he was in the employ of Mills & Walsh. He. was a strong believer in organized labor and helped form the first ship carpenters' and caulkers' union in Buffalo. A devout churchman, he was a member of the first Catholic Church erected in Buffalo, old St. Patrick's.
John Joseph Hynes was born in Buffalo May 25, 1854. His education was obtained at Public School No. 4 and the Buffalo High School. In 1877 he began studying law, while he was employed in the County Clerk's office, being afterward entered as a law student with O. F. Barton and later with the Hon. Charles F. Tabor. In 1882 he was admitted to the bar. From 1887 to 1891 he was Deputy City Attorney. After the latter year he resumed practice by himself, and has continued alone ever since. His specialties are real estate and insurance law, but he has a large general practice. He is General Attorney for the Grand Lodge of the Switchmen's Union of North
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