USA > New York > Erie County > Memorial and family history of Erie County, New York Volume, II > Part 11
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Mr. Cunneen's advice and services were much in request in movements relating to the welfare of Buffalo. He held a num- ber of positions on commissions appointed by mayors of that city, was an active member of the Erie County Bar Association and a Trustee of the State Law Library.
January 26, 1876, Mr. Cunneen married Elizabeth A. Bass of Albion, who survives him with one daughter, Charlotte E. Cunneen.
Mr. Cunneen passed from this life after an illness of little more than a week's duration.
His constitution opposed a strong resistance to the inroads of his malady, and his courage and serenity gave additional hope for a favorable issue. But it became sadly evident that the end was near, and Mr. Cunneen died as he had lived, bravely, calmly and sustained by the faith which is the abiding anchor of the Christian.
A life like that of Mr. Cunneen carries its own lessons and comment. In him death removed from the community an illus- trious citizen and from the world a good and noble man whose example cannot die and whose memory will ever be cherished in the hearts of all who knew him.
NELSON HOLLAND, a veteran in the lumber industry and one of Buffalo's representative men of affairs, occupies in the business world a rank which is the just reward of an active career remarkable for length, diversity and uniform success.
Mr. Holland is of New England ancestry, being the eighth in descent from John Holland who came to this country in 1633.
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Among the children of John and Judith Holland was John Holland (2d), who settled at Newton, Mass., where he married Elizabeth Park. Their son, Jonas, married for his first wife, Sarah Banister, and for his second wife Bathsheba Ivory. One of their children, Jonas Holland, Jr., served in the War of 1812, and was commissioned Captain in the Second Regiment Light Dragoons, by President Madison. Luther Holland was a farm- er and manufacturer. He was a man of mechanical talent and made the first fire pumps that were operated by hand. At the time of his death he was a resident of Springville, N. Y. He married for his first wife Clarissa Ashley, and their children were: Nelson, George, Ashley, Clarissa and Luther. Mr. Holland's second wife was Mercy Smith. Their children were Mary and Emily. The late Dr. J. G. Holland, the distinguished American author and editor, belonged to a branch of the family now under consideration, and was a cousin of the father of Mr. Nelson Holland. George Holland was an able, enterprising citizen and a man well known in connection with the early development of industries in Erie County. He was born Sep- tember 27, 1805, and died August 27, 1888. Before coming to Western New York he lived at Belchertown, Mass. In 1836 he removed to Springville, Erie County, N. Y., where he resided until his death, pursuing the occupation of farmer and manu- facturer. In politics he was a Whig, and later a Republican. He was a pillar of the Presbyterian Church. The wife of Mr. Holland was Mary Ann Graves. They were the parents of ten children.
Nelson Holland was born in Belchertown, Mass., June 24, 1829. In childhood he accompanied his family to Springville, Erie County, N. Y., where he was educated in the public schools and at Springville Academy, now the Griffiths Institute. Leaving school at the age of eighteen, he worked on his father's farm till 1850. In October of that year he came to Buffalo, where for a short time he was in the employ of his uncle, Selim Sears, who was then engaged in the lumber business. Soon he
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entered the service of Oliver Bugbee, a Buffalo lumber dealer, whom he represented in the purchase and shipping of lumber in Michigan, and with whom he remained three years and a half. The first independent business venture of Mr. Holland was at St. Clair, Mich., where he embarked in general lumber dealing and manufacture on an extensive scale for nine years, operating many mills. During this period he was associated in business with William Oaks of Detroit, with whom he pur- chased the Barnard interest in the Barnard & Brooks saw-mill in that city. Later the partners bought of S. S. Barnard 4,000 acres of Michigan pine lands, and in 1855 purchased a mill at St. Clair. In 1863 the copartnership was dissolved, Mr. Holland taking the mill, of which he assumed the management.
The necessity of looking after the sales of his lumber output brought Mr. Holland to Buffalo in April, 1863. Here he pur- chased an interest in the planing mill of Eaton, Brown & Com- pany. In 1881 the firm of Lee, Holland & Co. was established, the members of the firm being Mr. Holland, James H. Lee, Franklin Lee, his brother, and Henry Montgomery. Its output was immense, and it was soon a conceded fact that Lee, Holland & Co. was the most important firm of its kind in Buffalo. Mr. Holland's active connection with the lumber business covers a period of more than half a century. He has not only held his place in the front rank of the lumber trade, but his name is among the most prominent in lake transportation, in which he was actively interested for forty years. As proprietor of the Buffalo Standard Radiator Company, he also engaged in the manufacture of radiators. Mr. Holland is a Presbyterian, and a liberal contributor to the financial support and charities of his church. Formerly he was a member of the North Presby- terian Church and served as President of its Board of Trustees. He now belongs to Westminster Presbyterian Church, in which he fills the office of Elder.
June 16, 1857, Mr. Holland married Susan Ann Clark. Mrs. Holland is a native of Silver Creek, N. Y., and was born Decem-
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ber 24, 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Holland have four children, of whom Jessie Clark, the eldest, was born in St. Clair, Mich., February 4, 1862. October 8, 1885, she became the wife of Dr. Carlton R. Jewett, a leading physician of Buffalo. Helen Lee, the second; daughter, was born in Buffalo, May 11, 1871, and married. George P. Keating. Her sister, Grace, was born January 6, 1873. She is now the wife of Lyman M. Bass, a prominent Buffalo lawyer. Nelson Clarke Holland, only son of Nelson. Holland, was born in Buffalo October 11, 1875, He received a liberal education, graduating from Yale University in 1899. After leaving college he became connected with the lumber business of his father in Buffalo, later being sent to New York City as the representative of the firm, a highly responsible position which he continues to fill. He married Miss Evelyn Hudson. They have one son, Nelson Holland II.
DR. SAMUEL GRISWOLD DORR. Whether as physician, postmaster or business man the name and fragrant memory of Dr. Samuel G. Dorr will long be cherished by a grateful people whom he served so well and he will be held in most affectionate remembrance by all who knew him in the more intimate rela- tions of life as friend and associate. The story of his eventful life reveals a many-sided man, and in all the varied aspects of his busy life he rose to the highest standards of justice and civic righteousness. He came of a long line of distinguished ancestry in this country, whose roll of honor bears the names of many who have been prominent in the affairs of the country for two centuries and a half. Edward Dorr, the American pro- genitor of the Dorr family, came from the Western part of England to this country, landing at Boston in 1670. Edmund Dorr, one of his descendants, removed to Connecticut, where he married into the Griswold family, which contributed several governors to that State. Another ancestor, Captain Matthew Dorr, commanded a company at the Battle of Saratoga in the Revolution, and for special gallantry was officially compli-
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mented by Gen. Gates. One of Captain Dorr's sons was Samuel Griswold Dorr, the inventor.
Dr. Dorr was born at Dansville, New York, 1840. He was liberally educated at Nunda Academy, New York, and gradu- ated from Albion State Academy in Wisconsin. He then returned to South Dansville, New York, where he operated a flour mill, which he purchased from his father. He was pur- suing the quiet occupation of miller when the gathering storm and its culminating events of '61 so aroused the patriotic ardor of the young man that when Lincoln made his first call for seventy-five thousand citizen soldiery to defend the perpetuity of the Union, Mr. Dorr gallantly volunteered his services by enlisting in the 116th Regiment within 40 hours after the call was made. His gallant ambition, however, was not to be realized. Stricken with severe illness on board the troop train bound for the front, he was DR. SAMUEL G. DORR. invalided and sent home. His patriotism, however, found fitting recognition when he had sufficiently recovered in his appointment by Governor Seymour as Recruiting Agent for one-half of Livingstone County, a posi- tion in which he served with ability and fidelity until the close of the war. Returning to civil life, he became attracted to the oil fields of Pennsylvania, and in partnership with Charles Twining, engaged first in the oil refining business at Oil Creek
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and later in the cooperage business at Waterford, neither of which, however, proved congenial to Mr. Dorr's tastes, and from special predilection for the more intellectual pursuits of life, or perhaps through the force of heredity, he resolved upon a professional career and accordingly in 1873 entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, graduating with honors two years later.
Locating in practice in East Buffalo, he was successful from the start. A student of his profession he kept thoroughly abreast with the wonderful strides of advance the science has made in recent years. He was a member of the various medical societies, and was connected with several hospitals and chari- table institutions, his services rendered being of a professional and charitable character. He was a member and trustee of the Sentinal Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Mason.
While thus prominent as a physician it was probably as a public man and as Postmaster of Buffalo that Dr. Dorr was most widely known. He was early drawn into politics. The genuine open-heartedness of his nature made and retained friendships easily. His unaffected cordiality, earnest sympathy, and his genial and affable manner were predominant attributes of his nature that made him a power in the political fortunes of Buffalo for many years. The abolition of slavery and the puri- fication of politics constituted his political creed. An ardent Republican since the days of Fremont, he was also as staunch a protectionist as he was relentless as a reformer. Abraham Lincoln was his political idol. He was a delegate to the Repub- lican National Convention at Chicago in 1888, which nominated Benjamin Harrison for President, was elected Supervisor from the 5th Ward of Buffalo the following year, serving two terms. In 1899 he was appointed Postmaster of Buffalo by President Mckinley. He brought to the duties of the office the same great energy and ability that always characterized the man. Though a rigid disciplinarian he enjoyed to the fullest the esteem and friendship of all the employes of his office. During his term many reforms were instituted, and the general efficiency of the
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service greatly improved. He was the first postmaster to occupy the new building aud the system of business of the new office was organized and perfected by him, so that in inany respects his was not only one of the most capable but one of the most difficult and important administrations in the history of the Buffalo office. The events which had their culmination in Dr. Dorr's appointment as Postmaster began as early as 1895, when he became a prominent figure in the East Side Republican League, and was brought forward by his friends for the nomi- nation for Representative in the 32nd Congressional District. As a member and Treasurer of the Republican General Com- mittee from the 8th Ward he was a potent factor for many years.
He was a member of the old Buffalo Republican League and the new Buffalo Republican Club, and took an active part in the agitation that led to the enactment of the present primary election law. A pleasing and forceful speaker, his services were in much demand during campaigns, and he became widely known throughout Western New York as a campaign orator.
Dr. Dorr was married in July, 1864, to Miss Rebecca Bradley, of Dansville, who with six children survives. Such is but a brief review of the salient features of a life well spent.
As a skillful physician he stood in the forefront in his pro- fession; as a Republican leader he had few equals in Western New York, but it was as a citizen of the community in which he resided and as the man, that the great nobility of his fine character shone forth. His was a striking but most pleasing personality. Of great kindness of heart and broad sympathy, he was an extremely generous and charitable man, though his benefactions were so quietly bestowed that few ever knew of the extent of the benevolences of this good man's heart, save those who were the recipients of his bounty.
CYRUS KINNE PORTER, senior member of the firm of Cyrus K. Porter & Sons, is one of Buffalo's leading architects, and
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during a long career has successfully maintained the best stand- ards of his profession. Mr. Porter is a prominent temperance worker and the founder of the Royal Templars of Temperance.
Mr. Porter is a descendant of Robert Porter who emigrated from England to the American Colonies and became one of the proprietors of Farmington, Conn., where he settled in 1640. His son, Thomas, was the father of Nathaniel, whose son, Nathaniel, was the father of David, who purchased a farm in Cicero, N. Y., about 1812 or 1813, and resided there till his death. He married Esther, daughter of Gideon and Hannah (Messen- ger) Burr. Welcome Porter, son of David, was born at De Ruyter, Madison County, N. Y., December 2, 1805, and died in Richmond City, Lake County, O., August 7, 1845. He married, first, Rachel, daughter of Rev. Joshua and Melinda (Leach) Kinne of Cicero, N. Y., on October 18, 1827. The children of the marriage were: Cyrus Kinne Porter and Rachel Melinda, who married George W. Kittell, M.D. Welcome Porter mar- ried, in 1836, for his second wife, Annie B., daughter of John and Elizabeth Weaver of Salina, N. Y. The children of this union were: John Archibald, James Alfred, another son who died in infancy, Catherine C., who married Capt. John Lowe, and Eliza- beth A., who married Charles Parmlee.
Cyrus Kinne Porter was born in Cicero, Onondaga County, N. Y., August 27, 1828, and received his education in the com- mon schools. In 1848 he began his apprenticeship as a builder, and later qualified himself for an architect. After spending two years in the office of the engineer of the Chicago Water Works he removed to the province of Ontario, where for ten . years he was engaged in business. In 1865 he came to Buffalo, where he was appointed Superintendent of Construction in rebuilding the American Block. In 1866 he formed a partnership with H. M. Wilcox, under the firm style of Wilcox & Porter. Soon afterward he purchased his part- ner's interest and for some time followed his profession alone. Later, with his sons, Jesse R. and Cyrus K.
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Porter, Jr., he established the firm of Cyrus K. Porter & Sons, which has existed ever since. The firm is widely known and enjoys a large patronage. Among the Buffalo buildings designed by Mr. Porter are Trinity and St. Patrick's churches, the Builders' Exchange and the new municipal buildings. He has won premiums for designs for the War, State and Navy Department Building at Washington, and the City Hall, Quebec, and makes a specialty of churches, schools and other public buildings.
He is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Royal Templars of Temperance, Good Templars, Sons of Temperance and United Workmen.
December 4, 1854, Mr. Porter married Edna Marie, daughter of Stafford and Lucy Smith of Waterford, Ont. Mrs. Porter died April 26, 1857. The only child of the marriage was a son, who died in infancy. Mr. Porter married for his second wife, Emeline, daughter of Jesse and Ellen (Holmes) Rice of Town- send, Ont. Their children are: Edna M., Jesse R., Hermione T., Minnie K., and Cyrus K. Porter, Jr.
CYRUS K. PORTER, JR., is associated with Cyrus K. Porter & Sons, architects and builders. He was born in Buffalo October 16, 1873, being a son of Cyrus K. Porter, Sr., and Emeline (Rice). He graduated from Buffalo High School and studied for the profession of an architect, later becoming a member of the above firm. He was for twelve years a member of the 74th Regiment, N. G. N. Y.
December 26, 1904, Mr. Porter married Belle T. Weekes, daughter of Robert Stratton Weekes of New York City.
WILLIS K. JACKSON. Sound practical ability guided along lines of concentrated effort has won Willis K. Jackson a promi- nent place in the business life of Buffalo. Mr. Jackson is one of our leading citizens and a representative man in industrial circles. Born in the West, he came to Buffalo in childhood. A member of the large cooperage and lumber firm of Tindle &
NK. Jackon
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Jackson, he has for many years been connected with that in- dustry in which he is a leading factor and to whose prosperity he has greatly contributed. He is a man of force and decision of character, of executive powers of a high order, and in addition to the esteem of business circles has the hearty respect of the community.
Willis K. Jackson is a son of Alanson A. and Susan J. Jack- son, and was born in Edgerton, Wisconsin, on the 22d of Sep- tember, 1861. When six years old he came with his family to Buffalo, and his early education was obtained in the public schools of this city. Graduating from public school at the age of sixteen, young Jackson immediately afterward entered busi- ness, his first employment being with the Tug Association at Central Wharf. He was desirous, however, of further improving his education, and when the navigation season was closed he became a student in Prof. Herman Poole's Practical School, where besides a complete commercial course he pursued a special course in the higher mathematics. These studies occu- pied him two winters, his summers being employed in work for the Tug Association and for various commission houses on Central Wharf. Later he was employed for five years in a mercantile office.
At the age of twenty-five years Mr. Jackson became connected with the cooperage business of Thomas Tindle. Here he was for a short time employed on a salary, but his ability soon led to his being identified with the concern in very responsible capacities, and presently he was admitted partner, the firm style of the house becoming Thos. Tindle and Co., and later on Tindle & Jackson. The relations of Mr. Jackson with the busi- ness have continued to the present time. The firm is one of Buffalo's representative concerns, has an immense trade, doing an average business of $1,500,000 annually, and is one of the largest concerns of its kind in the world. Originally extensive operators in slack cooperage stock-that is, stave heads and hoops to be made up by customers into barrels-the firm branched out into manufacture of cooperage stock, lumber,
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broom handles and other wood products. Its headquarters are in Buffalo, but it has established a series of mills within reach of timber lands which they own in the State of Michigan. The products of the business are distributed all over the Union. As one of the executive heads of the business, Mr. Jackson has made its details and its general bearings as regards sources of supply and market conditions a study for many years and he is one of the best-informed men on these questions in the country. As a business man he is characterized by vim and initiative, and he also has the broad grasp of situations which is an indispen- sable prerequisite for the successful direction of a great enter- prise. His relations with the commercial world have always been consistent with the principles of strict integrity and no business man of our city enjoys a higher reputation for fair dealing and for motives consonant with the sterling maxims of commercial honor.
Politically a strong Republican, Mr. Jackson stands well in the counsels of his party and has a wide influence among its members. He belongs to the Buffalo Republican League and has taken an active part in its affairs. He has, however, never cared to hold political office, and personal interests have never had a share in his party affiliations.
Early in life Mr. Jackson became a member of the National Guard of the State of New York and served six years in that organization. Enlisting as a private in Company D of the 65th Regiment, he was later transferred to Company F. His pro- motion was rapid, and he became successively Corporal, Second Sergeant, First Sergeant, Second Lieutenant and First Lieu- tenant. His military services were efficient and faithful and he was well liked by the officers and men of the command.
Mr. Jackson is a member of the Asbury Methodist Church. He has a wide sphere of acquaintance and many friends both in business and social circles.
On the 22d of September, 1886, Mr. Jackson married Miss Annette Tindle, a daughter of his partner, Mr. Thomas Tindle of Buffalo.
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JOSEPH MISCHKA, Supervisor of Music in the Buffalo public schools, honorary Director and former leader of the Liedertafel Singing Society, former Director of the Arion and Vocal societies, organist of Temple Beth-Zion, and of the Dela- ware Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church of Buffalo, is Buffalo's musical director par excellence, and one of the repre- sentative musicians of the State.
Mr. Mischka's paternal ancestry was Hungarian, while his mother came of German lineage. His father, Adalbert Mischka, was born February 2, 1817, and lived in the town of Herrman-Myes- tetz, Bohemia. About 1840 he was drafted into the Austrian army, and in 1852 he came with his -- family to America, set- tling in Buffalo, where he continued to pursue his trade of cabinet-maker till his death, February 22, 1894. He was inde- pendent in politics, in re- ligion a Roman Catholic, JOSEPH MISCHKA. and attended St. Louis' Church. Before coming to the United States he married Barbara Wilhelmina Schmidt of Herman- Myestetz, Bohemia, who was born October 12, 1817, and died March 21, 1890. Of their eight children, two, Bohmumil and Josephine, died in infancy, and two daughters, Anna and Emily, have since died. The children who survive are: Joseph Charles, Augusta and Edward, all residents of Buffalo. Charles Mischka is Professor of Music in Canisius College, and his sister,
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Anna, achieved distinction as an opera, concert and church singer.
Joseph Mischka was born at Herman-Myestetz, Bohemia, May 8, 1846, and received his early education in his native town. In 1852 he came with his parents to America, and continued his studies in the Buffalo public schools and at the parochial school of St. Louis' Church. He manifested unmistakable musical ability in childhood, and when seven years old began the study of the violin, and was made a member of the orchestra of St. Louis' Church. Later he developed fine vocal powers and became principal alto of the choir. When thirteen years old he was obliged to leave school and begin work for Blodgett & Bradford, a Buffalo firm of music dealers. Mr. Blodgett, the senior partner, quickly recognized the musical talent of his employe, gave him valuable lessons and advice and helped him in many ways. At the age of fifteen Mr. Mischka was made organist of the North Presbyterian Church Sunday-School in Buffalo, and soon afterward became organist of the Calvary Presbyterian Church. From there he went to Westminster Church, and subsequently to the old Unitarian Church. In the meantime he was appointed head of the Arion Society, a chorus of male voices, and under his direction the concerts of the society were very popular. In 1868 he was made chorus-master of the Caroline Richings Opera Company, with which he con- tinued one year.
In 1870 the Liedertafel directorship being vacant, Mr. Mischka volunteered to conduct the rehearsals. He was so well liked that the society abandoned the idea of sending to Europe for a leader, and he was appointed to the place, retaining it for twenty-four years, save a two years' interval from 1877 to 1879. In 1894 he resigned to devote more time to his work in the public schools. On his retirement he was elected honorary member and honorary Director of the organization. In 1887 Mischka was chosen Director of the Vocal Society, Buffalo, and continued to hold the place till 1894. For thirty-six years he
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