USA > New York > Erie County > Memorial and family history of Erie County, New York Volume, II > Part 27
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and his kindly nature and benevolent disposition were as char- acteristic of him as were the force of mind and the persistence which won him success in life.
STEPHEN B. BUTTS, one of the substantial citizens of Buffalo, was connected with the mercantile interests of the city for more than fifty years.
Stephen B. Butts was the son of Reuben and Mary (Tripp) Butts, and was born in Washington, Dutchess County, New York, on May 2, 1826. When he was about five years old, the family moved to Manlius, this State, where his father bought a farm. Young Butts was educated at Manlius Academy and at Homer.
After leaving school the young man engaged in farming with his father, but becoming ambitious for a larger career, came to Buffalo in 1850 and entered the jewelry store of Oliver Dee, his brother-in-law, as clerk. Here he got his first start, and later went into business for himself, the firm being Tucker & Butts, wholesale and retail dealers in photographers' sup- plies. After a partnership successfully continued for thirty years, the firm dissolved and Mr. Butts entered into a new part- nership with J. F. Adams, who had long been a faithful clerk in his employ, under the firm name of Butts & Adams. This partnership continued until 1901, when Mr. Adams purchased from Mr. Butts his interest in the business and the latter retired to enjoy the fruits of his industry in his declining years.
In politics Mr. Butts was Republican, but while taking strong interest in the welfare of his party, he never aspired to office, preferring to allow such responsibilities to rest upon other shoulders.
An active member of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian church, he was a consistent Christian. He was a member of the Masonic Order.
His first wife, whom he married in Brighton, Michigan, in 1865, was Miss Carrie Lyon of that town. Mrs. Butts died in
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1876. In 1882 he married Miss Sarah Chapman, daughter of Horace and Sophronia (Stillwell) Chapman of Manlius, who sur- vives him, his death occurring on the twenty-fourth day of July, 1905. Mr. Butts' devotion to his home was well known to his friends and associates.
HUGH FRANCIS O'NEIL, who died October 25, 1904, was a respected citizen of Buffalo, a highly-esteemed business man, especially concerned with oil interests, and an individual who, in the religious, social and domestic relationships of life exem- plified sound principles and consistent conduct.
Mr. O'Neil was born in Armstrong County, Pa., in 1838, and was a son of Daniel and Bridget O'Neil, well-known residents of that county. Hugh F. O'Neil received a common school edu- cation, later having the advantages of a college course at Latrobe, where he graduated at the age of nineteen. When but a stripling he had already become a teacher, having taught school near his home for two years prior to going to college. After finishing his education, Mr. O'Neil went to Oil City, Pa., where he entered the employ of Mr. Krafft, a woolen mill pro- prietor and merchant, with whom he continued one year. He then engaged in the railroad business, becoming a ticket agent at Pit Hole, Pa., where he remained four years. He then returned to Oil City, where he went into the oil business, an industry with which he was connected for the rest of his life. In 1894 Mr. O'Neil removed to Buffalo, where he was placed in charge of the interests of the Eastern Oil Company, a respon- sible position which he filled most acceptably both to his employers and to that portion of the public with which he was thrown into business relations. In the different phases of his career Mr. O'Neil won and maintained the reputation of being an able and accurate man of affairs, and one of scrupulous honor and fidelity to trust.
In politics Mr. O'Neil was a Democrat, but nevertheless voted for President Mckinley, of whom he was an ardent admirer.
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He was a member of St. Louis' Church, and a generous contribu- tor to its charities. His disposition was benevolent in the wide sense of the term, and whenever a case of need or distress seemed worthy of aid, he never hesitated to give all the finan- cial assistance within his power.
Thoughtful and a man of studious habits, Mr. O'Neil was all his life a reader, and was excep- tionally well-informed. Though possessing a large acquaintance, he was not given to forming intimate friendships, but the friends whom he ad- mitted to his confidence he always retained. His nature was modest and retiring, and he was not a club man, his tastes and inclinations being cen- tered in his home, and his devotion to his family being one of the salient features of his character.
HUGH F. O'NEIL.
In 1872 Mr. O'Neil married Mary Murphy of Syracuse, N. Y. He is survived by his widow and one son, Charles.
WILLIAM HENRY BORK was a native Buffalonian, and one of Buffalo's well-known business men. For forty years he was classed among the manufacturers of that city, his book- binding concern and envelope manufactory being located at the junction of Ellicott and Swan streets. He was respected by all with whom he held business or social relations for his strict attention to business and for his candor and honesty of pur- pose.
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Mr. Bork was born in Buffalo June 11, 1843. His parents were Jacob and Mary Ann Bork. His father, a mason by trade, came to America when a very young man from Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany. William was given a good common school education, attending both the public and St. Mary's parochial schools before starting out for himself in life. Mr. Bork's first business venture was in the shoe store of W. R. Taylor, where he served as clerk for eight years before learning the book- bindery business. He entered the employment of Henry Nauert on Washington Street, where he remained for eight years longer, before becoming a partner of Mr. Nauert. This relation continued for four years more, when Mr. Bork purchased his partner's interest in 1879. Thereafter up to the time of his death he conducted the concern alone, enlarging and improving the plant and doing a heavy business in manufacturing enve- lopes also.
Mr. Bork's marriage to Frances Seyfried of Buffalo, daugh- ter of Joseph and Margaret (Horn) Seyfried, was in 1876. The union proved a very happy one. Mr. Bork made his home his club, and was a devoted husband and father, always counting the welfare of his family greater than his own. He was retiring in habits and disposition, and found his best relaxation in his home life.
Mr. Bork never entered the political arena, although in poli- tics he was one of the old-school Republicans, and upheld the principles of his party.
A regular communicant at St. Louis' Church, Mr. Bork was strong in his support of the charitable work of the church. He was fraternally connected with several Catholic societies, being a life member of the Buffalo Catholic Institute, a charter member of Branch 15 of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, and a prominent member of the Buffalo Knights of Columbus. He was also one of the charter members of the Orpheus, and kept his connection with that Society until two years before he died.
Mr. Bork's death occurred September 27, 1905. He is sur-
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vived by his widow and four daughters, Frances, Julia, Mary and Bertha.
JOHN O'CONNOR, by whose death Buffalo lost one of her most respected citizens, had a career of signal usefulness and wholly devoted to worthy aims. Belonging to the best class of the earlier immigrants from Ireland, Mr. O'Connor came to America in his young manhood, and in the land of his adoption devoted his life to the rearing of a fabric of industry and honor- able achievement.
Mr. O'Connor was born in Tralee, Ireland, August 10, 1842, being the son of Thomas and Margaret O'Connor. When nine years old he came to America, making his home in Hamilton, Ont., where he received a common -- school education. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years at Hamilton and Niagara Falls, Ont. In 1861 Mr. O'Connor came to Buffalo, where he be- came foreman for David Bell, in the shipbuilding JOHN O'CONNOR business. Later Mr. O'Connor engaged for himself in ship- building, afterward becoming a general contractor. As a man of business Mr. O'Connor attained a high reputation. His knowledge of the science of building was sound, his executive powers great and his honesty absolute. He soon obtained many
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GEORGE C.WHITE
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in 1636, and he was one of the original proprietors of Hartford, where he lived up to his death in 1684.
George Clinton White was born at Bolton, Conn., November 28, 1804. He attended Munson Academy in Massachusetts and his father wished to give him a college education, but his instinct was too strongly inclined toward business pursuits, and he declined the opportunity. Upon leaving school he and his brothers conducted a general store in Bolton, and in addition ran a line of stages to neighboring towns. He there served as Town Clerk and Town Treasurer for several years. In 1836, Mr. White disposed of his interests in Bolton and came to Buffalo, which was his home until his death, May 30, 1869. He was engaged in the brokerage business for a few years, and then, with his nephew, William Williams, he formed a private banking house under the firm name of White & Williams. This concern did a successful business for a number of years. On April 4, 1853, White's Bank was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000, which was increased on March 1, 1854, to $200,000. Mr. White was President of the bank and Mr. Williams its cashier. They were also the sole directors of the institution. Mr. White remained at the head of the bank until shortly before his death, when he sold his interests and retired from active pursuits. During its long career White's Bank enjoyed the full confidence of the community and was a large factor in the development of Buffalo.
But Mr. White's activities were not confined to banking alone. He took an active interest in whatever aided the moral and educational, as well as commercial advancement of the community in which he made his home. In April, 1846, the Buffalo Literary and Scientific Academy, founded in April, 1832, was merged into the University of Buffalo. On May 11, 1846, the institution was incorporated by act of Legislature, with a capital stock of $100,000. The incorporators named in the act were: Albert H. Tracy, George C. White, Millard Fill- more (later President of the United States), Joseph G. Masten, Thomas M. Foote, Isaac Sherman, Nathan K. Hall, Gaius B.
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Rich, Ira A. Blossom, James S. Wadsworth, William A. Bird, George W. Clinton, George R. Babcock, Aaron D. Patchen and James Hollister. Mr. White gave of his time, his energy and his money to the institution and never ceased to take an interest in its progress.
Mr. White was a Democrat and a supporter of the policies of his party, but he had no desire for public office. He was urged at one time to become a candidate for Mayor but declined that honor. Once, however, he made an exception to his rule of remaining in private life. In 1843 he served the public as Treas- urer of the city of Buffalo, succeeding John R. Lee in that office. He did not, however, seek reelection.
Mr. White attended the First Presbyterian Church. His only connection with fraternal organizations was his membership in the Odd Fellows.
The name of George Clinton White was a synonym for integ- rity in business during the many years of his active career. No man enjoyed the confidence of the community to a greater degree than he. When a man deposited his money in White's Bank he knew that it would be as carefully and jealously guarded as he would himself guard it, and much more efficiently. Mr. White lived in an atmosphere of rectitude and he knew nothing of indirection except as he met it in others. He enjoyed the esteem of the community because he had earned it by the uprightness of his life. He was retiring in his nature, and never indulged in ostentation and display, although a wealthy man. He fulfilled well his part as banker and as citi- zen. In his private life he was above reproach and when he died he left behind him a reputation in which there was neither blot nor blemish.
Mr. White married, September 23, 1841, at Colchester, Conn., Mrs. Gilbert Morgan, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Tew. Her parents were James and Sarah (Briggs) Tew, who were from Newport, R. I. Mrs. White survives her husband, but there are no surviving children.
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CHARLES TAGGART SLOAN, who died April 22, 1904, was one of Buffalo's leading business men and representative citi- zens. At the time of his death Mr. Sloan had been for many years connected with important gas interests in Buffalo, and he was also well known as Superintendent of the New York Transit Company, a branch of the Standard Oil Company, at that city.
Mr. Sloan was born at McConnellsburg, Pa., in 1853, the son of John and Keziah (Logan) Sloan. He was of Revolutionary ancestry, his maternal great-grandfather having been Capt. Charles Taggart, who was born near the Giant's Causeway, in Ireland, and came to America in company with the father of President Buchanan, settling in Pennsylvania. Captain Tag- gart took an active part in the Revolutionary War, and was later engaged in suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion. The for- tunes of war once sent him prisoner to England, where he would have starved had not a woman who had known him in Ireland brought him food. He was one of the pioneers of McConnells- burg, a staunch Presbyterian and was among the first ruling elders of the McConnellsburg Presbyterian Church. He was the father of Charles Taggart, Jr., whose daughter Mary married Thomas Logan. One of their daughters, Keziah, married John Sloan, the father of Charles Taggart Sloan.
After completing his schooling at his native town, Mr. Sloan removed to Pittsburg, Pa., where he entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company, remaining in its employ for two years. Later he entered the office of the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company, with which he was connected until 1877, when he assumed a position with the Standard Oil Com- pany, whose interests he continued, in different capacities, to represent until the close of his life. About twenty-three years before his death, Mr. Sloan came to Buffalo as Superintendent of the New York Transit Company, one of the oil lines of the Standard Oil Company, retaining the superintendency as long as he lived. In 1902 Mr. Sloan completed a pipe line at New
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Orleans, across the Mississippi River. Prior to his taking the enterprise in hand, the attempt to construct this line had sev- eral times been made, and had invariably failed. Nine years after coming to Buffalo Mr. Sloan became identified with the Buffalo Natural Gas Fuel Company, and the United Natural Gas Company. Of both these corporations Mr. Sloan was Superintendent, of the former nineteen years ago, and of the latter fifteen years ago, and the success of both was largely due to his vigor and ability. He completed the United Natural Gas Company's twelve-inch pipe line extending from Bradford, Pa., to Buffalo, the work being accomplished in exactly six months. He built three natural gas lines from the Pennsyl- vania fields into Buffalo, and one line across the Niagara River from Canada to Buffalo.
Mr. Sloan was a strong Republican, but never held any political office. He was a Mason of the 32d degree, a member of Washington Lodge; Lake Erie Commandery, Knights Tem- plar; Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Acacia Club. He attended the Bethany Presbyterian Church.
April 4, 1876, Mr. Sloan married Margaret L. Middagh, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Todd) Middagh of Patterson, Pa. He is survived by his wife and three children, Clarence M., Charles T. Sloan, Jr., and Mary Sloan.
It was truly said of Mr. Sloan that he enjoyed the esteem of every person he knew. His sympathies were warm, his tastes refined and his habits simple. He was a lover of animals and flowers. Benevolence was one of his distinguishing qualities. He was essentially a man of the home. His business talents rested on integrity and honor, and the high estimation in which he was held was but a just appreciation of actual merit.
HARRY H. VOGHT, who died December 26, 1905, was a life- long resident of Buffalo, where he was well known in the fields of real estate and insurance, and where he had won an acknowl- edged station in business and in the esteem of the community, of which he was one of the worthiest citizens.
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Mr. Voght was born in Buffalo February 24, 1859, his parents being Andrew and Margaretha (Knorr) Voght. His education was received in the public schools and Central High School, and he also graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College. Upon leaving school, Mr. Voght entered the office of Joseph Bork, the well-known real estate man, with whom shortly afterward he formed a copartnership, under the firm style of Bork & Voght. The association with Mr. Bork lasted eight years, Mr. Voght later successfully carrying on the business alone for about fifteen years, until his death in 1905. A man of enterprise, promptness and strict integrity, Mr. Voght gained the confidence of the public in an unusual degree, and the patronage he received was large and valuable. A particular characteristic of his business was its popularity with the Polish people of Buffalo.
His charities among the poorer class of his clients were many, and were highly creditable to his liberality and kindness of heart.
In politics Mr. Voght was a Republican, and some twenty years before his death served one term as Supervisor. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, belonged to the C. M. B. A., and was also a member of the Chamber of Com- merce and of the Ellicott, Kenilworth and Park clubs. In religious faith Mr. Voght was a Catholic, and was a member of St. Joseph's Cathedral, being notably true to his Christian duties, and a most generous giver to church and other charities.
February 17, 1887, Mr. Voght married Minnie E. Garvin, daughter of Patrick and Margaret Shinners Garvin of Belle- ville, N. Y., who survives him. Mrs. Voght is a woman of philanthropic character, and during her husband's lifetime was of great assistance to him in his charitable work.
Harry H. Voght was a man of warm heart, genial nature and instinctive kindliness. He was a lover of his home, of his fellow men and of the principles of Christianity and mutual forbear-
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ance. His tastes were refined, and one of his notable qualities was his fondness for children. Of magnetic personality, he quickly won friends, and his death deprived many of a faithful companion, a sound adviser and an honest repository of trust.
JOHN R. BENTLEY, son of William and Mary Bentley, was born in Montreal, Canada, September 26, 1851. When he was nine years old his parents died, and for some years he remained in the care of an elder brother. During this period he came to Buffalo, where, at the age of thirteen, he entered the tool fac- tory of George Parr, being employed in the office. With Mr. Parr he continued in a clerical capacity for five years, at the age of eighteen assuming the duties of a traveling salesman, a calling for which he showed peculiar aptitude, and which was his occupation for the rest of his life. Later Mr. Bentley was engaged by John Kingston, who conducted a shoe last business, to act as his manager and traveling representative. In this capacity he continued until 1877, when he became traveling salesman for the 'John Clark Manufacturing Company of Buffalo, also filling a similar position for the Sheppard Hard- ware Company, at Black Rock. Later he became connected with the Buffalo Forge Company, the John C. Jewett Manu- facturing Company and the Buffalo Manufacturing Company, representing all of these industries up to the time of his death, which occurred February 14, 1905.
Mr. Bentley was a Republican, and a valued worker in his party, but never held or sought a political office. At one time he was connected with Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, of the Volunteer Fire Department, and he was afterward an Exempt Fireman. He was a member of Erie Lodge, No. 161, of Masons; Buffalo Chapter, No. 71, Royal Arch Masons; Lake Erie Com- mandery, No. 20, Knights Templar, and Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belonged to the Knights of Pythias, to New Era Lodge 410 of Odd Fellows, and to the A. O. U. W.
HENRY G. DRUMMER
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June 7, 1877, Mr. Bentley married Adelaide Schenck, daugh- ter of Joseph and Marion Schenck of Buffalo.
In his special calling, to which he devoted the thought and energies of almost the whole of his active life, Mr. Bentley was a business man of a very high order. His tact and knowledge of trade conditions were large, his industry unbounded and his experience exceptional. Personally he was a man of gentle and kindly nature, generous and sincere. Though he led a busy life, he was fond of healthful recreation, and was a lover of sports and outdoor amusements. His disposition was genial, and he had hosts of friends. Among the striking characteris- tics of Mr. Bentley were his helpfulness and his practical charity.
HENRY G. DRUMMER, who died on the 11th of October, 1907, for many years held a place of representative prominence in Buffalo business life. For upwards of a quarter of a century Mr. Drummer was identified with the George Irish Paper Com- pany, of which he was President and Treasurer for the five years preceding his decease. With the practical ability that won Mr. Drummer success were united rare qualities of mind and heart. His was one of those gentle, just and sincere natures which inspire confidence and retain friendship. Respected as a citizen, he was loved as a man.
Mr. Drummer was born at Hamburg, Erie County, N. Y., in 1859, the son of Joseph Drummer. He was reared in his native town, where he received a common school education, but left school when he was eleven years old. When sixteen years of age he came to Buffalo and entered the employ of the George Irish Paper Company, as bookkeeper. His diligence and strict conscientiousness quickly commended him to the firm, and he was advanced from one position to another, always with increased responsibilities. He became Secretary and Treasurer of the concern. He also for three years conducted a news stand at Main and Niagara Streets, attending to the duties of this enterprise evenings, after business hours.
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Upon the death of Mr. George Irish, till then head of the George Irish Paper Company, it became necessary to find a successor, and Mr. Drummer's long experience in the business made him the logical choice for President, to which office he was elected, continuing, as well as Treasurer, for the remaining five years of his life.
Besides his relationship with the George Irish Paper Com- pany, Mr. Drummer was President of the Limestone & Brick Company, a successful industry located at Lancaster, N. Y.
Mr. Drummer was an active member of the Chamber of Com- merce, and always took the interest of a progressive citizen in any movement pertaining to the material or moral advance- ment of Buffalo. He was a leader in Masonic circles, being affiliated with Hiram Lodge No. 105, F. & A. M., and with Zuleika Grotto. He was a member of the Buffalo Yacht Club.
In 1889 Mr. Drummer married Miss Ella Link. He is sur- vived by his wife and two daughters, Ethel and Helen Drummer.
It is due to Mr. Drummer's memory to add a word of further characterization of those traits that endeared him to all who knew him. He was one of the most generous and liberal of men, but his numerous charities were dispensed in a very quiet way.
His name will continue to be cherished in the hearts of those to whom close association with him revealed his noble qualities as a man, a friend and a citizen.
GEORGE IRISH, who died October 15, 1902, began life with no capital save that of a strong will, a warm and honest heart and a clear brain. He lived to become the founder of a great business and to be recognized by an important community as one of its leading citizens.
Mr. Irish was born in Lewiston, Niagara County, N. Y., July 11, 1843, and was the son of William Henry and Martha (Cal-
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houn) Irish. The father of Mr. Irish was a farmer. His paternal grandparents, George and Polly Irish, at one time lived in Albany, N. Y., but later came to Lewiston and engaged in farming. The mother of the subject of this sketch was of the same family with John C. Calhoun, the celebrated Southern statesman. George Irish was educated in the common schools of Lewiston, and in boyhood led the ordinary life of a farmer's son, working on his father's farm summers and attending school in winter. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he entered the army, enlisting at Niagara Falls, N. Y., April 19, 1861, in Company I, 28th New York Volunteers. At the time of his enlistment he was only in his eighteenth year. Doubtless fearing parental opposition, he told his family nothing about his intention to join the army, and his parents did not know of the step he had taken till his mother received a letter with the news that he was a soldier. Mr. Irish was among the first who offered their services to the Union cause and served for two years. He participated in many engagements, was several times wounded and contracted dangerous illness from exposure. March 19, 1862, he was promoted Corporal and February 9, 1863, was made Sergeant. He was honorably discharged June 2, 1863.
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