USA > New York > Erie County > Memorial and family history of Erie County, New York Volume, II > Part 31
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All his life Mr. Meldrum was a firm believer in the cause of temperance and an energetic worker in its behalf. His enthusi- asm in this regard was one of his most strongly marked charac- teristics.
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In his domestic surroundings the gentleness and amiability which were among the dominant elements of Mr. Meldrum's character appeared in the clearest light. He was devoted to his wife and family. Since his death Mrs. Meldrum has had charge of the real property and other interests of his estate in Buffalo, and in her relations to this important and responsible trust has shown rare business ability and tact of a high order.
AUGUST HAGER, whose death occurred November 14, 1901, was one of the leading German-Americans of Buffalo. Mr. Hager was born at Bliescastle, Bavaria, June 7, 1830. His parents were John and Theresa Hager, the name of the mother's family being Wechter. August Hager's education was obtained at a college in France. In 1849 he came to the United States and settled in Buffalo, finding his first employment in a hotel kept by Jacob Benzino, his future brother-in-law. Here he worked for a year and a half. He then bought out the business of J. Ellis, who was engaged in selling camphene and fluid used for burning purposes in the lamps of that period. Mr. Ilager took up the sale of this commodity with his customary energy, selling from door to door and working up a large trade. In the meantime he had started a small grocery. In 1852 Mr. Hager, in company with Charles Gibbons, engaged in the wholesale liquor business under the firm style of Gibbons & Hager, the partnership continuing until 1866. Mr. Hager was not again actively engaged in business until 1870, when he built a grocery store at the corner of Bennett street and Broadway. From 1872 to 1890 he was engaged in the wholesale leaf tobacco trade. In 1874 he bought a farm of thirty acres located in what were then the outskirts of Buffalo. Mr. Hager took a keen and pro- gressive interest in the development of this property. As his children married or became of age, he gave them houses and lands in the suburb which he had done so much to improve, and the survivors of the family still reside there.
Mr. Hager was a Democrat, and in 1865 he was elected Alder-
FRANK PEREW
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man for the old Fifth Ward for a term of three years. Three years before his death he was appointed Park Commissioner by Mayor Diehl, and continued to fill that position till his decease in 1901. In both of his municipal offices Mr. Hager proved him- self an honest, fearless and efficient representative of the public.
He was an enthusiast in the cause of improving the park system of Buffalo and to him is largely due the creation and mapping out of the fine Humboldt and Delaware parks.
September 21, 1852, Mr. Hager married Mary Backe of Buffalo, a daughter of Jacob and Ottilia (Ilig) Backe. The sur- viving children of this marriage are: Mary (Mrs. Joseph Gable); Ottilia (Mrs. Joseph Kopf), Rosa (Mrs. Julius P. Stadterman), Charles A., Jacob, Frank, Edward A. and August J. Hager.
Mr. Hager was a director of the Roman Catholic Cemetery Association at Pine Hill, and was Secretary and one of the first directors of the German Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum. He was a member and for many years a trustee of St. Vincent's Church, and a member of the C. M. B. A.
Viewed in all the relations of life, Mr. Hager was the soul of honor, and the esteem in which he was held was universal.
FRANK PEREW. The great single feature in the up- building of Buffalo has been its lake traffic, and to no class of men is that city more indebted than to the men who have built up the vast merchant marine of the Great Lakes. A splendid example of this class of men was the late Capt. Frank Perew. Self-made, capable, resolute, resourceful, he arose from modest beginnings through the various grades of service on the Great Lakes until he became himself the owner of vessels and a prominent factor in marine traffic.
Frank Perew was born at Clayton, N. Y., October 24, 1825. His father was Felix Perew and both of his parents were of French origin. He received a common-school education, but his parents died when he was young and he was obliged to make
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his own way in the world. Being born on the shores of Lake Ontario it was but natural that he should adopt a sailor's life. In 1843, when he was 17 years old, he served on board a vessel, and the following year found him a sailor on the schooner John Porter. He must have shown unusual ability at once, for his service as a common sailor lasted only one year. In 1845 and 1846 Mr. Perew was mate of a schooner sailing out of Cleve- land, and the year 1847 saw him the builder and part owner of the schooner Kosciuska. This boat had a capacity of 8,000 bushels and was considered a large boat in those days. He sailed this vessel until the spring of 1850, when he became master of the steamer Belle, which, together with the Fashion and the Diamond, formed a line running from Buffalo to Cleve- land, making stops at all ports along the south shore.
Capt. Perew sailed the Belle until 1852, when he built a pro- peller called the Nile, 800 tons, in the ownership of which he had a quarter interest. The following year he purchased the Indiana, a propeller of 400 tons. This was the first vessel of which Capt. Perew had entire ownership, and from that time forward he had no partners in his marine ventures. He com- manded the Indiana until 1855, when he retired from service on the lakes and devoted his entire time to vessel interests in a proprietary sense. His business then expanded rapidly, and he acquired a large fortune as builder and proprietor of many of the most important vessels on the lakes. In 1892 Capt. Perew disposed of all his interests in the vessel business after having been identified for half a century with marine interests.
Capt. Perew was twice married, his first wife having been a Miss Wooley of Cleveland. July 17, 1867, he married Alice R. Currier, daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Cook) Currier of Buffalo. Capt. Perew is survived by his widow and four children: Frank C. of Los Angeles, Cal .; Mrs. Gibson T. (Alice Currier) Williams; Robert J. and Miss Beatrice Perew.
A fine type of the class of men who have formed the bone and sinew of the ports of the great Inland Seas. Capt. Perew was
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endowed with a fortunate disposition which attracted to him hosts of friends. Like most sailors he was strong in his con- victions, but warm of heart. Sincere, candid and unaffected, his character was like an open book which all could read, and he was beloved by all who knew him.
FRANKLIN NEWTON COOPER, who spent the latter part of his life in Buffalo, served his country as a soldier during the Civil War, and then turned to the pursuits of peace. In the transportation business and in Grand Army circles he was par- ticularly well known.
Mr. Cooper was born in Wampsville, Madison County, N. Y., June 4, 1842, and was the son of John and Catherine (Miller) Cooper. He was born on a farm and attended the public schools until he was sixteen years old, when he entered Oneida Semi- nary and, later, Cazenovia Seminary. He was still a student when the Civil War broke out and Lincoln issued the call to arms. When only eighteen years old he enlisted as a private in Lieut. George J. Whiteman's company, Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps Volunteers, on January 1, 1862. He received an honorable discharge January 3, 1865. Mr. Cooper participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Chancellorsville and Bull Run, as well as minor actions. After the Battle of Chan- cellorsville he injured his ankle and was compelled to retire from active service. He was sent to the hospital at Washing- ton, D. C., and later was made ward master in the hospital, in which capacity he served until he received his discharge.
When Mr. Cooper returned from the war he bought a small fruit farm at Masten, Wayne County, near Palmyra, which he cultivated for a year. He then went to Iowa for a period of seven years, being engaged in farming and the meat business. Returning to New York State, he carried on a meat business at Oneida for several years. In 1889 Mr. Cooper located in Buffalo, where he spent the rest of his life. For eleven years he was in the employ of the American Express Company as messenger
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between Buffalo and New York City. He then went into the painting contracting business, which he followed until his death June 18, 1903.
Mr. Cooper was a member of the Baptist Church. He was a member of the Masons and of the Grand Army of the Republic, and found much pleasure in his frequent reunions with his brothers in arms. He was originally a Democrat, but later he supported the Republican party. Although a veteran and as such entitled to preference in the public service, he never held or sought office. A distinguishing characteristic of Mr. Cooper was his fondness for reading. He not only was well posted on the standard authors, but kept abreast of the literature of the day and was fully in touch with current affairs. Upright, faithful and zealous as a business man, a brave and loyal soldier, a tender husband and affectionate father, he died lamented by all who knew him.
Mr. Cooper, on May 17, 1865, married Laura Ann Perry of Oneida, daughter of George W. Perry and Julia F. (Burrows) Perry. He is survived by his wife and three children, George P. Cooper of Pittsburg; Florence M. (Mrs. Richard Warfield) and Earl H. Cooper.
GRIFFIN SMITH, who for many years was connected with important real estate interests in Buffalo, was a citizen held in universal esteem, both in career and character being a man of the type which consistently tends to the uplifting of the com- munity and the diffusion of the spirit of integrity, benevolence and honor. A veteran of the Civil War period, Mr. Smith per- formed meritorious service in his country's behalf, and through- out his life he was distinguished for patriotism.
Mr. Smith was a lifelong resident of Buffalo, having been born in that city December 11, 1843, and being identified with his native community till his death, which occurred May 15, 1901. The parents of Griffin Smith were Eli B. and Maria Smith, both in their day well and favorably known in Buffalo. Eli Smith
GRIFFIN SMITH
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was engaged in the milk business, and after receiving a common school education, Griffin Smith became associated with his father in the milk trade, continuing with him till, at a later period, the business was disposed of, the elder Smith having acquired large landed interests which required the attention both of himself and his son. After the death of his father, the care of the latter's real property investments devolved upon Griffin Smith, who represented the heirs in the management of the estate, and continued to do so till his death.
A strong adherent of the Union cause, the invasion of the North by General Lee was the immediate means of inducing Mr. Smith to enter the military service of the nation. On the 19th of June, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, of the 17th Regi- ment N. Y. State Militia Volunteers. After serving through the campaign, he was honorably discharged on the 3d of August, 1863. November 16th of the same year he reenlisted in the 74th, for the purpose of assisting to protect Fort Porter from an attack by the British in Canada. On the 16th of December, 1863, he was again honorably discharged.
Mr. Smith was a strict Republican, a member of the G. A. R., and the Cedar Street Baptist Church, and a willing and gen- erous contributor to charities.
In 1866 Mr. Smith married Anna Huff of Hamburg, N. Y., who died in 1870. Their only surviving child is Preston R. Smith, now an attorney practicing in Buffalo. In 1881 Mr. Smith married again, his second wife being Helen Griffin of East Aurora, N. Y., who died in 1891. There is one surviving child of the marriage, Silas W. Smith of East Aurora. September 19, 1894, Mr. Smith married Inez E. Rodgers, daughter of T. J. and Helen (MacArthur) Rodgers of East Aurora.
Mr. Smith was of a retiring disposition, but his quiet exterior concealed a warm heart, a kindly nature and a thoughtful mind. His friends were many, and the social relationships he formed were enduring. A believer in the home as the foundation of society, Mr. Smith was devoted to domestic life, finding in it
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companionship and mental and spiritual content. As husband, father, business man and citizen, Griffin Smith lived in accord with true ideals, and his reward was a career of peace, success and happiness accentuated by the consciousness of fidelity to duty and by the respect and love of his fellow-men.
GEORGE W. SHAMP, who died September 20, 1904, was a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Buffalo, and a man. whose life afforded a notable example of usefulness and success. Mr. Shamp was the son of David and Nancy (Tyler) Shamp, and was born in Perry, Wyoming County, N. Y., March 30, 1846. After receiving an elementary education in the public schools, he entered the Perry High School, from which he graduated. On leaving school he began working at the carpeuter's trade, which he followed for a few years in Geneseo, N. Y. Later he went to Rochester, where for several years he was in the employ of George W. Aldrich. Subsequently GEORGE SHAMP. he removed to Orange, N. J., where he resided two or three years, at the end of this time coming to Buffalo. Here he established a machine-shop at Washington and Perry streets, where he successfully con- ducted a pattern-making business till 1895. He then disposed of his business in order to assume a responsible position with
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the George N. Pierce Bicycle Manufacturing Company, to which concern he was of especial value because of his ability as a mechanical expert and his inventive genius. He had at the time of entering the employ of the Pierce Company made not- able improvements in the wheels and handle-bars of bicycles, and while with the firm he perfected the Pierce bicycle hub. In the spring of 1896 he left the Pierce Company to take charge of the Standard Radiator Works, where he remained a year as superintendent. He then engaged again in business for him- self, establishing a new machineshop, which he carried on with success until failing health obliged him to retire from active pursuits. Aside from his bicycle appliances, he originated or improved a number of other important inventions.
Mr. Shamp was a staunch Republican, a Mason, and attended the Hudson Street Baptist Church.
September 6, 1871, Mr. Shamp married Mary Ranger, daugh- ter of Alonson and Fanny (Firman) Ranger of Geneseo, N. Y. He is survived by his widow and five children, George A., Mabel, Ella, Fannie and Annetta.
Mr. Shamp was a man of interesting characteristics and a born inventive genius. He was practically self-taught, never having regularly learned any trade, but seemingly intuitively to master any mechanical pursuit to which he applied himself. His resourcefulness and talent kept him in constant demand in manufacturing and mechanical matters.
He was absolutely honest and upright, had no vices and never used tobacco or intoxicants in any form.
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