USA > New York > Erie County > Memorial and family history of Erie County, New York Volume, II > Part 9
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The Schoellkopf leather and tanning enterprise, with which Mr. Russ thus formed such important relations, was one of the great standard industries of Buffalo, and had such scope and magnitude as to have commercial significance in every part of the United States and in several foreign countries. Leather is a universal commodity, and the Schoellkopf leather and tannery business supplied the markets of the world with an immense output of superior quality. The Schoellkopf plants filled a whole block of four acres, employing 200 hands, turning out 300 sides of sole leather per day, and were the means of supporting 1500 people.
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In politics Mr. Russ is a Republican, but he has never aspired to office. A man closely devoted to business, and feeling that the large industry he controls requires all his time, he has not joined any fraternal organizations. He is in religious faith an Evangelical Lutheran and a staunch member of St. Luke's Church, of which he is Trustee and Treasurer and wherein he . is an active worker.
October 25, 1883, Mr. Russ married Miss Augusta Mischka, daughter of Adalbert and Barbara Mischka of Buffalo. Seven children were the issue of the union, of whom one son, John, died in infancy and a daughter, Augusta, died at the age of seven years. The surviving children are Helena, Alfred W., Walter L., Eugene P. and Charles J. Russ.
JAMES N. BYERS. Among those substantial business men whose task today is the creation of the Buffalo of the future, a recognized place belongs to James N. Byers, a leading contractor and builder. The family of James N. Byers is of Scotch lineage but Irish residence. Robert Byers, his great- great-grandfather, was a farmer in County Cavan, in the north of Ireland. He had a son, Hugh Byers, who had a son, William, a farmer, of County Cavan, who had a son, James W. Byers, who was born in County Cavan, Ireland, July 23, 1831. March 31, 1849, young Byers left his home for this country. He landed in New York City, where he learned the baker's trade. After following various pursuits for varied lengths of time at different points in New York State and Canada, he came to Buffalo in 1862, since when he has followed the occu- pation of a building contractor.
A devout member of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Byers has always been active in the work of that denomination, and has given liberally of his time and money in the support of the Gospel. His attention to religious duties is untiring, and he is in church labors as earnest and energetic as ever.
Mr. Byers married Olivia Anderson, born in Nocknolosit, County Cavan, Ireland. She died February 1, 1896. Their
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children were: Sarah Jane, Martha Ann, William Henry and James N. Mr. Byers married, for his second wife, Mrs. Emma McFadden, widow of the Rev. William McFadden.
James N. Byers was born in Buffalo, August 2, 1863, and is a son of James W. Byers. He was educated in the grammar- schools and the Buffalo State Normal School. He left school at fourteen years of age and entered the confectionery trade, in which he continued two years. He then learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed for about three years, when he formed a copartnership with his father in the building and contracting business. This association lasted four years, when Mr. Byers succeeded his father in the business, which he has since continued alone. Among the numerous buildings erected by Mr. Byers, may be mentioned the plant of the Niagara Lithographing Company, the Ansonia Building, Zeller's Tannery, various stores and business blocks, and many of the handsome residences of the city.
Mr. Byers is a Director of the Columbia National Bank and of the Central National Bank of Buffalo.
Mr. Byers was a member of the old corps of City Guard Cadets, till that organization was merged in the 74th Regi- ment, National Guard. Later he became a member of the Buffalo City Guard Cadet Association, of which he served as President for one year.
A Mason of the 32d degree, Mr. Byers is affiliated with Hugh de Payens Commandery, Knights Templar, Adytum Chapter No. 235, Royal Arch Masons and Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member and director of the Buffalo Club, and belongs to the First Congregational Church.
October 19, 1886, Mr .. Byers married Emma G. Spitziniller, daughter of August Spitzmiller of Buffalo. The children of the marriage are Harriet G. and J. W. Newton Byers.
CHARLES. CYRUS FARNHAM is a prominent Buffalo lawyer whose reputation has been confirmed by many years
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of successful practice. Mr. Farnham is characterized by thorough legal attainments, resourcefulness and acumen, and the uniform maintenance of high ethical standards. He is the son of the late Roswell Farnham, thirty-seventh Governor of Vermont, and was born and reared in the Green Mountain State.
Mr. Farnham is a lineal descendant of Ralph Farnham, who came from England to Massachusetts in 1635, settling in Andover. His grandson, Ephraim, was one of the original settlers of Concord, N. H., and one of the first Proprietors of Rumford, afterward also named Concord. Benjamin, son of Ephraim, was the father of John Farnham, whose son Roswell was born in Plymouth, N. H., in 1792. He married first, Ruth, daughter of Capt. David Bixby. They had a son, Cyrus Conant Farnham. Roswell Farnham mar- ried second, Nancy Bixby, a sister of first wife. They had Roswell and Laura Ann.
Capt. David Bixby was born in Boxford, Mass., in 1755. At the begin- ning of the Revolutionary War, he joined the Patriots, fought at Lex- CHARLES CYRUS FARNHAM. ington and Bunker Hill, served in Rhode Island, took part in campaign against Burgoyne, and later served aboard different Privateers. Taken prisoner by the British, he was confined for eleven months in Dartmoor Prison, England. He died at Piermont, N. H., in 1838.
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ROSWELL FARNHAM, son of Roswell and Nancy (Bixby) Farnham, was distinguished as a jurist, soldier and statesman, held many public offices and became Governor of Vermont. Born in Boston, Mass., July 23, 1827, he was brought by his parents to Bradford, Vermont, in 1840, where he prepared for College in the Academy. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1849, receiving the degree of Master of Arts from his Alma Mater three years later. Leaving college he became successively teacher in Dunham Academy, Canada; Principal of Franklin Academy, Vt., and Principal of Bradford Academy, Vt. During this time he took up the study of law with Robert McK. Ormsby at Bradford. In 1857 he was admitted to the bar, and the same year formed a law partnership with Mr. Ormsby. In 1859 he engaged in practice alone, and the same year was elected States Attorney for Orange County, and twice reelected.
In April, 1861, Mr. Farnham was commissioned second Lieut. of Co. D, Bradford Guards, which became a part of the First Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, with which he went to the front. He was with the regiment at Fortress Monroe, New- port News, serving at the latter post as Provost Marshall. Lieutenant Farnham volunteered and led the guides that piloted the attacking column in the assault on Big Bethelin June, 1861, an expedition sent out by Gen. Butler. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he returned to Vermont but did not remain long in civil life. When in August, 1862, President Lincoln, called for 300,000 militia, Mr. Farnham, who had been appointed Captain of the Bradford Guards, reorganized and recruited the company, and when it was assigned to the Twelfth Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, and was commanding officer of the regiment during about half its term of service, and as such took part in the repulse of Gen. Stuart's attack on Fairfax Court house, December 28, 1862. The regiment also participated in the Gettysburg campaign, being attached to
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the Third Division of the First Corps. Soon after the fall of Gettysburg, the regiment's term of service having expired, Col. Farnham was mustered out with his command. Returning to Vermont, Mr. Farnham resumed his law practice in Bradford and was engaged in many noted cases. During the war Mr. Farnham had continued to hold the office of State's Attorney, and while absent at the front received a third nomination and election. In 1866 he was the Republican candidate for town representative. In 1866 he was elected to the State Senate, and reelected in 1869. In 1876 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Cincinnati, and was Presidential Elector the same year, casting his vote for President Hayes. In 1880 he was unanimously nominated for Governor by the Republican State convention, and after an exciting campaign, was elected by about 25,000 majority, the largest majority, with a single exception, ever given a candidate for the office up to that time. During his two years' term as Governor of Ver- mont, the buildings of the State prison were rebuilt, those of the Reform School enlarged and many other public improve- ments made. His administration was characterized by progressiveness. He gave capable and assiduous care to the duties of his office and retired from it with the respect and esteem of the commonwealth.
In 1889 Gov. Farnham was appointed by President Harrison to the office of National Bank Examiner for Vermont, but pres- sure of business compelled him to resign the position. In 1888 he was appointed Referee in Bankruptcy and was twice reappointed, continuing to hold the place till the time of his death.
Governor Farnham held many other offices of responsibility and trust. He was a member of the State Board of Education, Trustee of the University of Vermont, member of the State Board of Agriculture and Trustee and Treasurer of the Brad- ford Academy. He served as President of the Reunion Society of Vermont officers, and of the Society of the Twelfth Vermont
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Regiment. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Vermont Commandery of the Loyal Legion and the Vermont Society, Sons of the American Revolution.
December 25, 1849, Gov. Farnham was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Capt. Ezekiel and Nancy (Rogers) Johnson of Bradford, Vt. The children of the union are: Charles Cyrus, Florence Mary, wife of E. G. Osgood of Bellows Falls, Vt., and William Mills.
The death of Governor Farnham occurred on the 5th of January, 1903. His obsequies were most impressive, the best of the manhood and citizenship of Vermont gathering about his bier. The State Government, the judiciary, the military, the bar, and a great number of social and civil bodies were represented.
CHARLES CYRUS FARNHAM, son of Gov. Farnham, was born in Bradford, Orange County, Vermont, on the 9th of May, 1864. He received a liberal education, preparing for college in the academy of his native town and in the fall of 1882 enter- ing the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated in June, 1886.
Immediately after leaving college, Mr. Farnham began the study of law in his father's office. There he remained a year, then entering the Law Department of Columbia College, New York, graduating therefrom in 1889 with the degree of LL.B. Mr. Farnham sustained himself while at Columbia by tutoring during vacations and by engaging in various other business enterprises. The day before receiving his degree, he came to Buffalo, where he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered the office of the well known law firm of McMillan, Gluck & Pooley, remaining with that firm until November, 1890. In July, 1891, he formed a copartnership with August Becker in the firm of Becker & Farnham, which was dissolved in 1899, since which time Mr. Farnham has practiced alone. Mr. Farnham has been associated with and counsel for numerous
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business corporations, banks and municipalities, is widely known as a sound, well-read and conscientious office counsellor, an able and resourceful trial advocate and as eminently effect- ive in the presentation of causes before the appellate courts.
In 1901 Mr. Farnham was appointed Local Commissioner on behalf of Vermont at the Pan-American Exposition, and being President of the Buffalo Society of Vermonters, in August of the same year delivered an address at Bradford on the occasion of the Old Home Week Celebration of that town. Mr. Farn- ham has been one of the officers of the Columbia Alumni Association of Western New York for many years and is now president of the Association. He is a member of the University Club, the New York State Bar Association, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and other leading social organizations.
October 30, 1899, Mr. Farnham married Miss Grace Hall, daughter of Edward Hall, for many years a leading educator of Ellington, Connecticut. November 11, 1903, Mr. Farnham delivered the presentation address at the dedication exercises of the Hall Memorial Library at that place. The library, which is an imposing edifice, admirable in architecture, and complete in appointments, was given to that town by Francis Hall, Mrs. Farnham's uncle, in memory of his father, John Hall, her grandfather, and of her father, Edward Hall. To Mr. and Mrs. Farnham have been born the following children: Roswell, Frances Hall, Edward Hall, and Mary Field Farnham. Mr. and Mrs. Farnham have a high social position and a wide circle of friends. They are both members and officers of the First Congregational Church.
DANIEL VINCENT MURPHY, First Assistant District Attorney of Erie County, is a leading member of the Buffalo bar, one of the best known trial lawyers of Western New York and a citizen of representative standing in private and public life.
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Mr. Murphy is of Irish ancestry and parentage, being a son of Patrick Murphy, who came from Bandon, County Cork, Ireland, to America in 1842 and first settled near Quebec. In 1848 he removed to Mt. Morris, N. Y., where he has lived for over forty years. In 1861 Patrick Murphy married Miss Mary Crimmin, who was born in the village of Bantry, Ireland, and came to this country with her parents in 1832. Mrs. Murphy died in May, 1906. The surviving children are Daniel V. and William Murphy of Buffalo and Frank A. Murphy of Mt. Morris.
Daniel Vincent Murphy was born in Mt. Morris, Livingston County, N. Y., July 13, 1864. As a boy he attended parochial, public and private schools and was graduated from Mt. Morris Academy in 1886. On leaving school he began the study of law with John M. Hastings of Mt. Morris, and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo on the 3d of January, 1889. Subsequently he took a post-graduate course in the Law Department of Cornell University and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws on the 19th of June, 1890. He then came to Buffalo, where he spent a year and a half with the firm of Humphrey, Lockwood & Hoyt. Mr. Murphy began the practice of law by himself on the 1st of January, 1892, and has practiced in Buffalo continu- ously ever since. Besides office duties he has done a large amount of successful court work in the trial of both civil and criminal causes. A sound lawyer of acknowledged resource- fulness and solid professional attainments, he has shown exceptional ability as a jury advocate and ranks as one of the ablest trial lawyers in this part of the State.
A Democrat all his life, Mr. Murphy has always been active in party affairs. When twenty-one years old he was appointed Village Clerk of Mt. Morris, and a year later was elected Police Justice, an office which he held for the full term of two years. He was reelected for another term, but when he went to Cornell University, resigned the office as well as the secretary- ships of the Mt. Morris Agricultural Association and of the County Board of Fire Underwriters. In the spring of 1898 Mr.
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Murphy was appointed by Mayor Diehl a member of the Buffalo Civil Service Commission and in July of the same year was elected Chairman of that body, in which capacity he served till December, 1901, when he resigned from the Commission at the expiration of the Mayor's term of office. While serving on the Civil Service Commission, Mr. Murphy was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Buffalo Civil Service Reform Association. Thereafter he did not again hold public office till January 1, 1906, when Mr. Murphy's ability as a trial lawyer led District Attorney Frank A. Abbott, who took office at that time, to invite him to become Second Assistant District Attorney. During his year of service in that capacity Mr. Murphy made so creditable a record that on the 1st of January, 1907, he was appointed First Assistant District Attorney, an office which he still holds and whose duties he has discharged with marked success.
Mr. Murphy is widely known in our city's social circles and is much interested in Irish affairs and organizations. He has been a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and is a charter member of Timon Council, Knights of Columbus of Buffalo, and belongs to the Buffalo and the Lawyers' Clubs.
Mr. Murphy has for ten years been a member of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, better known as the "Bishop's Chapel."
October 6, 1897, Mr. Murphy married Miss Martha W. McCarthy, daughter of John McCarthy and Mary (Gaffney) McCarthy of Syracuse. The children of the marriage are: Mary Virginia, born August 23, 1898; John Vincent, born May 23, 1902, and Josephine, born November 27, 1906.
JOHN JEROME GRIFFIN. One of the strongest types of the self-made man in Buffalo is John Jerome Griffin, who is not only among the foremost real estate dealers and experts in the city, but has a most creditable record of achievement and success in other lines of business and has given the public
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sterling service as an official. One of the leaders of the Erie County Democracy, Mr. Griffin occupies a unique and distin- guished position in political affairs. Though himself never a candidate for any elective office, he has shown extraordinary ability as a party manager and on a number of occasions when the interests of individual candidates have been committed to his hands, has directed several of the most important cam- paigns connected with the political history of the City of Buffalo and of Erie County. Mr. Griffin is widely known, wields a powerful influence and has hosts of friends. He is an able, magnetic, forceful man-a man whose opinions command respect because they are based on sound principles, common sense and personal integrity-and the place which he has attained in the community is the just reward of persistent industry guided by superior talent.
Himself a native of Canada, Mr. Griffin is of Irish ancestry. His father, John Griffin, was a representative example of that stout-hearted, honest and industrious body of Irish immigrants, who in youth leaving their native country, courageously and with unfaltering concentration of purpose, create for them- selves homes in the New World. John Griffin was born in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1814. He came of a family long settled in that vicinity, and a scion of the stock was Gerald Griffin, the poet. When a young man, Mr. Griffin came to America, settling in Toronto, Canada. There he married Catherine Harnett, who was of an excellent family of County Kerry, her father having served as High Sheriff of the county. Mr. Griffin and Miss Harnett had been acquainted in Ireland. After their marriage they removed to Port Credit, a village west of Toronto on Lake Ontario. Here Mr. Griffin was a farmer till 1868, when he removed with his family to Buffalo. There were three sons: Michael, now in the Buffalo Fire Depart- ment; Daniel, who was a Sergeant of Police and who died in August, 1884, and John J. Griffin. The elder Griffin died in September, 1884. The death of his wife occurred in October, 1891.
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John Jerome Griffin was born in Toronto, Ontario, December 4, 1854. He attended public schools in Canada and St. Joseph's College at Buffalo. A bright lad, young Griffin was also a boy of peculiarly studious habits, and while pursuing his college course he spent his evenings studying at night school, thereby laying the foundations of an excellent education. When eighteen years old he obtained employment with the Erie Rail- road Company as a clerk in the Buffalo office for seven months, then becoming elerk and timekeeper for Plumb, Burdict & Bernard, bolt and nut manufacturers, for a short time; return- ing to the Erie Railroad's office, for two years, he again became in the employ of Plumb, Burdict & Bernard for two years. With the view of reading law, in 1877 he entered the law office of the late Judge George J. Cothran. There he remained until 1882. Besides attending to a large share of the work of the office he industriously followed his legal studies, acquiring an excellent practical knowledge of the law.
It was during his clerkship with Judge Cothran that Mr. Griffin embarked on the first independent venture of a success- ful business career. While working on the Central Wharf during school vacations he had learned much about Lake Com- merce. He was now informed that a Marshal's sale of the freight packet A. G. Morey was to take place. Having saved a considerable amount of money he was able to bid in the vessel. For the next five years he operated her between Buffalo and the upper lake ports, the ship earning her owner lucrative returns.
After Judge Cothran removed to Chicago, Messrs. Osgoodby, Titus & Moot succeeded to his practice, and with this firm Mr. Griffin continued as managing clerk till 1885.
When twenty-two years old, Mr. Griffin was appointed clerk in the office of City Treasurer Eugene Bertrand, Jr., and con- tinued in that capacity two years. January 1, 1885, Mr. Griffin was appointed Clerk of the Surrogate's Court by Judge Jacob Stern, for a term of six years, and reappointed, serving in all
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twelve years. In the meantime, Mr. Griffin continued to buy and sell Buffalo real estate, and he has since continued.
Mr. Griffin is one of the leading dealers in real estate in Buffalo, handling the best improved and unimproved property. Since 1901 his services as an expert have been much in demand by owners of real estate affected by the grade crossing improvements and also by owners of real property taken in condemnation proceedings by steam railroad and trolley lines.
Since before he reached his legal majority, Mr. Griffin has been active in politics. Always a supporter of the Democratic party, he is a Democrat of the old school. Mr. Griffin's expert- ness in politics has caused him to be greatly sought as a counselor in such matters. He successfully managed both of the campaigns of the late Daniel N. Lockwood for Congress, the campaign of Gen. George S. Field for Commissioner of Public Works, both of Judge Stern's campaigns for Surrogate and the candidacy of Judge Robert C. Titus for Judge of the Superior Court.
Mr. Griffin is a member of Branch 11, C. M. B. A., and' of Fillmore Council, Royal Arcanum. His family attend the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, on Delaware Avenue.
June 3, 1891, Mr. Griffin married Eva Rose of Buffalo, the wedding ceremony being performed by an old friend, the Rev. Angelus O'Connor, O. S. F., at St. Bonaventure's College, Allegheny, N. Y.
CHARLES MOSIER is head of the firm of Mosier & Summers, one of the largest contracting concerns of Western New York, and President of the Park Board.
He was born in Buffalo, February 28, 1861, and is a son of John and Mary Mosier. His father came from Switzerland to America in 1841, settled in Buffalo, where he died here in 1890. The surviving children of John Mosier are Charles Mosier; Albert E. Mosier, a leading contractor of Kansas City; Eliza- beth (Mrs. Bush); Louisa (Mrs. John Hess); Annie (Mrs. John
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Clark) and Clara (Mrs. Bright Briggs). All, with the exception of Albert E. Mosier, live in Buffalo.
Charles Mosier attended the public schools of Buffalo till he was thirteen years old. He then entered a planing mill, master- ing the trades of wood-working and carpentry, masonry and architecture. He draws his own plans for the buildings and his architectural training combined with his ability to figure on any branch or department of construction work are among the causes which have placed him in the front rank of Buffalo's builders.
In March, 1890, Mr. Mosier became a general contractor. In 1897 he formed a copartnership with William Summers, under the firm style of Mosier & Summers. From the outset the firm has done a very large general contracting business. Among the contracts executed by them were the building of Power House No. 2 at Niagara Falls; the Lafayette High School, Buffalo; the 65th Regiment Armory; the Mayer Building; the new Statler Hotel; the Danville Hospital, at Danville, Pennsyl- vania; twenty buildings for the Government at Oswego; a large group of buildings for the Gowanda State Hospital and the erection of three additional stories to the Iroquois Hotel. The firm also had a large contract with the State for road work at West Seneca. They are now engaged on a 11/4 miles construc- tion contract for the Erie Canal. Some of the finest structures in Buffalo and other parts of the State are evidences of the energy and skill of the firm.
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