USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 18
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Georgi, Oscar F., Buffalo, was born in that city, September 25, 1873. He is a graduate of the Buffalo Law School, class of '95. Before graduating, however, he was for many years connected with the the law office of Sprague, Moot, Sprague & Brownell and has acted in the capacity of managing clerk in that office for some time. In that position he has acquired the reputation of having a more extensive knowledge of practice than any member of the bar of his age. He has also served his State in the National Guard, having reached the rank of first lieutenant.
Cullen, Charles P., Buffalo, the manager of the Wayne Building Loan and Accumu- lating Fund Association, for Erie county, N. Y., was born in St. Louis, Mo., Febru- ary 21, 1862. When he was nine years of age his parents removed to Buffalo, where he attended the public schools, and was graduated from the Seneca Falls High School in 1879. For three years he was engaged in the drug business at Waterloo, N. Y., when he removed to Buffalo and was for five years in the drug establishment of W. H. Tibbs. He was afterwards pharmacist at the Buffalo State Hospital, serv- ing for two years. Since that time he has been engaged in the real estate and in- surance business.
Van Dusen, Edmond C., M. D., Buffalo, son of Bradley J. and Mary J. (Coplin) Van Dusen, was born at Westfield, N. Y., February 22, 1860. He was graduated from Falley Seminary at Fulton, N. Y., in 1879. He began the study of medicine at the University of New York and was graduated in 1885 with the degree of M. D. He immediately began the practice of his profession and in 1888 he removed to Buffalo, where he has since resided. Dr. Van Dusen is a member of the Medical Society and the Fifth District Dental Society.
Bredel, Peter M., Buffalo, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., July 23, 1859, of German parentage. In 1862 his parents removed to La Crosse, Wis. The foundation of his education was laid at the district schools and La Crosse (Wis.) Academy. In 1882 he removed to Aberdeen, S. D., which town was then the western terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway system on the plains of the Dakotas. In the spring of 1884 the said railroad company extended its lines to Ipswich, to which place he removed and formed a partnership with A. D. Tollefson, an attorney, which part- nership continued for a period of two years. He was admitted to the bar at Ipswich, S. D., December 1, 1888. He also had extensive farm interests at Theodore, S. D., where he had his farm operated up to 1896. Not desiring to continue the practice of his profession, he returned east in 1894 and settled in Buffalo, where he became en- gaged in the life insurance business, acting as manager of Western New York for the Fidelity Mutual Life Association of Philadelphia. He remained with said asso- ciation until he resigned May 14, 1896, about which time he took charge of a like po- sition with the American Union Life Insurance Company of New York, which posi- tion he still holds.
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Millener, Frederick Hoyer, M. D., Buffalo, son of Joel H. and Emma P. (Hoyer) Millener, was born in Tonawanda, N. Y., June 8, 1872. He was educated in the pub- lic and high schools of Buffalo and Tonawanda and later at De Veaux College, Sus- pension Bridge, N. Y., and in 1889 began the study of medicine at the Jefferson Medical College and Hospital at Philadelphia, Pa., from which he was graduated with a certificate of Honorable Mention and the degree of M. D. in 1893. Immedi- ately he returned to Buffalo and began practice. He is a member of the staff of the Buffalo Eye and Ear Infirmary, a member of the Erie County Medical Society and the Academy of Medicine.
Bitter, Arthur G. H., Buffalo, son of Charles F. and Matilda (Weiser) Bitter, was born in Buffalo, March 27, 1870. He received his education in private schools and Bryant & Stratton's Business College. He commeuced work as clerk in the office of George Parks & Son, where he remained for one year, when he accepted a position with George Irish as bookkeeper, and afterward became manager of the Buffalo Pa- per Company. He at this time organized a company known as C. W. Mugler & Co., which was one of the largest jobbing paper houses in Buffalo at that time. The firm was afterward changed to Mugler & Umlauf. May 1, 1896, in company with Mr. Gallagher he opened a paper house, doing a jobbing business exclusively, the firm name being A. G. H. Bitter & Co. He is also interested in other enterprises.
Gallagher, Robert W., Buffalo, son of Edward and Martha (Mitchell) Gallagher, was born in Buffalo, September 27, 1873, where he was educated in the public and high schools. His first business experience was with the Lehigh Valley Coal Com- pany, acting in the capacity of bookkeeper, where he remained for two years. He was variously employed until May, 1896, when in company with Mr. Bitter the firm of Bitter & Gallagher was formed as paper dealers. While Mr. Gallagher is yet a young man, he had several years' experience in the paper business before the pres- ent firm was organized. He is a courteous gentlemen and a popular citizen.
Ernst, Henry J., Buffalo, is of German descent; both his parents were born in Germany and came to America, his father in 1848 and his mother in 1852, settling in Buffalo, where Henry J. was born March 17, 1854. He received his education from the public and high schools of Buffalo. In 1883 he engaged in the insurance busi- ness and for seven years represented the Northwestern Mutual Life of Milwaukee. At the end of this time he accepted the position as manager of the Penn Mutual Life at Buffalo, which position he still holds. In June, 1881, he married Gertrude L. Scheu, of Buffalo.
Tilden, Jared Hyde, Buffalo, was born in Franklin, Conn., April 30, 1828. He removed to Buffalo with his parents in 1837, traversing Long Island Sound in a sloop, proceeding to Buffalo via the Hudson River and Erie Canal. His early edu- cation was obtained in the public and private schools of Buffalo, and he early evinced a desire to study medicine and subsequently entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he received the degree of M. D. in the class of 1850. He then spent a few years as demonstrator of anatomy at the Central Medical Col- lege of Rochester, the hospitals of New York city and attending clinics in Cincinnati. In 1851 Dr. Tilden returned to Buffalo, and in 1854 was commissioned surgeon's mate of the 74th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., in which he continued for the following
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ten years. Dr. Tilden continued practice until 1859, when he gave up the profession to engage in the building business with his father, which was carried on successfully until the death of his father in 1869, and since that time he has conducted the busi- ness alone. Among the many noted structures erected by him may be mentioned the First Presbyterian church, Delaware Avenue Baptist church, Star Theater build- ing, Union Central Life building, Red Jacket Flats and numerous dwellings. He is an active and prominent member of the Builders' Exchange, of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy and the Buffalo Library. He is also a member of the Oakfield Club and trustee in the Central Presbyterian church.
Jewett, Carlton Rogers, M. D., Buffalo, is a lineal descendant of Edward Jewett, of Bradford, England, who was born in 1604, and whose grandson, Joseph Jewett, came to America and settled at Rowley, Mass., in 1638. Capt. Joseph Jewett, son of Capt. Nathan and great-grandson of Joseph, was born December 13, 1732, and on the breaking out of the Revolutionary war became captain of one of the companies of Colonel Huntington's 17th Continental Regiment of Connecticut. At the battle of Long Island he was mortally wounded and taken prisoner, and died August 29, 1776. He married Lucretia Rogers. Their fourth son, Deacon Josiah Jewett, was born at Lyme, Conn., December 29, 1773, and married Elizabeth Smith, of the same place. Their son, Guernsey Jewett, was born at Moravia, N. Y., July 1, 1816, and died there May 3, 1893; his wife, Eliza Carter, still survives. Carlton Rogers Jewett, M. D., son of Guernsey, was born at Moravia on March 5, 1852, and received his early education in the district school. About 1868 his father met with business reverses, which caused young Jewett to temporarily abandon his studies and go to work, first at surveying, later on the farm, and finally in the store of his father, who had re- sumed business at Moravia. Dr. Jewett spent four years at these various occupa- tions, another year in the local school, and then entered the preparatory school of Wilbert Perry in Morristown, N. J., where he remained one and one-half years. In 1874 he entered Yale University and was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1878; he then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city and re- ceived the degree of M. D. in May, 1881. In April he had passed the examination and was admitted to the Charity Hospital on Blackwell's Island, where he remained about eighteen months. Dr. Jewett came to Buffalo in October, 1882, and began the general practice of his profession, in which he has continued with eminent suc- cess. He succeeded the late Dr. Sylvester F. Mixer. Dr. Jewett is a member of the Erie County Medical Society, the Buffalo Academy of Medicine, the Buffalo Medical Club, the University and Saturn Clubs, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He is also a 32° Mason, holding membership in Ancient Landmarks Lodge F. & A. M. October 8, 1885, he married Jessie Clark Holland, daughter of Nelson Holland, of Buffalo, and they have three sons: Nelson Holland, Carlton Clark, and Theodore Carter.
Cooper, D. B., general agent of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, resides in Syracuse, but gives much attention to the company's affairs in Buffalo. He has been with the company since 1872, having begun his service with that com- pany under its former general agents, Peck & Hillman of Troy, N. Y. His services have from time to time been much sought after by other leading companies, but he has never stopped to consider their propositions. What the Connecticut Mutual
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stands for-just dealings and fair treatment of policy-holders and agents-seems to have been attractive to him. Like the company he represents, he has always been an enemy of the various tontine features which have been attached to the life insur- ance business by so many companies for the purpose of forcing new business. He is well known as a hard and persistent worker, thoroughly posted in every branch of the life insurance business and capable of analyzing the statements and contracts put out by rival companies as temporary expedients for getting business. He was born in Sterling, Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1844. He went into the army in 1861 at the age of seventeen and served through to the close of the war. He entered the service as a private in Battery F, of the 1st New York Light Artillery; later he was commissioned second lieutenant and transferred to Battery C of the same regiment. He was in active service with the Army of the Potomac continuously, taking part in the siege of Yorktown; the battle of West Point, Va. ; battle of Fair Oaks; Seven Days battle on the Peninsula; Cold Harbor; Fort Stedman and the operations of the army before Richmond, including the final battle of Petersburg. On the 2d of April, 1865, at the request of General Tidball, Battery C, 1st N. Y. Light Artillery, he voluntarily joined in the assault at daybreak and captured an advanced position within the enemy's lines in front of Petersburg. The battery, as was desired, held the position although it suffered severely, being able to repulse a bayonet charge four times. Although it held this important position from daylight until the enemy fell back at nightfall, none of the commissioned officers was killed and the three were brevetted for their conduct on that occasion. A few days after the battle of Petersburg Lieutenant Cooper was detailed as an aid-de-camp on the staff of General Hayes, who was in command of the artillery at City Point, Va. His brevet commis- sion is dated April 2, 1865, and states that it was "for gallant and distinguished services in the assault on the enemy's works at Petersburg, April 2, 1865." This commission was mailed in care of the governor of the State of New York, but for some unaccountable reason it was mislaid and remained in the adjutant general's office at Albany until May, 1897. At the time the Albany Journal under the head- ing "Lieutenant Cooper's Commission," said: "Thirty years ago David B. Cooper, now a well-known insurance man of Syracuse, cast the bread of bravery upon the troubled waters of strife that then rolled over the Union and yesterday, after many days, it was returned to him figuratively, in the form of a brevet first lieutenancy. The episode occurred in the office of the adjutant-general. Mr. Cooper was given to understand some six months ago that a brevet commission awaited him at the adju- tant-general's department and that the document had been made out before the close of the war. Mr. Cooper came to this city yesterday and was presented with the commission which bore the signatures of Andrew Johnson, president, and Ed- ward M. Stanton, secretary of war, and which was issued to Mr. Cooper for brave and meritorious service in the last assault on Petersburg, Va .. in the closing scenes of the Rebellion. The commission was none the less appreciated because of the fact that for thirty years it has lain in the department awaiting Mr. Cooper."
Dudley, Homer E., holds an honorable place in the ranks of the younger business and professional men of Buffalo. He was born at Castile, Wyoming county, N. Y., and was educated at the Castile Union School and the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y, Soon after leaving school Mr. Dudley accepted a good position in
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the business department of Our Fireside Friend of Chicago, a popular family news- paper of wide circulation. He held this place with great credit for several years, leaving it to enter more directly into newspaper work, in which he achieved great success and distinction. A series of political letters written to the Buffalo Courier during the Tilden-Hayes campaign attracted the attention of the late Thomas Kean, then city editor of the Courier, who offered Mr. Dudley a staff position which was accepted. Nearly ten years were devoted to active newspaper work on the Courier as reporter, assistant city editor and city editor. During this time he did much writing for the New York and Chicago newspapers. As city editor of the Courier, he succeeded Mr. Kean and for several years filled the position with marked success. He was associated with the late Charles W. McCune and the late David Gray, pro- prietor and editor respectively of the Courier, and enjoyed their confidence and esteem in a marked degree. The never-ending grind of daily newspaper work did not offer allurements enough to keep Mr. Dudley in harness, and he resigned the position of city editor and began the publication of a high-class trade paper of his own, The Iron Review, which prospered from the beginning under his energetic management. At the end of a year he sold the paper and went to New York, where he accepted a very responsible position with one of the largest stock and grain com- mission houses in the Wall street district. As secretary and cashier he handled millions of dollars' worth of securities and was thus brought in close contact with financiers and other leaders of the commercial world. His Buffalo interests requir- ing attention, he resigned his New York position at the end of about four years and returned to the Queen City of the Lakes. The Hardwicke & Ware Manufacturing Company was organized in 1890 and he was elected its secretary; he continued in that capacity until the company, under stress of hard times, was unable to meet its engagements and its affairs passed into the hands of a receiver. It was during the liquidation of this company that Mr. Dudley embarked in the real estate business, which he has since followed with marked success. His management of the affairs of the Hardwicke & Ware Manufacturing Company as receiver was so satisfactory to all interested that he has since made a specialty of acting as receiver, assignee, administrator and trustee, and has met with success in the handling and settling of such trusts. Mr. Dudley is widely known, popular, and enjoys in a large measure the confidence and esteem of the leading men in this community. Possessed of in- telligence and excellent judgment, his advice and counsel regarding business affairs are relied upon. He has held no public office, though well fitted by ability and tem- perament and by wide acquaintance with influential men to cultivate an ambition in that direction. He is a member of several Masonic bodies, including Hugh de Payens Commandery of Buffalo. Mr. Dudley was married on April 21, 1891, to Edith Fay Bullard of Perry, N. Y., who at that time was a valued member of the editorial staff of the Buffalo Evening News and has since been efficient and prom- inent in many of the literary, social and charitable movements promoted by the public spirited women of Buffalo. Both are members of the First Presbyterian church of Buffalo.
Brinkworth, Charles E., Buffalo .- Of the old established and well known engravers and stationers of Buffalo, Mr. Charles E. Brinkworth is one of the most conspicuous. He was born in England, and when ten years of age he came to America, settling
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in Buffalo where he was educated in the public schools. After completing his school- ing he became engaged in the engraving and stationery business and has been so engaged for the past twenty-five years. The facilities are such that they make the claim to be the most complete concern in the trade, it being the only house in which every kind of engravings, including steel and copper plates and brass and bronze tablets, are all furnished.
Greiner, Charles, Buffalo, was born in that city April 8, 1838, and his education was confined to the schools of the city. His first business experience was as clerk in the wholesale grocery establishment of Miller & Greiner, and in 1867 he was admit- ted to membership in the firm, the firm becoming Miller, Greiner & Co. Mr. Greiner has been twice married; his first marriage was to Miss Susan S. Brunck in 1867, and the second marriage to Miss Alice L. Wilson of Buffalo, in 1892. Mr. Greiner is one of the trustees of the Erie County Savings Bank.
Seidenberg, Rudolph J., Buffalo, is of German descent, his parents coming to this country in 1855 and were members of the German colony settling in Hoboken, N. J. His father was one of the founders of the cigar industry in Key West, Fla., and it was he who conceived the idea of importing tobacco into the United States and manufacturing all Havana cigars in this country. He is a member of the well known firm of Seidenberg & Co. of New York, one of the largest cigar manufacturers in the United States, employing from 1,500 to 2,000 men. Rudolph Seidenberg was born in Hoboken, N. J., May 5, 1867, and moved to New York city when an infant, where he received his education at Douai and Charlier Institutes, after taking a full course at Packard's Business College. After completing his schooling he entered the cigar manufactory of his father, serving a three years' apprenticeship at the bench and afterward as traveling salesman. In April, 1893, he moved to Buffalo and estab- lished an agency for the company, having the agency for the State of New York (out- side of New York city) for all of the different brands of cigars manufactured by that firm. Mr. Seidenberg is of a very social nature and enjoys a large and successful business.
Robbins, Walter G., Buffalo, was born in Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., in 1845. He was educated in the public schools of his native place and the University of Michigan. He began his business life in the dry goods trade, continuing for some time, when he sold out and engaged in the fish trade at Sackett's Harbor. In 1882 he moved to Buffalo and established the same business, under the firm name of Clark, Robbins & Co., becoming vice-president and manager of the firm. In 1888 he became vice- president and manager of the Buffalo Fish Company and continued as such until May, 1896, when he became vice-president of the Ellicott Square Bank, which posi- tion he now holds.
Rowley, James M., was born in Buffalo, N. Y., January 1, 1861, where he now re- sides. After acquiring a liberal education he served a four years' apprenticeship under H. G. Trout of the King Iron Works, and worked as a journeyman for eleven years. In 1884 he accepted a position with the Grape Sugar Company, remaining for a short time, when he again went with the King Iron Works, remaining with them until 1892, when he severed his connection to accept the position of chief en- gineer of the city hall, which position he still holds.
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McManus, John, Buffalo, was born in that city, November 28, 1832, of Irish ex- traction, his ancestors having emigrated from Ireland and located in the city of Al- bany in 1795. He was married in 1854. In 1856 he was appointed to a clerkship in the Buffalo post office and was assigned to duty in the mailing room. This position he retained until 1861, when he was elected overseer of the poor. From 1863 to 1872 he held the office of city assessor. In 1876 he was elected clerk of the Board of Supervisors. He then engaged in the real estate and insurance business, in which he continued until 1880, when he was made secretary and treasurer of the Citizens' Gas Company. In 1886 he became secretary and treasurer of the Buffalo Natural Gas Fuel Company, which position he now holds. He was at one time con- nected with the Volunteer Fire Department and later with the 74th Regt., N. G., of which he became lieutenant-colonel.
Slocum, William Henry, Buffalo, was born at East Bethany, Genesee county, N. Y., January 1, 1844. When he was but two years of age his parents moved to Lan- sing, Mich., and the following year his mother died and his father returned and located near Little Valley, N. Y. After receiving a common school education he at- tended the Randolph (N. Y.) Academy for several terms. In 1868 he was graduated from Graham's Shorthand Academy in New York city, and in 1869 was one of the corps of stenographers who reported the Pennsylvania State Senate. He then went to Pittsburg and received the appointment as the official stenographer of the Alle- gany District Court, being the first stenographer ever emyloyed in the courts of that district. After one year in Pittsburg he returned to Little Valley and soon received the appointment as stenographer to the Supreme Court for the Eighth Judicial Dis- trict of New York, and also being the first official stenographer in the courts of that district. He held this position over twenty years and resigned seven years ago, on account of impaired sight occasioned by an epitheleoma upon the lid of his left eye. In 1873 he organized Slocum's School of Shorthand aud conducted that in connection with his other business. Mr. Slocum has had large experience in reporting conven- tions, his last work being official stenographer to the World's Fair Dental Congress in 1893 at Chicago; he has since given his entire time and attention to teaching shorthand. During the past four years he has taught stenography in the Buffalo High School, and at present is teaching in his private school of shorthand in Ellicott Square.
Crowley, Timothy W., Buffalo, was born at Randolph, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., December 11, 1841. His first business experience was in the post-office department, where he remained as clerk for two years. In 1860 he began the study of law in the office of Lanning & Miller, and after three years' study he was admitted to the bar. Shortly after his admission to the bar he removed to Pennsylvania and engaged in the oil and coal business, where he remained for three years and then removed to Buffalo. In 1868 he was appointed chief clerk in the Board of Assessors' office, serving in that capacity until 1872. In 1875 he was appointed deputy city clerk, serving for three years. At the end of this time he became connected with the Canada Southern Railway and the Michigan Central Railroad, having charge of the freight business at Victoria, Can., Black Rock and East Buffalo. He held that posi- tion until 1885, when he engaged in the real estate business, which business he is now conducting.
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Sloan, Charles T., Buffalo, is a native of McConnellsburg, Pa. After completing his schooling he removed to Pittsburg and entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph Co., remaining in its employ for a period of two years. He was afterward employed by the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Co., where he remained until 1877, when he severed his connection with that company to ascept a position with the Standard Oil Company, and has since been in its employ. He is now superintend- ent of the New York Transit Company, Buffalo Natural Gas Fuel Co., and United Natural Gas Fuel Có. Mr. Sloan is affiliated with many societies, being a 32d degree Mason and a member of the Acacia Club. He was married in April, 1877, to Margaret L. Middagh of Paterson, Pa.
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