USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 26
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Grad, Anthony J., Buffalo, carriage and wagon manufacturer, was born in the city of Buffalo in 1858, and has followed his present vocation since early youth. This business was established in 1875 by Eugene Hickman, and succeeded by the present proprietor in 1881. The premises here occupied consist of a well equipped three-story building 30 by 40 feet, where the manufacture of carriages and wagons is extensively carried on. In this direction Mr. Grad claims that from his long and successful experience in business and intimate knowledge of the work and material required he is able to guarantee the best results. His career in Buffalo has been one of uninterrupted success, due to the judicious management given the business.
Hickman, Arthur W., Buffalo, son of Isaac and Eliza (Bale) Hickman, who came to this country from England in 1847, was born in Marshall, Calhoun county, Mich., June 18, 1850, and moved with the family to Buffalo in 1851. After graduating from the Buffalo Central High School in 1868, he began the study of law in the office of Austin & Austin, with whom he remained until he was admitted to the bar, Septem- ber 13, 1871. In 1872 he formed a law partnership with Benjamin H. Austin, which continued until 1880. Later he was associated with Nathaniel S. Rosenau for about two years. In 1894 William Palmer was admitted to partnership under the present
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firm name of Hickman & Palmer. Mr. Hickman was elected in 1881 by the Repub- licans to represent the Third Assembly District of Erie county in the State Legisla- ture, and was re-elected in 1882. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Alice Gregory of Buffalo.
Reuling, John H., Buffalo, a son of Henry and Anna (Teuber) Reuling, was born in Buffalo in April, 1867. After acquiring a liberal education from the public schools he entered business with his father and continued with him until February, 1896, when he was admitted to membership in the firm. They are general contractors, builders, lumber dealers, planing mill, etc., and Mr. Reuling has charge of the mill. He has always taken an active interest in all public affairs.
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La Clair, Joseph, Buffalo, was born in Loraine, France, December 28, 1848. He was educated in his native country, and when the war between France and Germany broke out, served two years in the French army. Thinking there were better oppor- tunities in the New World, he emigrated to this country and settled in Utica, N. Y., where he was employed by General Deering in the lumber business for a period of two years. He at this date started in the bakery business on a small scale and in 1885 removed his business to Buffalo. Mr. La Clair now conducts one of the largest pie and cake bakeries in Buffalo, giving employment to fourteen workmen, has five delivery wagons, and turns out daily over two thousand pies and from six to nine hundred dozen cakes. The premises occupied are 28 by 190 feet. April 2, 1878, Mr. La Clair married Cora Hurrell, who died July 24, 1880, and on June 22, 1886, he mar- ried Magdalena Lotz of Buffalo, and they have three children: Edward J., John and Florence. Mr. La Clair is thoroughgoing, industrious, and by close attention to the demands of the trade he has made his venture a conspicuous and profitable success.
Vogt, John F., Buffalo .- Among the most successful and popular of those engaged in the manufacture of light carriages and wagons, and whose handsome establish- ment at Nos. 324 and 326 Seneca street is one of the most complete and best ap- pointed in the city, is that owned and operated by J. F. Vogt. He was born at Cleveland, Ohio, March 16, 1861. After attending the public schools he entered the carriage works of Peter Black, where he served an apprenticeship and remained in his employ for a period of six years, when he removed to New York and after a short stay in that city removed to Buffalo, where he has since resided. He was employed in different establishments in Buffalo until 1893 when he engaged in business on his own account. Mr. Vogt employs only the most skillful men in his shops, and he be- ing a practical carriage maker can guarantee all work turned out to be strictly first class in all respects. He was formerly a member of the firm of Mayer & Vogt, but succeeded that firm in March, 1897.
Thorne, George L .- Among the foremost real estate men of Buffalo stands George L. Thorne. He is a son of Samuel C. and Grace (Buckingham) Thorne, who came to this country from England in 1835. His father's ancestors were soldiers in the British army, while his mother was a member of the Buckingham family. Mr. Thorne, however, is an American born and an American in every sense of the word. He was married to Dollie P. Dana, May 2, 1867, at Rochester, N. Y., and soon after came to Buffalo where he has resided ever since. The Elmwood district was the scene of Mr. Thorne's first real estate operations. He was instrumental in securing
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the opening and extension of Elmwood avenue and in later years he also was one of the first advocates of the Elmwood bridge. He afterwards operated successfully in South Buffalo, Kensington, Parkside, Highland Park, Meadow View Park, Central Park, Crocker Park, Summit Park, Delaware Hill, Black Rock and other districts. He also has been the organizer of many land companies. While he cannot be num- bered among the founders of Buffalo, George L. Thorne will always be mentioned in connection with her suburban growth and development.
Hill, Herbert M., Buffalo, is one of the best known theoretical and practical chemists in the country. He was born at Burr's Mills, Jefferson county, N. Y., May 19, 1856. His early education was obtained in the district schools of his native town and in the grammar and high schools at Watertown, N. Y. This thorough preliminary course did much towards fitting him for his present work. He was graduated from Hamilton College in June, 1879, with the degree of A. B .; the last two years of his college course he was assistant in charge of the chemical laboratory at the college. In 1879-80 he took a post-graduate course at Hamilton in chemistry and mineralogy. In 1880 Dr. Hill was sent to Minnesota by eastern capitalists to prospect for iron; this trip resulted in the establishing of mines at Tower in North- ern Minnesota. Upon his return he was appointed professor of natural sciences and mathematics in the High School at Watertown, which office he filled for eight years. In 1889 he accepted the professorship of chemistry and toxicology in the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, since which time he has resided in Buffalo. He is also professor of general and analytical chemistry in the Buffalo College of Pharmacy. From 1885 to 1889 he was chemist to the State Dairy Commission, and now ably fills the position of city chemist. He is consulting chemist for numerous chemical and manufacturing establishments and has figured as an expert in a num- ber of important criminal cases. Dr. Hill has been twice honored by his alma mater, in 1882 receiving his degree of Master of Arts and in 1890 that of Doctor of Philosophy. June 1, 1880, he married Amanda Elizabeth Isdell of Watertown, N. Y.
Roos, George .- Among the leading horse dealers of East Buffalo, none is more conspicuous than George Roos. While not a native born Buffalonian, he has spent almost his entire life in that city. His first business experience was with his father, who established the now famous "Iroquois Brewery," and he remained with him until 1863, when he succeded his father in business, at the same time establishing himself in the horse business, which is now one of the leading concerns at the East Buffalo horse market. The firm of George Roos & Son handle annually over one thousand head of horses. Mr. Roos is a son of Jacob and Regina (Bergtold) Roos, who came from France to Buffalo in 1829. November 6, 1853, Mr. Roos married Julia Debolt of Buffalo, N. Y.
Johnson, Burt Corydon, M.D., Buffalo, was born in Gowanda, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., June 8, 1869. He was educated in the public schools and Gowanda Academy, from which he graduated in the class of 1885. The same year he began the study of medicine with his father and one year later entered the University of Buffalo, med- ical department. From this institution he was graduated with honors in 1890. He then spent one year and a half as interne of the Buffalo General Hospital and since that time has been associated with Dr. Devillo W. Harrington in the practice of his
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profession. Dr. Johnson is a son of Dr. C. C. Johnson, who has been in practice at Gowanda for over forty years. The doctor is a member of the Erie County Medical Society and the Academy of Medicine. Was married in June, 1895, to Miss Jessie D. Anderson of Indianapolis, Ind.
Mixer, Sylvester Frederick, M. D. (deceased), was born in Morristown, Madison county, N. Y., December 27, 1815. He was graduated from the medical department of Yale College in 1841, and in the same year established himself as a general prac- titioner in Buffalo, N. Y. In 1847 he took the degree of M. D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city. He was a member of the Buffalo Med- ical Society and president of the same in 1852; he was also a member of the Erie County Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. From 1858 to 1874 he was the attending physician and later consulting physician to the Buffalo City Hospital. Dr. Mixer was married on February 23, 1853, to Mary E., daughter of Dr. Perrin Knowlton of Cincinnati, O. Dr. Mixer died September 16, 1883.
Moulton, Mrs. John F., Buffalo .- John F. Moulton was born at Beverly, Mass., February 3, 1841, which was also the native place of his parents. His grandfather was Capt. Tarbox Moulton, a well known sea captain and ship owner, who lost three of his vessels in the French war of 1812; while his father, Charles Moulton, was a merchant of Beverly. His mother, Abby Cole, was a member of one of the oldest and most highly respected New England families. John F. was educated in the best New England schools and at the age of eighteen engaged in the mercan- tile business with his father. In 1862 he removed to Battle Creek, Mich., where he was soon recognized as one of that city's leading business men. He was one of the organizers and a director of the Bank of Battle Creek, elected alderman in 1865, and in 1867 was elected president of the Battle Creek Gas Company. At about this time Mr. Moulton became interested in railroading, and secured the contract for building the Buffalo and Jamestown road and removed to Buffalo, which city was ever after his home. Mr. Moulton had touched the business life of Erie county on more points than one; the history of the Brush Electric Light Company of Buffalo is a portion of his biography, he occupying the office of president of that company from the time of its organization in 1881 until the date of his death, which occurred April 28, 1887. Mr. Moulton married Lucy O. Giles of Beverly, Mass., who still survives him. They were the parents of two daughters and one son, Frank T. Moulton of the comptroller's office.
Weppner, August F .- The oldest and leading meat market in Buffalo is that of August F. Weppner, which was established by his father in 1845 and has been con- ducted at the presont location by the gentleman whose name heads this notice since 1878, and during the twenty years' interim has been steadily growing in popularity and patronage. Mr. Weppner was born in Buffalo, August 11, 1854. He is a man of strict integrity, is upright and fair in his dealings and sustains a high reputation as a business man and citizen.
Forbush, Charles P., Buffalo, general manager for Joseph Metz, contractor and builder, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 10, 1863. He received his education from the public schools and a military academy, graduating from the latter in the class of 1880. His first business experience was with the Lackawanna Express Com-
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pany, where he remained for two years. His next employmeut was with the firm of Smith & Miller as bookkeeper, remaining with this firm for one year, when he was offered the management of the business of Joseph Metz, which he accepted and has since been employed. Mr. Forbush is a young man widely known and highly respected as the head of the leading house in its line in the Queen City.
Bagley, Thomas, M. D., Buffalo, was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1853, a son of Thomas Bagley (who was an iron worker), and Hannah (Unwin) Bagley. When a lad Thomas B. learned the iron worker's trade and in 1873 came to America a poor boy, his parents having died in the mean time. He came direct to Buffalo, and engaged at his trade with P. P. Pratt, later with Pratt & Letchworth, as a skilled workman. He was soon made foreman of his department, and there re- mained a number of years. Being a student with the ambition to acquire a higher intellectual and social position, the profession of medicine was his choice, and with this purpose in view, he called on old Doctor Rochester, the father of medicine in Buffalo, a lover of the student and beloved by all students, and from him he re- ceived encouragement. For some time after he worked at his bench with his med- ical book before him, and in 1886 entered the University of Buffalo, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. He immediately began the practice of his profession, meeting with success that a man of Dr. Bagley's perseverance is truly worthy of. He is a member of the Roswell Park Medical Club, and has been ap- pointed to deliver a course of lectures at the Riverside Hospital. He is physician for the order of Red Men, and is also a member of the Foresters of America. In 1891 he was married to Sarah A. Fee, of Buffalo, and they have three sons.
Fehr, Albert, Buffalo, the assistant agent for the American Express Company, was born in Lyons, Wayne county, N. Y., December 12, 1858, a son of Joseph and Mary (Seeburger) Fehr. Joseph Fehr came to Buffalo from Germany when twenty- one years of age, and later went to Lyons, where he conducted a meat market. Albert Fehr attended the public schools until fifteen years of age, when he entered the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Rochester, N. Y., from which he was graduated a year later. He was then engaged four years in the Lyons post office as clerk under J. W. Van Etten, and later engaged with the American Express Company at Lyons, where he remained a year and then entered the employ of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad as freight clerk and cashier at Lyons, but after a year's time returned to the employ of the American Express Company and was sent to Middletown, N. Y., where he was chief clerk of that office for over a year. His work there was so well done and satisfactorily executed that the general superintendent transferred him to the general office at Buffalo, where he remained ten years and in 1892 received the appointment as assistant agent. In December, 1896, his duties were increased by being put in full charge of the drivers, the trans- fer work and the company's through business at the Green street station. To this position Mr. Fehr has risen with the company by his progressive ideas and his studious and strict attention to business. In 1882 Mr. Fehr married Elisabeth Stephen of Lyons, N. Y., and they had a son and daughter. Mrs. Fehr died in 1889. In April, 1897, Mr. Fehr married Louise Stephen, a sister of his first wife.
Oaks, Samuel D., Buffalo, was born in Hamburg, N. Y., in the year 1836. He
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was educated in the common schools and in early life was a farmer. He has resided in Buffalo since 1861, and was a traveling salesman for Walbridge & Co. for sixteen years and for several years has been general manager of the stove department of Walbridge & Co. September 9, 1863, he married Phœbe M. Gould of his native town, and they had two daughters, Hattie L. and Carrie E. Hattie L. married W. W. McKee in Buffalo, June 6, 1896; Mr. McKee is engineer in-chief of the Wor- cester Consolidated Electric Street Railway plant of Worcester, Mass .; they have two children, Winifred and Samuel A. Carrie E. married George O. Sloan of Buffalo, September 26, 1894: Mr. Sloan is an engineer and steam and gas fitter. Mr. Oaks is a member of Washington Lodge No. 240 F. & A. M. His father, Samuel Oaks, was born in Worcester, Otsego county, N. Y., in 1798 and came with his parents to the town of Hamburg, N. Y., in the year 1808. In 1818 he married Esther Albee, and they had thirteen children; ten grew to maturity, whose names are Albee, William, Anna, George, Silas A., Lavina J., Norman W., Samuel D., (as above), Eunice and Mary. Mr. Oaks died May 28, 1850, and his widow July 4, 1868. Mr. Oaks's grandfather, Salathel Albee, was born in Mendon, Mass., Febru- ary 21, 1764. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and Samuel Oaks served in the war of 1812 at Fort Erie. Mr. Oaks's grandmother, Anna Lobdell, was born at Nine Partners, N. Y., in 1769 and married Salathel Albee. They had one daugh- ter, Esther (as above). The ancestry of the family is German and Scotch of New England origin.
Wiedrich, Col. Michael .- Among the leading and reliable insurance agencies of Buffalo whose career bears evidence of their solidity and good management is that conducted by Col. Michael Wiedrich, located at No. 448 Main street. Colonel Wied- rich has prosecuted his present vocation since 1866. Prior to his locating in the Queen City of the Lakes he spent his boyhood days in France, where he was born September 23, 1820. When he was twenty years of age he emigrated to this coun- try, coming direct to Buffalo, where he has since resided. He was variously em- ployed until 1861, when the call to arms was heard and he was one of the first to respond. He organized the first N. Y. Light Artillery (since called Wiedrich's Bat- tery) and was unanimously selected as commander of the same. In 1864 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the 15th Heavy Artillery; the follow- ing year he was brevetted colonel by President Andrew Johnson for meritorious service. June 2, 1865, he was mustered out on account of wounds received, when he returned to Buffalo; in the fall of that year he was elected receiver of taxes, which office he held for two terms. In 1866 he engaged in the insurance business, which he has since conducted. Colonel Wiedrich is a gentleman of culture, refinement, and the highest integrity and an influential member of the I. O. O. F. and the F. & A. M.
Ullenbruch, James H., Buffalo, is the second son of Joseph and Christina (Hilger) Ullenbruch, and was born March 28, 1858, in Germany. In 1871 the family came to America and settled in Detroit, Mich., where Joseph Ullenbruch was engaged in the wholssale grocery business until his death about 1886. James H. attended a grammar school in his native country until he was eleven years of age, and after- ward spent two years in the academy at Bonn, on the Rhine. On arriving in Detroit he entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College, from which he was graduated in
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1873; he then entered the optical store and manufactory of L. Black & Co., opticians, of that city, with whom he remained until 1882, serving two years in the factory, and being in charge of their retail business for two years and later of the wholesale department. In 1876 he took a special course under Dr. Eugene Smith, the noted oculist. He thoroughly learned every branch of the optical business, from the minutest details of the manufacture to the work of skillfully fitting and adjusting the lens, and by careful study and untiring devotion has placed himself in the front rank of the leading opticians of the country. Novevember 27, 1879, he married Caroline M., daughter of the late M. J. Hechtnes, of Detroit. In 1882 Mr. Ullen- bruch removed to Buffalo and purchased the optical establishment of J. M. Ollendorff, then located at No. 274 Main street, which he moved in May, 1896, to No. 286 Main street. For several years he handled optical goods exclusively, but recently has added a line of watches, diamonds, and fine jewelry. Mr. Ullenbruch has been eminently successful in this business, and is a recognized leader of his pro- fession in the city. He is past chancellor of Branch 15, C. M. B. A., president of Catholic Institute Council, No. 174 C. B. L., treasurer of the Buffalo Catholic Institute, and a trustee of St. Louis church. As a citizen he is public spirited, enterprising and progressive.
Fox & Fox, Buffalo .- The largest show card and label finishing establishment of its kind in the world is that of Fox & Fox of Buffalo. This business was estab- lished in 1882 in Rochester, and branched out in Buffalo in 1888. It increased so rapidly in the West that they were compelled to move the main office and works in 1889 to Buffalo, where they now occupy ample premises, conveniently located on Erie street. The building is brick, three stories in height, with basement, 25 by 150 feet in dimensions. It is equipped with ample steam power, and the best improve- ments in machinery and appliances suitable to the business. From thirty to fifty skilled operators are employed, who turn out the very finest work. Fine labels, maps, book covers aud show cards are much improved by embossing and varnish- ing and the work made much more serviceable for shelf and store ware. Gummed paper is made to order, or is gummed after being printed. It lays flat and keeps in every climate. Maps, show cards, hangers, etc., cloth-backed, taped and tin mount- ed, are neatly and promptly executed. They cut straight paper and dies of all odd and intricate shapes, labels, show cards, fans, calendars, tags, cigarette boxes, envelopes, seed bags and all work required by lithographers, printers and publishers. The firm has no connection with any printing or lithographing establishment, but are general finishers for the trade. All work entrusted to them is treated in a con- fidental manner, and under no circumstances is any person permitted to inspect the premises beyond the office. Therefore all work is treated with the utmost con- fidence. The members of the firm are Frederick G. and Albert E. Fox, brothers, natives of Rochester, and business men of the highest standing and largest ability. Their trade is increasing very rapidly, and is already the most extensive, in this branch, in the world.
Ricker, George Alfred, Buffalo, civil engineer, is a lineal descendant of George Ricker, who came with his brother Maturin in the ship Griffin, with the Wentworth fam- ily from the south of England, and landed at or near Dover, N. H., in 1670. George's descendants afterward moved to Lebanon, Me., where they lived for several genera-
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tions. One of them, Henry Ricker, great-great-grandfather of George A., was a cap- tain in the Revolutionary army, and Moser Ricker, father of Henry, was an officer at Crown Point in the French and Indian war, in which Ephraim Ricker, a brother of Moses, also served. The mother of Moses was a daughter of Gershom Wentworth, colo- nial governor of New Hampshire. George A. Ricker's mother, Sarah A., was a daugh- ter of Alfred T. Joy, a prominent member of the Free Soil party, State senator of New Hampshire, and a personal friend of President Lincoln. Her paternal great-grand- father served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and her maternal great-uncle, Col. William Gardner, was a member of Washington's staff. Charles C. Ricker, father of. George A., was a ship master and a naval officer, serving through the civil war, and three years afterward becoming first lieutenant. He still resides in Buf- falo, where for twelve years he had charge of the Erie grain elevator. He had two sons, George A. and Charles William. George Alfred Ricker was born in Ports- mouth, N, H., June 30, 1863, and obtained his education at the Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology in Boston. In 1880 he came with his parents to Buffalo, and after completing his studies, in 1885, became assistant engineer on the Buffalo division of the Erie Railroad. One year later he was made assistant civil engineer on the Northern Pacific Railroad at Helena, Mont., and in the spring of 1887 he re- turned to Buffalo, whe he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Rickert is one of the foremost engineers in Western New York. He was chief engineer during the construction of the Great Gorge Electric road from Niagara Falls to Lewiston, and still holds that position, and is also chief engineer for the Buffalo Traction Company. He is president of the Engineers' Society of Western New York and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Buf- falo Civil Service Commission. November 23, 1887, Mr. Ricker married Bessie H., daughter of Frederick M. Turner and granddaughter of Chester P. Turner and William H. Cutter, esq., all leading citizens of Buffalo, the latter being a distin- guished lawyer. She is also a great-great-granddaughter of Major William Wal- worth of the Revolutionary army, whose brother, Reuben H. Walworth, was the last chancellor of New York. Her family is also connected with the family of President Madison. Charles William Ricker, only brother of George A., was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1891, as an electrical engineer, and has been associated with his brother since 1893.
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