USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 29
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married Augusta Renning of Buffalo, and they have two children: Robert and Augustus.
Maxon, George S., Tonawanda, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., March 27, 1843, and was educated in the public schools of his native city. When the call to arms was heard Mr. Maxon, being less than twenty years of age, enlisted August 7, 1862, in Co. B, 122d N. Y. Vols., serving his country faithfully until July 3, 1865, when he was mustered out. During this service he was in a number of noted battles and at the Battle of the Wilderness, May 7, 1864, was wounded and taken to the hospital, where he remained for six weeks when he was removed to Washington, where he joined his regiment and served through the different campaigns until the surrender of Lee. After the war was over he returned to Seneca Falls and was engaged on a State scow for three years; he then purchased a canal boat which he operated for eight years. He was variously employed until he removed to Tonawanda, N. Y., and entered the service of W. H. Sawyer in the capacity of foreman of a planing mill, which position he held until he was taken sick and compelled to resign. Mr. Maxon has been twice married; his first marriage was to Ada Du Prey, May 23, 1864, while on a furlough, and his second marriage was to Helen Pletcher, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Pletcher, July 11, 1883. They have one adopted daughter, Maud L. (Wagner) Maxon, who is now sixteen years of age. Mr. Maxon is affiliated with many societies, among which is the A. O. U. W., and he is also a member of the First Baptist church.
Cramer, Oscar S., Tonawanda .- Among the prominent younger members of the Erie county bar, none is more promising than Oscar S. Cramer. He was born in Tonawanda, N. Y., August 23, 1874, and educated in the public schools and the Nor- mal School at Buffalo, from which he was graduated in the class of 1893. He then began the study of law at the Buffalo Law School and was admitted to the bar in June, 1896; he immediately began the practice of his profession at Tonawanda and has since been continuously engaged. In the spring of 1897 he was elected justice of the peace by the Republicans by a large majority.
Parish, James A., Tonawanda, has spent almost his entire life upon the waters of the great lakes. His father before him was also a sea captain and was drowned in Lake Erie in 1834. Mr. Parish was born at Ashtabula, Ohio, October 29, 1834, and removed with his parents to Tonawanda when but a child, where he received his pre- liminary education and at an early age began a career that was destined to last for fifty years. He began before the mast and has advanced from time to time, until he is now captain of the boat, Tam O'Shanter. He was married, January 1, 1863, to Isabella Woods of Tonawanda, N. Y., and they have seven children. Mr. Parish is a member of the A. O. U. W., the Select Knights and the Buffalo Harbor Tug Pilots' Association.
Harris, Henry, Tonawanda, was born in Cumberland county, Tenn., May 5, 1861. His father was of English and Irish descent, being born in this country. His mother was of German parents, born in Buffalo, N. Y., and after marriage moved to Tennes- see. His father was killed in the southern army, and his mother after the war was over moved to Cincinnati, where she endeavored to bring her two boys up by taking in washing, and succeeded until death relieved her of her charge on January 31,
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1871, leaving her two orphans to battle for themselves. They were taken care of by friends connected with the church of which she was a member and sent to the Childrens' Home, where an aunt found them in the early spring and brought them to Buffalo. Henry resided with different relatives and attended school until the fall of 1874, when he was compelled to find work in order to assist in his maintenance, which he did until the early part of November, 1876, when he could not content him- self with his lot and ran away from home, going to Canada on the ferry. He started for Hamilton, and tramping along the C. S. Railroad he fell in with a professional tramp. After walking to Ridgeway he went to a store and bought some crackers and cheese, dividing with his fellow traveler. After eating his share the tramp said, " You're a fool to spend your money for grub; you can get all you can eat by asking for it." Traveling along farther the tramp did the begging until they struck a job. Harris found a place to do chores for his board until he could find a better place, as he soon did, as he thought, to his sorrow. The farmer he worked for made him get out, feed, clean and harness two teams, milk two cows, eat his breakfast and drive four miles to the woods by daybreak where he drew cordwood all day and every day until his hands and feet were so badly frozen, over and over again, that his toe nails came off with his socks. He then became a public charge, the officials offering to give him $10 and pay his fare to Buffalo, but it would not work; he then remained with his first employer until he was able to get work on a farm, working at farm work until 1879; then for two years on construction work on the Ontario and Quebec Railroad; two years at farming and one year at carpentering, after which he returned to Buffalo on a visit to his relatives and decided to remain there, finding work at carpentering, and was employed putting up buildings at the N. Y. C. stock yards and the docks. In 1887 he engaged in electrical work, leaving $2.25 per day for $1.50 from the Callender Underground Construction Co. of New York, who were putting in underground wires for the Thomson-Houston Co., who were trying to get a foothold on street lighting. After three months' work he became foreman for the Thomson-Houston Co., which position he held three years, when he engaged with the Buffalo Railroad Company as foreman of wiring cars and car repairs. After severing his connection with the Buffalo Railroad Company he was employed on construction work for the Buffalo, Belleview & Lancaster Electric Railroad, Buffalo North Main Street & Tonawanda, Niagara Falls & Suspension Bridge Electric Railroad, and the Buffalo, Kenmore & Tonawanda Electric Railroad, of which road he is at present superintendent. December 19, 1888, he married Miss M. E. Messsenger, of Freehold, Warren county, Pa., and they had two children, Robert L., born January 8, 1892, and Lila E., born January 11, 1897.
Dixon, Myron J., D. D. S., Tonawanda, N. Y.
Dittmar, Justus, Tonawanda, son of the late Justus and Verona (Steinhilper) Dittmar, was born at Williamsport, Pa., November 26, 1856. His first business experience was in the manufacture of gas at his native home, where he was so engaged for many years. In 1892 he removed to Elmira, N. Y., where he remained for two years, and then removed to Tonawanda to accept the position of superin- tendent of the Tonawanda Gas Light Company, which position he still occupies. Mr. Dittmar was married in October, 1877, to Anna Beckley of Iowa. His parents came to this country from Germany in 1849 and settled in Williamsport, Pa. His
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father was superintendent of the Williamsport Gas Light Company for twenty- nine years.
Harris, John T., M. D., Tonawanda, was born in Canada, April 6, 1856. His father, John Harris, was a native of England, and came to Canada about 1848, and was recognized as a practical farmer; he died when forty years of age. John T. was educated at Mitchell High School and was graduated in 1880, and also took a classical course at St. Catharines Institute. In 1880 he entered the Buffalo Medical University, and was graduated in 1883, and located at La Salle in the same year. He later came to Tonawanda and established his present practice. In 1884 he mar- ried Mary A., daughter of Charles Harper, and they are the parents of three daugh- ters: Jennie H., Ruth T. and Sadie K. Mr. Harris is one of the most progressive men of his town, and is always ready to advance the interests of his town or the town's people.
Pinner, James N., Tonawanda, was born in New York city, October 26, 1828. His father was a native of England, and came to the United States in 1803, after- wards moved to Cattaraugus county, and through life followed the lakes. He mar- ried Catharine McIntyre. J. N. Pinner at eighteen years of age left home and went to Buffalo and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1853 he came to Tonawanda and continued in the mercantile business until 1886, a period of thirty-three years. In 1852 he married Elizabeth A., daughter of Elias Roberts, by whom he has had six children; James Franklin, Mrs. Carrie A. Colburn, Mrs. Henrietta Sims and Mrs. Emily R. Hepworth; Henry and Charles are dead. Mr. Pinner has ever ad- vanced the best interests of education and religion, and of his town and towns- people.
Murray, M. E., Mrs., Tonawanda .- William D. Murray, M. D., was a native of Lockport and came to Tonawanda in 1860. He was a graduate of the Washington Medical College and began practice in Tonawanda in 1862. He enlisted as assistant surgeon in the 100th (Buffalo) Regiment, N. Y. Vols., and was later assigned to the 161st Regiment as surgeon, serving until the close of the war, and returned to Tonawanda and resumed his practice. In 1866 he married Maria E., daughter of Lawrence Pickard, by whom two children were born: Mrs. H. M. Edmonds and Mrs. M. J. Dixon. Mr. Murray was one of the representative citizens of his town, serv- as trustee, as surgeon to the 25th Separate Co., and surgeon to the G. A. R. Post of Tonawanda. He died February 23, 1893.
Gipp, Louis H., Tonawanda, was born in that place, November 11, 1858. He is the son of Fred Gipp, who is a native of Germany, and came to the United States in 1840, and first settled in Buffalo, afterwards moving to Tonawanda, where he has been identified through life as a contractor. He married Louisa, daughter of William Shultze. Louis H. Gipp was educated in the public schools, then began contracting, erecting all the public school buildings and most of the principal big blocks and mills, and paving the majority of the streets. In 1890 he married Miss Blanch E., daughter of Robert Kenyon. Mr. Gipp is one of the representative men of the town, serving as trustee, secretary of the Water Commission and a member of the Board of Health, and has ever advanced the best interests of the town.
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Huff, James B., Tonawanda, was born in that town, August 14, 1857. His father, David Huff, came to Erie county with his parents, Stephen and Mary Huff, about 1836. Stephen was a prominent man in the early days of Tonawanda. David Huff married Mary Moore. He served his town in several official positions. James B. Huff was educated in the public schools and at once engaged in the lumber busi- ness, now covering a period of twenty-five years. In 1881 he married Etta, daugh- ter of Benjamin H, Long, and they have three sons: Benjamin, James and John. Mr. Huff is one of the most active business men of his town, serving as clerk, treasurer and trustee. He is ever ready to advance the interests of his town and its people.
Wulf, Frederick, Tonawanda, was born in that place, May 17, 1868. He is the son of John Wulf, a native of Mecklenburg-Schweren, who came to Tonawanda in 1865 and engaged in the grocery business. He married Sophia Beebe. Frederick Wulf was educated in Tonawanda, and entered into mercantile business at the age of six- teen. In 1891 he took up the boot and shoe business in Buffalo, and in 1894 estab- lished his present business in Tonawanda. He has one of the best appointed shoe stores in Erie county. In 1895 he married Mary, daughter of Charles Dominskey. Mr. Wulf is one of the active business men of the town, paying strict attention to his business, and has by his ability achieved success, and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity, who is ever ready to advance the best interests of his town and town's people.
Sommer, Charles A., Tonawanda, is the youngest of the family of Andrew Sommer, who in the year 1849 settled in the town of Cheektowaga on a farm and afterward became identified in mercantile business in Buffalo; but retiring from active business in 1859, spending his remaining years on his extensive farm at Cheektowaga. Mr. Sommer spent his early years on his father's farm, and received his first education in the old. log school house, and later in the public schools and business college of Buffalo. At the age of fifteen he took up active mercantile life in Buffalo; but be- fore he became eighteen he enlisted as a soldier and became a member of the 98th Regiment, and later a member of the 187th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. After the close of the war Mr. Sommer again followed a mercantile pursuit until in 1869 he entered the U. S. customs service and held several responsible positions during the ten years he was identified with it. In 1879 he left the customs service to take a responsible position in the Western Savings Bank at Buffalo, but after a few years his health became very poor and he was compelled to give up indoor work. In 1884 Mr. Sommer came to Tonawanda and established the Niagara Cider and Vinegar Works, which was afterwards merged into a stock company and of which he became, and is now, the treasurer and man- ager. Mr. Sommer has been a prominent member of the National Guard of this State, having served as an officer of the 74th and 65th Regiments, and was also the first captain of the 25th Separate Company of Tonawanda. Mr. Sommer has also served two terms as president of the village of Tonawanda, and is a prominent mem- ber of the G. A. R., and the Masonic fraternity; in the latter he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Life Association of Western New York.
Bellinger, A. A., Tonawanda, was born at Black Rock, January 14, 1850. His
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father, Daniel Bellinger, came to Buffalo with his parents about 1827, and was one of the contractors of the Buffalo Breakwater. Daniel Bellinger married Roxanna, daughter of Peter Zimmerman; he gave his whole attention to farming and had 200 acres of land. A. A. Bellinger was educated in the common schools and the Bryant and Stratton Business College. In 1868 he went into the lumber business in which he still continues. In 1880 he formed a partnership with J. A. Fassett. In 1875 he married Sarah M. Spalding, who died in 1885, leaving three children, one daugh- ter and two sons, Eva S. Bellinger, Daniel S. Bellinger and Frank C. Bellinger, and in 1887 he again married Gussie K. Osborn, by whom two daughters and one son have been born-Geneva O. Bellinger, Winnifred B. Bellinger, and Kenneth B. Bellinger.
Zimmerman, Mrs. Francis E. A., who resides with her two sons at Kenmore, Tona- wanda, widow of the late James B. Zimmerman, is a native of Niagara county and daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth (Norton) Ames, who were early settlers in Ni- agara county, at Pendleton Center, where they resided forty years. In 1870 Miss Ames became the wife of James B. Zimmerman, who became one of the most prom- inent and representative citizens of the town of Tonawanda. He was born in the town on his father's homestead, November 3, 1847. He attended the common dis- trict school and completed his course with a year's study in the semi-academic union school at Lockport, N. Y. The Zimmerman family are old settlers in Erie county, Levi, the father of James B., having settled here a few years after the war of 1812, his father having purchased the land in 1815. Levi bought a tract of 140 acres from his father for $12 an acre; he cleared the farm and made a home where he reared his family of six daughters and three sons, five of whom are now living. The first grain he raised he hauled to market at Albany with a team. James B. was during his career a farmer, stock raiser and legislator. His first vote was cast during the campaign of 1868 for the democratic candidate, Horatio Seymour, and throughout his life he was a consistent Democrat. His first appearance in politics was in 1881, when he was elected commissioner of highways by a large majority; he filled the office five successive terms and in 1888 was elected supervisor by a majority of forty-four votes and re-elected each successive year for eight years, with an ever increasing majority vote until he gained 600 majority. During his eight years on the Board of Supervisors he served on all the important committees. To his energies is due the judicious building of the Niagara Boulevard; he was also instrumental in furthering the building of the North Main Street and Kenmore Electric Railway to Tonawanda. He was president of the Erie and Niagara Counties Farmers' Insurance Association. He became a rich man by the sale of his farm in 1892 during the land boom. In 1893 he erected a fine residence in Kenmore, at the cost of $15,000. He was a Mason. an Odd Fellow and a member of the A. O. U. W., and a willing supporter of the Ken- more Methodist church. To Mr. and Mrs Zimmerman were born three children: Gertrude, wife of Wilbur T. Harris of Buffalo; Eugene L. and Herbert A. Mr. Zim- merman died May 18, 1894.
Pirson, Philip, formerly a well known resident of Tonawanda, but now of Buffalo, was born in the town of Tonawanda, November 19, 1837. John Adam Pirson, his grandfather, was a native of France, a farmer and salt dealer; his wife was Eliz- abeth, and they raised three sons and five daughters. In 1832 he came to America,
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bringing with him his wife, one son and his four daughters, his other children re- maining in Europe. He settled in the town of Tonawanda, and died in 1849 at the age of sixty-nine. John, the father of Philip, was born in France in 1812; he was a lifelong farmer and fairly successful. He settled in Tonawanda near his father, where he owned a farm; in politics he was a Democrat. His wife was Eva Knoche, born in Germany, and daughter of Philip Knoche, who came to Tonawanda in 1832, and to them were born thirteen children; four sons and four daughters grew to ma- turity. They were members of the Lutheran church; he died in 1881, and his wife survives and resides on the homestead, now an old lady of eighty two years. Philip Pirson received a limited education in the district school and worked on his father's farm until twenty-one, when he began farming and stock raising on his own account. Owning a fine farm during the high prices paid for land in the town of Tonawanda, he availed himself of the opportunity in 1892 and disposed of his farm at a fair price. He then moved to Buffalo, where he erected a fine residence at No. 16 Oxford ave- nue, where he lives retired enjoying the fruits of many a hard day's work and care- ful business transactions. In politics Mr. Pirson has always been a consistent Demo- crat, and though not an office seeker he was persuaded by his friends to accept the office of commissioner of highways, which office he filled three years. He has been twice married; his first wife was Magdalene Friese, who was born December 14, 1836, and a daughter of Peter Friese, and they had these children: Caroline, George H., John A. (deceased), Maria E. (deceased), and Julia A, Mrs. Pirson died Octo- ber 20, 1867, and Mr. Pirson married, December 28, 1868, Mary Kibler, a native of Germany, born November 14, 1849, and their children were William, Emma C., Charles A., Ada L. (deceased), Emil P., Lorena, Eva and Elma L. Mr. and Mrs. Pirson are members of the Lutheran church.
Stegmeier, Jacob, Tonawanda, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1831, a son of Jacob and Barbara Stegmeier. He was reared on a farm until fourteen, when he engaged to learn the brewing business, followed this until twenty years of age, when he came to America, coming direct to Tonawanda. He first found employ- ment on a farm, six months later he engaged at saw mill work and at this remained twenty-seven years. By strict attention to business and the straightforward manner in which he performed his duties, the end of seven years found him superintendent of a large saw mill; this position he held for twenty years, when he resigned the office to engage in the grocery business, retiring from active business in 1889. He still owns the store, which he rents. In politics Mr. Stegmeier is a Republican, and though not an aspirant to office he was induced to fill the office of assessor for three years. In 1856 he married Elizabeth Kline of Tonawanda, who was a native of Bavaria, and they had three daughters. Mrs. Stegmeier died in 1889.
Ackerman, Gottlieb, an old resident and successful farmer of Tonawanda, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, February 22, 1825, one of two sons and five daugh- ters born to Christopher and Agnes Ackerman. Christopher was a farmer and came to America, bringing his family with him, in 1831, settling in the township.of Tonawanda on a small tract of timber land, which he cleared, and from time to time bought other tracts which he paid for, assisted greatly by his wife and sons. At the time of his death he owned 233 acres; in those early days he was greatly troubled with the ague; in politics he was a Democrat; he died in 1871 at the age of
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sixty-eight; his widow died in 1876 at the age of seventy-two. Gottlieb Ackerman here grew to manhoood and received a limited education. While a boy he worked for three years in the village of Tonawanda for his board and clothes, and later tended saloon and bowling alley for the same man. The first money Mr. Ackerman ever earned was when nine years of age he worked on a neighbor's farm for six cents a day. He and his brother Christopher remained on the farm and by their father's death came in possession of one-half of the home farm; they also owned a farm together previous to that time. Mr. Ackerman has led a sober, industrious and economical life and ever taught his children the principles of frugality. He has accumulated a good property; besides his farms he owns several village lots and tenant houses and has provided his children with fair educational advantages. In politics he has always been an independent Democrat, and though never an office- seeker he was elected to and filled the office of commissioner of highways for seven years, and one of these years he was elected by the Republicans. In 1855 he married Christianna, daughter of William H. and Lydia Moyer. Mrs. Ackerman died in 1871.
Williamson, John, Tonawanda, mechanical foreman of the Eastern Lumber Co., was born in Yorkshire, England, February 20, 1848. His father, John Williamson, a native of the same place, in early life learned the silk hatter's trade, his father, Charles, being the proprietor of a silk hat factory. He later became mechanical engineer for Messrs. Marshalls, manufacturers of flax and linen cloth, which position he filled for forty-nine years, when the company moved their plant to America, and he retired; he died in 1895. His wife, who was Sarah Horn, is still living in Leeds. They reared two sons and two daughters. The Williamson family are lineal descend- ants of William Williamson of Orange. John Williamson, the subject, learned the machinist trade when a young man. In 1870, after learning his trade, he came to America, being the only representative of his family in the United States. He came direct to Buffalo, where he spent twelve years in the employ of Pratt & Co., and Pratt & Letchworth. Except eighteen months in Tennessee and a year in Michigan, he spent his whole time in Erie county. In 1884 he moved to the village of Tona- wanda, where he plied his trade until 1888, when he accepted his present position of mechanical foreman for the Eastern Lumbor Co.'s planing mill, having previously engineered the mechanical construction of the mill, putting in the engines, etc. In politics Mr. Williamson is a Republican, having been active in political affairs while in Buffalo. He has not lost his interest nor identity since his residence in Tona- wanda, is now general committeeman in his town and has attended a number of the Assembly and State conventions as an interested spectator. In 1870 he married Leila Ann Marshall, daughter of John Marshall, a prominent lithographic printer of Leeds, and a Mason of high standing, but now secretary of the church institution. To Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have been born five children: Leila E., John W., Teresa, Alfred M. and Alice L. His wife died in 1884 and in 1887 Mr. Williamson married Mrs. Mary Cooper, who was a native of Cornwall, England. Mr. William- son was a member of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Millwrights, Smiths, and Pattern Makers, and was president of the Buffalo branch, having been elected to that office several times, and has also filled all the minor offices of the association in Buffalo. The society's head offices are at London and Manchester, England.
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