Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 43

Author: White, Truman C
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] : Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 43

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he now resides. He has four sons: Mathias M., August W., Dr. Edward B. of Buffalo, Joseph B., and eight daughters: Mrs. Catherine Simon, Mrs. Josephine Kaffen of Atchison, Kansas, Sister Mathilda, Sister Florentin, Frances V., Mary M., Ida E. and Adalaide. Mr. Schwartz was for ten years one of the village trustees. He is owner of heavy real estate in all parts of the town.

Wenz, Julius, Lancaster, was born in Buffalo, January 24, 1844, and is a son of Dr. James Wenz. He attended the public schools in Buffalo and later went to St. Paul's Academy, and in 1862 entered the Buffalo Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1865. He entered the army as assistant surgeon, and after two years' practice there he spent two years in Europe in study, and in 1869 located in Lancaster, where he has since been in active practice. He has been for several years health officer of the village and town, is a member of the Erie County Medical Association and also of the American Medical Association.

Willyoung, George, Lancastor, p. o. Bowmansville, was born in Lancaster in 1844 and is the son of Michael, who with his father, Michael Willyoung, came from Alsace, France, to Lancaster in 1840 and settled near Bowmansville, where the family have since lived. Mr. Willyoung married Lucy M., daughter of Paris Greene, and they live on the homestead where her grandfather, Jacob Greene, settled. Mr. Willyoung has always been a farmer, and since 1876 has also been the collector for the Erie and Niagara Counties Farmers' Insurance Company. He has always taken a keen though quiet interest in all public affairs of the town and is looked upon as one of Lancaster's most substantial citizens.

Zuidema, H. J., Lancaster, p. o. Pavement, was born in Lancaster, N. Y., in 1849, a son of John H. Zuidema, who came from Holland in 1849 and settled on the farm where H. J. now lives. He remained on the farm until 1876, when he removed to the village of Lancaster, where he died in 1879. H. J. Zuidema married Mandana, daughter of Frederick Ream of Bowmansville. He then got the farm of his father and engaged in farming and dairying, also dealing in feed and coal, and is the post- master at Pavement. Mr. Zuidema has two sons, Frederick and Harry, and one daughter, Grace. His mother, who died in 1867, was Ytje Koopmans.

Gottschalk, Jacob, Lancaster, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 3, 1844, and came to America when nine years old. He lost both father and mother on the ocean Came to Hamburg, Erie county, where he worked on farms and in a store, and also learned the harness trade. He enlisted in Co. A, 116th N. Y. Volun- teers, in 1862, participated in numerous battles and served to close of the war. He resumed his trade at Buffalo, and settled at Lancaster in 1868, engaging in the har- ness trade. He married Amanda S. Becker of Buffalo in 1871. He organized the Lancaster Fire Department and was its chief for years; also served as deputy sheriff, postmaster and town clerk, and is now president of the Lancaster Fire In- surance Company, and a member of the School Board.

Zurbrick, George P., Lancaster, was born in that town and is the son of Peter and grandson of George Zurbrick, who came from Germany in 1830, settling near where the town line now is between Lancaster and Cheektowaga, buying first a small piece of land and adding to it from time to time, until the family had a large tract, which was sold to the Bellevue Land Co. Mr. Zurbrick lived on a farm join-

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ing the old homestead until 1894, when he built him a fine residence on Lake avenue, Lancaster, where he now lives. He has been for some years a large dealer in cattle and since retiring from the farm has devoted his time entirely to that busi- ness. He married the daughter of Louis Marquart in 1880, who died in 1888, leaving three children; Myron H., Alice D. and Lottie C. In 1890 he married the daugh- ter of W. D. Greene, by whom he has three children: Ray G., Howard W. and Elmer P. Mr. Zurbrick has always taken a keen, though quiet, interest in town affairs and is one of the directors of the Bank of Lancaster.

Zumstein, Mrs. Anna, Lancaster, p. o. Bowmansville, is the widow of Henry Zum- stein, who was a farmer of Cheektowaga, and died in 1886, leaving one son, Elias J., who is also a farmer. Mrs. Zumstein is a daughter of James Beach, and a grand- daughter of Joseph Beach, who came from Greene county, N. Y., settling in Cheek- towaga in 1820, where he carried on farming. He had five sons: Garrett, William, Ebenezer, Joseph and James.

Weinman, John P., Lancaster, was born in Bavaria in 1843 and came to America in 1850, settling in Buffalo. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 100th N. Y. Vols., and served until June 24, 1865, being in many of the prominent battles of the Rebellion. He was several times taken prisoner and spent some months in the noted Libby Prison. Shortly after his return to Buffalo he became baggage master for the N. Y. C. Railroad, running from Buffalo to New York, which position he filled until 1896, when he became proprietor of the American Hotel at Lancaster, having moved from Buffalo to that village in 1881. He married Mariah, daughter of Francis Raynor, one of the early settlers of Lancaster, and they have three sons: Frank, Edward and Peter, also three daughters: Lizzie, Mary and Carrie. Mr. Weinman has always taken an active interest in affairs of the town and being a Republican, was for nine years elected on the excise board.

Kelso, Mrs. M., Colden .- William Wiley, agriculturalist, was born in Donegal county, Ireland, February 4, 1801, and died in Aurora, N. Y., January 12, 1885. He was educated at a private school in Londonderry, and married Maria McClure, a native of the same place, who was educated at Strabane. They had six children. They came to America in May, 1845. But two of their children survived them. John McClure Wiley, the only surviving son, has been a member of the State Legislature several times, later a member of congress, and was appointed consul to Bordeaux in 1893, where he is at present with his wife (née Miss Virginia Cooper, daughter of Hon. John G. Cooper of Indiana) and his little son, John Cooper Wiley, who was born on French soil. Mrs. Maria Wiley died July 4, 1890. According to their re- quest their bodies rest in Colden cemetery, where they had formerly resided.

Van Gouten, Uriah (late of West Falls, Colden, deceased), was born in Switzer- land, September 20, 1830, and educated in the schools of his native place. Novem- ber 29, 1856, he came to New York city and February, 1857, he came to Buffalo, where he was engaged for thirty years in machine shops. In 1887 he came to Colden and bought the farm which he owned at the time of his death, where he made a specialty of dairying. April 26, 1857, he married Susan Van Gouten and they had seven children: Uriah, Elizabeth, Susan, Mary, Christian (all deceased), John and Magdalin,'living.

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Waltz, John G., Colden, was born in Colden, N. Y., October, 20, 1855, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Wiser) Waltz, both natives of Germany. Mr. Waltz was edu- cated in Colden and resides on a farm of 147 acres. In 1881 he married Eva, daugh- ter of Horace Jameson, and they have one daghter, Dora. Mr. Waltz is a Democrat and has been collector, highway commissioner and is now assessor of the town.

Burnett, William Henry, Colden, p. o. Holland, was born in Boston, N. Y., De- cember 12, 1840, and was educated in the common schools. He is a farmer and owns 248 acres, and makes a specialty of dairying. In 1872 he married Ellen A. Burling- ham of Holland, N. Y., and they had three children: Laura E., George H. and Lela P. Mr. Burnett is a member of Robert R. Post of Holland, G. A. R., Dept. N. Y.

Bailey, Ira H., Colden, was born in Fairlee, Orange county, Vt., May 20, 1827, and is a son of James and Ammy (Curtis) Baily, natives of New Hampshire and came to Colden in 1833, where he died in 1872 and his wife in 1874. Mr. Bailey is a carpenter by trade. He has lived in Illinois, Kansas and Iowa, but has always regarded Colden as his home. In 1874 he married Martha J. Jameson, and they had one child, Sadie M.

Buffum, Daniel T., Colden, was born in Colden, June 11, 1823, and is a son of Wheeler and Electa (Curtis) Buffum and grandson of Richard Buffum, who was one of the early settlers of Colden. Mr. Buffum was educated in the common schools and has always followed farming. February 28, 1850, he married Sarah Rodgers, and they had two sons, Charles C. and Joseph W. Mrs. Buffum died in 1858, and in 1859 he married Maria Mitchell, and they had ten children. Mr. Buffum has been a Republican since the organization of the party. October 18, 1861, he en- listed in Co. B, 10th N. Y. Cav., and served until June 5, 1865, having been in many of the prominent battles.

Blakely, Allen W., Colden, p. o. Glenwood, was born in Java, Wyoming county, August 13, 1844, and was educated in the common schools and East Aurora Acad- emy. He followed teaching for seventeen terms in succession, and in 1875 came to Glenwood, where he engaged in mercantile business. November 29, 1873, he mar- ried Sarah J. McCumber, and they had two children, Millie E. and Norman E. Mr. Blakely has been a member of the R. T. of T. for nineteen years. He is a Demo- crat and has been postmaster at Glenwood for fifteen years, was station agent for twelve years and notary public for sixteen years and holds that office at present.

Gould, Mrs. C. L., Colden .- Amos W. Gould was born in Colden, November 26, 1822, and is a son of John D. and Hannah Gould, and grandson of Asa Gould, who came to Colden in an early day, where he lived and died. Mr. Gould was a lumber- man and farmer until 1862, when he moved to the village and engaged in mercantile business, also furniture and undertaking. In April, 1852, he married Caroline L. Cornell, daughter of Cyrus and Maria (Rugg) Cornell.

Gould, Mrs. A. C., Colden, p. o. Glenwood .- Elias R. Gould was born in Boston, N. Y., November 8, 1828. His father, Asa Gould, was a farmer and spent most of his days in Colden, coming from Vermont when a boy. Elias Gould was reared as a farmer and educated at Springville Academy. January 1, 1854, he married Amanda E. Scott, and they had five children: Sadie, Lizzie E., Ella M., Howard

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and Albert J. Mrs. Gould's father, Phineas Scott, was among the early settlers of Concord, clearing himself a farm and at one time was the owner of 1,100 acres of land. He died in 1870 and his widow now lives in Springville.

Brewer, Mrs. Sarah J., Colden .- Delos W. Brewer was born in Tioga county, N. Y., April 14, 1824, and educated in the common schools. He followed general farm- ing. He married Louisa Abbott of Colden and they had one child (deceased). His wife died in 1862 and in 1872 he married Sarah J. McClure, who is the only surviving one of a family of six children. They had one daughter, now eighteen years of age, student in the four year course in the academic department of the Griffith Institute. In 1872 Mr. Brewer and his wife went to Wisconsin and engaged in farming. Mr. Brewer was also a merchant aud was well informed in law, which he practiced in justice courts. He died July 21, 1892, aged sixty-eight years.

Crump, Robert G., Colden, p. o. Glenwood, was born in Colden, N. Y., July 18, 1845, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Lewis) Crump, both natives of Eng- land, who came to Buffalo in 1832, and to Colden in 1836, settling on the farm the subject owns. Mr. Crump has added to the home farm and now owns 325 acres. December 7, 1873, he married Irene Williams, and they had six children : Charles L., Robert L., Morris, Julia E., Grover C. and Roy. Mr. Crump is a Democrat and has been supervisor of Colden two years, 1890 and 1891, justice for eighteen years and now holds the office ; was justice of sessions one year; March 9, 1897, was re-elected supervisor for the term of two years.

Currier, Braun & Co., Colden .- This firm is composed of William B. Currier, John F. Braun and George W. Nichols. Mr. Currier was born in Holland, Erie county, N. Y., April 17, 1859, and is a son of Chauncey and Aurilla (Bailey) Currier. His grandfather, Col. Abner Currier, was the first settler in Holland, N. Y., coming from Vermont, about 1809. W. B. Currier was educated in the public schools, and worked as a clerk for Stickney & Jackson of Holland two years and for Beebe & Myers of Springville, N. Y. In 1881 he came to Colden and formed the firm of Cur- rier & Bolander, which partnership continued for three years, when they dissolved and Mr. Currier carried on the business alone until 1890. He then built the building the firm occupies and sold to Whitney Bros., who continued the business untill 1894 and then sold to John C. Lang, who in one year sold out and the present firm was established, January 6, 1895. In 1883 Mr. Currier married Anna Nichols and they had two children: Pearl L. and George H. His wife died August 23, 1891, and he married, February 15, 1893, Frone River, and they had one child, Marjorie. Mrs. Currier died June 4, 1896. Mr. Currier has always been a Republican and was supervisor of Colden four years and member of Assembly in 1890. He is a member of Blazing Star Lodge No. 694, F. & A. M., East Aurora Chapter No. 282, R. A. M., and Holland Lodge No. 631, I. O. O. F. and Colden Tent No. 36, K. O. T. M. Mr. Nichols was born at Freedom, N. Y., and came to Colden, where he followed farm- ing and saw milling. He is a Democrat and was supervisor of Collins fifteen years and was justice of sessions, and is now consul at Clifton, Ontario. Mr. Braun was born at Williamsport, Pa., June 6, 1869. His father was a native of Germany and came to Pennsylvania in 1865 and to Colden in 1881. Mr. Braun was educated at Colden Union School, Randolph Institute and Griffith Institute. He began as clerk

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for Mr. Currier, French Bros., and H. R. Kenyon & Co. of Buffalo, and in 1895 was taken in as a partner in the firm mentioned above. In 1894 he married Edith Scott of Springville, N. Y., and they have one child, Mildred. He is a member of Spring- ville Lodge No. 432, I. O. O. F.

Colburn, Orlin J., Colden, was born in Concord, N. Y., May 6, 1856. He was edu- cated in the public schools and entered the Union Business College at Cleveland, Ohio, but owing to sickness was unable to finish. He began the study of law with Hon. A. C. Calkins of Hamburg, and in a short time entered the office of Hon. D. J. Wilcox, of Springville, where he finished his course of study. He was admitted to the bar in 1890 and has had a successful practice in the village of Colden since then. He is a Democrat and a hard worker for his party, took the stump for William J. Bryan in fall of 1896. He has served his town as supervisor for the years 1892, 1893 and 1894. and succeeded in reducing the tax rate in Colden to the lowest in many years. Mr. Colburn is a member of Livingston Lodge No. 255, F. & A. M. In 1879 he married Mary E., daughter of Otis C. Morton, and they have one daughter, Viro- qua M., who is now thirteen years of age.

Sweetapple, Mrs. Sarah, Colden. - Charles Sweetapple was born in England, Feb- ruary 1, 1809, and was educated in England. In 1833 he married Sarah Lickman, and in 1837 came to Long Island and in 1840 to Colden, settling on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Sweetapple had thirteen children: John B., who died in the late war; Charles, a farmer of Colden; Joseph B., who lives in Los Angeles, Cal. ; Alfred J .; William died in the army; Albert lives in Pennsylvania; Arthur, deceased; Mary, deceased ; Caroline lives in Indiana; Frank, Louise. Fred and Jesse. The first six sons of Mr. Sweetapple were in the late war.

Montgomery, William, Colden, p. o. Glenwood, was born in Scotland in 1861, and in 1862 came with his parents to America, settling in Colden, where he owns a farm of 162 acres, but now resides in the village of Glenwood. In 1892 he married Eliza- beth Both, and they have two children, Ray and Allen.

Izentrout, Edward, Colden, was born in Germany, June 23, 1844, son of August and Hattie Izentrout, both natives of Germany, and about 1852 came to America, settling in Colden, where he died in 1890, and his widow survives him at this date, 1896. Mr. Izentrout enlisted in 1863 in Co. H, 21st N. Y. Cavalry, and remained with the regiment until the close of the war. After seven years spent in Michigan he came to Colden, where he married Emily Bridge, daughter of Edwin Bridge, who kept hotel at Boston Corners and died in Colden in 1891. Mr. Izentrout is a member of Chester Bishop Post No. 478, G. A. R., Dept. N. Y.

Hayden, Mrs. S., Colden, p. o. Glenwood .- William P. Hayden was born in Honeoye Falls, Monroe county, N. Y., November 17, 1828. Mr. Hayden was educa- ted in the common schools of Rochester and since twelve years of age has taken care of himself. He came to Hamburg in 1851 and married Samantha Baker; they had eight children: Annie E., Edwin W., George A., Mortimer L., Lottie M., Harry A., Frank E. and Bertha M. August 28, 1862, Mr. Hayden enlisted in the 100th N. Y. Vols., and served until January 18, 1865, being in many of the prominent battles.

Irish, Jerome, Colden, p. o. Glenwood, was born in Boston September 23, 1837,

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and is a son of Alvah Irish; his mother was Hester Skeggs. His father was born in the town of Hamburg, Erie county, in 1814; his mother was born in the town of Peru, Clinton county. His father was a farmer in Colden and died in 1869. Mr. Irish was raised on the farm and educated in the common school. He owns a farm of 242 acres and follows dairying; he also has held the office of commissioner of highways eight years. April 23, 1865, he married Rebecca French, and they have three children: William H., Francis G. and Loren J.

Gerstung, George J., Colden, p. o. West Falls, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Novem- ber 8, 1856, and was educated in the public schools. He is a farmer and owns 100 acres of land that he bought in 1887, and makes a specialty of dairying. June 1, 1880, he married Catherine Foote and they had five children: Maybelle, Susanna, Clarence, Leroy and Raymond. His wife died July 28, 1893, and March 31, 1895, he married Ida Higham of New Jersey, who had two children, William and Edward Higham. The parents of Mr. Gerstung were George and Christina Gerstung, natives of Germany; they came to America in 1851, locating in Colden. He died February 27, 1875, and his widow lives on the homestead.

Gellner, George, Colden, p. o. West Falls, was born in Bennington, N. Y., Septem · ber 6, 1860, and was educated in the public schools. He came to Aurora in 1888 and bought the farm of eighty-eight acres he now owns. February 14, 1888, he married Helena, daughter of George and Dorotha Gerhardt, and they have one daughter, Dora K. The parents of George were Henry and Catherine (Yanchey) Gellner, both natives of Germany, and are now living in Bennington, N. Y.

Strong, Orville Clark, Colden. N. Y., son of Nelson and Diana (Moon) Strong, was born July 1, 1834, in Machias, N. Y. He was educated in the common schools and Aurora Academy, and read medicine under the tuition of Dr. Jabez Allen of Aurora and Dr. James Ives of Strykersville, N. Y. He is a graduate of the Medical Uni- versity of Buffalo, and began the practice of medicine at West Falls, Erie county, in the autumn of 1865. In January, 1868, he removed to Colden, where he has been in continuous practice to the present time. Dr. Strong is a member of the Medical Society of Erie County and was its president in 1887; he is a member of the Medical Association of New York and also member of the National Medical Association ; health officer of the town of Colden since 1875; member of Living Stone Lodge No. 255, F. & A. M., and of several beneficiary societies for which he is medical examiner. He was a member of Co. B, 10th N. Y. Cavalry, and was on detached service in the military post-office at City Point, Va., from September, 1864, to the close of the war. He was married on August 25, 1857, to Miss Lydia A. Stevens of Wales, N. Y. Their one child is Jerome Strong.

Montgomery, Francis, jr., Colden, p. o. Glenwood, was born in Aberdeen, Scot- land, July 23, 1856. When three years old he came with his parents to America, settling in Colden, where he has always lived and was educated in the public schools. He carried on farming, his farm consisting of 226 acres, it being the old homestead settled by his father. He makes a specialty of dairying. October 30, 1889, he mar- ried Nora L. Perkins, who was born in Colden, August 18, 1869. They have two children, Leslie M., born April 29, 1891, and Francis Howard, born January 19, 1895.

Bremer, H. C., Evans, p. o., North Evans, was born in Potter county, Pa., in 1856

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and is the son of John F. Bremer, who went from Buffalo to Pennsylvania and later to Georgia, where he was a farmer. H. C. Bremer returned to Erie county in 1886 and was for three years a farmer in Eden, and in 1889 came to North Evans, where he opened a store which he ran until 1895, when he built and moved into his present store, where he now carries on a general mercantile business. He married Rosa- mond Fales in 1885, and has two daughters, Mildred and Blanche.

Brodie, Benjamin, Evans, p. o. North Evans, was born in Buffalo in 1857 and came to Evans the next year with his father, James, who was a tanner and ran a tannery from 1858 until 1878 at Evans Center. In 1878 Benjamin Brodie pur- chased the tannery of his father and ran it until 1888, when he bought the tannery at North Evans and moved from Evans Center to North Evans, and has since im- proved the plant, until now he does a business of about 450 hides a week. Mr. Brodie has always taken an active interest in town affairs and has for the past four years been highway commissioner.

Bennett, Judson O., Evans, p. o. Angola, was born in Evans and is the son of Joseph and grandson of Samuel Bennett, who came from Vermont and settled in Cayuga county. In 1820 he came to Evans and settled on the farm where the family now resides. J. O. Bennett settled on a part of the homestead when he married Nancy A. Taylor, a graduate of Ingham University, Le Roy, N. Y. His farm has been for the past twenty years a successful "Summer Resort," its inmates number ing from 100 to 150 daily. He has one son, Fred L. Bennett, a practicing lawyer in Buffalo. J. O. Bennett represented his town in the Board of Supervisors in 1887 and was for some years inspector of customs at Buffalo, and has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of the county, following the example of his father, who per- haps served the town and county in more capacities than any other man of Evans, being member of assembly in 1852, supervisor for nine years, superintendent of the poor for four years, coroner for nine years, commissioner of the workhouse for some years and other minor offices, which he always filled to satisfaction.

Dewey, Maria, Evans .- Among the first settlers of the town of Evans, Erie county, was Truman Dewey, who came from Stockbridge, Mass., to Evans in 1816 and settled on the farm on which is now located a part of the village of Angola; also the Evergreen Cemetery. He was for many years prominent in town affairs, holding the higher offices and serving one term in the Legislature. He died in 1853 and left three sons and four daughters: Abner, John S. and George M., sons; the daughters were Mary Ann, Mary, Abby and Emerett. Abner, the older son, settled within a mile of his father and was a successful farmer; he voted in the town for sixty-one years and never missed either a town meeting or an election, and held many of the prominent offices; he died in 1893 and left one son and two daughters: Millard F., Adelaide (Mrs. Abram Tunkey) and Maria, as above, who owns and lives on a part of the old homestead.

Heimburg, John M., Evans, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1844, and came to America with his parents when eight years old. He began working by the month when twelve years old, which he followed until 1869, when he married and began working land on shares. He went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania where he staid for four years and returned to Evans in 1874, where he bought a farm and in 1892

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sold and bought a larger one, where he is now one of the most successful farmers of the town. He has four sons: Edgar F., Ray D., William S. and Percy J. (the three younger being still on the farm).

Kinney, John, Evans, p. o. North Evans, was born in Ireland in 1824, and came to America in 1847, settling at North Evans, where he began the blacksmith's and car- riage trade, which he followed until 1882, when he retired from active work and has devoted his time to looking after the property he has accumulated. In 1848 he mar- ried Julia Killein, and they have seven children now living: John J., William, Robert E., Edward M., Ellen C., Katie J. and Estelle M. Mr. Kinney has always taken a keen interest in all public affairs and has been for the past eighteen years one of the assessors of the town.

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Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 43

Author: White, Truman C Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Boston] : Boston History Co. Number of Pages: 684

Author: White, Truman C
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] : Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 684