USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 46
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Dinsmore, William C., a representative citizen of Grand Island, was born at Black Rock, Buffalo, November 1, 1843, one of two sons and three daughters born to John and Anna (De Land) Dinsmore, natives of the north of Ireland, of Scotch parentage. John was one of three brothers, two of whom came to America in 1832. He located at Black Rock, where he followed various occupations and later moved to Canada, where he had charge of a section of the construction work during the building of the Welland Canal. In 1847 he moved to Grand Island, where for many years he fol- lowed the vocation of fisherman during the autumn and winter months and farming summers. At the former he earned considerable money, and in 1855 purchased a farm and later another one. In politics he was a Democrat, and his last days were spent in Canada, where he died in July, 1876. His wife died in 1863. William C. Dinsmore grew to manhood on the Island, attended the common schools and worked on his father's farm. When twenty-one he left home to learn the trade of machinist at Black Rock, and after a year or two the life of working under a whistle and a boss became distasteful to him and he concluded to become his own master. Returning to Grand Island, he with his brother John purchased a tract of land, the timber on which they converted into timbers and cord wood, and made themselves a farm. Here they remained twelve years, when they divided the property. He now owns 158 acres of improved land. He early manifested a keen interest in the political welfare of his town and county, and was prominently identified with the Democratic party. He represented his town as commissioner of highways, assessor, etc., and often represented his party at the county and assembly conventions. He was for over four years inspector of customs and assistant collector under Cleveland'sadmin- istration. Mr. Dinsmore is a member of the Farmers' Alliance in Grand Island. In 1878 he married Mary A., daughter of John Staley, and they had three children: Anna M., Jennie L. and Rose M. Mrs. Densmore is a member of the Ladies of the Maccabees.
Ehlers, Henry, Grand Island, p. o. Beach Haven, was born in the north of Ger- many, May 31, 1852, the fifth of three sons and four daughters born to Frederick and Mary Ehlers. Frederick Ehlers is a shoemaker by trade and still resides in his native place. His wife died in 1893. His eldest son, John, died in the German army while at war with France. Henry Ehlers worked at farm work in Germany and emigrated to America in 1872, being the only son of the family to leave their native place. Arriving in this county, he went to the town of Amherst, where he found employment on a farm. Three years later he came to Grand Island, where he
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bought a farm of sixty acres and settled down to farming for himself, doing a gen- eral and successful farming. To this farm he added twenty-six acres. Mr. Ehlers has manifested a keen interest in the public affairs of his town, joining sides with the Republican party ; he has been twice elected to the office of assessor and served one term as poormaster of his town. In 1875 he married Sophia Buckholz, born in Germany, a daughter of Henry and Christina Buckholz. To Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers were born thirteen children: Henry. John, Charles, Mary, William, Lena (who died when eleven years of age), Frederick, Matilda, Benjamin, Walter (who died when five), Arthur, Mabel and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers are members of the German Evangelical church.
Grehlenger, Mrs. Louise, Grand Island, p. o. Inland .- Lewis Grehlenger, was one of the old, prominent and successful farmers of Grand Island. He was born in Prussia in 1831, reared in Luxenburger, Germany, one of two sons and two daugh- ters born to Jacob Grehlenger. He pursued the wagonmaker's trade while in Ger- many, and in 1855 came to America, coming direct to Grand Island, where he found employment with John Nice, boating on the Niagara River summers and getting out timber winters. By his industry and careful attention to his employer's inter- ests he was soon promoted to captain of the boat, which he followed twelve years. He purchased a farm and was hard working and successful, purchasing from time to time until he owned 323 acres. In politics he was a Republican, always doing his duty as a voter, but never an aspirant to public honors, but was persuaded by his friends and family to accept the office of assessor one term. In 1861 he married Mrs Louise (Lucha) Walter, and they had ten children: Jacob and John (twins, died in infancy), Clara, John, George, Lewis, Frederick, Sarah, Frank and Eleanor. In religion Mr. Grehlenger was a Catholic. He was an active member of the Farmers' Alliance and was a member of the School Board for three years. He died in 1894. Mrs. Grehlenger was born in Hanover, Germany, November 2, 1833, daughter of Henry and Justina Lucha. She was married to Henry Walter in Germany and came with her husband to America in 1857. Arriving at Tonawanda Mr. Walter im- mediately found employment on a wood boat and three days after their arrival he fell off the boat into the Niagara River and was drowned, his body never being re- covered. Mrs. Grehlenger resides on the farm which is now conducted by her four younger sons. She is a member of the Protestant church. Her sons are all Re- publicans, all members of the Knights of the Maccabees and stockholders in the Grand Island Creamery.
Geschwender, Bernard, Grand Island, was born in Grand Island, August 11, 1858, the second of five sons born to Magnes and Anna Mary (Wolford) Geschwender, natives of Germany. Magnes was born in 1826 and was a carpenter and contractor. He served in the German army as coffin-maker, and in 1852 emigrated to America. After a few months' stay in Buffalo he located on Grand Island, where he was en- gaged in the woods hewing timber and railroad ties, but in a short time he was found at his trade of carpenter and contracting, which business he followed to the time of his death. After fifteen years on the Island he purchased twenty acres of land where he made him a home and reared his family. He was keenly awake to all the public affairs of the town, affiliating with the Republican party who once elected him to the office of town collector. He was a member of the Catholic church. He was
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the only member of his family who came to America, and he died in 1873. His wife and ten children survive him and reside on the homestead. Bernard received his education in the common schools and learned the trade of carpentry and followed the business of contracting and building until 1894. In 1893 he erected the hotel he now conducts on the corner of the Base line and Staley roads, his brother Magnes con- ducting the hotel for him the first year. In 1894 he assumed personal charge of the business to which he has devoted his entire attention since. He was postmaster of the Inland post-office during the last year of Cleveland's administration. He is an active worker and a recognized influence in the Democratic party; he is now one of the town Democratic committeemen. He is a member of the C. B. L. In 1894 he married Frances, daughter of Earnest Henry and Anna (Ferringer) Freeman, and they have one son, Leonard. Mrs. Geschwender is a member of the Ladies of the Maccabees, Hive No. 1, of Grand Island, of which she is ex-finance keeper, which office she held for five years.
Kaiser, Henry, Grand Island, p. o. Inland, was born in Grand Island, August 25, 1857, a son of Adam and Anna Barbara (Schroen) Kaiser, natives of Saxony, Ger- many. Adam was born in November, 1818, and was a farmer. He came to America in 1854 and in 1858 settled on Grand Island, where he purchased a small tract of land, the timber on which he converted into cord wood, and by his industry he soon accumulated more property until he owned 200 acres. In politics he was a Repub- lican and filled the office of overseer of the poor for a number of years and at one time was employed in connection with canal construction. Mr. Kaiser and his wife were active and prominent members of the Evangelical church. He died in 1882 and his wife in 1897. Henry Kaiser remained with his parents until twenty-one, when he began for himself on a rented a farm and after five years purchased a farm of fifty acres and later bought forty more. He conducts a general farming business, but has made hay raising a specialty. In politics he is a Republican and for three years represented his town as one of its assessors and is now filling his first term as justice. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance of Grand Island and was one of the foremost promoters in its organization; he was then elected secretary and purchasing agent which office he filled a few years. In addition to his other enter- prises Mr. Kaiser is an active stockholder in Grand Island Creamery, and for fifteen years has been one of the trustees of the Evangelical church, of which he and his wife are members. In 1878 he married Josephine Zimmerman, born in Germany in 1854, and came to the United States in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser have six children : Martha, Anna, Frank, Dora, Lydia and Ruth.
Huling, Edward, Grand Island, p. o. Inland, a prominent Grand Island resident and pioneer, is a native of Bethany, Genesee county, born March 11, 1835. George. his father, was born in Vermont in 1803, son of Rhodes and grandson of Capt. Alex- ander Huling, a sea captain, and the first Huling to settle in the United States in 1690. George became a farmer and moved to Genesee county in 1827 and in 1847 came to Grand Island, where he purchased and cleared a tract of eighty acres, erected a log house in the woods, the first in town back from the river, and with the assistance of his sons increased the farm until he owned over 300 acres. In politics he was a Democrat and held the office of assessor and other minor offices. He di- vided his large farm among his sons and lived to be nearly eighty-eight years of age.
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During his younger days he acquired quite a reputation locally as a poet, having composed a number of poems. He was also endowed by nature with a mechanical mind which he put to practical use, making many inventions. He was honest, in. dustrious and sober. His wife was Harriet Dixon, born in Vermont in 1806, and they reared seven sons and three daughters, five sons now living. His wife died when forty-seven years of age. They were both members of the Presbyterian church. Edward Huling grew to manhood in Grand Island and received a limited education in the common district schools. The early years of the Hulings in Grand Island were attended with considerable excitement caused by wild animals. They lost several hams from their smoke house taken by a bear; one evening while out in the woods cooning Mr. Huling and his brother were chased by a panther. They hast- ened to a near by vacant shanty in which they were compelled to remain all night. The beast lingered in the near vicinity until morning, making the night hideous with its terrible screams and filling the minds of the young Hulings with consternation. When Mr. Huling's was nineteen years old his mother died. The father and sons worked hard together and paid for their land. Mr. Huling has remained on his portion of the farm and by his industry and careful attention to business has prospered, built him a fine home and purchased more land. He, like his father, has always adhered consistently to the principles of Democracy and late years has been a strong believer and advocate of bimetalism. He has for many years taken a prominent part in the councils of the Democratic party in Grand Island. He has been the Democratic candidate in his town for the office of supervisor; was twice elected to the office of town clerk. He is president of the Farmers' Alliance of Grand Island, of which he was one of the organizers, and a stockholder in and president of the Grand Island Creamery Co. In 1863 he married Martha C., daughter of Adam and Ann Bar- bara Kaiser of Grand Island, and they had six sons and seven daughters, ten of whom have grown to maturity.
Kaiser, Adam, Grand Island, p. o. Inland, is one of the prosperous farmers of Grand Island, and representative men of his town. He was born on the farm he now owns, in a log house, November 4, 1859, a son of Adam and Anna Barbara (Schroen) Kaiser, natives of Germany. His father was born in November, 1818, and was a coach driver while in his native country. He came to America in 1854, stopping in the town of Tonawanda, where he worked on the canal and did farm work. A few years later he moved to Grand Island and in 1859 he purchased a tract of land. He was a hard worker and prosperous and at the time of his death owned 300 acres. In politics he was a Republican. He reared four sons and one daughter. He and his wife were active and prominent members of the Evangelical church. He died in 1883 and his wife on January 2, 1897. Adam Kaiser, the subject, has spent his life thus far on the homestead. After the death of his father he came into possession of 120 acres, partly by purchase. He early manifested an interest in the political affairs of his town and for a number of years has been prominently identi- fied with the Republican party. He has filled the office of town tax collector for five successsive years and has often represented his town at the county and assembly Republican conventions. He is a stockholder in the Grand Island Creamery and one of the directors; he is one of the advisory board of the First National Bank of Tonawanda, in which he is also a stockholder. He has been a member of the Board
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of Education in Grand Island for a number of years. In 1884 he married Mary Klopp, daughter of Frederick and Caroline Klopp of Clarence, N. Y., and they had three children: Ellen E., Serena J. and Bertha May; the latter died in the spring of 1897 at the age of eleven years; she was a beautiful, well-developed girl, possessing unusual mental ability for one of her age; she had attained musical talent to a high degree and was loved by the whole community; her demise was a severe loss to her parents, throwing a gloom over them that will take years to efface. Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser are members of the German Evangelical church.
Morgan, George, Grand Island, p. o. Tonawanda, has been a resident of Grand Island for fifty-two years. He was born in Hampton, Canada, in 1824, son of Henry and Mary Morgan, natives of Ireland. Henry Morgan was educated in his native country; his father, being wealthy, always allowed him a liberal income and when a young man he came to Canada and settled on a farm. In politics he was a Conserv- ative; he officiated as justice for many years, always taking an active interest in politics. He was twice married and reared four children. He was a prominent Mason and died when eighty-four years of age. George Morgan began life's battles for himself when eighteen, leaving home and going to Rochester, N. Y., where he remained one year, thence to Grand Island, where after five years he purchased and cleared a farm of 143 acres, which he converted into a permanent home. In politics Mr. Morgan was always a staunch Democrat; though never an aspirant to office he was persuaded to accept the office of assessor for several terms. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Morgan has accumulated considerable of this world's goods; beside owning a fine residence on the east side of the island facing the river, he owns three tenement houses in the village of Tonawanda. In 1852 he married Maria Failes, born in Buffalo in 1830, and when an infant came with her parents, Henry and Mary Failes, to Grand Island. To Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were born four sons and six daughters. Mr. Morgan has retired from active work on the farm, leaving the farm in charge of his son.
McMurray, Robert, Grand Island, was born in the township of Bertie, Canada, in March, 1840, son of John and Margaret (Mills) McMurray, natives of North Ireland, of Scotch and Irish parentage of Protestant faith. John McMurray was a linen weaver by trade and came to Canada when thirty years of age; he settled on some timber land which he cleared and made a comfortable home and became prosperous. In politics he affiliated with the Liberals; he married and reared six sons and five daughters. He died in 1877, aged eighty-three. Mrs. McMurray died when forty- five years of age. Robert McMurray attended the common schools; remained at
home and worked on his father's farm until twenty-one and then began for himself. In 1866 he moved to Grand Island and rented a farm which he conducted. In 1880 he moved on to the Lewis F. Allen farm of 500 acres, of which he has been the suc- cessful manager since. For some years he devoted much attention to the breeding of Guernsey and Durham cattle, of which he has made a success and now conducts a dairy. In politics Mr. McMurray is a Republican. In 1865 he married Sarah Scott, daughter of Matthew and Cristeen Wightman Scott, natives of Belfast, Ireland, who came to Canada in 1832. Mr. Scott is a carpenter and joiner by trade, is Scotch- Irish and a Liberal; he is still living at the age of ninety years. Mrs. Scott died at the age of forty years. Mrs. McMurray is a member of the Episcopal church.
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Roe, Philip J., Grand Island, p. o. Inland, was born in Buffalo, January 1, 1831, a son of Philip, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1794, a linen weaver by trade. He came to Buffalo between 1825 and 1830, where he spent his remaining days. He was an honest and highly respected citizen and died in 1834, after quite a protracted illness. His wife later married Jacob Goal and removed to Canada where Philip J. grew to manhood. Philip J. Roe has cared for himself since thirteen years of age, following various occupations. When twenty-two he started for California, but only got as far as Grand Island, where he engaged in getting out timber and remained in one man's employ for seven years, during which time he cut 2,000 cords of wood. He then purchased a tract of thirty acres where he now lives. He has been a hard working, active man and has prospered and from time to time has purchased and sold land and now owns a well improved farm of seventy acres. For a number of years he devoted considerable attention to the breeding of horses, but he lost so many by death that he gave that enterprise up and has since given his whole attention to his farm. Mr. Roe is a staunch Democrat in politics and a strong believer in the cause of bimetalism. He has been elected and served six years as assessor and has also filled the offices of tax collector and constable and has often been chosen juryman. In 1854 he married Eve Gilsdurf, a native of Germany, born in 1834, and came to Buffalo in 1840 with her parents, Anthony and Mary Gilsdurf. To Mr. and Mrs. Roe were born six children; Philip A. Frank, Louisa, Julia, Caroline and Mary. Mr., and Mrs. Roe are members of the Roman Catholic church. His daughters are all dead; his sons are both married and farmers in Grand Island. Frank resides on the homestead and assists his father. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance of Grand Island.
Ryken, William, Grand Island, p. o. Sheenwater, one of the old and prominent residents of Grand Island, was born in Zeeland, Holland, in 1831, one of two chil- dren born to Dirick and Jacoba (Bodde) Ryken. Dirick was born and raised on a farm; he was an only son and received a liberal education and became a head teacher in the select schools, which profession he followed all his life. William Ryken attended the Holland schools until fifteen, when his parents moved to South Holland, where he spent two years studying French. When seventeen years of age his father started him in the mercantile business, which he conducted until he was twenty-five, and in 1856 sold his business and came to America, coming direct to Grand Island, where he lived for a time with his brother-in-law and assisted him in cutting wood and clearing land. In 1864 he purchased a farm of sixty-three acres, on which he has resided ever since, doing a general and successful farming. He early manifested an active interest in the political affairs of his town, affiliating with the Republican party, and in 1865 was elected to the office of town clerk, and with the exception of two years has filled that office successively ever since, making thirty years' service, a distinction which undoubtedly has not been paralleled by another man in Erie county. Mr. Ryken is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife was Susan Stoneway, daughter of Rev. John E. Stoneway of Holland, to whom he was married in 1853, and they have one child, Jacoba, wife of Nelson Bagley of Buffalo. Mr. and Mrs. Ryken are members of the Congregational church, in which Mr. Ryken is deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school.
Spohr, Conrad, Grand Island, p. o. Beach Haven, one of the representative men
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of Grand Island, was born in Germany March 8, 1836, one of three sons and seven daughters born to George and Elizabeth Spohr. Mr. Spohr's early life while in Europe was spent farming and herding sheep. When eighteen he came to America, coming direct to Buffalo and a few days later to Grand Island. Here he found em- ployment in the woods as chopper getting out timber and cord wood. He followed this industry until he had saved $100, and seeing that there was more money to be made in the teaming business than with the axe, he bought a yoke of oxen and began teaming contract work in the woods. He later purchased a farm and for many years conducted a general farming business, owning a farm of 110 acres. Mr. Spohr early manifested a keen interest in the political affairs of his town, taking sides with the Republican party. He has been from time to time elected to and filled all the offices of the town, except assessor, representing his town on the Board of Super- visors two terms and often represented his party as delegate to the county and as- sembly conventions; has filled the office of justice of the peace for ten years; served on the Board of Education twelve years, being president of that body several years, and since 1885 has filled the office of deputy sheriff under Gilbert, Jenkins and Lamy. During the war of the Rebellion he was deputized to assist in the apprehension of smugglers who used Grand Island as a retreat. At this time he had many chases and narrow escapes with his life. In 1885 he retired from active farming, devoting his time to his official duties. Since 1891 he has spent the winter months in the vil- lage of Tonawanda. Several years ago he sold all but twenty-six acres of his farm, retaining that for his home and summer residence which he looks after. Mr. Spohr has been four times married. By the first wife one son and one daughter was born. His present wife was Sophia, daughter of Frederick and Caroline Klopp. Mr. Spohr is a member of the Evangelical church, in which he has filled various official capaci- ties.
Schutt. John, Grand Island, p. o. Beach Haven, is one of Grand Island's wealthy and progressive farmers. The familiar term "hustler" can appropriately be ap- plied to Mr. Schutt. He was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, August 10, 1845, one of three sons and two daughters born to John and Sophia Schutt. John Schutt was a wagonmaker and came to Buffalo from Germany in 1873, where he was employed for a number of years in the park. He was a man who stood high in the esteem of all who knew him. He and his wife spent their last days in Grand Island at the home of their son John. They are members of the Lutheran church. John, the subject, learned the wagonmaker's trade when a boy and when sixteen years of age engaged on a farm as teamster, driving four horses. This suited him, as he had a natural love for a horse, and a look at his fine horses to-day will justify the asser- tion. He followed this occupation until twenty-two, when he was promoted to fore- man on the farm over a large number of men, remaining at that until 1873, when with his wife, children and mother-in-law, he emigrated to America, coming direct to Buffalo, landing here with $150. He soon found employment and was later em- ployed for two or more years in the Bullymore Packing House. In the mean time he bought a horse and wagon and then went to draying, at which he prospered, and bought another horse, then a third and fourth, having then two teams. He fol- lowed teaming on that scale for three years and then availed himself of the oppor- tunity of buying all the teams, wagons, etc., connected by contract with a large
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malt house in Buffalo, devoting his attention to this successfully for a year. He then launched out further by buying all the teams, wagons and utensils connected with a large iron foundry at Black Rock; this team work consisted of hauling the ore and coal from the docks in Buffalo to Black Rock. He. erected a large barn for the especial accommodation of his many teams, but not content with this business on his hands, he bought a farm of seventy acres near the city line, for which he paid $6,000, turning his house and lot in for nearly half payment for the farm, making his father day foreman of the farm, which he devoted to raising grain and hay to feed his teams, acting all the while as his own general supervisor of all branches of his work. In 1888 he sold out his entire teaming business and also sold his farm, for the latter receiving $21,000. In 1889 he purchased his fine farm of 240 acres in Grand Island, for which he paid $18,000 cash, and moved his family there, where he has since resided. He has made many fine improvements and has one of the finest orchards in the town. He raises large quantities of hay and is also a dealer in hay to a considerable extent, buying hay from his neighbors and press- ing it to fill city contracts. For the few years residence in this country few men have made the rapid progress that Mr. Schutt has. He is a liberal, public-spirited man, interested in public affairs, though not an office seeker. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Schutt has been twice married; his first wife was Sophia Sunk, and they had three children, Henry, Augusta and Emma. Mrs. Schutt died a year after their arrival in Buffalo, and he married Sophia Boss, a native of Germany, by whom he had nine children: William, John, Frank, Bertha, Carrie, Minnie, Mary, Martha and Florence.
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