USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 48
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Stevens, Harry A., Wales, p. o. Wales Center, born in Bristol, Ontario county, N. Y., September 16, 1815, is a son of Henry B. and Sarah (Winslow) Stevens, who came from Bristol to Wales in the spring of 1816, being among the first settlers of the town. Mr. Stevens, at the age of seventeen, went to Buffalo and was for a time engaged in mercantile business, but soon returned to the farm, where has been very successful. In 1840 he married Julia A. Phelps of Wales, and they have three children: Hen- rietta, Sarah R. and Margery. Mr. Stevens is a Democrat and has served as super- visor and town clerk. He is an honorary member of the East Aurora Masonic Lodge.
Buechi, Peter, jr., Clarence, was born in Black Rock, Erie county, N. Y., April 8, 1847. His father, Peter Buechi, came to this country in 1830, where he early engaged in farming, in which he was very successful. Mr. Buechi, jr., purchased one of the finest farms on the north side of the city, and so rapid was the growth of the city in that direction, that Mr. Buechi disposed of his holdings at a large advance, and in 1893
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purchased one of the finest farms in Clarence, which comprises 208 acres with the most modern equipments throughout. In 1871 Mr. Buechi married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Louis and Elizabeth Zumstine of Buffalo, and they had four children; Edward J., George W., Clara L. and Emma C. Mr. Buechi has always been an earnest Democrat, but except being assessor for one term, he has never been induced to ac . cept office at the hands of his party.
Hunt, Garrett B., Clarence, p. o. East Clarence .- Ebenezer Hunt, the first of that name to settle in the northeastern part of the town of Clarence, was born in Ben- nington, Vt., December 31, 1777. He with his wife, Margaret, came with their family of eight children to Hunt's Corners and bought a farm of 150 acres, where they were the foremost citizens in that community. Mr. Hunt died April 2, 1844, and his wife May 24, 1836. Garrett B. Hunt, son of Ebenezer, was born in 1818, He also followed the pursuit of farming and has been a long and industrious worker, his work being crowned with marked success. He has been prominent in political life and otherwise active in the best interests of his town. He married Cynthia E. Parker, and they had these children: Warren E., Margaret, Caroline and Ella. Mrs. Hunt died June 26, 1892. Rev. H. P. Hunt, brother of Garrett B., has been for nearly forty-two years pastor of the Baptist church at Hunt's Corners, and through his efforts they have one of the finest brick churches in the town, and the society is one of the largest and most prosperous.
Humbert, Jacob F., Clarence, was born in the town of Amherst, November 24, 1845, and is of French parentage. His father, Sebastian Humbert, came from France in 1832 and settled in the above town, where he engaged in farming, near Getzville. He married Mary Bogard, also a native of France, and they had six chil- dren, of whom Jacob F. was the third. Mr. Humbert died in 1894 and his wife died in 1897 in Tonawanda. Jacob F. Humbert received his education at the Getzville school and until 1863 remained at home occupied in farm work. At that time (though only a boy) he enlisted in the 100th N. Y. Vols., Co. G, and served with dis- tinction until the close of the war in 1865, when he returned home and entered into the farm work until 1870, when he bought a farm near Clarence village and devoted the next succeeding eight years to that industry. He then embarked in a general store in Clarence and continued successfully until 1894, when disaster in the way of fire burned the store and put an end to the enterprise. He then began the manu- facture of oak stave baskets, which he still carries on to considerable extent. Mr. Humbert has always been an active Republican and has been honored with many important trusts. He has served as a delegate to county, congressional and State conventions for the past twenty years, also as postmaster under President Harrison. In 1886 his town elected him supervisor and retained him for five successive terms. While a member of that body he was made a member of many of the most important committees, among them that of city and town assessments; he has also been a member of the Board of Excise. Besides his manufacturing business Mr. Humbert is a stockholder in the Clarence Gas Company. He is a member of Ransom Post No. 432, G. A. R., at Clarence. He married in 1869 Louise E., daughter of Chris- tian and Fredericka Kibler of Amherst, and they have four children, Amma E., Nellie A., Arthur F. and Jennie M., all living.
Myers, Reuben Sencil, Clarence, p. o. Clarence Center, son of Jacob and Anna
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(Sencil) Myers, was born February 24, 1839, at Mountville, Pa. He was educated in the common schools and at Millersville Normal School, Lancaster county, Pa., and commenced the study of medicine in 1856 at Mountville, under Dr. Amos K. Rohrer, an eminent physician and surgeon of that place. He attended medical lec- tures at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Vermont, receiving a diploma from the latter institution. Dr. Myers has been in practice at Clarence Center since 1860. He is a member of the Medical Society of the County of Erie; of the Gross Medical Club and was its secretary from 1889 to January, 1897, when he was elected its president; member of the New York State Pharmaceutical As- sociation since 1884. His medical writings that were published were "A Case of Albuminuria," "Puerperal Convulsions," "Leprosy," "Drainage," and "Cholera." He was the author of many literary articles published in various newspapers and journals in the country. He was appointed examiner in lunacy, December 10, 1889, and has been a medical examiner to various life insurance companies. He has always enjoyed a large country practice. In politics he has always been a Demo- crat and frequently served as a delegate to State, county and district conventions. He was elected coroner of Erie county in the fall of 1869, on the same ticket with Grover Cleveland, when Mr. Cleveland was elected sheriff of Erie county. Dr. Myers was postmaster at Clarence Center, N. Y., from December, 1885, to August, 1889, and was again appointed in August, 1894, which office he now holds. He was appointed by Gov. Roswell P. Flower a commissioner for loaning certain moneys of the United States of the county of Erie; the date of his commission was April 19, 1893, which office he now holds. He was the first person initiated in Akron Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 527, in 1862, of which he has ever since been a member. August 28, 1862, he married Marion C. Vantine of Clarence, Erie county, N. Y., and of their six children three are living: Henry S., Katie May and John B.
Warren W. F., Tonawanda, was born in Tonawanda, May 12, 1852. His father, Franklin Warren, came to Erie county in about 1835 and settled in Tonawanda. He married Mary A., daughter of William Donelly; he died in 1895. William F. Warren was educated in the common schools and followed the lakes for three years, and then engaged in the steamboat business, in which he still continues, and is also in the grocery and meat business. In 1879 he married Sarah, daughter of C. Schwinger, and they have three sons and two daughters: Christy, Frank, William, Susie and Helena. Mr. Warren has been trustee for two years and has also been collector for two years. He is one of the most active business men and is ever ready to advance the interests of the town.
Wends, H. S., Tonawanda, was born February 4, 1863, in Millville, Erie county, N. Y. He is the son of B. A. Wends, a native of Goelitz, Prussia, and came to the United States about 1840, settling at Wends Station, Erie county; he is recognized as one of the leading farmers of his town, serving as supervisor and justice of the peace for many years. H. S. Wends was educated in the common schools, gradu- ating from the Alden Graded School. In 1884 he entered the Veterinary College, graduating in 1886. He then located in Tonawanda and married Nora Nice, daugh- ter of John Nice, to whom were born two sons and one daughter: Bernard N., Nice Wends, and Sybil. Mr. Wends is one of the enterprising men of his town, serving as trustee, and as a member of the Board of Education, and has ever advanced the interests of his town and its people.
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Vickers, Joseph H., Tonawanda, was born in Tonawanda, N. Y., and is a son of William H. Vickers. His father was a manufacturer of buggies, wagons, etc. Joseph H. was educated in Tonawanda, and engaged first in the lumber business and then was clerk for the National Board. Mr. Vickers is one of the enterprising men of the town, taking an active interest in education and religious institutions, and is ever ready to advance the interests of his town and its people.
Van Brocklin, Rolla A., Tonawanda, was born in Tonawanda, August 12, 1867. He is the son of Stephen A., a native of Orleans county and traces his descent from . John Van Brocklin, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the Mohawk Valley. His son, Alexander, was a moulder by trade and a foreman in Bethany Furnace, where artillery for the United States government was made. His son John erected the first furnace ever built in Orleans county. Stephen A. Van Brocklin came to Tonawanda about 1855 and built a furnace, foundry and machine shop, manufactur- ing agricultural implements. He married Miss Sarah G. Hill from Maine. Rolla A. was educated in Tonawanda and Buffalo, after which he took up the lumber busi- ness. In 1893 he was elected justice of the peace, and in 1896 was re-elected. In 1895 he took an interest in the Twin City Ice Company, in which he is still engaged.
Scoville, Charles H., Tonawanda, was born at Mount Morris November 27, 1849. His father was W. B. Scoville, and the family trace their descent from English an- cestry from 1640, and have been prominently identified in the history of Mount Mor- ris for the past 100 years, Riley Scoville being the friend and associate of Robert Morris of Philadelphia. In 1881 Charles Scoville came to Tonawanda and estab- lished his present business, carrying a full line of drugs and stationery, and has now one of the leading drug stores in Erie county. In 1878 he married Cora, daughter of John S. Royce. Mr. Scoville is one of the most active business men of the town, taking an interest in educational and religious institutions.
Rogers, Edward H., jr., Tonawanda, was born December 19, 1858. His father was a native of Syracuse, born in 1835, and came to Tonawanda in 1855, and in 1869 went into the lumber business and retired in 1890. He married Lucresia Tripp. Ed- ward H., jr., was educated in public schools and was graduated from the Chamber- lain Institute in 1874 and engaged in the lumber business. In 1894 the Rogers Con- tracting Company was formed. In 1881 he married Jennie, daughter of E. Hensler, and they have one son, John M. Mr. Rogers is one of the most active business men of the town, and is always ready to advance the interests of the town and its people.
Rogers, W. J., Tonawanda, was born in Tonawanda, May 7, 1862. He was edu- cated in the public schools, and graduated from Chamberlain Institute in 1883, after which he read law, and then engaged in contracting with his brother, E. H. Rogers, building a large portion of the docks on Smith and Fassett's Islands, bridges, street paving, etc. In 1895 he established a file factory under the name of Rogers & Rogers, and under the firm of Rogers & Ryam built a section of the Ely Road. They are now engaged in building a Catholic church in Albion. In 1891 he married Miss Anna, daughter of John Oldenburg, by whom he has had one son, William J. Mr. Rogers is one of the progressive business men of his town, serving as supervisor in
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1894, also as justice of the peace for six years, and has ever advanced the interests of his town.
Neff, D. J., Tonawanda, was born in Lancaster county, Pa. He is the son of Daniel Neff, a native of Pennsylvania, and the family trace their descent from Conrad Hen- ley, on the maternal side, who came to the United States from Germany in 1804. Daniel Neff married Catharine Henley, and came to Erie county and settled at Will- iamsville. He was a carpenter by trade. D. J. Neff was educated in the common schools, then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed up to 1864, when he moved to Tonawanda, and in 1866 established a business of hats, caps, boots and shoes, continuing up to 1883, when he retired. In 1849 he married Rebecca, daugh- ter of William Rickard, by whom he has had six children. D. J. Neff is one of the self-made men of Erie county, serving as trustee for three years, member of the Board of Education, assessor for three years, and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity, whose word is as good as his bond.
Reisterer, Martin, Tonawanda, was born October 11, 1832, and came to the United States in about 1851 and settled in Tonawanda where he engaged in farming. He owned about 900 acres of land in the town of Tonawanda, taking a great interest in the manufacture of iron and the building of docks, also in the gas works, cider and vinegar works. In 1888 he established the German-American Bank, of which he is president, and one of the largest owners in real estate. In 1858 he married Minerva, daughter of Anthony Diebolt, who died in 1887. He again married Christina Meyers. Mr. Reisterer is one of the self-made men of his town, and has ever been ready to advance educational and religious institutions.
Mahar, John, Tonawanda, was born in Buffalo, September 27, 1856. His father, Jeremiah Mahar, was a native of Buffalo and in 1853 he entered the employ of the N. Y. C. R. R., and his death, which occurred July 3, 1864, was due to an accident received in their employ. John Mahar was educated in Buffalo, and in 1881 came to Tonawanda and began the manufacture of boilers, to which he has since added en- gine building and a general foundry, building a large shop to accommodate his business. In 1880 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Martin, by whom two sons and one daughter have been born: Edward J., Ray J. and Mildred P. Mr. Mahar is an enterprising business man of his town, serving as chief of the fire de- partment for three years.
Edmonds, Horace M., Tonawanda, was born in the town of Edinburgh, Saratoga county, November 3, 1858. He was the son of John G. Edmonds, one of the success- ful farmers of the town. The family trace their descent from English ancestors and were among the earliest settlers of the colonies. Horace M. Edmonds was educated in Bellville, Mich., and in 1882 entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city, from which he graduated in 1885, and then came to Tonawanda and es- tablished his present practice. In 1888 he married Miss Lucy P., daughter of Dr. W. D. Murray, who was one of the leading physicians of Erie county. To Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds were born one son and one daughter.
Crown, A. H., Tonawanda, was born in Milton, Vt., December 30, 1844. His father, George W., was a native of the same State. The family trace their ancestry to John Crown, who took part in the French and Indian war. George W. married
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Verona O., daughter of Echan A. Crown. A. H. Crown was educated in common schools, and in 1860 enlisted in the army, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. In 1866 he came to Tonawanda and entered the employ of Fred Smith, and in 1868 went with Kent Williams, and in 1870 went to California and re- turned in 1872. In 1895 the firm of the Rogers Contracting Company was formed, taking some of the largest contracts in Tonawanda and Niagara Falls. In 1868 he married Adelaide I., daughter of Amos Broughton. They have one daughter, Ve- rona. Mr. Crown is one of the active business men of the town, serving as trustee, and is president of the Board of Education and is also president of the village.
Chase, Frank E., Tonawanda, was born in Lockport, June 10, 1896. He is the son of Lewis E. Chase, a native Niagara county, where the family have lived for four generations. Frank E. Chase was educated in Lockport after which he learned the machinist's trade. In 1893 he came to Tonawanda as superintendent and en- gineer of the water works. In 1881 he married Miss Harriet, daughter of John Goodin, by whom he has had two children; John and Alice. Mr. Chase is one of the conservative men of the town, taking an intelligent interest in educational and re- ligious institutions.
Christ, Gottlieb C., Tonawanda, was born in Germany, December 18, 1839, and came to the United States in 1865, and at once settled in Tonawanda, where he followed his trade as a painter and was engaged in the paper and insurance business. In 1864 he married Catharine Schaefer, by whom he has had seven children: C. H. Christ, Gottlieb F., Mrs. Caroline Myers, Mrs. Etta Pigott, Rosie, Emma and Car- rie. Mr. Christ is one of the representative German citizens of Tonawanda, serving as collector, town clerk, supervisor and trustee for five years. He was on the Board of Education in 1890, and was appointed postmaster, and has ever advanced the in- terests of his town.
Reisterer, Edward G., Tonawanda, was born in Tonawanda, June 5, 1861, and was educated in public schools and took a business course at Bryant & Stratton's College. In 1882 he went into the canal collector's office, resigning in 1885. He then entered the company of R. W. Scribner, and in August, 1888, incorporated the Ger- man-American bank, beginning business on the 18th, and occupying the position of cashier, which position he still holds. In 1893 he married Catherine M., daughter of Lewis Gruen. Mr. Reisterer is one of the most enterprising business men of his town. He has served as village clerk, and has ever been identified in advancing its best interests.
Betts, M. C., Tonawanda, was born in Wilson, January 5, 1854. The father, F. Betts, was a native of Niagara. F. Betts married Mary D., daughter of Abner Crandall and was a well known civil engineer. He died in 1893 at the age of sixty- five. M. C. Betts was educated at Tonawanda, and in 1872 learned the drug busi- ness with Dr. Lawer of Wilson. In 1874 he purchased the business and in 1884 established his present business in Tonawanda, carrying a full line of imported and domestic drugs. In 1887 he married Lydia, daughter of Thomas Bayle, and has one son, Benjamin F. Mr. Betts is one of the most active business men of the town, and was elected treasurer in 1896, and was also elected treasurer of schools in 1893. He is ever ready to advance the interests of the town and its people.
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Jones, Edward A., Tonawanda, p. o. Buffalo, the inventor of the improved process for the manufacture of steel balls and the founder of the Excelsior Machine Com- pany of Buffalo, was born in Birmingham, England, in 1854, son of George and Ann (Baxter) Jones. Edward began at the early age of ten to learn the trade of ma- chinist and had practically mastered the trade while yet a boy. In 1881 he left England and came to Buffalo, where he plied his trade for six years, the last of which his inventive brain conceived the idea of an improved process for making steel balls much more perfect and at a greatly reduced cost. He immediately began work on his models, resulting three months later in their perfection, on which he se- cured patents and in 1887, in copartnership with Mr. David Roughead, secured land and erected a small shop just across the city line in the town of Tonawanda, where they began the manufacture of steel balls for use in bicycles. At that time they were the first to manufacture balls under the new process and the second manufac- turer of balls in the United States. Under the practical and careful management of these gentlemen their business has increased in ten years from a small shop with two men and a yearly output of 1,000,000 balls, to a large plant with a capacity for 150 men and a yearly output of 150,000,000 balls. They are now the largest manu- facturers of balls in the world, manufacturing balls for various kinds of machinery, and the only concern in the United States who are exclusive manufacturers of steel balls; 2,000,000 of their output is consumed in the United States, the balance going to England and Germany. Mr. Jones was married while in England to Mercy M. Hartrick, and they have three children. In addition to thirty-five acres of land where his factory stands Mr. Jones owns other property in the city and considerable real estate between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Mr. Jones is also the inventor of several ball-bearing axletrees for use in buggies and heavy wagons, which will when introduced revolutionize the use of the steel ball bearing in vehicles.
Maul, John, sr., one of the successful men of Tonawanda, was born in Bavaria, November 24, 1824. When twenty-two he entered the army and served three years, also served in the war of 1848 for freedom. In 1849 he came to America, spending the first three years near Baltimore, Md., on a farm, and then came to Buffalo, where he engaged in the potash business. After nine years he moved his business to Tonawanda, and after twenty five years in this business he engaged in the grocery and saloon business, which he conducted successfully for many years. He has also owned farms for many years in different parts of the town; he now owns a farm of 100 acres in Niagara county. His purchase of land in Tonawanda village was a two acre tract which he bought of Mr. Helmer, it being previously owned by the aged Judge Clinton, who bought it in for the taxes, Mr. Maul therefore being the fourth purchaser. In 1895 Mr. Maul sold to the State for $13,000 the land on which stands the armory of the 25th Separate Company. In 1864 he erected the first part of his present building ; in 1894 he was succeeded in the hotel and saloon business by his son George, but he still retains his interest in the grocery and farm, being assisted by his son John. In politics Mr. Maul is a staunch Democrat. He was drafted dur ing the war of the Rebellion and stood his draft. His wife was Barbara Smouse, a native of Bavaria, whom he married in Buffalo in 1852, and they had seven children, five grew to maturity, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Maul is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he has often officiated and is now filling the office of trustee.
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Walter, Christian, a well known farmer and dairyman of Tonawanda, was born in the town of Tonawanda, March 31, 1848. Philip and Sophia Walter were his grand- parents, natives of Germany. Philip was a lifelong farmer and came to America about 1837, bringing his family with him and located in the town of Tonawanda, where he and his sons cleared the timber off a twenty-five acre farm. They reared a family of five sons and seven daughters; here they spent their remaining days, and he met his death at the age of seventy-two, from a fall in his barn. His wife lived to be over ninety-two years. Frederick, the father of Christian, was the fourth of his father's children, born in Germany in 1823. He grew to manhood in Tonawanda and became a farmer, owning a small farm near the village of Tonawanda. Though in frail health for over twenty years, he made a good living. In politics he was an in- dependent voter. His wife was Katharina, daughter of Henry Yockey, and their children were Christian, Katharina, Frederick, Sophia, Mary and Louisa. They were members of the Lutheran church, in which he often filled official capacities: he died in 1862, and his wife survives him and resides on the homestead which is now owned by Christian, the subject. Christian Walter attended the common district school winters until fourteen. He remained with his father until twenty-two, when he began for himself on a rented farm. In 1882 he purchased the farm of fifty-five acres upon which he now resides, and where he has carried on a successful farming and dairying business. In 1891 Mr. Walter took advantage of the high prices of land and sold his farm, but continued to operate it by leasing it from the purchasers. He also leases other farms amounting in all to 150 acres, having a dairy of twenty- five cows. After the sale of his farm he purchased village property in the village of Tonawanda, having several tenement houses. In politics Mr. Walter is a Republi- can. In 1869 he married Laura Yockey of Tonawanda, and they have six children : Christian, Philip, George, Laura, Louisa and Frederick. Mr. Walter and wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which he is elder.
Yockey, Philip Andrew, one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Tona- wanda, was born in the town in June, 1847, one of the three sons and two daughters born to Peter and Margaret (Schaer) Yockey, both natives of Germany. Peter, the father, while a young man in his native country, followed the vocation of teamster. He served three years in the German army and when a young man of about twenty- five years of age came to America and settled in Tonawanda, where he purchased a small farm. He died in 1852, and his wife conducted the farm until her sons were large enough to assume charge. She now resides with her son. Philip Andrew Yockey received a common district school education. He remained at home with his mother until twenty-three years of age, when he began farming on his own ac- count, since which time he has bought and sold several farms. His last farm he sold at a high figure during the land boom of 1892. He rents a farm upon which he con- ducts a farming and dairy business, milking twenty-six cows and wholesaling his milk in Buffalo. In politics Mr. Yockey is a Democrat. In 1870 he was married to Kathrina Librock, a native of Germany, and daughter of Philip and Charlotte Lib- rock, and to them were born five children: Philip, William, Clarence, Lena and Ade- line. They are members of the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Yockey has officiated several times as trustee.
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