USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 52
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Wannamaker, Albert, Holland, was born in the town of Holland, November 28,
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1873, and is a son of Ambrose and Dorothy (Gunther) Wannamaker. Mr. Wanna- maker received his education in the public schools of Colden, and after completing his schooling engaged in the occupation of farming, being the owner of 150 acres of well improved land and making a specialty of dairying. He is also engaged in grain and stock growing. Mr. Wannamaker is of the Catholic faith and his wife is a Baptist. He is an energetic go-ahead farmer and we bespeak for him a prosperous life.
Walter, Samuel, Lancaster, born in Lancaster in 1872, is the son of John and grandson of Casper Walter, who was among the early settlers of Lancaster, where he was a farmer and had three sons, Casper, George and John. John settled on the Buffalo plank road and was a farmer until his death in 1892. Mr. Walter re- mained on the home farm and was a farmer until 1895, when he came to Lancaster and started a livery and carting business, which he still carries on; he also deals in lime, cement and mason's supplies.
Potter, Samuel, M. D., Lancaster, was born in Rutland county, Vt., in 1816, where his father, Dr. Samuel Potter, was for many years a practicing physician. He attended the common schools there and applied himself so thoroughly to his books that at the age of sixteen he began teaching school winters and worked on the farm summers. He also began when sixteen years old to read medicine in the office of his father and later entered the Medical College at Castleton, Vt., where he was graduated in 1836. He soon afterwards came to Rochester, N. Y., where he re- mained most of the time until 1839, when he came to Lancaster and began the prac- tice of his profession, where he has been for more than fifty years in active practice. He was for fifteen years superintendent of schools and has always taken a keen in- terest in the growth and prosperity of the village.
Mook, Philip P., Lancaster, was born in that town in 1849, and is the son of Philip H., who came from Germany to Lancaster in 1840, and was a farmer. Mr. Mook remained on the farm until 1876 when he married a daughter of George Hilwig and came to Lancaster village, where he has since carried on the Lancaster Mills; he does a large custom milling business. He has three sons, Albert P., Edmond W. and Herbert H.
Miller, John G., M. D., Lancaster, was born in Sheldon, Wyoming county, N. Y., July 4, 1855. He attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he entered the Aurora Academy which he attended for four full years and was gradu- ated from there at the age of seventeen. He then began the study of medicine, en- tering the University of Buffalo, from which he graduated in 1876, and in the fall entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York, from which he was graduated in 1877. May 1, 1877, he located at Lancaster and has been in active prac- tice ever since. Heis a member of the Erie County Medical Society and has been for several years health officer of the village and town.
Leininger, John, Lancaster, was born in Germany in 1823, where he was educated, and came to America in 1845 and was for more than twenty years a school teacher, the last three years being in Lancaster, where he settled in 1862. In 1864 he opened a store there and in 1872 built the large store which he carried on until 1893. He has always occupied a prominent place in the affairs of the village, has been one of
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the trustees for the union school for thirty years and was for some time postmaster. He is secretary of the Lancaster Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he was one of the founders. He was for twenty-three years town clerk, for thirty years vil- lage clerk, and has been since 1894 village treasurer. He has been for many years notary public and is the business counselor of a large circle of German friends.
Kessel, Christian, Lancaster, was born in Germany in 1833, and is the son of Fred- erick Kessel, who came to Lancaster in 1848, where he was a farmer. Mr. Kessel worked on a farm by the month until 1856, when he bought a small farm and carried on farming and stock raising, selling his meats by wholesale. He married Fred- ericka, daughter of Martin King, and they have seven children: John, George, Fred, William, Catharine, Amelia and Mary.
Kieffier, Martin, Lancaster, born in 1853, is a son of Joseph and grandson of Joseph Kieffier, who came to Buffalo in 1820 and later settled where the village of Depew now is on a farm. Mr. Kieffier remained on the farm that his father settled and engaged in gardening until 1869, when he went to the oil fields of Pennsylvania, where he spent four years and then returned to Lancaster and bought a farm, which he later sold to the Depew Improvement Company. He has always taken a keen interest in town affairs and is now president of the village of Depew.
Huber, George, Lancaster, born in Lancaster in 1848, is a son of Louis Huber, who came to Lancaster from Germany in 1829, where he was a farmer and died in 1891, leaving two sons, Louis and George, as above. George Huber began his life by learn_ ing the shomaker's trade in Buffalo, when he returned to Lancaster and began busi- ness in 1868, where he carried on a shoe store until 1891. He has always been identi- fied with the business enterprises of the town, being one of the founders of the Lan- caster Brewing Company, of which he was for six years president and was also presi- dent of the Lancaster Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was appointed post- master in 1885, which office he held for four years : in 1874 he was elected as one of the village trustees, which office he still holds, having been for some years president of the board. He was elected justice in 1889 and still holds that office. He married Elizabeth Schwartz and they have four sons: George W., John L., Frank M. and Joseph E., also four daughters.
Haake, F. G., Lancaster, born in Buffalo, in 1864, is the son of Frederick W. Haake, who came from Germany to Buffalo and was a brick manufacturer. Mr. Haake learned the brick trade and came to Lancaster in 1888, where he has since been superintendent of the Buffalo Brick Company. He has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of the village and is looked upon as one of the stirring busi- ness men of the town.
Garretsee, J. O., Lancaster, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., and is the son of Henry Garretsee, who was a hardware merchant at Warsaw for many years and a very prominent business man of that section. Mr. Garretsee came to Lancaster in 1882 and was agent for the Erie Railroad, which position he held until 1895. In 1883 he engaged in the coal business, which he has since carried on, and later he engaged in the livery and carting business in partnership with J. M. Grice, under the name of Lancaster Livery and Carting Company, but at the end of one year he bought his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. Mr. Garretsee has al-
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ways taken a keen interest in the affairs of the village and is vice-president of the Lancaster Bank, also president of the Board of Education, is one of the directors of the Lancaster Building and Loan Association, is secretary and treasurer of the Lan- caster Ice Company and is one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church.
Cotton, George A., Lancaster, was born in Lancaster, N. Y., a son of Hiram P. and grandson of Elisha L. Cotton, who came to Lancaster from Vermont in 1845 and had three sons; Elisha, Gardner B., and Hiram P. George A. spent his early life on the farm and obtained his education in Lancaster and Buffalo: later learning the decorator's trade and being a large contractor. He is also engaged in building. Mr. Cotton married Mollie B. Whitnell of Buffalo, and they have two sons, Mortimer E. and Winfred G. Mr. Cotton has always taken a keen interest in educational affairs and has been a member of the Board of Education of Depew for some time.
Blackman, W. M., Lancaster, born in Lancaster in 1844, is a son of Leonard, and grandson of William Blackman, who settled in Lancaster in 1810. Mr. Blackman has always been prominent in the public affairs of the town, having been highway commissioner for thirteen years and in 1892 was elected on the Board of Supervisors. He moved into the village in 1876, where he has since carried on the coal and wood business.
Bauer, Joseph, sr., Lancaster, was born in Germany in 1834, and came to America in 1853, settling in Williamsville, Erie county, N. Y., where he engaged in the stone and marble business, which he carried on there until 1878, when he moved to Lan- caster where he has since carried on a marble yard, and also for several years kept a hotel. He married in 1855 Barbara Hummer, and they have four sons and five daughters.
Beidler, John, Lancaster, p. o. Bowmansville, was born in Cheektowaga in 1841, and is the son of Eberhardt Beidler, who came from Germany and settled in Cheek- towaga in 1828, where he was a farmer until his death in 1888. Mr. Beidler bought the homestead and added to it, which he sold to the Depew Improvement Company and moved to Bowmansville, where he has since lived. He has been twice married, his first wife being Charlotte Busman, who died and left one son; his present wife was Ida Hagelwin.
Adolf, Joseph, Lancaster, was born iti Alsace, France, in 1851, and is the son of Jacob, who came to Lancaster in 1854, where he was a carpenter; he died there in 1879, leaving three sons: Charles, Ignarus and Joseph, as above. Joseph Adolf learned the carpenter's trade when a boy and since 1889 has done a large business as contractor and builder. He was elected justice in 1890 and was also elected one of the village trustees the same year, which office he still holds. He is also a member of the Lancaster Benevolent Association and has been for twenty-four years a mem- ber of the fire department. He married in 1879 Mary A. Knauber, and they have three sons and two daughters: Frank. Albert, Charles, Florence and Loretta.
Goldsmith, E. F., Brant, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1852 and in 1879 came to Erie county, N. Y., settling in Brant, where he has since been a large and suc- cessful fruit farmer. He married Arrilla, daughter of John Ash, and they have two sons: Harry and Herbert. Mr. Goldsmith is prominently identified with the
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M. E. church and Sunday school of Brant and is a member of the Sunday School Association of Brant and Evans. He has always taken a keen though quiet interest in the public affairs of the town.
Lapp, Henry, M. D., Clarence, was born in the town of Clarence, February 9, 1836, and is a son of Rev. John Lapp, who came to the town in 1828 as a Mennonite minister. He later became bishop of the district comprised of the whole of New York State, and continued to officiate as such throughout his life. He married Bar- bara Kurtz. He died in 1878 and his wife in 1888. They had twelve children, six of whom are living. Dr. Lapp attended the Williamsville Academy four years, after which he studied medicine in the office of Dr. O. K. Parker of Clarence. He then took a course at the Albany Medical College and later was graduated from the Buffalo University in 1865. After graduation Dr. Lapp returned to Clarence and associated himself in practice with his preceptor, Dr. Parker, which partner- ship continued until Dr. Parker's death in 1872. Dr. Lapp has been an earnest Republican and taken great interest in the town and county. He served as school commissioner from 1869 to 1873 and was one of the organizers of the Clarence Acad- emy in 1857, which in 1869 was merged into a Union school. In 1871 Dr. Lapp was made president of the School Board of Clarence and has continued in that capacity since. He is an active member of the County Medical Society and has been hon- ored with its presidency, besides being one of the curators of the University of Buffalo for the past twenty years. Dr. Lapp is at present surgeon for the West Shore Railroad, and in 1896 Hanover College gave him the degree of A. M. In 1869 Dr. Lapp married H. Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Mabel B. Bardine of Cayuga county, N. Y., and they had three children.
Hathaway, L. Leroy, Collins, was born in Collins, August 18, 1850, where his his father was one of the pioneer settlers. Mr. Hathaway was educated in the com- mon schools and Gowanda Academy. He farmed it for one year, and in 1876 established his present business of a general store. He has served as postmaster for twelve years, and was elected supervisor March 12, 1895.
Dean, Charles, Collins, p. o. Gowanda, was born in Corry, Pa., June 4, 1879. His father, L. P. Dean, was a native of Denmark and engaged in the furniture business in Union City, and from there to Corry, where he started in a small way and built up a large business. In 1881 he came to Gowanda and established the planing and saw mill his son now carries on. He married Christian Hansan, and they had two children, Charles and Louise. He died September 16, 1890, in his forty-fifth year. Charles Dean established in 1896, with J. A. Falk, the firm of Dean & Falk, manu- facturers of lumber, shingles and lath.
Willett, Groton P., North Collins, was born in North Collins in September, 1830. His father, William Willett, came from Macedon, N. Y., to Erie county in 1818 and was among the pioneers. He married Althea, daughter of Elijah Pratt. He died in 1866. Groton P. Willett was educated in the common schools, and has made agri- culture his study and life's work, and is one of the farmers in Erie county who follow scientific methods in their farming. In 1853 he married Miss Esther, daughter of Lemuel White, who was one of the first settlers in the town of North Collins. Mr. and Mrs. Willett have two sons, Eugene and Floyd, both farmers in Erie county.
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Mr. Willett served as assessor for six years, and takes great interest in all educa- tional and religious institutions.
Parker, Harrison G., North Collins, was born in that town, September 15, 1863; his father, Clinton, was also a native of North Collins, and his parents, Aaron and Hannah, were among the pioneers of the same place. Clinton Parker married Rhoda S., daughter of William Potter, and was a farmer. He died in 1865. Harri- son G. Parker was educated in the common schools and Gowanda Academy, after which, in 1882, he took up the railroad business and was appointed agent of the N. Y., L. E. & W. Railroad at North Collins, which position he now holds. In 1886 he married Grace L., daughter of Job Southwick. Mr. Parker is a member of the Board of Education and one of the founders and organizers of the Bank of North Collins.
Lawton, E. Henry, North Collins, p. o. Lawton Station, was born in the town of North Collins, January 31, 1829. His father, John Lawton, came from Schoharie county to Albany in 1815, and built the first mills in North Collins. He married Eunice Kimball and died in 1850. E. Henry Lawton was educated in the common schools and gave his attention to farming. In 1878 he established a store, post-office and railroad station, named after himself. In 1840 he married Lydia M., daughter of William Sisson, and they have three children: Clarence F., William S. and Mrs. Florence Taylor. Mr. Lawton has always taken great interest in all educational and religious institutions.
Clark, Milton, North Collins, was born in Waterford, March 10, 1848. His parents, Alanson and Abasha (Kinch) Clark, were among the pioneers of Erie county, settling there about 1828. He died in 1884 and his wife in 1891. Milton Clark was educated in the common schools and in 1867 married Chloe M., daughter of Silas Peck, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Ellen Christ. Mr. Clark is a successful farmer, taking an active interest in breeding thoroughbred horses and hogs.
Bolton, William E., North Collins, was born in Cheektowaga, April 11, 1865. His father, William Bolton, was born in Buffalo in 1836, and his father, Isaac, came from England among the early settlers. William Bolton married Sarah Ralph, and through life was a well known manufacturer of brick at Evans. William E. Bolton was educated at Angola and Buffalo. In 1889 he established a mercantile business at Evans, continuing up to 1895, when he came to North Collins and at present is carrying on one of the largest lines of general merchandise. In 1888 he married Miss Cora Burmaster, and they have one son, Clifford E.
Blasdell, Herman, North Collins, was born at Perrysburg, January 28, 1840. His father, David G. Blasdell, was a native of Vermont, and his parents, Nathaniel and wife, were among the pioneer settlers and the family have always been among the prominent farmers of the town. In 1864 Herman Blasdell married Miss Lucinda, daughter of John Sherman, and they have one son, Harry. Mr. Blasdell was chosen to represent the Eighth district in the Assembly and in September, 1896, was re- nominated to succeed himself. In 1895 he was appointed by Governor Morton trustee of the Woman's Orphan Asylum and elected treasurer in 1895 of that institution He was engaged in mercantile business from 1872 to 1877 in North Collins, and was su- pervisor of the town in 1878-79-80, and was the founder of the town of Blasdell, erecting the first store and dwelling.
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Wendling, Michael, Amherst, p. o. Swormsville, was born in Clarence, February 10, 1851, and has always been engaged in farming. He takes an active interest in public affairs and has been highway commissioner for four years. During his term of office he has built ten fine iron bridges in the town and gives special attention to good roads. In 1875 he married Anna Bold, who died leaving five sons: Michael, George, Leo, Edward aud Philip. In October, 1895, Mr. Wendling married Susan Leffler.
Wetzel, Mathias, Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Cheektowaga, Erie county, August 15, 1866, and was reared on a farm. He is still engaged in the oc- cupation of farming and in 1893 embarked in the wholesale meat business, which he has since conducted with success. October 10, 1885, Mr. Wetzel married Anna Close, and they have seven children: Edward, Mathias, Stephen, Charles, Anna, Lilly and Julia. Mr. Wetzel was constable for two years and has been superin- tendent of the poor. His parents were Ango and Mary Wetzel, both natives of Germany.
Wolf, Jacob, Amherst, p. o. Getzville, was born in Amherst, March 2, 1840, and has been engaged in farming all his life. He has been in the saw mill business since 1890, also in the milling business since 1882, and has been assessor of the town for six years. He married Catherine Much, and they have eight children: Jacob, Ed- ward, William, Marshall, Lester, Laura, Ida and Kate. Ida married Lorin Watson, Laura, Jacob Schoelles, and Kate, Henry Schoelles. Mr. Wolf's parents were Jacob and Margaret Wolf, both natives of Germany. His father was eight years old when he came to America and his mother was six years of age.
Wolf, George G., Amherst, p. o. Willilamsville, was born in the town of Amherst, Erie county, September 22, 1853. His early occupation was farming, but he has been engaged in the milling business since 1877 and has become one of the best known and most successful business men of this part of the county. In addition to his milling business, he is agent for the Johnston Harvester Co., and all kinds of farm implements as well as for fertilizers. He is also interested in farming and owns a fine farm in Amherst. In 1876 Mr. Wolf married Barbara Werkley, who died leav- ing three children: Ida, Gertie and Arthur. He married second, Eva Werkley, sister of his first wife, and they have one daughter, Estelle. Mr. Wolf takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and has served on the Democratic town commit- tee, and is one of the successful and representative men of Erie county. Mr. Wolf's parents were George and Louisa (Fries) Wolf, both of whom were Germans by birth.
Sanger, George H., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Williamsville, No- vember 19, 1865. He worked at the harness-maker's trade with his father for some time, when he engaged in farming and teaming, being head deliverer for Williams- ville Brewery for a year. In the spring of 1887 he embarked in the hotel business, which he has made a pronounced success. Mr. Sanger is well known both in the societies and in public life. He is an active Democrat and is chairman of the town committee. He has been town collector for two years and was constable for five years; he has also been a delegate to conventions, notably the Democratic State Convention of 1896. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and United Friends. In April, 1893, Mr. Sanger married Ida Criqui, and they have one son, Irving Sanger.
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Stevens, Mrs. Charlotte S., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, is the daughter of Oziel and Phoebe (Norton) Smith. Oziel Smith was born April 19, 1784, and his wife Oc- tober 22, 1789. He was a native of Clarendon, Rutland county, Vt., and she of Rich- mond, Berkshire county, Mass. They came to Buffalo in 1809, and lived where the Tifft House now stands. Mr. Smith enlisted in the war of 1812 and was taken pris- oner and carried into Canada. At the time Buffalo was burned, he came to Amherst, where he was prominently identified with the progress of the town. In 1827 he was member of assembly. He was a carpenter by trade and built the first court house in Buffalo. He died in 1836, and his wife lived to the remarkable age of one hundred years four months and nineteen days. In 1847 Charlotte D. Smith married George D. Stevens, M. D., who died November 30, 1852.
Summers, C. E., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, son of Henry and Catherine Sum- mers, was born in Williamsville, July 10, 1855. He followed well drilling, threshing, etc., for several years, but for the past twelve years has been a practical engineer. In 1892 he became chief engineer for the Buffalo & Williamsville Railroad, which position he still occupies. Mr. Summers has been trustee of the Williamsville school and is a member of the Odd Fellows. In 1874 he married Alice Sumney, and they have six children: Warren, Hattie, Grace, Cora, Alice and Edna.
Pfohl, Albert M., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Amherst, May 11, 1867. He followed farming until twenty-two years of age, when he became man- ager of the Lutz stock farm, which position he has since filled with marked success. In May, 1892, Mr. Pfohl married Josephine Fessara, daughter of Prosper and Joseph- ine (Bogard) Fessara.
Pfohl, Charles J., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Amherst, June 13, 1860, and educated in the public schools. He learned the upholsterer's trade and worked at itfor twelve years in Buffalo, and one year in Hamburg, when he engaged in farming, which he carried on for two years, and now carries on a flour and feed business. In 1884 Mr. Pfohl married Elma M. Kiefer, who lived but a short time, and on June 18, 1896, he married Cora A. Metz. Mr. Pfohl is a member of the Odd Fellows, and has been trustee of the village for two terms.
Miller, E. B., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Williamsville, February 27, 1844, a son of Benjamin and Susannah (Fulmer) Miller, natives of Erie county. He was educated in the public schools, Williamsville Classical Institute, and also took a course in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. He first embarked in business as a partner in the Williamsville Cement Works, the firm being B. Miller & Son, manufacturers of water lime and cement. The firm existed from 1886 to 1889; the senior member died in 1882, and the business was carried on for several years by E. B. Miller. Mr. Miller was elected justice of the peace in 1885 and has held the office continuously since, being elected in 1896 for a term of four years longer; he was also supervisor of the town in 1877 and was nominated by his party in the fall of 1877 for member of assembly for the Fourth district, and although de- feated, reduced the regular majority by nearly 1,000. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. In 1885 he married Frances Daniel, and they have six children: Susannah F., Ruth, Benjamin, Warren D., Grace and Edward B., jr.
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Lapp, Benjamin, Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in the town of Clarence, March 11, 1842, where he lived until 1868, when he came to Amherst where he has followed farming and has been engaged in the agricultural implement business. His parents were John and Barbara (Kurtz) Lapp, natives of Pennsylvania, and who came to Clarence in 1828. Mr. Lapp married Emma Hoover, and they have five children: Henry, Mrs. Charles Sears of Bowmansville, Mrs. Dr. C. O. Chester of Buffalo, Emma and Mabel. Mr. Lapp is a member of the Odd Fellows and is their recording secretary.
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