Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 53

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 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Kuhn, George B., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born near Williamsville, July 7, 1872, and has been five years in the milling business. He is also interested in farming. His father, Joseph Kuhn, was a native of Switzerland, and his mother was Mary (Phillips) Kuhn. Joseph Kuhn's first wife was a Miss Bumgardner, who left one son, Jacob Kuhn; his second wife was Mary Holler, who left one son, Joseph Kuhn, and his third wife was Mary P. Phillips, whose children are Henry, George B., John, Albert, Rose, Clara and Ella. Joseph Kuhn died October 15, 1893. George B. Kuhn is a member of the order of the Maccabees and also of the Will- iamsville Hose Company.

Klingenselsmith, Philip, Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Amherst, De- cember 20, 1858, and has always been a farmer. In 1892 he married Wilhelmine Knoche. Mr. Klingenselsmith is not only a successful farmer, but also takes an in- telligent interest in public affairs. He was collector for the town of Amherst from 1890 to 1894, and has also been constable, town committeeman, and delegate to the Seventh Assembly district convention.

Hinkley, Adam, Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Williamsville, February 22, 1866. He served an apprenticeship of three years at the tinsmith trade, when he engaged in engineering for a time. He then learned the plumbing trade and subse- quently returned to engineering. He was chief engineer of the County House for a period of eleven years, and in 1892 took charge of the Williamsville Driving Park of which he has made a decided success. In 1883 he married Mary A. Lee. Mr. Hinkley is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows and the order of Stationary Engineers, a national organization. His parents were Amos and Maria (Ball) Hinkley, both English by birth.

Grove, Peter, Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, son of Peter and Jane Grove, was born in Williamsville, October 21, 1847, and educated in the public schools. When a young man he went to Chicago and engaged in the soda business, which he followed for twelve years. He also spent some time in the gold mines of Colorado, walking from Omaha to Denver. He returned to Williamsville and engaged in the coal busi- ness, which he is still engaged in. Mr. Grove has been president of the village of Williamsville two years, trustee nine years, street commissioner nine years, and was town collector, corporation collector and school collector at the same time. He has been constable for fourteen consecutive years and served four months in the war in the 98th N. Y. Vols.

Grove, John, Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Amherst, December 27, 1842. He learned the broom-maker's trade and worked at it for five years. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. C, 98th N. Y. Vols., and served ninety days. After the war he

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followed farming for seven years, when he engaged in the lumber business, which he has conducted ever since. Mr. Grove has held almost every office in the town and village. He was president of the village three years, trustee of the village three years, justice of the peace eight years; has served on the Board of Health, been trustee of the school, secretary of the Water Commission, and is now and has been treasurer of the village for twenty years. In 1868 he married Matilda Seigel, and they have four children: Peter J., David L., Henrietta and Bertha. Mr. Grove's father was one of the prominent men of the town in his day, and was supervisor for many years.

Gotwalt, A., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in York county, Pa., March 19, 1819, and came to the town of Amherst, Erie county, when six years old. As a boy he worked on a farm and afterwards learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed until 1853, when he went into the mercantile business in a general store and conducted that for thirty-six years. For the past twenty years he has con- fined his attention mainly to dealing in real estate, and in all the business affairs of his life he has been exceedingly successful, so that to-day he is one of the wealthy men of Erie county. In 1845 Mr. Gotwalt married Harriet Hill and they have two sons: Charles H. and Warren A. Charles H. Gotwalt married Mary B. Thayer, and they reside at his father's home; he being associated with his father in the real es- tate business. Warren A. Gotwalt married Dora Bagley.

Fisher, William J., Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Buffalo, March 10, 1871, and was educated in the public schools. He was with his father in the malting busi- ness in Buffalo up to 1894, when he came to Williamsville and started the brewery business, which has proved very successful under his able management. His brew - ery has a capacity of 20,000 barrels a year and is run to its limit. The beer manu- factured is very popular, and justly so, for nothing but malt, spring water and hops are used in its manufacture. He supplies both private trade and customers, and has already built up a large business in Buffalo. He employs eleven men and five teams constantly. Mr. Fisher is foreman of the hose company and is also trustee of the village. He was first lieutenant of Co. F, 65th Regt., for seven years.

Fortkort, Anthony, Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Williamsville, July 21, 1863. He learned the tinner's trade and followed it for twelve years, nine of which were spent in Buffalo. He has been in business in Williamsville for three years as dealer in hardware, stoves, furnaces, etc., aad also doing tinning, roofing, sheeting, etc., in which he is an expert. In 1891 he married Matilda Arnitz, and they have three children: Hazel, Florence and Arthur.

Fogelsonger, Levi W., Amherst, p. o. Snyder, was born November 29, 1859, and is known as a successful farmer and able business man. He was appointed superin- tendent of the poor farm in January, 1895, and still fills that position with ability and success. The farm has produced more in the past two years than it ever did in any three preceding years. Mr. Fogelsonger married Amanda Miller, and they have eight children: Clarence, Howard, Benjamin, Roy, Grace, Edith, Etta and Netta. Mr. Fogelsonger's parents were Benjamin and Fannie Fogelsonger. His grand- father, Wendell Fogelsonger, was a native of Pennsylvania.

Burgasser, Anna, Amherst, p. o. Williamsville, was born in Alsace, Germany, and

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came to America in 1846. In 1850 she married George Burgasser; he died in 1893, leaving a family of ten children: John, George, Henry, Michael, Mary, Josephine, Lena, Carrie, Elizabeth and Barbara. Mary married Lawrence Miller; Josephine married John Ammon; Lena married John Newell; Carrie married George Melich; Barbara married F. Hepensweiler; John married Elizabeth Kindley; George mar- ried Lena Newell; Henry married Lena Dean and Michael married Lena Hale, who is deceased. Mrs. Burgasser is an extensive land owner and her sons are successful farmers.

Beaser, George, Amherst, p. o. Snyder, was born in Buffalo, March 12, 1856, and first embarked in the meat business. He is a stone cutter by trade and worked at it for ten years. In April, 1892, he purchased the Beaser House at Snyder and has built a large addition to it, making it one of the largest and best equipped country hotels in the State. He married Sarah Besch, and they have three children : Florence, Agnes and Clara.

Tillow, Harrison, Elma, p. o. Spring Brook, was born in Aurora, N. Y., in 1836, and is a son of Joseph Tillow, who came from Dutchess county to Aurora in 1814 and settled at Tillow's Corners, where he was a farmer until 1850, when he came to Spring Brook and died in 1875, leaving five sons: Isaac, Henry, James, Erastus and Harrison (as above). Harrison Tillow resides at Spring Brook and has been a prominent man of of the town, having been justice for twenty-five years. He married Julia, daughter of J. B. Bristol.

Mason, George W., Marilla, born in Freedom, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., February 4, 1825, is a son of Washington, and Elizabeth (White) Mason, both natives of Ver- mont. Mr. Mason has always been a farmer, and in connection with farming he has been in the butchering business six years, also market gardening. In 1852 he mar- ried Betsey, daughter of James and Abigail (Francis) Chadderdon, and they had ten children. Mr. Chadderdon came from Schoharie county to Wales in 1815, and at an early day to Marilla, where he was the first postmaster and was prime mover in es- tablishing the post-office.

Savage, Ransom W., Sardinia, p. o. Chaffee, was born in Holland, September 6, 1855, and is a son of Stephen and Sophronia (Harmon) Savage. His grandfather, William Savage, lived and died in New Hampshire, on a farm that has been in the family about 200 years. Mr. Savage remained on the farm until he was twenty-three years old, when he went West and engaged in raising broom corn and the manufac- ture of brooms, as foreman for W. C. Masters. He returned to Holland and engaged in contracting and building for six years, and in 1886 bought the Chaffee planing mill and cheese box factory, and now gets out material for about 150,000 cheese box hoops. November 20, 1884 he married Hannah Cotrell, daughter of Joseph Cotrell, a farmer of Concord, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Savage had two children, Claude R. and Ethel M. He is a member of several societies and a prominent man of his town.

Smith, Emery, Sardinia, p. o. Chaffee, was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., August 18, 1851, and is a son of Eli and Minerva (Meech) Smith. He was educated in the common schools and was engaged in the commission business for eight years in Buffalo, and in 1886 came to Chaffee and engaged in the mercantile business, first general store in the place. He sold out in 1895 and is now handling produce, coal,

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etc. July 4, 1871, he married Kate Field, born in Liberty, Steuben county, N. Y., a daughter of John and Elizabeth Du Bois Field. Mr. Smith was postmaster under both of Cleveland's administrations, in the village of Chaffee. He is a member of Holland Lodge No. 631, I. O. O. F., and also of Marilla Lodge No. 81, A. O. U. W.

Long, Levi O., Sardinia, was born in Sardinia, September 12, 1844, and is a son of Joseph and Angeline (Jewett) Long. Mr. Long was educated in the common schools and spent four years in Iowa, from 1865 to 1870, engaged in carpenter work and farming. November 14, 1872, he married Libbie Golden and they had three children: Mary E., Cassie D. and Golden. Mr. Long is a Republican and a member of the A. O. U. W.

Hopkins, Robert, Sardinia, was born on the farm he now owns in Sardinia, July 13, 1849, son of James and Abigail (Rider) Hopkins. His paternal grandfather, Robert Hopkins, came from Vermont in 1822, and settled the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. His maternal grandfather was Horace Rider, a soldier of the war of 1812. Robert Hopkins received his education at the Springville Acad- emy. He spent about ten years in the West, after which he returned to the home farm. He now owns 220 acres and follows dairying, keeping twenty cows. He is a Republican and has been supervisor two terms, and is a member of several societies. He married in December, 1881, Ruth A. Woodard of Yorkshire, who has borne him five children: Robert, Lee, May, Ida and Esther.

Goodemote, John, Sardinia, was born in Cattaraugus county. N. Y., October 29, 1830, son of Philip and Harriet (Vosburgh) Goodemote. His paternal grandfather was John, who came from Germany. His father settled on a farm in Cattaraugus county in 1813, and died there in 1874; his wife died in 1884. John Goodemote is a farmer, owning 194 acres in Sardinia and follows dairying, keeping about twenty cows. He is a Democrat. He married in 1854 Caroline Carter, by whom he has had three children: Charles, born in 1856, died in 1896; Willie D., born in 1859, mar- ried Carrie Carter and has one son, Floyd D .; and Jennie, died in 1874. Mrs. Goodemote died in May, 1875.

Furman, Clifford, Sardinia, p. o. East Concord, was born October 1, 1852, on the farm he now owns, and was a son of George and Antis (Garfield) Furman. Mr. Fur- man has a large farm of 297 acres and makes a specialty of dairying. October 14, 1872, he married Margaret Fitzpatrick, and they had four children: Eliza, George M., Edwin and Maud A. Eliza died in 1892, aged eighteen years.

Butler, David S., Sardinia, p. o. 163 Breckinridge avenue, Buffalo. - The father of David S. was Sewel Butler, born in Worcester, Mass., in 1776. When a boy he came with his father to Oneida county, and followed driving carriage for Mr. Kipp of Albany; he came to Erie county in 1815 and settled on a farm about four miles west of Chaffee, and then moved to the village of Chaffee; he purchased a farm and at the time of his death he owned about six hundred acres of land; he held the office of town commissioner for several small terms; he died July 9, 1871; he was married to Julia, daughter of John Wilson of Oneida county. She was born in October, 1797, and died March 22, 1870. They had seven children: Mariah, who married Nehe- miah Hopkins; Harry, married Betsey Jewett; Eli, deceased; Daniel, deceased; Lyman, deceased; Harriet, married William Nott. David S. was born September

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7, 1839. He was educated in the common schools and has been in several businesses, and owns several different farms in the town of Sardinia, amounting to 1,200 acres of land, and also owns property in Buffalo. . He has held the office of supervisor in the town of Sardinia. He married Annette, daughter of Bela Bowen. She was born in Illinois and came to the town of Sardinia when a young girl.

Andrews, George, Sardinia, was born in Sardinia, December 4, 1830, and is a son of Josiah and Amy (Capron) Andrews, both born in Coventry, R. I., and came to Sardinia in 1824, where he was one of the largest land owners and tax payers of the town. He had nine sons and two daughters. He died November 21, 1876, and his wife May 17, 1883. George Andrews was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He carried on general farming and stock raising and June 23, 1869, bought the Sardinia Hotel. which he has since carried on. June 22, 1851, he married Electa Rider and they had two sons, Robert J. and Edmund B. Mr. Andrews has always been a Democrat and was supervisor of the town two years. He is a member of Arcade Lodge No. 419, F. & A. M.

Bowman, Charles E., Alden, was born in Bowmansville, Erie county, August 26, 1856, and is a son of Palmer S. and Maria E. (Wiltse) Bowman. Bowmansville re- ceived its name from the doctor's grandfather, Benjamin Bowman, who settled there in 1810, where he and his family developed and built up Bowmansville and the country thereabouts. Mr. Bowman was educated at the Clarence Academy, Roches- ter public schools and the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1878. He entered the medical department of Buffalo University in 1880, from which he was graduated in 1883. He subsequently took a post-grad- uate course in New York, coming out well equipped for a successful professional career. Dr. Bowman practiced for two years in Bennington, after which he located in Alden and aside from a a short time in Buffalo he has been in continuous practice there since. Mr. Bowman is a member of both the Erie and Wyoming County Med- ical Societies, as well as the Central New York State Society; he is a member of Lodge No. 594, F. & A. M., and its past master; he is also an Odd Fellow and a member of Mizpah Lodge. Besides all these and his professional work, Dr. Bow- man has been active and earnest in the interest of the Democratic party in his town. He has been president of the village, as well as its health physician. In 1883 he married Isabel, daughter of Mrs. Maria Brooks of Syracuse, N. Y.

Barnet, Frank L., Alden, was born in 1859, and is a son of Peter M. and Sarah (Foster) Barnet of Buffalo. Peter M. was a Scotchman by birth, and came to Buf- falo nearly fifty years ago, where he followed the trade of cabinet-maker; he died in 1876; his wife was of English descent, but spent most of her life in Buffalo, and died in 1886. They had four children, of whom Frank L. was the youngest. He received his education from the public schools of the city, and after graduating en- tered the law office of W. B. Donohue, where he remained about three years, when Mr. Donohue went to New York and Mr. Barnet found a new preceptor in W. W. Hodge, whose office he then entered. He remained there until admitted to the bar in 1881. The opportunities seeming better in the smaller towns at that time, Mr. Barnet settled in Alden, Erie county, where he has built up a successful practice. He is counsel for the village corporation and has served it also in other official

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capacities. He has recently established an office in Buffalo. In September, 1881 he married M. Louise, daughter of Charles M. and Asenath Platt of Alden.

Smith, Fred, Cheektowaga, p. o. Forks, was born in North Collins, October 2, 1852, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Smith, natives of Germany. His father was born in 1811, and in 1826 came to America with his parents, settling in Eden. At the age of twenty-seven he married and settled in North Collins, on land secured from the Holland Land Company. He died in 1885. Fred Smith was educated at North Collins and when twenty-three engaged in the hotel and mercantile business, building the Smith Hotel at Cheektowaga. October 31, 1879, he married Carrie Emerling; they had six children: Emma, Philip, Frederick, Mary, Mardy and Victor. Mr. Smith was postmaster at New Oregon, town of Collins, for twelve years.

Spooner, Frank W., Newstead, p. o. Akron, was born in England in 1860, where he was educated and learned the butcher's trade. In 1882 he came to America, settling in Akron, where he established himself in business, and except for a short time when he was associated with D. F. Bates, he has conducted the business alone. By a thorough knowledge of the business and good careful management Mr. Spooner has one of the largest markets and most prosperous businesses in the north- ern part of the county. Mr. Spooner is an active and earnest secret society man, being a member of Akron Lodge No. 527, F. & A. M., and the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 212. He has been twice married; his first wife was Lottie, daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Packman, prominent farmers of Newstead. She died in 1892, leav- ing one child, Ethel; for his second wife he married Minnie Packman, sister of his first wife, and they have two children, Harry and Lottie.

Stevens, Herbert R., Newstead, p. o. Akron, is a son of William W. and Frances Stevens of Oakfield, Genesee county, N. Y., and was born September 13, 1870. He attended the Oakfield school and later took a course at the Lima (N. Y.) Seminary. After completing his education he entered the employ of Harris & Chapin, hardware merchants in Oakfield, where he remained for one year, and then accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Oakfield Cider & Vinegar Works, in which capacity he con- tinued until 1894. At that time he concluded to engage permanently in business at Akron, and so bought the lumber yard and storehouses of W. N. Hoag, and to the former business he has added coal, flour, feed and general produce, carrying on the most extensive volume of business of any similar concern in Western New York. In August, 1896, the old warehouse on Main street was destroyed by fire and since that time a site has been purchased from the West Shore Railroad Company, near the station, and a commodious warehouse 80 by 120 feet has been erected thereon. This building has the most modern equipments throughout, the firm name being H. R. Stevens & Co., W. A. Stevens, the father, being the partner. In January, 1894, Mr. Stevens married Carrie, daughter of L. B. and Mary S. Rowley, and they have one child, Natalie L. Mr. Stevens is a member of Akron Lodge No. 212 of Odd Fellows.

Parker, Prof. Charles G., Newstead, p. o. Akron, is a son of Dr. Luman P. L. Parker, who has been since 1854 one of the leading physicians of Erie county. Dr. Parker graduated from the Buffalo Medical College in 1854, and with his wife set- tled at once after marriage in the village of Clarence, where he soon built up a thriv-

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ing practice. He remained at Clarence six years, during which time he was asso- ciated with his brother, Dr. Orlando K. Parker. In 1860 Dr. L. P. L. Parker changed his residence to Akron, which opened a wider field in professional work, and from that time until 1895 Dr. Parker was in continuous practice, and since that time has retired, owing to ill health. Prof. Parker received his early education at the Akron public schools and later took a course at the Clarence Academy. After completing his schooling he chose the vocation of teacher, and for the past sixteen years has been actively engaged in that capacity in Erie and Genesee counties. At present he is principal of the Gellsville school, a village north of Buffalo. Prof. Parker has taken a keen interest in Republican politics in his town and county and for many years has been elected to represent his town in county, assembly and senate conven- tions. In the fall of 1896 he was a prominent candidate for the position of school commissioner, but in the interest of harmony he stepped aside and gave it to the present incumbent. In 1894 Prof. Parker was appointed superintendent of schools at the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, which he still holds. In 1880 he married Fidelia Swift, and they have two sons and one daughter.

MacPherson, John D., M. D., Newstead, p. o. Akron, was born in Ontario, Can- ada, August 11, 1858, and is a son of James and Jane (Fraser) MacPherson. Dr. MacPherson received his education at Rockland Academy and at Georgetown Acad- emy, Canada. In 1880 he entered the medical department of Michigan University and was graduated in 1883. He then practiced for about one year in Jackson, Mich., after which, in 1884, he came to Akron and located permanently. During the years of his residence there he has built up an extensive practice, besides attaining an eminent standing in the ranks of the best physicians. Dr. MacPherson is a member of the Erie County Medical Society, also the Gross Medical Society. He has taken an active interest in politics, but professional duties have prevented him from be- coming an office holder in the party, although he has served as member of the School Board and has been offered the honor of being president of the village. In 1886 Dr. MacPherson married Mina R., daughter of George M. Van Clief of Akron, and they have two children, Marjorie B. and James Kelsa.

Jones, John C., Newstead, p. o. Akron, is a son of Rev. Elias and Hattie (Hazard) Jones, and was born in 1859. At an early age John C. went to Holley, N. Y., to live and from that time on until he became twenty one years old, he continued to reside in that place. He attended the public schools and finally went to Scranton, Pa., where he entered the employ of the D., L. & W. Railroad, as fireman on the main line of that road. After a service of less than two years Mr. Jones went to Akron and entered into partnership with John Vroom, under the firm name of Vroom & Jones, furniture dealers. This partnership continued for two years, when Mr. Jones sold his interest to his partner and subsequently spent a short time in the undertaking business in Cleveland Ohio. This and a short career as a commercial traveler brought him up to 1888, when he returned to Akron and became associated with Jesse B. Coleman in the furniture trade. At the end of three years Mr. Jones became sole proprietor and in 1892 took possession of his new brick store, one of the best and most completely stocked furniture stores in the county outside of Buffalo. In 1887 Mr. Jones married Lizzie Green, daughter of John and Melissa Green, and they have two daughters, Laura and Agnes.

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Hoag, J. Crawford, Newstead, the present postmaster of Akron, was a son of Hiram W. and Charlotte E. Hoag, and was born May 6, 1865. When he was about one year old his parents moved to Oil City, Pa., where Hiram W. Hoag embarked as an oil producer. He continued in this business with considerable success until his death, which occurred in 1882, and shortly after his death Mrs Hoag, with her son, J. Crawfard, left Oil City and went to Akron. Mr. Hoag had been attending the public schools in Oil City and after coming to Akron was sent to the Clarence Acad- emy. After finishing his education he took a clerkship in the store of H. H. New- ton & Son, where he worked three years, when better opportunities were offered in another line, and he became yard master for the N. Y. C. Railroad in Buffalo. About two years were spent here when he decided to return to Akron, and at once entered the hardware store of Eckerson & Harrington. In 1890 Mr. Hoag married Jennie J., daughter of Prof. George G. Chambers of Akron, and they have two chil- dren, Hiram C. and George C.

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Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 53

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