USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 57
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Kersten, Ferdinand J., Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, September 19, 1853. After obtaining a liberal education he entered the employ of the Jewett Manufacturing Company, where he remained for twenty-seven years. At the end of that period he established the Buffalo Enameling Works at 106 Broadway. By honest methods and fair dealings he has built up a large business and employs several men. In 1875 he married Margaret Knell, daughter of Peter Knell of Buffalo, and they have seven
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children: Ferdinand P., Louisa S., Martha L., Eugene C., Stella, Elsie and Grace. Mr. Kersten is a member of Concordia Lodge No. 143, F. & A. M.
Keller, Fred C., Buffalo, son of George and Louisa M. (Germain) Keller, was born in Buffalo, February 3, 1871. He was educated in the public schools and at the Buf- falo College of Commerce, from which he was graduated in 1891. He was variously employed until 1894, when he joined the firms of Sauerwein & Keller Bros., under- takers and funeral directors, and Keller Bros., coach and baggage transfer. The main office of both firms is at 28 West Genesee street, and there are branch offices at 439 Rhode Island street, and 1068-1070 Genesee street. Although Mr. Keller is a young man, he enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen, and has be- fore him apparently ample time to develop the prosperous career upon which he has started. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Y. M. C. A. and the Buffalo Zither Club. On September 9, 1897, he married Miss Lora Bishop of Buffalo.
Illig, Joseph, Buffalo, son of Peter J. and Mary (Koch) Illig, was born in Buffalo, October 31, 1863. His parents, who were natives of Germany, came to America in 1848 and settled in Buffalo. His education was obtained in the public schools and St. Joseph's College. As a young man he entered the employ of Sidney Sheperd & Co. and served an apprenticeship at the tinsmith's trade, remaining in their em- ploy for twelve years. In 1893 he was appointed city sealer of weights and measures (police department), in which capacity he acted for two years. He then accepted the position which he now holds, as assistant to Conrad Hammer, general manager of the Germania Brewing Company. Mr. Illig was married in February, 1888, to Anna Getz of Stratford, Canada, and they have one son, George Francis Chester Illig. Mr. Illig is a member of Electric City Council No. 763, National Union, and of the Buffalo Police Beneficiary Association.
Kreinheder, Robert F., Buffalo, is a native of Buffalo. He is of German descent, his parents, Henry W. and Mary C. (Oschnetz) Kreinheder, having come to this country from Germany in 1840. Mr. Kreinheder was educated in the public schools and obtained his first business experience as a bookkeeper for his father, who was engaged in the lumber business, at 797 Seneca street. He afterwards accepted a position as bookkeeper in the German Bank of Buffalo, which he held until 1896, when he engaged in the wholesale grocery business at 792 Seneca street. In Sep- tember, 1896, he married Louisa C. Kiene, daughter of Louis Kiene, of Buffalo, and they have one son, Henry W.
Leh, Jeremiah H., Buffalo, was born in Lehigh county, Pa., July 3, 1842, and is well known to the entire community, having been a resident of Buffalo for many years. His boyhood days were spent in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. In 1879 he removed to Buffalo and was first employed by the Niagara Elevating Company, with whom he remained for a period of six years. In 1886 he succeeded D. E. Hor- ton, of Logie & Horton, the firm name being changed to Logie & Leh, which co- partnership was continued for five years, when the firm name was changed to that of Leh & Co., Mr. Logie retiring. Such establishments as that of Leh & Co., pile driv- ers and dock builders and general contractors, are an honor to any community, po- tent for good, and always active in upholding those enterprises which promise benefit to the business and social interests with which they are identified.
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Zeimmer Brothers, Buffalo .- Adam and Conrad Zeimmer, who compose this enter- prise, are sons of C. W. and Catherine (Schake) Zeimmer, born in Rochester, N. Y., Adam in June, 1851, and Conrad in August, 1855. They are of German descent, their parents having emigrated from Frankfort, Germany. The brothers removed in 1889 from Rochester to Buffalo, where Adam Zeimmer established himself in the live stock and commission business in company with H. Robe. This copartnership continued until 1893, when Mr. Robe retired, and the business was conducted by Adam Zeimmer until August 1, 1897, when Conrad Zeimmer was admitted and the present firm of Zeimmer Brothers formed. Both are men of experience and un- questioned reputation, and have established a large business. They handle daily an immense number of cattle, hogs and sheep. In January, 1887, Adam Zeimmer mar- ried Alice O. Singeltery, of Homeland, Florida. In 1890 Conrad Zeimmer married Amelia Ansted, of New York city.
Ferdinand, John H., Buffalo, son of John and Anna M. (Koons) Ferdinand, was born in Sheldon, Wyoming county, N. Y., November 17, 1873. He is of German descent, his parents having emigrated to America in 1840, and settling in Indiana, whence they removed to Sheldon in 1869. His education was obtained in the district schools of his native town and at the East Aurora high school. In 1889 he came to Buffalo, and obtained a position in the grocery store of F. L. Gardner, which he held until 1891, when in company with George Schweikhard, he engaged in the grocery business at 522 Seneca street, under the firm name of the S. & F. Grocery Co. On October 1, 1895, the firm removed to 530 Seneca street, its present location. This establishment carries a large stock and controls a constantly increasing trade. It is one of the leading grocery houses of their section of the city. Mr. Ferdinand is genial, sociable, and enterprising, is a well known and prominent factor in the gro- cery trade in Buffalo, and has acquired a reputation for frank and honorable dealing.
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Meeks, Josiah, Buffalo, was born in West Virginia, November 19, 1836. When he was but a child his parents, Amos and Nancy (Means) Meeks, removed to Dela- ware county, Indiana, where he was reared on his father's farm. He worked on the farm summers and attended the district schools in winter, acquiring such an edu- cation as was afforded in those days. He engaged in buying and shipping live stock, and in 1883 removed to Buffalo, where he formed a partnership with M. Doty and Watkins, the firm name being Doty, Watkins & Meeks; five years later the name was changed to Harrison, Williamson, Mansfield & Meeks, which continued for four years, when the present firm of Harrison, Meeks & Co. was formed. This firm, whose headquarters are at the Stock Exchange in East Buffalo, receive and dispose of several thousand head of cattle, hogs and sheep annually. Mr. Meeks was married in October, 1863, to Rebecca Marquis, of Evansville, W. Va.
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Walker, Robert T., Buffalo, was born at Waupaca, Wis., February 6, 1852, and removed with his parents, George and Elizabeth (Turnbell) Walker, to Geneva, N. Y., when he was quite young. After obtaining an education he served an apprentice- ship at the machinist's trade, and then engaged in the marine service as an engineer. In 1879 he removed to Buffalo, where he has since resided. Mr. Walker was for two years in partnership with Henry M. King, operating a foundry and machine shop under the firm name of King & Walker, and is now occupying the responsible po-
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sition of adjuster for the Fairbanks Company. He is a thirty-second degree Mason. In February, 1868, he married Anna, daughter of George Notler, of Buffalo, and they have four children : Elizabeth, George N., Charles N. and Harriet.
Poole, Jesse H., Buffalo, son of Joseph James and Esther (Slingluff) Poole, was born in Liberty, Frederick county, Md., June 3, 1836, and attended the public schools at New Windsor and Calvert College in his native State. After leaving col- lege he was a clerk in various capacities. In 1856 he accepted a position in the master builder's department of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Altoona, Pa., and at the end of two years removed to Bell's Mills, Pa., where he held a responsible po- sition with Gen. B. F. Bell for another two years. He was connected with the Eliza- beth Furnace from 1860 to 1862, when he returned to Altoona and acted as sleeping car conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad for the Central Transportation Com- pany for one year. From 1863 to 1865 he was conductor on the Northern Central Railroad and from 1865 to February, 1868, superintendent at Chicago for the Central Transportation Company. In 1869 he removed to Buffalo and was engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of Fitch & Poole until 1873, when he became depot agent for the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad, with which company he has ever since been connected. He advanced rapidly through the differ- ent positions to that of purchasing agent, which he has held ever since 1878. He is a member of Mountain Lodge No. 281, F. & A. M., of Altoona, Pa. In 1869 he married Maria H., daughter of Henry T. Meech, and a native of Albany, N. Y. They have two sons: Henry M., of Underhill & Poole, and Walter J., a machinist, both of Buffalo.
Depew, Ganson, Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., March 6, 1866. His father, William B. Depew, came here from Peekskill in 1864 and has since been connected with railroad enterprises. Mr. Depew attended the public schools of his native city, and in 1884 was graduated from the Buffalo High School as president of his class and class orator. He then began the study of law in the office of Green, McMillan & Gluck, with whom and whose successors he has since remained, being admitted to the bar in Buffalo in 1887, and becoming a member of the firm in 1890, under the present name of McMillan, Gluck, Pooley & Depew. This is one of the strongest and oldest law firms in Western New York. Its members are all distinguished lawyers and enjoy a high place at the bar. Mr. Depew, though a young man, has won honor as an advocate and distinction as a public spirited, enterprising citizen. He is a cousin of John Ganson and a nephew of Chauncey M. Depew, president of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company. In 1892 and again in 1895 he was elected a director of the Buffalo Library, receiving on each occasion the highest vote of any of the candidates. He is a member of the Buffalo, Liberal, Saturn, and Country Clubs, the Sons of the American Revolution, and St. Paul's Episcopal church, and is a Royal Arch Mason, holding membership in Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 441, F. & A. M., and Adytum Chapter No. 235, R. A. M. November 15, 1894, he married Miss Grace E., daughter of Frank H. Goodyear of Buffalo, and they have one son, Ganson Goodyear Depew.
Adams, Sidney E., Buffalo, is descended from Henry Adams, who came from England to Massachusettsabout 1630; a branch of the family removed to Connecticut and thence
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back to Massachusetts, where Mr. Adams's parents, James and Pamelia (Skilton) Adams, were born. Mr. Adams was born in Charlestown, Mass., April 17, 1843, was graduated from the Charlestown High School in 1861, and then went to East Boston as a clerk for Kittridge & Adams, oil refiners. This firm was incorporated, his father being the junior member, and he was subsequently superintendent of their refinery in Charlestown for several years. While there he was a member of the Common Council of Boston in 1876. In 1877 he came to Buffalo, and with Henry Lootz and Augustus S. Holmes organized the firm of Lootz, Holmes & Adams, re- finers of petroleum. After the death of Mr. Lootz about 1880 the business was car- ried on by Holmes & Adams until 1889, when Mr. Adams withdrew and since then has been interested in various manufacturing enterprises. He was active in the Young Men's Christian Association from his arrival in Buffalo till 1890, being a member of the various committees and serving as president for one year. He is an elder in the North Presbyterian church, and for several years was superintendent of the Harbor Mission and Olivet Sunday schools. In business and in all affairs of life he has been eminently successful, and takes a deep interest in the general public welfare. In June, 1879, he married Mrs. Mary E. Pierce, daughter of Jacob Loud, of Weymouth, Mass.
Dennis, Henry E., Buffalo, was born in Canada, June 23, 1857. In 1865 his par- ents removed to Buffalo, where he entered the public schools; afterward he took a full course at a business college in Manchester, N. H. Returning to Buffalo he en- tered the service of the Buffalo Malleable Iron Works, where he remained for four years. He then accepted a position with the Erie Railroad, remaining three years. In 1885 he became secretary to the general manager of the Red, White and Midland Transit Company transportation lines, in which capacity he now acts.
McCarthy, James L., Buffalo, was born January 18, 1851, in Buffalo, N. Y., whither his parents, James and Mary (Reilley) McCarthy, removed from Troy, N. Y., in 1850. His father, a cooper by trade,, made the first shook in Buffalo in 1849, while in the employ of Shaw & Kibbee; he died in 1866 and his wife in 1886. Mr. McCarthy was educated in the Buffalo public schools and St. Joseph's College, graduating from the latter in 1866. He was a clerk in the drug store of Smith & Hickey one year and afterward in the insurance office of D. V. Benedict three years, when he accepted a position with the Union Steamboat Company (now the Union Steamboat Line). In the latter capacity he was promoted from time to time until in 1887 he was appointed freight agent for the company at Buffalo, which position he still holds. He has always manifested a warm interest in everything pertaining to the steady development of the city and is held in the highest esteem throughout the community. He is a mem- ber of the C. M. B. A. and C. B. L., an active Democrat in politics, and in 1874 rep- resented the First ward on the Board of Supervisors. He was also for two years a civil service commissioner of Buffalo, being appointed by Mayor Becker. In 1881 he married Mary R. Garson, of Buffalo, and they have one son, James G.
Altman, Henry, Buffalo, the third of four sons of Jacob and Adelheid Altman, was born in Rochester, N. Y., August 12, 1854, and when two years old came with his parents to Buffalo, where he has since resided. He attended the public schools and Buffalo Academy, and was graduated from Cornell University in 1873 with the de-
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gree of B. S. and with membership in Alpha Delta Phi. On coming to Buffalo his father, with a brother, Abram, founded the wholesale and retail clothing establish- ment of Altman & Co., with which Henry and his brothers, Isaac and Julius, were subsequently identified, and from which Henry finally withdrew. He has always been an active Republican, and was appointed by Mayor Bishop as one of the first Board of School Examiners, of which he is now chairman, being reappointed by Mayor Jewett. He has been three times president of the Buffalo Republican League, was for several years a trustee and is a life member of the Buffalo Library, is a 32d degree Mason, and is a member of the Buffalo, University, Saturn, Ellicott and Country Clubs, and the American Protective Tariff League. He is a director and a member of the Executive Committee of the Bell Telephone Company, was chairman of the Press Committee of the National G. A. R. Encampment in Buffalo in 1897, and has been president of the class of 1873 of Cornell University since his graduation. He began the study of law with Hubbell, Hynes & Altman, of which firm he is the junior member. While on a trip to Europe he was married in London, England, July 4, 1887, to Sadie S. Rayner, of Baltimore, Md., and they have two children : Madeline and Henry, jr.
Birdsall, Edgar M., Buffalo, was born in the town of Ledyard, Cayuga county, N. Y., June 27, 1837, and in 1844 removed with his parents to the village of Genoa, in the same county, where his father engaged in the foundry and machine business with Abram W. Stevens as an associate, continuing the copartnership until 1860. During that period young Birdsall received his education and also practical experience as a mechanical engineer in the firm's establishment. After dissolving the copartnership with Mr. Stevens Mr. Birdsall, sr., removed the business to Penn Yan, Yates county, N. Y., where Edgar M. was his associate and partner for a few years, when he sold his interest, and the business was continued by the son and others under the firm name of E. M. Birdsall & Co., until 1881; it was then removed to Auburn, N. Y., and incorporated as the E. M. Birdsall Company. Mr. Birdsall was president of this corporation until 1887, when he voluntarily withdrew and severed all relations with the concern. In 1888 he removed to Buffalo, where he has since resided, be- ing engaged in business as a mechanical engineer and manufacturers' agent. Feb- ruary 13, 1862, he married Mary, daughter of Alexander Bothwell, of Genoa, N. Y.
Bissell, Herbert P., Buffalo, son of Amos A. and Amelia S. (Wilsey) Bissell, was born in New London, Oneida county, N. Y., August 30, 1856, and at the age of eight removed with his parents to Lockport, N. Y., where he attended the public schools for four years. His father subsequently became a prominent forwarding merchant in Buffalo. Mr. Bissell was graduated from De Veaux College in 1873, and afterwards visited Germany, attended the public schools for two years, and entering Harvard College was graduated from that institution with the degree of B. A. in 1880. He then came to Buffalo, read law with Laning, McMillan & Gluck, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1883. In January, 1887, he became a member of the law firm of Bissell, Sicard, Bissell & Carey, of which ex-Postmaster-General Wilson S. Bissell was the head. In March, 1897, he formed a co-partnership with J. Henry Metcalf, which still continues under the style of Bissell & Metcalf. Mr. Bissell is chairman of the Board of Real Estate of the Buffalo Library, a trustee of De Veaux College, and secretary and counsel for the Niagara Falls and Lewiston Electric Rail-
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way (the "Great Gorge Route "), the Buffalo Traction Company, and the Buffalo and Depew Railway Company. He is also counsel for several other large corpo- rations, and a member of the Buffalo, Saturn, University, Liberal, and Ellicott Clubs. He is not only a lawyer of ability, but has been prominent and active in politics since 1884. He was one of the leading organizers of the Cleveland Democ- racy of Buffalo and served three terms as its president, and was the Democratic candidate for State senator in 1885 and for district attorney in 1892. October 30, 1883, he married Miss Lucy Coffey, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and their children are Mary R., Harriet A. and Lucy A.
Webster, Ellis, Buffalo, is descended from one of the pioneer families of Western New York. Hugh Webster, his grandfather, came in 1810 with ox teams from Plainfield, N. J., to Erie county, with his four sons, Daniel, Edward, William and Samuel, and settled in the forest on the east branch of Eighteen-mile Creek, in the present town of Boston, where he and his wife afterward lived and died. Edward Webster, a native of Plainfield, N. J., drove an ox team to this section, being then a young man. He and his brother Daniel, in 1813, purchased 240 acres of land, mostly forest, with a log house, in the town of Eden; they divided this tract, cleared it, and lived there ever afterward. Edward married Rachel Kester. reared five children (of whom the eldest, Mercy, is deceased), and died about 1868, aged 74; his wife's death occurred about 1878. Ellis Webster, son of Edward, was born in Eden, August 27, 1823, received his education in the district schools, and in 1844 became a clerk in a store in Buffalo. Three years later he engaged in the mercantile business under the firm name of D. R. Hamlin & Co., on Seneca street where he subsequently conducted a general store for five years with George W. Scott, as Webster & Scott. He continued this business until 1868, when he engaged in the coal trade. In 1875 his son, Edward H., was admitted under the firm name of E. Webster & Son, and the ice industry added, and in 1886 William Germann became a partner under the present style of E. Webster, Son & Co. About 1881 the firm purchased 175 acres of land lying along the shore of Lime Lake in the town of Machias, Cattaraugus county, where they have two ice houses with a combined storage capacity of about 60,000 tons. They also ship annually about 40,000 tons of ice from the water. The ice is handled entirely by machinery, being carried from the water to the ice houses and cars by three endless chains, which with other devices were the first placed in oper- ation in this part of the country. On their farm enough hay and feed are produced to keep the large number of horses necessary for the firm's business. Ellis Webster is one of the oldest and best known ice and coal dealers in Buffalo. He is a man of ability, enterprise and great force of character, and has achieved both honor and success. He has always been a staunch Republican, was alderman of the old Second ward two years ( 1873-74), and has been a member of the Buffalo Historical Society about twenty years, a life member of the Buffalo Library about thirty years, and manager and secretary of the Buffalo City Dispensary several years. He has been a member of the congregation of the Washington Street (now the First) Baptist church since 1844 and of the society since 1863, and was the treasurer and a trustee for five years, and since then has been a deacon. September 11, 1850, he was mar- ried in Kenosha, Wis., to Charlotte W. Whitney, and they have two children: Ed- ward H. and Jennie (Mrs. Henry D. Waters), both of Buffalo.
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Voisinet, Eugene M., Buffalo, was born February 24, 1864, in the town of Tona- wanda, Erie county, N.Y. Louis Voisinet, his father, born in Belfort, France, Jan- uary 15, 1820, came to America with his father, also named Louis, in 1829, settling on a farm of eighty acres in what is now Kenmore, near the Buffalo city line, where he died November 20, 1883. This farm he increased to 130 acres; it greatly in- creased in value, and after his death was largely cut up into suburban building lots, many of which now form an attractive part of the suburb of Kenmore, in Tona- wanda. He was a prosperous farmer, a public spirited citizen, and served his town as assessor. His wife, Mary Bagard, who survives him, was born in Nancy, France, April 7, 1829, and came to America with her parents in 1831. Their children were Louis N., who resides on the homestead; Eugene M. and Josephine (Mrs. Jacob W. Abel) of Buffalo; Mary (Mrs. Julius Bagard) of Amherst, and Emily, deceased. Eugene M. Voisinet attended the district schools, was graduated from public school No. 16, Buffalo, and took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. He re- mained on the homestead until May, 1890, and since then has been engaged in the real estate business in Buffalo.
Smith, Hon. T. Guilford, Buffalo, of English and German origin, is descended from one of the earliest Quaker families of Burlington, N. J., and is the son of Pem- berton Smith and Margaretta E .. daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Ogden) Zell, his wife, both natives of Philadelphia, Pa., born April 12, 1816, and October 18, 1817, respectively; the father died May 14, 1873, and the mother is still living. He is a grandson of Charles Eastwick and Mary (Ogden) Smith, a great-grandson of Thomas and Grizzel (Eastwick) Smith, and a great-great-grandson of Ralph and Marjory (Allen) Smith, of whom the latter were married in Christ church, Phila- delphia, April 22, 1749; Charles E. and Thomas were both born in that city. Mr. Smith was born in Philadelphia August 27, 1839, attended the public and private schools, and in 1858 graduated from the Philadelphia Central High School with the degree of A. B. and the salutatory address. He then entered the Rensselaer Poly- technic Institute at Troy, N. Y., from which he graduated as C. E. in 1861, being elected a member of Delta Chapter, Theta Delta Chi fraternity, in 1859. In 1863 he received the degree of A. M. from the Central High School of Philadelphia. He was resident engineer in the Mahoney district of the anthracite coal fields of Penn- sylvania for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company from 1861 to 1865, when he resigned to become manager of the Philadelphia Sugar Refinery, which position he held until 1869. In 1870-71 he was consulting engineer for various rail- road and mineral interests in the South and West and in 1872 visited Europe in con- nection with railway enterprises and while there was delegate to the International Prison Congress of London. In 1873 he came to Buffalo as secretary of the Union Iron Company, and in 1878 was appointed western sales agent for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company; in 1883 the firm of Albright & Smith was formed for the purpose of conducting the latter business in New York State and Canada. In 1889 Mr. Smith also became and still continues the New York and Can- ada sales agent for what is now the Carnegie Steel Company, Ltd. Since 1892 he has been vice-president of the New York Car Wheel Works of Buffalo, the Canada Iron Furnace Company, Ltd., and the St. Thomas Car Wheel Company, and a di- rector of the Niagara Bank of Buffalo. Mr. Smith is prominently connected with
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