USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 59
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Boland, John J., Buffalo, son of Anthony and Winifred (McDonnell) Boland, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 21, 1875. His parents came from Ireland about 1862 and settled in Buffalo. Anthony Boland was a sailing master on the great
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lakes until about 1893, when he retired, being the owner of his vessel. John J. was educated in the public schools and St. Joseph's College in his native city, and in 1894 became a member of the ship brokerage firm of Boland & Co., which was established in 1892, as J. A. Boland & Co.
Bodamer, John A., Buffalo, is a son of John F. and Elizabeth (Stouder) Bodamer, natives of Germany and Loraine, France, respectively, who came to America and settled in Lancaster, Erie county, in 1828. They subsequently removed to Buffalo, where John A. was born December 23, 1839. He attended the public and high schools of his native city, and on the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion en- listed in April, 1861, as a private in Co. B, 21st N. Y. Inf. In December, 1863, he re-enlisted in Co. M, 24th N. Y. Cav., and was promoted to second lieutenant and later to adjutant. He served with his regiment until the close of the war, and after- ward was commissiond lieutenant in the 10th U. S. Cav., regular army, with which he remained four and one-half years. Returning to Buffalo he was employed as bookkeeper for the American Express Company until 1878, and since then he has been chief clerk in the Bureau of Engineering, Department of Public Works. Mr. Bodamer was married in January, 1871, to Lenora H. Finn, of Erie, Pa.
Adams, Hon, Samuel Cary, Buffalo, son of John C. and Hepsibah (Chadwick) Adams, was born at Federal Stores in the town of Chatham, Columbia county, N. Y., December 22, 1820, and about 1823 was brought by his parents to Collins, Erie county, where he obtained a meager common school education. At the age of sixteen he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years, teaching district school winters while prosecuting his private studies. While living in Collins he was six years town superintendent of schools, two terms supervisor, two years clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and in 1857 member of assembly from the Fourth Erie county district. In 1859 he removed to Buffalo and began the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1863, and serving as deputy county clerk from 1859 to 1864 and deputy collector of customs from 1865 to 1867. He made the practice of commercial and real estate law a specialty, and was the legal adviser of Pratt & Co. from 1867 until the dissolution of that firm in 1886 and also of Pratt & Letchworth until 1895. His death occurred November 17, 1896. Mr. Adams be- came an authority on municipal affairs, was a lifelong Republican, and was for sev- eral years a member and one year chairman of the Republican County Committee. He was a trustee and secretary of the Wyoming Benevolent Institute from 1883 un- til his death, and gave his counsel in aid of such charitable institutions as the Chil- dren's Aid Society, the Newsboys' and Bootblacks' Home, the Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Children, etc. He was also a member of Ancient Landmarks Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1842 he married Harriet, daughter of Isaac White of Collins, who survives him, as do also their four children: John C. of Buffalo, Hannah M. (Mrs. L. Rowland) of Galesburg, Mich., and Hattie A. and Carrie A. (Mrs. Charles A. Pooley) of Buffalo.
Adams, John C., Buffalo, son of the late Hon. S. Cary Adams, was born Novem- ber 2, 1843, in Collins, Erie county, where he spent his boyhood and attended the district schools until 1859. He then removed with his parents to Buffalo, and finished his education in the public schools and Bryant & Stratton's Business College. He
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spent two and a half years in the county clerk's office, and on January 1, 1865, en- tered the employ of Young, Lockwood & Johnson, stationers and printers at what is now 209 Main street. In 1872 Robert Johnson withdrew and Mr. Adams was ad- mitted to the firm, which became Young, Lockwood & Co. Mr. Young died in the fall of 1883 and Mr. Lockwood in the spring of 1885, and in the latter year Mr. Adams and J. Herbert White succeeded to the business under the firm name of Adams & White, which has remained unchanged. This is one of the leading firms in its line in Buffalo and conducts an extensive trade at 209-213 Main street. Mr. Adams was somewhat active as a Republican in early life. He is a member of Queen City Lodge, Keystone Council and Chapter, Hugh de Payens Commandery, and several of the Scottish Rite bodies of Masons; a member of the Buffalo His- torical Society, the Merchants' Exchange and the Ellicott Club; a life member of the Young Men's Association; a foundation member and an organizer of the Acacia Club; and deeply interested in the welfare and advancement of the city. June 18, 1884, he married Mary A., daughter of Alfred H. Webster of Buffalo, and they have one daughter, Edna Maria.
Adams, William H., Buffalo, is of the eighth generation on both his father's and mother's side in America, being a lineal descendant of Henry Adams and Robert Seaver (wife Elizabeth Ballard), who came from England to Massachusetts in 1634; the former settled with his wife, eight sons, and a daughter in Braintree, and the latter, who came over in the ship Mary and John, located in Roxbury. Descendants of both these men served with honor in the Revolutionary war and were on guard duty at the execution of Major Andre. Daniel P. Adams, father of William H., was a prominent journalist in Western New York, publishing among other papers the People's Press at Batavia, where he married his wife, Maria Seaver, whose family were old settlers there. William H. Adams was born in Medina, Orleans county, N. Y., January 28, 1835, and when a child came with his parents to Buffalo, where he received a public school education. When fourteen he began learning the printer's trade on the Buffalo Express, and later was connected with the Courier and Com- mercial; afterward he was engaged in the printing business for sixteen years, and about 1867 took up the business of life insurance, with which he has since been prom- inently identified. Since 1887 he has been connected with the Buffalo agency of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Mr. Adams is a member of De Molay Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Sons of the American Revolution, repre- senting William Seaver, adjutant April 13, 1776, and brigade inspector for Eastern Massachusetts from the close of the war till about 1810. January 17, 1861, Mr. Adams married Anna Wheeler, of Detroit, Mich., and they have had three sons: Charles Wheeler Adams, who died Nouember 19, 1897, aged thirty-six; and William H., jr., and Richard Wheeler Adams.
Aird, Albert F., Buffalo, is a grandson of Andrew Aird, who came from Scotland to America about 1815. He is a son of Robert and Philinda (Tyler) Aird, and was born August 25, 1850, on a farm in the town of Richland, Oswego county, N. Y. He attended the public schools of Pulaski and completed a course at the Mexico Acad- emy, and for twenty-one years was associated with the Cortland Wagon Company. During most of this time he resided at Pulaski, and during the last ten years was their general agent for New York and New England. For five years he was a stock-
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holder and director in the company, which caused his removal to Cortland, N. Y., where he won the friendship of Gage E. Tarbell, a native of Cortland county and now third vice-president of the Equitable Life Assurance Company of the United States, of New York. In July, 1894, Mr. Aird resigned his position, sold his interest in the Cortland Wagon Company, and removed to Buffalo as associate manager with Elihu A. Spencer of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, which Mr. Spencer had represented in Western New York for twenty-five years, being the first permanent representative in this district. Eight months afterward, or in 1895, Mr. Spencer withdrew and Mr. Aird became sole manager, acting as such until June, when Will- iam F. Osborne was admitted to partnership under the firm name of Aird & Osborne. On June 1, 1897, Mr. Osborne retired and since then the firm name has been A. F. Aird & Co. This is one of the largest and most important agencies of the society, and under Mr. Aird's able and energetic management has achieved excellent success and commands and extensive business. Mr. Aird is a Royal Arch Mason and a prominent citizen. In 1881 he married Stella R. Holmes, of Pulaski, N. Y.
Volgamore, William P., Buffalo, son of Jasper N. and Elizabeth (Harris) Volga- more, was born February 23, 1866, in Benton county, Iowa, where his parents were pioneer settlers. In 1871 the family removed to Norfolk, Neb., where Mr. Volga- more received his preliminary education in the public schools. He went to Helena, Mont., in 1883, and completed his commercial studies in a business college there, and remained in that State for ten years, becoming a foreman in a large grocery house in Helena and later engaging in contracting and other enterprises. He also became a member of Montana Lodge No. 1, I. O. O. F., with which he is still connected. In 1893 he came to Buffalo where he has since conducted with uninterrupted success a business brokerage and real estate office, which is now one of the leading enterprises of the kind in the city.
Griffin, John J., Buffalo, son of John and Catherine (Harnett) Griffin, was born December 4, 1854, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he attended the common schools. In 1868 he came to Buffalo and finished his education at St. Joseph's Col- lege, which he attended three years, spending his vacations as a messenger on Cen- tral wharf. In 1872 he became a clerk in the freight office of the Erie Railroad, under John S. Hammond, afterward general freight agent of that line, and finally he took up the study of law in the office of Judge George W. Cothan, being admitted to the bar in 1884. Mr. Griffin was then a clerk in the surrogate's court for twelve years, and in 1896 began the active practice of his profession. He has long been an active and influential Democrat, and has served as delegate to various political con- ventions, including the State convention of 1884 which declared in favor of Grover Cleveland for president. He also managed the congressional campaigns of Hon. Daniel N. Lockwood and that of Gen. George S. Field, a member of the first Board of Public Works. Mr. Griffin is a member of the C. M. B. A. and the Royal Arcanum. June 3, 1891, he married Miss Eva Rose, of Olean, N. Y.
Graves, John Card, was born in Herkimer, N. Y., November 18, 1839. His family came from England to Massachusetts in 1635, and in the latter part of the last cent- ury his grandfather, John Graves, came westward to the Mohawk valley, where he became a prominent citizen, serving as member of the State Legislature and sheriff
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of Herkimer county. Hon. Ezra Graves, father of John C. and son of John, was a distinguished lawyer, and served as judge and surrogate of the county of Herkimer for sixteen years and as a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1867-68. He married Maria Card of Herkimer. John Card Graves, their son, attended Fair- field Academy and was graduated from Hamilton College in 1862, and in the same year became a Mason and was also admitted to the bar of New York. He had pre- viously read law with his father, with whom he at once formed a copartnership, which continued until 1867, when he removed to Buffalo, where he has since resided. He attached himself to the National Guard, becoming lieutenant-colonel and after- ward colonel of the 65th Regt., N. G. N. Y., and subsequently was commissioned brigadier-general commanding the 8th Brigade. General Graves is one of the fore- most members of the Buffalo bar, and is widely known for his ability and thorough knowledge of the law. He has served as park commissioner, and at one time was president of the Merchants' Exchange and Citizens' Association. It was largely through his efforts that the new charter (1892) of the city of Buffalo was obtained. He is a large real estate owner, and has been president of the Eastern Elevator and the New York State Municipal League. In 1864 he married Augusta, daughter of Augustus C. Moore of Buffalo, and they have seven children.
Stokes Brothers .- The extensive general contracting business conducted by the firm of Stokes Brothers was established by William Stokes, the senior member, in 1875. He was born in Ireland in 1849, came to America with his parents, Michael and Catharine Stokes, in 1855, and settled in Buffalo. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1875, when he engaged in contracting and building. He successfully continued this business alone until 1891, when he admitted his brothers, Henry L. and Michael F., to partnership, under the firm name of Stokes Brothers, which has remained unchanged. Henry L. and Michael F. are also prac- tical carpenters, having been for several years associated with their elder brother. The firm has conducted an extensive general contracting business in Western New York, Pennsylvania and Canada and has offices in the Mooney-Brisbane building, Buffalo. They executed the woodwork for this structure, and among other buildings erected by them are the Church of Perpetual Help in Buffalo; the Catholic churches at Suspension Bridge, Albion and Wellsville, N. Y., and Niagara Falls, Ont .; the old and present Catholic church at North Tonawanda; and several flats and other structures in Buffalo and elsewhere. For a number of years they have ranked among the largest general contractors in Buffalo.
Lamy, George H., Buffalo, was born March 19, 1846, in the old Lamy homestead at East Eden, Erie county, where his grandfather, George Lamy, a native of Lo- raine, France, settled in 1829. George Lamy bought about 200 acres of land, kept a tavern and died there. He married Katherine Franz and had five children: Jacob, Catherine, Lana, Henry and Peter. Henry Lamy, father of George H., was born in Loraine about 1826, came to America with his parents in 1829 and died on the homestead in 1895. His wife, Salome Hoehn, died in 1893. Their chil- dren were George H., Frederick W., Charles, Catherine, Jacob and Caroline, who are living, 'and Henry and William, deceased. George H. Lamy was educated in the common schools and at Springville Academy, and in 1862 came to Buffalo as a clerk in a grocery store at $7 per month. Afterwards he was identified with the
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transportation interests on the great lakes for eight years, becoming a vessel owner. Meanwhile he spent two years in the West on the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, being present at the driving of the golden spike which marked the com- pletion of that line. Returning to Buffalo in 1870 he was appointed keeper of the Erie County Penitentiary under Charles E. Felton, but one year later went with Mr. Felton to Chicago as his chief keeper of the House of Correction, where he re- mained seven years and nine months. He returned to Buffalo on account of ill health and in 1880 was appointed deputy sheriff, which position he held under W. W. Lawson and Harry H. Koch; he was under sheriff under Frank T. Gilbert and Oliver A. Jenkins, and in 1892 was nominated for sheriff of Erie county by acclama- tion, but was defeated by August Beck. In 1894 he again received the Republican nomination by acclamation and was elected for a term of three years by 13,299 ma- jority. He was a delegate to the State Republican Convention in 1894, and has long been a prominent citizen. April 16, 1875, he married Lana C., daughter of Martin Keller, a pioneer of the town of Boston. Their only son died at the age of three years and six months.
Thompson, Herbert A., Buffalo, coal and wood dealer at the corner of Broadway and Curtiss streets, was born in the village of Du Plain, Clinton county, Mich., Sep- tember 1, 1861, and is a son of James and Margaret E. (Moore) Thompson, the former a carpenter by trade. The family removed to St. Johns, Mich., where Herb- bert A. attended the public and high schools, from which he was graduated. Being interested in the study of sciences he took special courses at the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor for four years, his principal study being astronomy. While there he manufactured an eight-inch reflecting telescope which is now mounted and in use in the St. John (Mich.) High School. In 1889 Mr. Thompson came to Buffalo and was employed in the city engineer's office as a draughtsman for four years. During that time he established his present wood and coal trade and afterward added a general storage business. Mr. Thompson is, still a devoted student of science and has the practical requirements of a good mechanic. He has under construction an eighteen-inch reflecting telescope which will be completed in 1898. He is a member of New Era Lodge No. 410, I. O. O. F.
Schwartz, John Leo, Buffalo, vice-president of the Buffalo Brewers' Association, is the son of John and Mary A. (Kiefer) Schwartz, and was born April 13, 1859, in Buffalo, N. Y., where his father settled in 1836, coming here from Germany. His birthplace was in the old Fourth ward, at the corner of Washington and Chippewa streets. After attending St. Michael's parochial school he became a member of the first class of St. Canisius College, in 1870, where he remained four years. He then, at the age of fifteen, associated himself with his father and brother, proprietors of a planing mill, with whom he continued until 1878, when his father died and the busi- ness was dissolved. For about a year he was clerk in the insurance and coal office of Joseph Berlin, and in 1879 he established a coal and wood business for himself, which he successfully conducted for twelve years, when he sold out to his brothers, Edward J. and Joseph A. In 1892 Mr. Schwartz formed a copartnership with Edward A. Diebold, John S. Kellner, and Joseph Phillips and purchased the plant of the Queen City Brewing Company, corner of Spring and Cherry streets, which has since been known as the Star Brewery. This establishment has become one of the city's
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leading industries. Since 1889 Mr. Schwartz has been colonel of the 2d Regiment, Uniformed Catholic Knights, of the State of New York. He is a prominent Dem- ocrat, has been a member of the Democratic advisory committee for several years, and is a member and was long a trustee of the Buffalo Catholic Institute. Since 1892 he has been grand treasurer of the C. M. B. A., president of the alumni of St. Canisius College since 1894, and a director of the Buffalo Volksfreund Printing Com- pany since 1887. He is a trustee of St. Michael's church, and a member of the Buf- falo Orpheus, the C. B. L., and the R. A. October 12, 1887, he married Elizabeth J. Zegewitz, of Rochester.
Crandall, Mrs. A. B., Buffalo .- Azor Brown Crandall, son of Francis and Lavina (Brown) Crandall, was born at Sloansville, N. Y., July 23, 1829. He attended the district schools of his native town and also Schoharie College, and at the age of sev- enteen, with characteristic energy, went to New York and for some time was engaged in the clothing business, afterward becoming proprietor of the Broadway Hotel. He was elected alderman from the Ninth ward of that city for three terms. He came to Buffalo in 1879 to conduct the old Stock Exchange Hotel. His management was so efficient that the increase of patronage became too great for the capacity of the house, and he secured what was then the largest hotel building in East Buffalo, known as the "Brick Hotel," remodeling it to suit his requirements. This hostelry soon became widely known to horsemen of both countries as the " Crandall House." Mr. Crandall's nature was of the kind which makes a man successful as a hotel manager ; he numbered his acquaintances by hundreds, and it is said that he rarely forgot a face. Generous and public spirited, he was always willing to assist in attaining any worthy object. The Crandall House had been established for some time when Mr. Crandall went into the horse business on a large scale. He originated the plan of selling horses at auction, and at the first sale sold twenty-five animals. He contrib- uted largely to the fame of East Buffalo as a horse market, and at the time of his death, over 26,000 horses were sold from his stables annually. Mr. Crandall was a veteran of the late war, and was awarded a medal by Congress for gallantry in the field. He was for many years a member of the Gentlemen's Driving Park Associa- tion, and of the Knights of Pythias. May 6, 1858, he married Marguerite Ida, daugh- ter of Hugh Gilmore, of New York city who survives him. He died April 2, 1895, honored and respected by all who knew him.
Blythe, Samuel G., Buffalo, was born in Livingston county, N. Y., May 19, 1868, and is the son of Samuel H. Blythe, who has been for twenty years the editor of the Livingston Republican, one of the best known weeklies in Western New York. He was educated in the Geneseo State Normal School, which he left at the age of sixteen to become assistant postmaster at Geneseo. He worked for his father on the Livingston Republican and early in the year 1886 obtained a place as a reporter on the city staff of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. In March, 1887, with a partner, he purchased the Adrian (Mich.) Evening Record, which venture proved un- successful, and afterward he worked as a reporter in various cities, including Pitts- burg, Wheeling and St. Louis. Returning home in 1888 Mr. Blythe was editor of the Livingston Republican until March 15, 1889, when he again accepted a position on the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, working as reporter, sporting editor and dramatic critic until December 14, 1891. He then came to Buffalo as special writer
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and dramatic critic on the Buffalo Express, where he was successively promoted to the positions of editorial writer, news editor, city editor and managing editor, which he filled with great credit and ability. On the 1st of January, 1897, he resigned the managing editorship of the Express to become editor-in-chief of the Buffalo En- quirer, which position he now holds. Mr. Blythe is an able writer, a man of broad journalistic experience, and a scholar whose attainments are largely the result of his personal efforts and perseverance. He wields a fluent and graceful pen, and ranks high among the leading journalists of Western New York. He is a thirty- second degree Free Mason, and a member of Ellicott, Arcadia and Independent Clubs of Buffalo, the Buffalo Press Club, and the Rochester Yacht Club. On Sep- tember 19, 1888, he was married to Carolyn Hamilton Oakes, of Rochester, and they have one son.
Rogers, Frank A., Buffalo, son of Bradley D. and Louise (Williams) Rogers, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., April 17, 1862. His first business experience after com- pleting his schooling was in his father's commission house. He continued in the produce commission business until 1884, when he was admitted to membership. In October, 1895, he severed his connection with the firm of B. D. Rogers & Sons, and engaged in business alone at 149 Michigan street, where he has since conducted a successful establishment. Aside from his general produce commission business, he makes a specialty of supplying steamers and hotels with provisions. Mr. Rogers has had many years' experience in his line, and has acquired a large patronage. He is a prominent member of the Buffalo Produce Exchange and of the National Com- mission Merchants' League, and is also a thirty-second degree Mason, holding mem- bership in Washington Lodge No. 240. In April, 1884, he married Ella E. McNeal, of Buffalo. They have two children . Bradley A. and Edyth A.
Mansfield, Charles C., Buffalo, one of the leading live stock brokers of East Buf- falo, is a son of J. R. and Ruth (Hines) Mansfield, and was born near Muncie, Dela- ware county, Ind., March 3, 1848. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, where he afterward engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1886 he removed to Buffalo and entered the employ of Doty, Watkins & Meeks, live stock brokers, with whom he remained two years. He then became a member of the live stock commission firm of Harrison, Williamson & Mansfield, which was changed in September, 1892, to Williamson & Mansfield. In 1893 N. W. Ransom became a partner under the present firm name of Williamson, Ransom & Mansfield. This is one of the largest and best known stock firms at the East Buffalo yards, and handle annually several thousand head of hogs, cattle and sheep. Mr. Mansfield is a public spirited citizen, and a prominent member of De Molay Lodge No. 498, F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., and the G. A. R. He is also a Chapter Mason and a member of the Council. October 12, 1870, he married Amanda I. Hinton of Eaton, Ind., and they have four children: Le Roy A., Kemper G., Ruth G. and Charles C.
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