Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 62

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 62

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in the manufacture of soap on Chicago street. In 1876 he purchased a site on Seneca street and erected a factory, which has been enlarged from time to time until now it occupies a large plant on Seneca, Carroll and Heacock streets. Elbert G. Hubbard became his partner in 1878, under the firm name of J. D. Larkin & Co., and in February, 1892, the Larkin Soap Manufacturing Company was incorporated with a capital of $500,000, Mr. Larkin being the president and Mr. Hubbard the secretary and treasurer. In 1893 Mr. Larkin became treasurer as well as president and D. D. Martin succeeded Mr. Hubbard as secretary. The firm employs about 400 hands, and manufactures all kinds of laundry and toilet soaps, toilet articles, boraxine and chemically pure glycerine, being one of the leading and largest estab- lishments of the kind in Buffalo. Mr. Larkin is a Republican, but has devoted his time and energies exclusively to business, in which he has been eminently success- ful. May 10, 1874, he was married in Hudson, Ill., to Frances H., daughter of Dr. Silas Hubbard, formerly of Buffalo. They have five children: Charles Hubbard, a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., class of 1899; Frances E .; John D., jr., also a student at Lafayette College; and Harry H. and Ruth Read.

Hill, Henry Wayland, Buffalo, lawyer, was born at Isle La Motte, Grand Isle County, Vt., November 13, 1853. His parents, Hon. Dyer Hill and Martha P. (Hall) Hill, were members of well known New England families. After preparing for col- lege in the schools of his native State, he entered the University of Vermont in 1872, and was graduated therefrom in 1876, as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and with the degree A. B. ; and in 1881 his alma mater also conferred upon him the degree A. M. From 1877 to 1879 he was principal of the Swanton (Vt.) Academy and from 1879 to 1883 of the Chateaugay (N. Y.) Academy. In these institutions he fitted several classes for college. While so engaged, he also pursued his law studies and was admitted to the bar at Albany, N. Y., in January, 1884. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Buffalo, N. Y., in May, 1884, in partnership with Edward W. Andrews, esq., under the firm name of Andrews & Hill, which continued until the death of Mr. Andrews in May, 1896. The firm had an extensive criminal prac- tice. In 1893 Mr. Hill was nominated by the Republicans of the Thirty-first Senatorial District and elected to the New York Constitutional Convention of 1894, where he served on the Educational, Suffrage and Civil Service Committees. He took a prominent part in the deliberations of that Convention and was successful in securing a constitutional amendment, providing for general canal improvement. The importance of this to the commercial interests of Buffalo, as well as to those of the entire State, was second only to that of the original provisions, which prepared the way for the construction of the State's system of internal waterways. In 1895, 1896 and 1897 he was nominated by the Republicans of the Second Erie District for member of assembly and was elected each time by the largest plurality of any assemblyman in the State. The official journal shows him to have been one of the most successful legislators that ever represented Erie County in the State Legislature. He passed a score or more bills at each session and never took the floor without carrying the As- sembly with him. Among the important bills, which he introduced and passed, was that establishing the Buffalo Free Public Library and the bill appropriating $375,000 for the 74th Regiment Armory in Buffalo. Mr. Hill is one of the Board of Managers of the Buffalo Historical Society and for several years was its Recording Secretary.

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He is also a member of the University Club of Buffalo and the Buffalo Republican League and the New York State Bar Association. In addition to his professional and his legislative duties he has done some literary work. In 1886 he was married to Miss Harriet A. Smith, daughter of Francis Smith, Esq., of Swanton, Vermont. His law office is at No. 298 Main Street, Buffalo, N. Y., where he is engaged in the active practice of his profession.

Lockwood, Millington, Buffalo, is a lineal descendant of Robert Lockwood, who came from England to Massachusetts with Governor Winthrop in 1630, and whose sons subsequently moved to Connecticut, where the family have ever since resided. Gershom Lockwood, son of Robert, married Ann Millington, and the name Milling- ton has since distinguished the Lockwood family in each generation. The descent from Gershom and Ann Lockwood is Gershom, jr., Millington, sr., Millington, jr., John A., and Millington, the subject of this sketch. Millington Lockwood, sr., was a soldier from Connecticut in the Revolutionary war; his son Millington, jr., married Jane Cuisac, and their son, John A., was born in Albany, N.Y., June 17, 1822, came to Buffalo about 1848, and engaged in the printing business. Later he engaged in printing stationery and blank books until his death, February 21, 1885. He was one of the founders of the firm of Young, Lockwood & Co., a 32º Mason and a dis- tinguished member of that order. He was master of Queen City Lodge No. 358, F. & A. M., high priest of Keystone Chapter No. 163, R. A. M., a member of Key- stone Council No. 20, R. & S. M., and Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 30, K. T., and district deputy grand master in 1869. In 1882 he was elected an honorary mem- ber of the Grand Lodge of Canada with rank of past senior grand warden-an honor never before or since conferred. He married Adaline C. Shepherd. Millington Lockwood, their eldest son, was born May 2, 1852, in Buffalo, where he has always resided. He was graduated from the Buffalo High School in 1869, spent a short time in teaching school in Ohio, and then entered the establishment of Young, Lockwood & Co., where he remained until 1884, when he established his present business. Mr. Lockwood is one of the leading stationers and blank book manufac- turers in Buffalo. He also handles typewriters, architects' and surveyors' supplies, and in fact everything required in modern office work. His specialty has always been the latest devices pertaining to his business, which has largely contributed to his success. He is past master of Queen City Lodge No. 358, F. & A. M., and a member of Keystone Chapter No. 163, R. A. M., Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 30, K. T., and past district deputy grand master of F. & A. M. September 8, 1874, he married Edna C., daughter of Levi Bronson of Buffalo, and they have three children: Lucy E., Alice G. and Richard Bronson.

Plimpton, George Arthur, Buffalo, was born in Southbridge, Worcester county, Mass., September 19, 1837, the eldest son of Chester Plimpton, and comes from sturdy Puritan stock. He is a direct descendant of John Plimpton, who was born in England in 1620, and at the age of twenty-one adopted the Puritan faith, left his native country and landed in New England in 1641. History records the active part that Mr. Plimpton's ancestors took in the settlement of New England and the many hardships and privations they endured in the early Indian wars. Among the active participants of the war of the American Revolution were his great-grandfather, Col. Daniel Plimpton, and his grandfather, Capt. Elias Plimpton. Mr. Plimpton came to

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Buffalo in 1855 and in December, 1856, after a course in bookkeeping at the Bryant & Stratton College, was given a position in the office of John W. Williams & Co .. grocers and druggists, corner of Main and Seneca streets, and has been connected with the business down to the present time, a period of over forty years. In 1865 he was given a small interest in the business, the partners then being Edward Harris and William Powell; both of these men have since died, and in 1890 the present firm of Plimpton, Cowan & Co. was formed. The business has grown from one of mod- erate extent to the present exclusively wholesale drug and grocery house, located at the corner of Swan and Ellicott streets. Mr. Plimpton still considers himself a young man, and is actively engaged in directing the management of the extensive house of which he is the senior member.

Royan, Josephine Frances, superintendent of the Fitch Accident Hospital in Buffalo, is a native of Allegany, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and the only daughter of Charles and Annetta (Haller) Royan, both of whom died when she was very young. She was educated in her native village, graduating from St. Elizabeth's Academy. In 1885 she came to Buffalo and in 1889 entered the Buffalo General Hospital Training School, from which she was graduated in 1891. She then became head nurse in the Fitch Accident Hospital, an institution founded through the munificence of the late Benjamin Fitch, who left a bequest in his will for the pur- pose. It is one of the most important branches of the Charity Organization Society. On the creation of the office of superintendent in March, 1892, Miss Royan was appointed to that responsible position, which she has since filled with great credit and satisfaction. The hospital owes much of its development and present condition to her able management, under which it has been enlarged from time to time and its usefulness constantly increased. In January, 1896, Miss Royan originated and started, in connection with the hospital, a post-graduate school in accident surgery for nurses who have graduated or have had previous training in other hospitals. This department, as well as the institution itself, has been very successful under her care and supervision. This hospital has always occupied quarters at the corner of Michigan and Swan streets.

Dopp, H. William, Buffalo, born near Magdeburg, Prussia, April 29, 1824, was the eldest of a large family, his father and ancestors for generations having been the "cloister " and village smiths or metal workers. When fifteen he went to Magdeburg to learn the machinist's trade; later he went to Berlin, where he perfected himself in his trade and also supplemented his education by advanced studies in mathemat- ics and the sciences, and where he was drawn into the political disturbances which culminated in the revolt of 1848. He took a part in that historic event sufficiently prominent to draw upon him the attention of the authorities, and early in 1849 suc- cessfully passed, with his wife, the military lines and came to Milwaukee, Wis., but in 1850 came to Buffalo. He soon went to Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where he se- cured a job as blacksmith's helper and then as blacksmith during the day and re- paired watches and jewelry by night. Soon, with wife and child, he returned to Buffalo, where he secured employment as machinist. The panic of 1857 found him in the position of foreman of the machine shops of the Buffalo Steam Engine Works. That concern failing, he began business for himself, and finally from 1878 devoted his energies to the special line of work in which the firm of H. William Dopp & Son

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is engaged. On February 15, 1888, he died. He was recognized as a master work - man and a clear and precise thinker. Many elegant designs in fancy toilet dies attest to his skill as an engraver, while the records of the Patent Office bear witness to the versatility and fecundity of his ever active mind. It is believed that he was the original inventor of the method of balancing the engine slide valve by a relief plate; he certainly was a pioneer in petroleum vapor burners and the methods of sealing bonded cars and warehouses. His seamless steam jacketed kettle, remelting crotcher, steam press, etc , are well known. These are but few of his nearly fifty patented inventions, while his unpatented inventions outnumber the patented ones probably four to one. Mr. Dopp married Amelia F. Henicker, a native of Leipsic, and the daughter of one of Napoleon's Russian army veterans. She survives him, as do also five of their six children, viz .: Mrs. Michael J. Stark, William H. Dopp, Mrs. George H. P. Nesen, Mrs. Henry B. Sweitzer and Emma A. S. Dopp, all na- tives and residents of Buffalo. William H. Dopp was born December 14, 1853, was graduated from the Buffalo High School in 1871 and from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as A. B. in 1876, and at the latter institution also took special courses in chemistry and mechanical engineering. He taught a private school in Detroit one year, lectured and practiced analytical chemistry in Buffalo two winters, studied the beet sugar industry in Germany for a time, and later was with Rudolph Eicker- meyer, a mechanical and electrical engineer, of Yonkers. Returning to Buffalo in 1884 he entered his father's establishment in 1885, and in July, 1886, became a mem- ber of the firm of H. William Dopp & Son, of which he has been manager since 1888, the name remaining unchanged. Mr. Dopp is a life member of the Library Asso- ciation, a member of several scientific societies and was vice president of the Buffalo Electrical Society. In 1884 he married Theresa B., daughter of Carl Augustus Meyer, and has three sons and three daughters.

Bliss Brothers (Harry A. and Frank H.) are sons of Horace L. Bliss, one of the oldest living photographers in Buffalo. He was born in Hartford, Conn., October 6, 1823, came to Buffalo about 1854 and learned the photographic business. In 1859 he established a photograph gallery at the corner of Main and Eagle streets, and successfully continued until 1886, when he retired on account of ill health. He made a specialty of outside photographs and also did considerable commercial work. Harry A. and Frank H. Bliss are natives of Buffalo; the former was born February 28, 1866, and the latter February 6, 1858. Both were educated in the Buffalo public and high schools, learned photography with their father, and when the latter re- tired in 1886 succeeded him in business under the firm name of Bliss Brothers. Soon after starting, their portrait and commercial work had grown to such proportions that they separated the two, locating the latter on Oak street near Genesee, and continuing the former at the corner of Main and Eagle streets. They are among the leaders in both branches in Buffalo, and enjoy the highest reputation for artistic work.

Pfohl, Louis L., Buffalo, is well known to the entire community, having been for many years a successful and popular real estate dealer of Buffalo. He is a member of the well known firm of Pfohl & Smith, with offices at No. 11 Real Estate Exchange Building. He is a native of Buffalo, where he was born October 3, 1859. He has honestly earned the consideration in which he is held in this community, and the reputation he has established for integrity is acknowledged by all.

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Strebel, Edward D., Buffalo, son of David and Barbara Strebel, was born in Buf- falo, N. Y., May 2, 1865, and received his education in the public schools of that city. He read law in the office of Robert F. Schelling, with whom he was associated from 1879 to 1892, being admitted to the bar October 9, 1890. In 1892 he began the prac- tice of his profession alone, and two years later, in 1894, he formed a copartnership with Fred D. Corey, which still continues, the firm name being Strebel & Corey. Mr. Strebel's education, as well as his success at the bar, is the result of his own efforts, wisely and judiciously directed. Through devotion to the duties and work of his profession he has achieved his present standing among the lawyers engaged in general practice in Buffalo. He was married June 22, 1892, to Katharine, daugh- ter of Gabriel Giesser, of Buffalo, and they have one son, Robert L.

Hoff, Francis L., Buffalo, is descended from Richard Hoff, who settled at what is now Spraker's Basin, Montgomery county, N. Y., early in the eighteenth century, and who participated in the Revolutionary war as a private in Captain Fisher's com- pany of the third Tryon County Regiment Militia. Members of the Hoff family have figured prominently in civil and military affairs, notably Captain Hoff of the U. S. Navy, and John Van Rensselaer Hoff of Governor's Island, New York. They are of Holland Dutch descent. Francis L. Hoff is a son of John D. and Harriet (Watts) Hoff, and was born in Savannah, Wayne county, N. Y., December 27, 1862. He attended the public schools of his native town and was graduated from the Union Academy at Newark, N. Y., where his grandfather, John Hoff, was an early settler. In 1885 Mr. Hoff came to Buffalo as a stenographer for the Lehigh Valley Coal Com- pany, and two years later went to Dunkirk, N. Y., to take charge of the affairs of the Martin Anti-fire Car Heater Company, which position he filled until 1894. He then returned to Buffalo, where he has been engaged in the investment brokerage business. Mr. Hoff is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Ellicott and Buffalo Yacht Clubs and Buffalo Republican League. He was married June 2, 1887, to Katherine, daughter of James Hoff, of Fulton, Oswego county, N. Y., and they have two sons, Schuyler Leslie and Nelson Pruyn.

Harrington, Eugene W., Buffalo, eldest son of Andrew B. and Adelle M. (Perkins) Harrington, was born in Bethany, Genesee county, N. Y., May 30, 1866. Ezekiel Harrington, his great-grandfather, removed from Swanza, N. H., with two brothers, and settled in Chenango county, N. Y., in the early part of this century; thence Daniel Harrington, son of Ezekiel, came to the Holland Purchase among the earlier settlers, locating on a farm in the town of Bethany about 1830. Andrew B. Harring- ton, son of Daniel and father of Eugene W., was born in Bethany in 1837 and now resides in Alexander, Genesee county. As a Republican he has long been prominent in local politics, and as a citizen is highly respected and esteemed. In 1862 he en- listed in the 24th N. Y. Cav., and served through the war in Burnside's Corps, Army of the Potomac. He is a member of Upton Post, G. A. R. of Batavia. Eugene W. Harrington was educated at the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary and Attica Union School, and for several years was engaged in teaching. Learning telegraphy he was the agent for the D. L. & W. railroad at Alden, Erie county, from 1885 to 1890, and in the latter year came to Buffalo as cashier for the United States Express Company. He devoted all his leisure to the study of law, registering as a student in the offce of Swift, Weaver & Marcus, graduating from the Buffalo Law School in May, 1893, and

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being admitted to the bar June 18, 1896. Since the latter year he has been engaged in the successful practice of his profession. He has also been deeply interested in the study of finance and municipal government, and has written a number of note- worthy articles on these and kindred questions for the local press and other journals. Mr. Harrington is a 32d degree Mason, helding membership in both the York and Scottish Rite bodies, including Lake Erie Commandery, No. 20, K. T. He is a prom- inent and active Republican, a member of the Buffalo Republican League, formerly a member of its executive committee, and a member of the Independent Club. He has already taken conspicuous rank in his profession, and as a citizen has won the respect and confidence of all who know him. June 25, 1885, he married Clara A. Losee, daughter of Richard R. Losee, of Darien, Genesee county, and they have one son, Richard Losee Harrington.

Daly, John C. W., Buffalo, is a member of one of the most prominent families in Canada. Col. John C. W. Daly, his grandfather, a pioneer of Hamilton, Ontario, succeeded John Galt, the poet, novelist, and founder of Guelph, as agent for the Canada Company in 1831 and held the position until 1837, removing in 1832 to Stratford, where he became interested in milling enterprises and also in the first shoe store. In 1842 he became the Stratford agent of the Bank of Upper Canada and served until the close of the agency in 1867. He was the first postmaster of Stratford village, the first mayor of Stratford town, a pioneer magistrate, a member of the first district council of the united counties of Huron and Perth, and held a commission as lieutenant colonel in the militia. He was a man of great capacity and force of character and died in April, 1879, in his eighty-second year, leaving two children, Thomas Mayne Daly and Mrs. A. B. Orr. Thomas Mayne Daly, only son of Lieut .- Col. John C. W. and Lenora (Mayne) Daly, was born in Hamilton, Canada, in 1828, was educated at Upper Canada College, and studied medicine, but aban- doned that profession and engaged as contractor in the construction of gravel roads, railroads and other public works in that country and the United States. He was five times elected reeve and mayor of Stratford and from 1854 till shortly before his death he was a member of parliament from Perth county. He married Miss Helen McLaren Fergueson, daughter of Peter Fergueson; she came to America from Crief, Perthshire, Scotland, about 1845, and died in July, 1891, aged sixty-six. Mr. Daly died March 4, 1885, leaving five children: John C. W., Hon. Thomas M., Peter F., Mrs. F. Wood Gray and Mrs. Herbert Roberts. Hon. Thomas Mayne Daly, the youngest son, born in Stratford, Ontario, August 16, 1852, was graduated from Up- per Canada College, Toronto, and in 1876 commenced practice as a lawyer in On- tario. In 1881 he removed to Brandon, Manitoba, where he was elected the first mayor in 1882 and re-elected in 1884; in 1884 he was appointed chairman of the Western Judicial District Board and in January. 1890, Q. C .; in 1887 and 1891 he was elected to the House of Commons as member for Selkirk, and in October, 1892, was appointed minister of the interior and re-elected by acclamation. He is now a resident and a police and excise commissioner of Rossland, B. C. John C. W. Daly, born in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, September 25, 1850, attended the Quebec High School and Upper Canada College, and read law with Judge Robert Smith of Strat- ford, and Christopher Robinson, Q. C., of Toronto, where, after passing through the military school in July, 1867 he entered the wholesale hardware store of Lyman

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& McNab. In 1870 he engaged with his father as general contractors in railroad ties, timber, oil and supplies. He served two years as an alderman of Stratford and in October, 1875, came to Buffalo as custom house agent for the Grand Trunk Rail- way and International Fast Freight Line at Black Rock; in April, 1887, he was pro- moted agent of the latter corporation for Western Canada, with headquarters at Toronto, and on the dissolution of the line in 1878 returned to Buffalo as contracting freight agent of the Grand Trunk Railway for Buffalo and vicinity. In June, 1880, he was appointed agent for the Commercial Express Line for the State of Michigan, with headquarters at Detroit, and in December, 1883, again returned to Buffalo as agent of the Commercial Express and Erie and North Shore Fast Freight Lines for Western New York. In October, 1885, he was appointed the Buffalo agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and in June, 1887, resigned this to accept the position of secretary of the Freight Bureau and assistant secretary of the Buffalo Merchants' Exchange. After the Freight Bureau was discontinued, in December, 1891, he en- gaged in the real estate and brokerage business in Buffalo and Cleveland for two years, and in December, 1893, was appointed registrar of the Bureau of Building (Department of Public Works). In January, 1895, he was promoted to his present position as cashier and paymaster of the Department of Public Works. October 7, 1880, he married Kate D., daughter of the late A. Hull Thompson of Buffalo, and they have three children: John C. W., jr., Bryant Jarvis and Matilda Thompson.

Embry, Herbert H., Buffalo, commercial agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, with offices in the Guaranty Building, Buffalo, is a direct descendant of Philip Embury, the founder of Methodism in this country. Philip's son, Samuel, was born in New York city in 1765, and Thomas Embry, son of Samuel, was born in Vermont in 1804. Thomas Embry's son, Nelson V., is the father of Herbert H. Embry, who was born at Brighton, Livingston county, Mich., March 11, 1856. Mr. Embry started in the transportation business with the Merchants' De- spatch Transportation Company at Rochester, N. Y., December 19, 1874. He was afterward with the same company in Buffalo, and for a time was their Central New York agent at Geneva. On April 1, 1882, he was appointed traveling freight agent for New York State of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, and on January 1, 1897, was made their commercial agent, with headquarters in Buffalo.

Gluck, James Frazer, Buffalo, was born in Niagara Falls, N Y., April 28, 1852, and received his education in the common schools, the Upper Canada College at Toronto and Cornell University, from which he was graduated in 1874 at the head of his class. After editing the Niagara Falls Register for a few months he began the study of law in the office of Lansing & Willett in Buffalo. Soon after his admis- sion to the bar in 1876 he entered into partnership with Hon. A. P. Laning and Hon. Daniel McMillan. After Mr. Laning's death in 1881 George C. Greene joined the surviving partners, the firm becoming Greene, McMillan & Gluck. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Greene retired and Charles A. Pooley was admitted, the firm becoming McMillan, Gluck & Pooley. Later Ganson Depew was admitted, the firm becoming McMillan, Gluck, Pooley & Depew. Mr. Gluck was without a superior as a trial lawyer in railroad cases, and in recognition of his abilities, when the Buffalo Law School was organized he was chosen to fill the chair of the Law of Corporations. He was a steadfast and enthusiastic Republican, organized and was chosen presi-

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Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 62

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