USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 67
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ple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and of Constantine Conclave of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine and appendant orders stationed at Buffalo. He received the Royal Order of Scotland at a session of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the United States held in Chicago September 18, 1893, and in June, 1896, was appointed a commis- sioner of appeals of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, which position he now holds. He is also a member of the Fraternal Union of Anointed High Priests of the State of New York.
Floyd, Horace F., Buffalo, son of James and Sarah Henderson (Turner) Floyd, was born in Medford, Mass., November 25, 1847. He was educated in the Webster Academy, and at the age of fifteen became so eager to be a soldier that he walked from Webster, Mass., to Providence, R. I., and thence to Camp Mauran, where he enlisted as a private in Battery H, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. After a few months of service he was promoted to the office of battery guidon. He served his country bravely and faithfully until the close of the war and distinguished himself for bravery in several engagements, notably the battle of Petersburg, Va., on April 2, 1865, in which he carried the guidon at the head of the battery during the entire engagement. On February 16, 1867, he enlisted in Battery F, 3d Artillery, U. S. A., and after serving three years was honorably discharged, holding the rank of first sergeant. He then came to Buffalo, where he engaged in business. On January 14, 1874, he became a member of the 74th Regiment, N. G. N. Y. His ability as a soldier, which he had gained in the war of the Rebellion and in the regular army, was at once recognized and at different times he held the offices of first sergeant, second lieutenant and first lieutenant. At the time of his death he was regimental quartermaster-sergeant. While Mr. Floyd was well known in business circles, he was best known in Buffalo as the armorer of the 74th Regiment. He was appointed to this position on April 15, 1883, and held it up to the time of his death. His ad- ministration of the armory affairs was most satisfactory and his loss was deeply re- gretted. He was a member of De Molay Lodge No. 240, F. & A. M., Royal Ar- canum and for twenty years of Chapin Post No. 2, Department of New York, G. A. R. July 20, 1875, he married Mary M. Henning, daughter of John Michael Henning of Buffalo, and they had four children; Ida M., Lillian L. E., Marian F. and Charles William. Mr. Floyd died on January 5, 1897, honored and respected by all who knew him.
Beiser, Edward C., Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, February 26, 1862. His father. Frederick, born in Alsace, France, in 1834, came to Buffalo with his father, Adolph Beiser, who founded and for many years conducted what is now the Weyand brew- ery and afterward the Greiner (now the Ontario) Hotel, and who died August 6. 1863; his wife, Fredericka Greiner, died in 1883, aged seventy-nine. Frederick Beiser was first a brewer, later a hotel and restaurant keeper, and in 1863 helped to recruit and enlisted as lieutenant in Co. A, 187th N. Y. Vol. Inf. Returning from the war, wounded and broken in health, he was constable of the old Fourth ward in 1867-69, and then served on the police force until his death in May, 1872. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Barbara, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Pfeiffer) Durrenberger, who came to Buffalo from Alsace, France, in 1834 (he was a farmer, gardener, wood dealer, and one term street inspector). She was born in Buffalo in 1839, and survives him. They had two sons and three daughters. Edward C.
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Beiser received a public school education, and when eleven became a cash boy in the dry goods store of Adam & Meldrum; three years later he entered the employ of John McKillop & Co.'s mercantile agency, and three years afterward associated him- self with R. B. Selle in the dairy business, with whom he remained three years and eleven months. In 1884 he engaged in this business for himself, and at the present time sells over 100 gallons of milk per day. He has been an active Republican since the age of eighteen and has often been a delegate to political conventions. He de- clined public office until 1897, when he was nominated and elected supervisor of the Sixteenth ward. At this time he was sick in the General Hospital, and his plurality was 212. He is a self-made man, temperate and generous and respected by all who know him. In November, 1886, he married Anna, daughter of Theodore and Wil- helmina (Koeppen) Selle, old residents of Buffalo.
Kennedy, Patrick J., Buffalo, is the fifth in a family of seven sons and two daugh- ters of Patrick J. and Mary (Nolan) Kennedy, natives of Ireland, who came to America about 1851 and settled in Buffalo, where they were married. The father was en- gaged on the construction of the Welland Canal in Canada, was long employed on the Buffalo docks, and for several years has lived a retired life. He has always been an active Republican. His wife died July 8, 1896. Patrick J. Kennedy, the son, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in the old First ward, on March 21, 1863, received a pub- lic and private school education and for several years was in the employ of the Del- aware and Hudson Canal Company and the Lehigh Valley Coal Company. He was 'also employed for four years in the city water department and with this exception has spent his active life in the coal business. Since 1891 he has been foreman of the docks, for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company at Buffalo. Mr. Kennedy has always been an active and influential factor in local politics. having served as a committeeman since he reached his majority. He has been a delegate to various city, county, assembly, judiciary and State conventions, was a member of the Republican executive committee of Erie county during the Harrison campaign and is now a member of the general committee. He steadfastly declined political preferment until the fall of 1897, when he was persuaded to accept the nomination for city assessor at the request of his friends and party. He is a member of the C. M. B. A., and has always resided in what is now the Second ward of Buffalo. In November, 1888, he married Delia G., daughter of David and Bridget Roberts, of Buffalo, and they have a daughter and three sons.
Schaefer, Philip G., Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 29, 1862. He at- tended the parochial schools, was graduated from St. Canisius College in 1876, and then took a full course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, after which he en- tered the office of the Schaefer Brewery as bookkeeper and collector. He continued in that capacity until June 20, 1885, when the Lake View Brewing Company was incorporated with George Sandrock president; Henry Schaefer, vice-president; Henry W. Brendel, secretary and treasurer; and Philip G. Schaefer, general mana- ger. This company succeeded to the business of the old Schaefer Brewery, and has since conducted it with great success, Philip G. Schaefer continuously holding the position named. Mr. Schaefer is a member and one of the trustees of the Brewers' Association and a member of the C. M. B. A. and the C. B. L. November 4, 1885,
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Hattie C., daughter of Leo M. Ritt of Buffalo, and they have one daughter, Emma Paulina.
Riester, Fernando J., Buffalo, is a native of France, born March 14, 1840. When he was nine years of age his parents removed to this country, settling in Buffalo, where he received his education in the public schools. His first business experience was in the employ of George L. Burns, who conducted a stained glass and painting business. He remained in the employ of Mr. Burns for ten years and in 1864 formed a copartnership with William Booth for the manufacture of stained glass. This co- partnership continued until the death of Mr. Booth in 1888. Mr. Riester took charge of the business and has since conducted it successfully. A large trade has been es- tablished by Mr. Riester all over the United States and constant employment is given to a number of skilled workmen. He is a member of the C. M. B. A. and the C. B. L. In May, 1863, he married M. H. Celina Stiker, who was also a native of France. Four children survive: Edmund A., Arthur C., Raymond O. and Adele C.
Clark, Charles A., Buffalo, was born in the village of Lancaster, Erie county, N. Y., April 7, 1839, and at an early age moved to Buffalo with his parents. His first business experience was as an assistant to William Ives, at that time librarian of the Young Men's Association, now the Buffalo Library. In 1856 he entered the employ of William T. Wardwell as bookkeeper and clerk. In 1860 he was appointed warrant clerk in the city clerk's office, which position he held until 1862, when he was ap- pointed to a clerkship in the office of the canal commissioner by the late Franklin A. Alberger. This position he resigned to enter the military service of the United States. Upon the organization of the 27th N. Y. Battery he was commissioned a second lieutenant and a few months later made first lieutenant. For a time he served as adjutant of the post at Camp Barry, the large artillery camp near Wash- ington. In July, 1864, he was detached from his battery and made inspector of artillery of the 9th (Burnside's) Corps and later was transferred by General Hunt to the 2d (Hancock's) Corps. Shortly afterward he was promoted to captain of the 12th New York Battery, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. After the war he became revenue inspector of this internal revenue district, resigning this position to become mayor's clerk under the late C. J. Wells. In 1870 he became superin- tendent of the Akron Cement Works at Akron, N. Y., where he remained for nine years. In 1879 he returned to Buffalo and entered the employ of James H. Jewett, shoe dealer, where he remained until 1892. In 1893 he was offered a position with the Crystal Beach Steamboat and Ferry Company, which he accepted, becoming passenger and ticket agent, which position he now holds.
Jackson, Albert Henry, Buffalo, is a son of Benjamin F. and Mary E. (Jocelyn) Jackson, and was born in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard Island, Mass. On his father's side he is descended from old English stock, while on his mother's he is of Puritan lineage. His early ancestors settled in Connecticut. Mr. Jackson received his preparatory education in Wilmington, Del., and was graduated from Amherst College in the class of 1888. He then came to Buffalo and entered the law office of McMillan, Gluck & Pooley, and was admitted to the bar June 6, 1890. He remained with that firm as managing clerk until 1894, when he accepted a position in the cor- poration counsel's office which he still holds. He is a member of the Amherst Chap- ter of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and a lawyer of ability.
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PERSONAL REFERENCES.
Briggs, Albert Henry, M. D., Buffalo, was born of New England ancestry at Town Line in the town of Lancaster, Erie county, September 9, 1842, and received his education in the district schools, the Batavia Union School, the East Aurora Academy and the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima. In October, 1867, he en- tered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, from which he was grad- uated with the degree of M. D., February 20, 1871. Since then he has successfully practiced his profession in Buffalo, opening his present office on the corner of West avenue and Hudson street in 1881. Dr. Briggs served as coroner's physician about three years, as city physician for the second district (Second and Third wards) about the same period, and as city health physician in 1880-81 and 1880-87. At his sug- gestion the department of vital statistics was created and he became its organizer and first registrar. He was appointed assistant surgeon of the 65th Regiment, N. G. N. Y., with rank of first lieutenant, in October, 1879, became surgeon with rank of captain in June, 1881, and on April 23, 1883, was promoted to the rank of major and is still a member of the regimental staff. He has been grand medical examiner of the A. O. U. W. for the State of New York since 1880, and is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, the New York State Medical Association, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, the Erie County Medical Society, the Buffalo Academy of Medicine, the Buf- falo Medical Union, the Acacia Club, and the United Service Club of New York city. He is also a member of Washington Lodge No. 249, F. & A. M. June 7, 1863, he married Sarah America Baker, daughter of Thaddeus Baker, M. D., of Andover, Allegany county, N. Y. They have two children: Arthur C. and Mabel, wife of C. J. Standart.
Parmenter, John, M. D., Buffalo, was born in Canada in 1862, and was educated in the public schools of Buffalo, graduating from the Buffalo High School in 1879, and from the medical department of the University of Buffalo in 1883, when he be- gan his career as physician and surgeon. He is surgeon to the Fitch, Erie County and Children's Hospitals, assistant surgeon to the General Hospital and professor of anatomy and clinical surgery in the University of Buffalo. He is a fellow of the American Surgical Association, a member of the Erie County Medical Society, and other local organizations. Few men have attained such prominence at so early an age as Dr. Parmenter. In 1887 he visited Europe, traveling extensively and visiting the hospitals of Germany, Austria and England, thereby fitting himself for the high and successful place he has already attained in his profession.
Shepard, Jessie, M. D., Buffalo, one of the leading women physicians of Buffalo, is a daughter of John D. Shepard, and Clarissa Joy, the latter being a daughter of Captain Thaddeus Joy, well known as one of the promoters of the Erie Canal pro- ject. Dr. Shepard is a native of Buffalo, and obtained her preliminary education in the public and high schools of that city. She then studied medicine under the tutorship of Dr. Augustus C. Hoxsie, and subsequently entered the Boston Univer- sity School of Medicine, from which she was graduated in 1888 with the degree of M. D. After graduation she spent one year in the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Hospital at Boston, and then came to Buffalo to practice her profession, first being associated with Dr. J. T. Cook. The winter of 1893-94 she spent in further study in Vienna. Dr. Shepard is a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, eee
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the New York State and Erie County Homoeopathic Medical Societies, the Buffalo Microscopical Club and the New York State Society of the Daughters of the Revo- lution, and is assistant obstetrician at the Buffalo Homoeopathic Hospital.
Green, Stephen S., M. D., Buffalo, is a son of Stephen and Ludia (Chase) Green, and the brother of Dr. Joseph C. Green of Buffalo, in connection with whose sketch in this volume appears a brief family genealogy. Dr. Green was born at Starks- boro, Vt., January 6, 1839, attended the local district schools and the academies at Bristol and Barre in his native State, and spent two years as a student at the Nine Partners Friends College in Washington, Dutchess county, N. Y. He also taught school two years and then began the study of medicine, entering the medical de- partment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. One year later he entered the medical department of the University of New York, from which he was gradu- ated with high honors, receiving the degree of M. D. Passing an examination be- fore the naval board of medical examiners he was appointed assistant surgeon in the U. S. Navy, and soon afterward was ordered from the Brooklyn navy yard to New Orleans, where Admiral Farragut appointed him to the U. S. steamer Arizona of the Gulf Squadron. A year later he became examining surgeon to examine men transferred from the army to the navy at New Orleans, where he was taken sick with yellow fever. At the close of the war he began active practice at Lagrange- ville, N. Y., and in 1875 removed to Buffalo where he has since resided. Previous to coming to Buffalo he was surgeon on the steamer Charles H. Marshall between New York and Liverpool and on the Alaska between Panama and San Francisco. Dr. Green was for six years district physician to the Board of Health of Buffalo. He is a member of the Erie County Medical Society, the New York State and American Medical Associations, the International Medical Congress, the A. O. U. W., the G. A. R., and the Acacia Club, and a prominent thirty-second degree Ma- son and a member of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In 1888-89 he made a tour of the world. In 1866 Dr. Green married Charlotte S., daughter of John C. Cornell, a manufacturer of Gaysville, Vt., and their children are Wallace C., Mortimer T., Evalena (wife of Barkley G. Mering), and Gertrude L.
Cook, Joseph Tottenham, M. D., Buffalo, is a son of the late Rev. Philos G. Cook and Clarissa Tottenham, his wife, both of whom were descended from old New England Puritan stock, their ancestors coming to America from England as early as 1640. Dr. Cook was born at Ludlowville, Tompkins county, N. Y., November 4, 1855, attended the public schools and was prepared for college at Professor Briggs's Classical School in Buffalo. In 1878 he began the study of medicine in the office of the late Dr. Augustus C. Hoxsie, and in the following autumn entered upon a three years' course at the Cleveland (Ohio) Homoeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated with honor in 1881, receiving the degree of M. D. Afterward he spent some time abroad in the hospitals of Vienna and London and in further study under Dr. Samuel Fenwick and Dr. Ernest A. Sansom, and since his return has - successfully practiced. Dr. Cook is president of the medical staff of the Buffalo Homoeopathic Hospital, medical examiner for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance company of Philadelphia, and a member of the American Institute of Homoe- opathy, the New York State and Erie County Homoeopathic Medical Societies, the Clinical Club of Buffalo, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, the Buffalo Micro-
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scopical Club, the New York State Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and the Pennsylvania Society of the War of 1812. August 10, 1887, he married Anna Poole Hoxsie, daughter of the late Rushmore Poole of Buffalo.
Bryant, William Clement, Buffalo, son of Reuben Bryant, was born in Holley, Orleans county, N. Y., December 21, 1830, and is a lineal descendant of Abraham Bryant, who came from England and was married in Reading, Mass., in 1664, to Mary Kendall. His grandfather, Nathan Bryant, born in Concord, Mass., in 1761, was the first prisoner of the Revolution, being taken by the British at Concord; be- tween his father's house and a neighbor's they threw the cannon, etc., into a well to conceal them from the enemy. Mr. Bryant read law at Clarkson, N. Y., with Judge Selden, and in 1854 came to Buffalo and was admitted to the bar. Since then he has successfully practiced his profession in Buffalo, becoming a leading lawyer and a citizen widely respected and esteemed. In 1863 he was elected second vice-president of the Young Men's Christian Association. He was twice elected to the Common Council and served as president of that body in 1865. He was a law partner of Will- iam H. Greene from 1867 to 1872, and since the latter year has been the attorney of the Western Savings Bank. He is a life member and in 1876 was president of the Buffalo Historical Society. He originated the movement which resulted in placing the remains of the Indian chieftain, Red Jacket, and his compatriots, in Forest Lawn Cemetery, and was prominent in causing the erection of the present monument over his grave. Mr. Bryant is an adopted member of the Seneca Indian tribe under the name of Da-gis.ta-ga-na (The burning fire) and also of the Mohawk as Ky.o-wil la. He was for many years president of the Thomas Orphan Asylum for Indian chil- dren, was a founder and from 1891 to 1895 president of the Archaeological Club (a branch of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences), and has been a lifelong member of the Central Presbyterian church. He has made an extensive study of the North American Indians, has published a number of valuable pamphlets and is a recognized authority on that subject. June 24, 1865, he married Helen Catharine Barnum, daughter of George G. Barnum of Buffalo. She died in February, 1897, leaving two children: Helen Marcia, who married Albert C. Spann, a lawyer of Buffalo, and died January 16, 1896; and William Letchworth Bryant, born January 3, 1871, who was graduated from the Buffalo High School in 1889, read law with his father, was admitted to practice in 1893, and since 1895 has been his father's law partner; mar- ried Gertrude Benson, daughter of Oscar P. Benson, of Buffalo, in January, 1898.
Conway, John C., Buffalo, one of Buffalo's most prominent citizens, who has won by his own unaided efforts, through his energy, thrift and sagacity, an enviable position in business affairs, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., February 19, 1855. His en- tire career has been thoroughly identified with the city's growth and prosperity. He early displayed those wonderful resources of executive ability that have placed him upon his present solid basis. As a boy his enterprise and quick mastery of situa- tions excited the interest of the older inhabitants, to whom he was well and favorably known and laid the foundation of a permanent reputation for sound business meth- ods. His first important business venture was the purchase, at the age of nineteen, of the wholesale provision business of J. M. Trible & Son, with whom he had been connected as an employee for some time. previous. He continued in this business until 1886, when he engaged in the establishment of electric light plants in New
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York State. As a natural sequence of his interest in this direction, he next organ- ized a company, in 1890, to build and operate the first electric road between Buffalo and Tonawanda. Other important enterprises of which he has been the promoter and organizer were the formation of the American Land Company to sell real estate in Tonawanda and of a company to build an electric road to Depew and Lancaster, the largest deal of that kind ever made in Buffalo. He is prominently connected with the leading interests of his native city. As a promoter he excels. No name connected with an enterprise commends it more confidently and certainly to the favor of the public than that of his. As a citizen he is progressive, aiming to benefit the community while adding to his own prosperity. He is a loyal Buffalonian, an able and public spirited business man, and takes an active interest in all matters tending towards the advancement and promotion of the moral and material welfare of the city. As a man he is honorable, straightforward and magnetic, liberal in his methods, of unswerving, integrity, charitable to an extreme and possessed of many admirable qualities that win the esteem, confidence and affection of his associates.
Kurtzmann, Charles F., Buffalo, son of Christian and Rosa Kurtzmann, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 26, 1852. He is without doubt one of the leading authorities on pianos and piano making in the city and being a thoroughly practical piano maker his knowledge in minute details of construction is exceedingly valuable. He has had the advantage of being educated in the manufacture of pianos since the age of eleven years, under the instruction of his father, Christian Kurtzmann, whose name is known all over the United States as one of the pioneer piano makers in America. In 1888 Mr. Kurtzmann engaged in the piano and music business on his own account, locating on North Division street. The growth of his business neces- sitated his removal in May, 1894, to his present large warerooms at 879 Main street. Here he conducts a large trade and is recognized as one of the leading and best in- formed dealers in Buffalo. He is a member of the Buffalo Saengerbund, the Buffalo Orpheus, the Buffalo Turn Verein, the Buffalo Zither Club, and Knights of Pythias. In September, 1874, he was married to Miss Sophia Louisa Funke, who died in 1889. In September, 1890, he was again married to Sophia, daughter of Frederick and So- phia Glanz of Buffalo.
York, George W., M. D., Buffalo, son of Edward and Mary (Northcote) York, was born at Brownsville, Ontario, December 24, 1849. He received his early education in the common and grammar schools and was graduated as a teacher in 1870, and from the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1873. A few years later he began the study of medicine at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, and the Jef- ferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating from the latter in 1880. After spending a year as interne at the Jefferson Hospital he removed to Buffalo, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. York is a member of the local and other medical and surgical societies and has held and is now holding a number of positions of trust.
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