USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 76
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Donald, Charles C., Buffalo, was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., in May, 1873. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, after which he took a course in Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then entered the University of Buffalo, where he pursued a course in pharmacy, and then entered the drug store of John Thomas at 169 Allen street, Buffalo. Later he succeeded Mr. Thomas in business, which he has since successfuly conducted. Mr. Donald is a son of Thomas H. and Helen (Cotlin) Donald, both of Scotch descent. He enjoys the good will of a large circle of friends.
Barth, John A., Buffalo, came to America from Germany, when he was seventeen years of age. His first employment was in a sausage manufactory, where he worked seven months. Subsequently he entered a machine shop as an apprentice, and learned his trade. In 1863 he enlisted in the U. S. service, serving his country faith- fully in the 4th N. Y. Artillery, under Captain Schelling. In 1881 he became the Buffalo agent of the Diebold Safe and Lock Company, of Canton, Ohio, and has
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now been the company's representative for seventen years. Through his efforts the contract for the vaults in the Ellicott Square building was awarded to his house.
Gay, Charles Curtis Fenn, M. D., Buffalo, for many years one of the foremost phy- sicians of Buffalo, was born in Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Mass., January 7, 1821. His father, William Gay, jr., traced his lineage direct to John Gay, of England, who came over on the ship Mary and John, on May 30, 1630, and settled in Watertown, but later removed to Dedham, Mass. From him have descended many notable men who have wielded powerful influences in commercial, professional, and public life. Dr. Gay's mother was a distant cousin of Edwin M. Stanton, the great war secretary. During Dr. Gay's early boyhood his parents removed to Lebanon Springs, Columbia county, N. Y., where he received a thorough preparatory education. In 1843 he at- tended the Brockport (N. Y.) Collegiate Institute, and in 1844 began the study of medicine under Dr. Joseph Bates, of Lebanon Springs. He soon went to Pittsfield, Mass., where he studied with Dr. H. H. Childs, who had been lieutenant-governor of that State. He also attended a course of lectures at the Berkshire Medical College and another in the medical school in Woodstock, Vt., and a third course at the for- mer institution, from which he received the degree of M. D. in the fall of 1846. He then went to Philadelphia and took a winter course of instruction in the Jefferson Medical College and clinics in the Pennsylvania Hospital. In 1847 Dr. Gay began active practice in Bennington, Vt., but soon removed to Byron, Genesee county, N. Y., whence he finally came to Buffalo, where he spent the remainder of his life. On the organization of the Buffalo General Hospital in 1855 he was chosen consulting surgeon, and three years later was appointed attending surgeon, a position he filled until 1884. He was one of the active founders of that institution, many of the early meetings being held at his office. In 1861 he was appointed by the Union Defense Committee of Buffalo as surgeon in charge of Fort Porter, and in that capacity ex- amined and had charge of the 49th N. Y. Vols. He was one of the founders and a member of the first Board of Directors of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, and one of its early curators of botany. He was also a founder and the first surgeon- in-chief, in 1876, of the Buffalo Surgical Infirmary, and on the establishment of the medical department of Niagara University he was appointed to the chair of clinical surgery, which position he held until ill health compelled him to resign, when he was made emeritus professor. He was a permanent member of the New York State Medical Society from 1861, a member and president of the Erie County Medical So- ciety, several times a delegate to the American Medical Association, and in 1885 a delegate to the British Medical Society, when he made a tour of England, France, Germany, and Switzerland. He was a prominent member of the Central Presby- terian church, a frequent contributor to medical journals, and a citizen widely re- spected and esteemed. As a physician and surgeon he won the highest honors and was beloved in numberless homes. He achieved eminence and success during a long professional career, and died March 27, 1886. In January, 1854, he married Miss Sarah A. Tifft, daughter of the late George W. Tifft, of Buffalo, who survives him.
Safford, Clarence E, Buffalo, is a son of Henry B. and Sophia (Van Tyne) Saf- ford, and was born at Clarence Center, Erie county, N. Y., April 12, 1850. On his father's side he is of English descent. His mother's ancestors were early Knicker-
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bocker settlers. His paternal grandfather came to Erie county by wagon from Con- necticut in the summer of 1826, when Henry B. was an infant, and was for many years a justice of the peace, being in politics a Jacksonian Democrat. The Van Tynes were also early settlers of this county, the mother of Clarence E. being a daughter of E. G. Van Tyne, who was born in the town of Clarence in 1846, and who married Mary M. Magoffin, who was born in Ohio in the same year. Henry B. Safford sawed the first ties for that section of the New York Central Railroad in the vicinity of Cheektowaga. Clarence E. Safford received a liberal education in the public schools, and for several years was connected with his father's furniture fac- tory. Later he went to Titusville, Pa., to accept a position in the radiator works of T. C. Joy, afterward becoming superintendent of the plant. During this service he made numerous experiments in practical heating, and secured valuable patents on radiators. In 1887 he established at Toronto, Ontario, the Toronto Radiator Manu- facturing Company. In 1893 he removed to Buffalo and continued this business under the name of the International Radiator Company. This company is still engaged in the manufacture of radiators under patents obtained by Mr. Safford. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and a public spirited, enterprising citizen. January 5, 1871, he married Charity, daughter of W. L. Lane, of Titusville, Pa., and their children are Lafayette E., Harry L., Mary S. and Clarence W.
Dark, Thomas, sr., Buffalo, one of the oldest and foremost contractors and sani- tary engineers in Western New York, was born at Kingswood, near Bristol, Glou- cester county, England, December 21, 1814. Learning the trade of mason and builder in Bristol he followed it successfully for a number of years, taking many large and important contracts on his own account. In the spring of 1857 he came to America and settled in Buffalo, where he was first employed on the post-office building on the corner of Washington and Seneca streets. A little later he engaged in small contracts on his own account, which was the beginning of the extensive con- tracting and building business that has ever since been carried on by the firm of Thomas Dark & Sons (George Dark and Thomas Dark, jr.). Samuel J. Dark, a son of Thomas, jr., and a grandson of Thomas Dark, sr., has been an active member of this firm since 1890 and the general manager of the business during the past seven years. About 1882 the firm added a plumbing department in connection with their sanitary and contracting business, and this is in charge of Walter H. Caines as gen - eral superintendent, a practical plumber of eighteen years' experience. This branch, which has been conducted since 1893 by the firm of Thomas Dark, Sons & Co., of which Mr. Caines is a member, has grown to important proportions, and like the great contracting industry of Thomas Dark & Sons is one of the leading enterprises of the kind in the city. Thomas Dark, sr., is a recognized authority on sanitary construction. He is an able sanitary engineer as well as a veteran contractor, and is the inventor and patentee of the Dark sewer receiver and stench trap and a device for cleaning main sewers, both of which are in general use. He is also the origin- ator of other valuable sanitary inventions. He was married in 1833 to Eliza Willis, of Kingswood, England.
Smith, Chauncey Pelton, M. D., Buffalo, son of Hon. T. Guilford Smith and Mary Stewart Ives, his wife, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 27, 1869, and when
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young came with his parents to Buffalo, where he received a public and high school education. He was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1892, and afterward was appointed house surgeon at the Fitch Ac- cident Hospital. Later he attended the Pathological Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and was appointed to the surgical staff of the hospital, in which capacity he served until June, 1894, when he returned to Buffalo and became an assistant of Dr. Roswell Park. Dr. Smith is assistant attending surgeon to the Fitch Accident Hospital, instructor in surgery in the medical department of the University of Buffalo, chairman of the surgical section of the Buffalo Academy of Medicine, and a member of the Association of American Microscopists, the Buffalo Microscopical Society, and of the Saturn Club. He is also a member of the Civil Service Commission of Buffalo.
Scheu, Jacob H., Buffalo, son of William and Elizabeth (Grahling) Scheu, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 14, 1857. His father, a native of Germany, came to America and settled in Buffalo in 1853. His mother was born in Erie county. Mr. Scheu was educated in the public schools, took a full course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College and then entered his father's flour and feed store, with which he has ever since been connected. On the death of his father in 1894 he formed a copartnership with his brother, Otto B., under the style of Scheu Brothers. The business has been established for over forty years, and is one of the oldest and largest in its line in the city. An extensive trade in flour, feed, hay, straw, grain, etc., is conducted. Mr. Scheu is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 699, F. & A. M. He was married in 1884 to Louisa K. Giesser, daughter of G. Giesser of Buffalo, and they have three children: Florence J., born February 1, 1888; Rosina L., born April 12, 1893, and Jacob Walter, born August 4, 1894.
Williams, Gibson T., Buffalo, son of George L. and Annie (Addicks) Williams, was born January 30, 1870, in Buffalo, N. Y., where he received his preliminary edu- cation in private schools. He prepared for college at Phillips Exeter Academy and and was graduated from Harvard University in 1891, receiving the degree of A. B. He then began the study of law in the office of Worthington C. Miner, but subse- quently entered the wholesale shoe house of O. R. Ramsdell, Sweet & Co., with whom he remained until 1895, being their general manager during the last two years. In 1895, Mr. Williams formed a copartnership with Charles E. Mitchell, under the firm name of Williams & Mitchell, and engaged in the insurance business. This firm still continues as organized, and represents many prominent fire insurance com- panies. Mr. Williams is a member of the Lodge of Ancient Landmarks No. 441, F. & A. M. He was married on April 21, 1897, to Miss Alice Curriers Perew, daughter of Frank Perew, of Buffalo.
Hill, Julian P., M. D., Buffalo, was born at Isle La Motte, Grand Isle county, Vt., December 12, 1859, and is the son of Dyer Hill, who served as a member of the Ver- mont Legislature in 1849-50. His mother, Martha P. (Hall) Hill, was a member of a well known family whose ancestors in America settled in New England early in the 17th century. Dr. Hill passed his boyhood on his father's farm, on the historic Isle La Motte, and at an early age began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. mmm
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P. A. Wheeler, of Alburg, Vt. He completed his studies at the medical department of the University of Vermont, at Burlington, from which institution he was honor- ably graduated in June, 1884, receiving the degree of M. D., and immediately after- ward began the practice of his profession at North Hero, Vt. He remained in North Hero until March, 1887, when he removed to Buffalo, where he has since conducted a very successful practice, being now located at 424 West Ferry street. Dr. Hill was married November 4, 1880, to Miss Nancy A., daughter of Sumner J. and Cynthia F. (Grant) Rockwell, of Alburg, Vt., and they have one son, Dean Richmond Hill, born February 28, 1887.
Polakoff, L., & Co., Buffalo, one of the leading wholesale and retail coal and ice firms in Buffalo, was established in 1889 by Charles Polakoff, who came to America from Russia in December, 1888. In 1891 the firm of L. Polakoff & Co. was formed, and since May, 1896, the business has been under the management of L. Polakoff. They are extensive wholesale and retail dealers in coal and ice, having their head- quarters at 340 Clinton street and a branch at 409-411 High street.
Simon, William, Buffalo, proprietor of the well-known John Schusler Brewing Company, was born in Benchen, Baden, Germany, May 22, 1853, and received a pub- Jic school education. As a boy he was employed in his father's brewery. When eighteen he came to America, and after working at the cooperage trade for a short time in Morrisania, N. Y., settled in Williamsville, Erie county, where he was con- nected with different breweries for six years. He then became foreman in the brewery of Conrad Decher at East Boston, Mass., but one year later removed to Buf- falo, where he has since resided. Here he was braumeister for George Rochevot and afterward for George Roos, and for eight years was braumeister and superin- tendent for Gerhard Lang, and later revisited Germany for his health. Returning to Buffalo in 1888 he formed a copartnership with Mrs. Susan Schusler, widow of the late John Schusler, and took charge of the famous Schusler brewery. In October, 1894, Mr. Simon became sole proprietor. This brewery was established on Broad- way in 1852, and in 1854 was removed to the corner of Emslie and Eagle streets, where it now occupies nearly an entire block. Its capacity,is about 100,000 barrels of beer annually. In 1873 Mr. Simon married Theresa Bronstetter, of Germany, and they have two sons and three daughters.
Fearey, Thomas H., Buffalo, was born in Bedford, England, February 19, 1844, but has spent almost his entire life in this country. His parents emigrated to America when he was quite young and settled in Albany, N. Y., where the subject of this sketch attended the public schools. Mr. Fearey was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1863. After having successfully passed the examination in Washington he was commissioned second lieutenant in the U. S. Signal Corps by President Lincoln, and served in the defenses of Washington until 1864, when he was ordered to the Army of the Potomac under General Meade. In August, 1865, he resigned this position, returned to Albany and entered the wholesale shoe manu- factory of his father, and was soon admitted to membership in the firm. Upon the death of his father in 1880 a stock company was formed, of which he was made presi- dent, which position he held for three years, when he resigned and went to Europe
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to take a special course in electricity and chemistry. After spending four years abroad he returned to this country and accepted the professorship of applied physics at the Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tenn. While in Nashville he was em- ployed by the Nashville Street Railway Company to investigate the advisability of a storage battery system, and after a thorough canvass decided that the trolley sys- tem was the most practicable, which they adopted. It was through this investiga- tion that he was brought to the notice of the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, who offered him a position, which he accepted. He has since been connected with this company and their successors, having had charge of offices in Louisville and Nashville, and is now in charge of the Buffalo office. In 1880 Mr. Fearey was elect- ed by the Alumni Association as one of the trustees of Union College for a period of four years. The same year he was elected a trustee, to succeed his father, of the Hamilton Theological Seminary. He is a member of the American Institute for the Advancement of Science, the University Club of Buffalo, and the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Baltz, George, Buffalo, son of George and Magdalene (Knodel) Baltz, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 17, 1857, and received a public school education. He spent several years in various mercantile pursuits, and in 1878 became a clerk for Oatman Brothers, commission merchants at the Elk street market, in which business he was engaged until 1891. In that year Comptroller Edward C. Shafer appointed him tax collector, a position he held two years. In 1893 he was unanimously nom- inated for the office of treasurer of Erie county and was elected by a majority of over 11,000. He served his term of three years with marked ability and great satis- faction, and then resumed business in connection with the Becherer Packing Com- pany. Mr. Baltz has always been an active Republican, and is a member of the Buffalo Turn Verein and the I. O. O. F. October 1, 1885, he married Ida A. Bech- erer of Buffalo.
Berrick, Charles, Buffalo, one of a family of thirteen children, was born in Coles- hill, Warwickshire, England, December 11, 1826, and received a common school edu- cation. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of mason and bricklayer with George Stephenson & Son, locomotive builders, and with others, until he was twenty-one years old, and afterward followed that business until 1850, when he came to America in the bark "Henry." He settled in Buffalo, and in 1852 engaged in business for himself as a mason and contractor. Among the many noted struc- tures which stand, either in whole or in part, as monuments to his industry, are the Erie and Lake Shore round houses in Buffalo, several elevators, the Tifft House, the German Insurance building, the Hengerer store, St Louis church, the Coal and Iron Exchange, the Bank of Buffalo, the Hotel Iroquois, the Marine Bank, and numerous dwellings. In 1892 he admitted his sons Alfred A. and John F. to partnership, and in 1894 he retired. Since the latter year the business has been continued under the firm name of Charles Berrick's Sons. Mr. Berrick was for over over forty years one of the leading contractors of Buffalo. He is a prominent, public spirited citizen, widely esteemed and respected, and has always enjoyed the confidence of the entire community. December 24, 1852, he was married to Margaret Callan, of Buffalo.
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Ey, August, Buffalo, is a son of Henry and Louise (Fox) Ey, and was born in Hanover, Germany, June 14, 1843. His father died in 1849, and in 1854 he came to this country with his widowed mother and brothers and sisters and settled in Buf- falo, where his mother died in 1890, aged eighty-six. When eleven years old he en- gaged in business for himself, becoming a fruit peddler on a capital of seventeen cents. His next venture was a fruit stand at the corner of Main and Exchange streets. These enterprises proving successful, he finally established himself in the business of baker and confectioner on Elk street, and afterward opened a store at 291 Main street, where the Ellicott Square building now stands, and where he re- mained twenty years, or until the old structure was torn down. He is still located on the old spot, having in the new building one of the finest confectionery stores in the city. Mr. Ey is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and for seventeen years was a member of the 74th Regt. N. G. N. Y.
Hitzel, Gustave A., M. D., Buffalo, son of Jacob J. and Bertha J. (Drobisch) Hitzel, was born and reared in the city of Buffalo. His parents came to this country from Germany in 1853. Dr. Hitzel received his elemenary education in the public schools, and in September, 1888, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Lucian Howe, who became his preceptor while at college. In May, 1892, he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Buffalo, and after passing a com- petitive examination he was appointed interne at the Buffalo General Hospital, where he remained one year. In May, 1893, he opened an office for the general practice of his profession at 9 East Parade avenue, where he has since resided. In June, 1893, he was appointed clinical assistant at the Buffalo Eye and Ear Infirmary, and later to the position of assistant surgeon, in which capacity he is now acting. He was married September 14, 1893, to Miss Roberta L. Cooke, of Orillia, Ontario, and to them have been born a son, Roswell C. Dr. Hitzel is a member of, and examining physician for, the Knights of the Maccabees, and is also a member of the Indepen- dent Order of Foresters. He makes a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear and of children.
Hausle, Eugene J., D. D. S., Buffalo, son of Paul and Mary A. (Lanz) Hausle, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 12, 1869. His early education was obtained in private schools in his native city. In 1886 he entered the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery at Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1888. 8. In 1890 he opened an office for the general practice of his profession in Buffalo, where he has since been actively and successfully engaged. In his profes- sion Dr. Hausle is noted especially for his conscientiousness and thorough devotion to his life's work, He is unquestionably a man with a bright future.
Schweikhard, George, Buffalo, is a son of Louis and Elizabeth (Bauer) Schweik- hard, and was born in Alsace, Germany, March 20, 1874. In October, 1889, he came to this country and settled in Lyons, N. Y., where he remained until April, 1891, when he removed to Buffalo and accepted a position in the grocery store of F. T. Gardiner, in whose employ he remained four years. He then formed a copartner- ship with John Ferdinand, under the style of the S. & F. Grocery Company, at 522 Seneca street, and on October 1, 1895, they removed to their present location at 530
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Seneca street. Mr. Schweikhard was married January 1, 1898, to Miss Sarah, daugh- ter of Frank L. and Mary (Vosburgh) Clifford, of Buffalo. He is an industrious, energetic, and hard working young business man.
Bensler, Frank A., Buffalo, son of Herman and Frances (Spath) Bensler, natives of Germany, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., June 7, 1862. His parents came to America in 1836 and settled in Buffalo, where his father was for many years a prominent fur- niture dealer. Mr. Bensler attended St. Louis parochial school, learned the trade of wood-engraver, and subsequently engaged in business at 219 Main street. In 1887 he formed a copartnership with John E. Wesley, under the firm name of Bensler & Wesley, and established a general printing and engraving business at 347 Main street, whence they finally removed to their present location at 80 Terrace. They number among their customers some of the largest business firms in this section of the State. Mr. Bensler is a member of the Buffalo Catholic Institute, of which he was a director in 1888. He was married February 18, 1886, to Frances, daughter of Theodore Zies, of Buffalo.
Wendt, Henry W., Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., June 19, 1863, received a public school education, and learned the machinist's trade in the Buffalo Forge Com- pany's establishment. In 1886 he became a member of that firm, his brother, Wil- liam F. Wendt, being the senior partner. Mr. Wendt has designed and installed some of the largest heating and ventilating plants in the country, and has charge of the mechanical construction in the company's factory. He is somewhat distinguished as an inventor, and has been granted several patents for improvements in various lines of engineering. He is a trustee of the Buffalo Builders' Exchange and a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Washington Lodge, No. 240, in Keystone Chapter, No. 163, in Lake Erie Commandery, No. 20, in the Consistory 32d degree, and in the Shrine. In November, 1886, he married Edith May, daughter of Edgar A. Forsyth, of Buffalo, and they have two sons: Edgar F. and Harry W ..
Whipple, Electa B., M. D., Buffalo, daughter of Daniel and Charlotte (Alverson) Whipple, was born at Gowanda, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and received her early education in the common schools and the Gowanda High School. Subsequently she entered upon a preparatory classical course for college in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., and after completing the same with honors entered Gene- see College, located at the same place. After two years spent in Genesee College she entered Syracuse University, from which she graduated in 1874, receiving the degree of A. B., and in 1877 the degree of A. M. from the same university. From the medical college of Syracuse University she graduated in 1884, receiving the de- gree of M. D., and at once entered upon the practice of medicine. On May 1, 1888, she formed a copartnership with Dr. Anna Fiske Crowell, who was her classmate in the medical college, and they then located at Buffalo, N. Y. This relation continued until the death of Dr. Crowell on September 2, 1888. Since that time she has con- tinued the practice of medicine at Buffalo. In 1895 she spent some time in study in the hospitals of Vienna. Dr. Whipple has been a contributor to the Buffalo Medical Journal and was a member of the editorial staff of the Woman's Edition of that
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