Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 78

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 78

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Smith, William D., Buffalo, son of John D. and Jane Smith, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., March 22, 1860. His father emigrated to this country from England in 1850, and established himself in the plumbing business, which he carried on until his death. Prior to engaging in business on his own account William D. Smith was with the wholesale firm of Meyer, Sniffen & Co., as their traveling salesman, which position he held until 1892, when he removed to Buffalo and engaged in the plumb- ing, steam and gas fitting business on his own account, in which he still continues. In April, 1883, he married Grace, daughter of Thomas Lamphear of Buffalo.

Johnson, J. G., & Co., Buffalo, manufacturers of rubber stamps, stencils, bicycle plates, etc , was established in 1868 by John Gardiner Johnson in the old post-office building. In 1885 they removed to their present location at 29 Seneca street. Mr. Johnson's health failed and he took as a partner in business his wife, and since that time it has been known as J. G. Johnson & Co. They also conduct an establishment at 16 Seneca street, where a full force of help is employed. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were married March 11, 1862, and in 1868 removed from St. Lawrence county to Buffalo, where they have had a home at 335 Pennsylvania street ever since.

Illig, Albert P., Buffalo, is a son of Frank J. and Frances (Bensler) Illig, and was born in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., on the 12th of June, 1876. He attended the pub- lic schools, St. Mary's School and the College of Commerce, and after graduating from the latter institution entered the employ of his father. He is now secretary of the Germania Brewing Company. He is a member of a number of fraternal orders and takes an active interest in the Knights of Columbus, Foresters, and National Union. Mr. Illig is still a bachelor and lives with his parents at the family resi- dence on East Utica street.

Green, Harry C., Buffalo, son of Horace C. and Frances C. (Cleveland) Green, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., August 6, 1861. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of his native city. In 1886 he began the study of law in the office of his uncle, Justice Manly C. Green, where he remained two years. After- ward he studied in the office of E. L. Parker, was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1888 and was admitted to the bar the same year at the Rochester General Term. He immediately began the practice of his profession. In '1890 he removed to Seattle, where he remained two years. Shortly after his return he formed a co- partnership with Arthur C. Coffee, which continued until 1894, after which he en- gaged in practice alone. On February 1, 1897, he was appointed clerk of the Munic- ipal Court of Buffalo, which position he now holds. Mr. Green is a member of the

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Phi Delta Phi College Society. He was married June 2, 1897, to Miss Carrie Amelia, daughter of Hon. Milo H. and Mary (Chapin) Olin, of Perry, Wyoming county, N. Y.

Reynolds, Frank T., Buffalo, son of Thomas F. and Mary (Burns) Reynolds, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 18, 1855. His parents came from Ireland to this country, his mother arriving when she was a child and his father in 1844. Thomas F. Reynolds was long a prominent contractor and builder, and died May 4, 1894, aged about 74. Frank T. Reynolds, after receiving a public school education, went to work under his father, who was then assistant superintendent of the City and County Hall. Later father and son were associated in contracting and building, and still later the son succeeded the father in the business, which he continued until 1884, when he became assistant superintendent of the work of remodeling the post-office building on the corner of Washington and Seneca streets under H. H. Little. After- ward he was superintendent of the construction of the Western House of Refuge at Albion. Mr. Reynolds has spent most of his active life in the contracting business, being now associated with Grattan & Jennings, one of the largest and foremost firms in this line in Western New York. His position is that of general superintendent. He has always been an active Democrat, served two years as city tax collector, and has been a delegate to various local and State conventions and also to the National Democratic Convention at Chicagowhich nominated Grover Cleveland for President in 1884, when his vote decided the majority of the Erie county delegation. He has been a member of the Democratic General Committee of Erie county for about fifteen years, during seven of which he served as its secretary. He is a prominent member of Branch 7, C. M. B. A. January 17. 1879, he married Louise M., daugh- ter of Peter Florian, of Buffalo.

Benson, Morris, Buffalo, son of Silas and Cynthia (Schuyler) Benson, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., January 18, 1845, and was graduated from the Central high school of his native city in 1860. During the war of the Rebellion he served in the U. S. navy and was honorably discharged as signal quartermaster. Returning to Buffalo he was connected with the carpet business of R. J. & R. D. Sherman one year, and then went to Erie, Pa., where he had charge of the carpet department of W. G. Gardner & Co. for five years. In 1871 he again returned to Buffalo to take charge of the car- pet department of Adam & Meldrum; in 1893 the present firm was incorporated un- der the style of Adam, Meldrum & Anderson Company, and since then Mr. Benson has been one of its managers. Mr. Benson is a 32d degree Mason, holding member- ship in the Lodge of Ancient Landmarks, No. 441, Hugh De Payens Commandery, No. 30, and the Shrine. He is also a member of the Liberal, Independent, Ellicott, Westminster and Acacia Clubs. August 31, 1867, he married Miss Percie Bennett, daughter of Gates A. Bennett, of Erie, Pa., and they have two daughters, Carrie Cynthia and Agnes Percie.

Deakers, Lambert, Buffalo, son of Lambert and Isabel (Curtiss) Deakers, was born in Oswego, N. Y., September 28, 1855, and received a public school education in his native city. In 1869 he came to Buffalo and learned the trade of painter and deco- · rator, which he has since followed with much success. For the past fifteen years he has been engaged in business for himself, first at 187 Niagara street, whence he re-

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moved in 1884 to 123 Franklin street, and now at 160 Pearl street. Mr. Deakers is one of the best known and most prominent painters and decorators in Buffalo. He is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 105, F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arcanum. In April, 1880, he married Catherine, daughter of John Loftus, of Buffalo, and their children are Eva E. and Ruth C.

Daniels, William H., Buffalo, son of Henry and Catherine (Shepard) Daniels, was born in Buffalo N. Y., April 6, 1859. After obtaining a liberal education in the pub- lic schools he entered the music store of Cottier & Denton, which afterward became Denton & Cottier, and upon Mr. Daniels's admission in 1887 was changed to Denton, Cottier & Daniels. This is one of the largest music houses between New York and Chicago, and is the oldest establishment of its kind in the United States, having been established in 1827. Mr. Daniels is a member of the Buffalo Orpheus and the Home- stead Savings and Loan Association, and a 32d degree Mason, holding membership in the Lodge of Ancient Landmarks, No. 441, and Hugh De Payens Commandery, No. 30.

Long, Charles Edward, M. D., Buffalo, was born in Williamsville, Erie county. N. Y., July 18, 1869, and is a son of Abram B and Martha (Koch) Long, both mem- bers of old Erie county families and lifelong residents of Williamsville. He obtained his preliminary education in the public schools, and afterward entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1891. After graduation he was for some time house surgeon to the Rochester City Hospital, and also served one season in the same capacity at the Infants' Summer Hospital at Charlotte. He then returned to Buffalo to engage in general practice, first on Richmond avenue and thence removing to his present location, 35 West Eagle street. Dr. Long is clinical instructor at the University of Buffalo, medical examiner and member of the Foresters of America and the Tribe of Ben Hur, and a member of the Erie County Medical Society.

McGuire, Edward, Buffalo, is a native of Buffalo and one of the prominent busi- ness men of the city. He was born December 25, 1857, a son of Thomas and Kath- erine (Hughes) McGuire, natives of Ireland, who came to this country in 1847. Mr. McGuire was first employed as a clerk by the L. S. & M. S. Railroad, where he re- mained four years. He then accepted a similar position with the Erie Railroad, afterwards becoming yardmaster. He subsequently was appointed as clerk of arrears in the city comptroller's office, where he remained one year, and then en- tered the employ of the West Shore Railroad as clerk in charge of car accounts, later being made chief clerk of the east-bound building. In August, 1889, he be- came cashier of the Brush Electric Light Company, since which time he has credit- ably filled the responsible position of superintendent of the General Electric Com- pany of Buffalo.

Range, John James, Buffalo, son of Otis and Jennette M. (Killam) Range, was born in Meriden, Conn., November, 15, 1864, was graduated from the Essex High School in 1880, and served several years at the machinist's trade. In 1893 he ac- cepted a position with the Boston Cash Register Company at Northampton, Mass.,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE,

and later became special agent for the National Cash Register Company, which he has represented in Buffalo as sales agent since July, 1895. Mr. Range was married December 11, 1894, to Celia E. Maine, of New York city, and they have one daugh- ter, Elsie Celia.

Roberts, Frank Kimball, son of Jeremiah and Alma (Roberts) Roberts, was born in Waterloo, York county, Maine, January 28, 1840. His education was obtained in the district schools of his native town, at the Parsonsfield Academy, and at Bates's College. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. I, 8th Regt., Maine Vols., but having contracted sickness was honorably discharged the following year. He afterward served as a delegate of the Christian Commission at the 5th Corps Hospital, City Point, and was present at the surrender of Petersburg. From 1865 to 1886 he served as a pastor in Baptist churches in Maine, Indiana and Minnesota, where he was for five years a member of the Baptist State Convention Board. Mr. Roberts came to Buffalo in 1886 and has since been engaged successfully in the real estate and insurance busi ness. He is a director of the Buffalo Real Estate Exchange and a member of the Masonic fraternity. November 29, 1866, he married Sarah A. Nason, of Alfred, York county, Maine. Their children are: Mildred S., Alma L. and Grace M.

Ralyea, William W., Buffalo, son of Abraham E. and Maryette Ralyea, is a native of Cora, Pa., born July 3, 1863. He was educated in the public schools of West Falls, Erie county, N. Y., and at the East Aurora Academy, from which he was graduated. His first employment was as a bookkeeper on public works, after which he was engaged in the meat business at East Aurora for two years. He then came to Buffalo to take charge of the Tremont Hotel, which he conducted until 1886, when he entered the employ of E. C. Poole, afterwards becoming a member of the firm, the name being changed to E. C. Poole & Co. This firm is located at 242 Main street and is among the most extensive and best known dealers in crockery in Buffalo, the business having been established over fifty years. Mr. Ralyea is a director in the Germania Park Land Company, and a member of Niagara Lodge No. 25, I. O. O. F. October 26, 1884, he married Anna McFarland, of St. Johns, N. B. They have one son, William Archibald, born January 30, 1888.

Smith, Walter G., Buffalo, son of George and Catherine (Dykstra) Smith, was born at Glens Falls, N. Y., November 30, 1866, and removed with his parents to Buffalo when a child. He attended the public schools, was graduated from the Buf- falo High School in 1884, and then began the study of law in the office of Edward Michael. He finished his legal studies in the cffice of Norton Brothers and was ad- mitted to the bar June 6, 1890. In the following year he began the active practice of his profession, and in February, 1892, formed a copartnership with Aaron Fybush, which still continues under the firm name of Smith & Fybush. Mr. Smith is cap- tain of Co. G, 74th Regt. N. Y. N. G.

Tobie. Emile S., M. D., Buffalo, was born in the town of Forback, Alsace-Lor- raine, July 21, 1863, and obtained his education chiefly in France. He received the degree of M. D. from the Paris Medical Institute in December, 1888, and afterwards, in the hospitals of the French capital, acquired a thorough knowledge of every

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branch of his professlon. In 1889 he came to America and settled in Buffalo, where he has since been engaged in constant and successful practice. Dr. Tobie is a mem- ber of the Erie County Medical Society and of the Buffalo Academy of Medicine, lec- turer on materia medica at the medical department of the Niagara University, and visiting physician to the German Deaconesses Home. He is one of the most prom- ising and rising physicians and surgeons of Buffalo.

Venner & Lightner, Buffalo .- This is one of Buffalo's leading merchant tailoring establishments, and was established in September, 1896, at 14 South Division street, where they have already built up a successful business. William W. Venner, the senior member, was born in Hamburg, Erie county, August 23, 1879, and is a son of William G. Venner and Amanda Stuart, his wife. He attended the public schools of his native town and Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Buffalo, and then entered the employ of William Ellwood & Co., with whom he remained until he formed his present copartnership. His father, William G. Venner, has for many years been a prominent tailor in Hamburg. Noah J. Lightner, son of Jonathan and Mary (Bechtel) Lightner, was born in Myerstown, Lebanon county, Pa., received a common school education, and has been identified with the merchant tailoring busi- ness all his life, being located in Buffalo for the past eighteen years. He is a mem- ber of Red Jacket Lodge, No. 238, I. O. O. F., and of the Elks.

Warner, Edward Herbert, Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, N.Y., September 29, 1871, and is a son of Joseph and Charlotte (Hahn) Warner, natives of Austria, who came to America and settled in Buffalo in 1854. Mr. Warner was graduated from the Buffalo High School in 1887, and for five years thereafter was clerk in the insurance office of Bork & Voght. In 1894 he formed a copartnership with William Hund, jr., under the firm name of Hund & Warner, and engaged in the insurance business, in which he still continues. Mr. Warner is a member of the Buffalo Association of Fire Underwriters and of Erie Lodge No. 161, F. & A. M., and secretary of the He - brew Orphan Asylum Association of Buffalo. In July, 1894, he married Miss Rose A., daughter of Marcus Wall of Buffalo, and they have one daughter, Phyllis Char- lotte.

Barnum, Theodore Downs, Buffalo, son of Stephen O. and Elizabeth (Chatfield) Barnum, was born in Utica, N. Y., April 23, 1842, and when an infant was brought by his parents to Buffalo, where his father has long been a prominent merchant and respected citizen. Mr. Barnum received his education in the Mount Vernon Board- ing School and at Canandaigua Academy, and on the first call for troops in 1861 of- fered his services by helping to raise and organize a company of volunteers at Can- andaigua. His place in this company, however, was filled and he promptly enlisted in Co. B, 74th N. Y. Regt., N. G., being chosen first lieutenant and afterward suc- ceeding to the captaincy. On the call for troops at the first of the Gettysburg raid he went to the front with that regiment, and after serving on the field for some time was ordered with his regiment to New York city to aid in quelling the draft riots. From there he returned to Buffalo and entered his father's store, in which he is now an active partner, the firm name being S. O. Barnum & Son. As a soldier and officer Captain Barnum served with much distinction, and as a business man he

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

has achieved success and deserved popularity. June 21, 1864, he married Sarah, daughter of Rev. J. T. Avery of Cleveland, O., and their children are Fanny Eliza- beth (Mrs. Langford S. Keating), Evelyn Avery and Stephana Ostrom.

Greene, Joseph C., M. D., is a lineal descendant of Samuel Greene, who came from England to Boston in 1630. Dr. Greene's great-grandparents, Isaiah and Mary Greene, removed to Kensington, N. H., and in 1764 settled in Ware, in the same State, where their eldest son Simon was born. The latter married Naomi Tukesbury, and their oldest son, Stephen S. Greene, removed to Starksboro, Vt., in 1827. In 1828 Stephen S. married Lydia, daughter of Joseph Chase, a prominent minister of the Society of Friends and a descendant of the early Holland Dutch settlers of New York. They had twelve children. Dr. Joseph C. Greene, the oldest, was born in Lincoln, Vt., July 21, 1829. He was reared on the farm and attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen, after which he became a student at the Nine Partners boarding school in Dutchess county, N. Y., and later was graduated from the Barre (Vt.) Academy. He read medicine with Dr. Hugh Taggart, of Hinesburg, Vt., at- tended lectures at the Woodstock and Castleton (Vt.) Medical Colleges, and wasgrad- uated from the Albany Medical College in June, 1855, with the degree of M. D. Afterward he attended clinics in various hospitals and colleges in New York city and in 1856 began active practice at Charlotte, Vt. In 1863 he removed to Buffalo, where he has since resided, and where he has achieved eminence in his profession. He was a district physician to the Board of Health in 1878-74, was formerly president of the fourth branch of the New York State Medical Association, is a member and ex- president of the Erie County Medical Society and the Buffalo Historical Society, and was elected alderman in 1884. He is a member of the American Medical Association, a permanent member of the New York State Medical Society, a member and ex- president of the Buffalo Medical Union, and a member of the American Microscop- ical Society, the American Society for the Advancement of Science, the Buffalo Mi- croscopical Club, and the Acacia, and a Knight Templar and 32d degree Mason Scottish Rite. In 1888-89 he made a tour of the world, traveling about 55,000 miles, visiting the land of the midnight sun and other interesting countries, and collecting over 300 originals and copies illustrating the political, social and religious life of an- cient Egypt, Syria, Assyria, etc., which he presented to the Buffalo Historical So- ciety. September 21, 1856, he married Juliette, daughter of William and Ann Tag- gert, of Vermont. She died October 15, 1882, leaving three children: De Witt Clinton Greene, a practicing physician; Anna Adelaide, a graduate of the Buffalo Female Academy and wife of Edward Andrews; and Julia Delphine, wife of Fred- erick Bush Willard, M. D., all of Buffalo. Dr. Greene married, second, November 29, 1891, Mary Burrows Smith, of Albion, N. Y.

Swift, Hon. Harlan J., Buffalo, son of Calvin and Sevila (Ault) Swift, was born in New Hudson, Allegany county, N. Y., October 2, 1843. He is descended from William Swift (a brother of Sir Goodwin Swift and an uncle of Dean Swift), who came from England in the Boston immigration of 1631-32 and afterwards settled at Sandwich, Mass., where he purchased in 1637, a farm which is now owned by and and has always been in the family. Judge Swift's great-grandfather, Jirah Swift, died of wounds received while fighting in the battle of Bunker Hill. His father's

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maternal grandfather, Joseph Campbell, of Scotch-Irish descent, was in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, being severely wounded in the latter. Wyatt Swift, grandfather of Harlan J., participated in the battle of Ogdensburg in the war of 1812; he removed from Burlington, Vt., to Syracuse (then Salt Point), N. Y., after- ward to Perry, N. Y., and thence to New Hudson, where he died. Among Judge Swifts maternal ancestors was Major Lyon, of the Revolutionary war. His mother's father, Peter Ault, son of Nicholas and Catharine Loucks, married Roxanna, daugh- ter of William and Mehitable (Lyon) Eaton. The Ault family came from Saxony and Hesse, Germany. Judge Swift's parents removed in 1823 to New Hudson, Allegany county, N, Y., thence to Cuba, in the same county and next adjoining New Hudson. He was educated in the common schools of Cuba, at Rushford Academy, at Alfred University, and at the Albany State Normal School, and in September, 1863, enlisted in Co. H, 2d N. Y. Mounted Rifles, as a private. He was promoted commissary-sergeant, second lieutenant, and was acting adjutant of his regiment, declined the appointment of adjutant, was made first lieutenant and later captain of his company, and was mustered out August 10, 1865, but served two weeks longer making out the rolls. He was under Grant in the Army of the Potomac from the campaign of the Wilderness to Appomattox, serving as infantry until November, 1864, when the regiment was remounted. Judge Swift led his company in every battle and was granted a medal of honor by Congress for gallant and meritorious conduct at the Mine Explosion before Petersburg, July 30. 1864. He returned home September 3, 1865, and two days later entered the law office of N. P. & E. D. Lover- idge, of Cuba, N. Y. He was graduated from the Albany Law School. and was ad- mitted to the bar in November, 1866. He began practice in Cuba, and was a partner of E. D. Loveridge from 1867 to 1882, when Governor Cornell appointed him county judge of Allegany county. In 1883 he came to Buffalo, where he has since resided. He is an able lawyer, an unusually strong advocate before a jury, and a man of the highest professional and business integrity. He was a charter member and for five years commander of Bartle Post No. 183, G. A. R., of Cuba, was judge advocate- general of the Department of the State of New York under Gen. John A. Reynolds, and is a member of Bidwell-Wilkeson Post No. 9. G. A. R., of Buffalo, and the Mili- tary Order of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of New York. He is a member and past master of Cuba lodge No. 306, F. & A. M., was district deputy grand master of that district, and a member of Valley Point Chapter, R. A. M., of Cuba, and of St. John's Commandery No. 24, K. T., of Olean. May 26, 1869, he married Martha A., daughter of Michael D. Higgins, who had removed from Rushford, N. Y., to Orange Court House, Va., in 1867. She died September 7, 1891, leaving a son, Parton Swift, born July 14, 1876, now a student at Cornell University, class of 1898.

Abbott, Wilson J., Buffalo, is a great-grandson of Ephraim and Elizabeth Abbott, who who came from Abbottsford, England, to Springfield, Mass., in the early part of the 17th century. Samuel Abbott, son of Ephraim, was born in Springfield, and in 1806 removed to Homer, Cortland county, N. Y., where he was accidentally killed at the raising of his house (still standing) about 1810. His children were Asa, Ephraim, Joseph, Nathan, Lucy, Sally, Polly, Tabitha, and Mariah. Ephraim settled on a farm in Broome county, Joseph became a merchant in Salina (now Sy- racuse), and Asa and Nathan succeeded to the homestead, buying off the other heirs,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Nathan Abbott, born in Springfield, Mass., married Nancy J. Bowen at Homer, Cortland county, and died there in August, 1854, aged seventy years. He held sev- eral local offices, but spent much of his time in Syracuse, and was one of the build- ers of the old Syracuse House and other structures. His wife died in June, 1880, aged ninety-two. Her parents, Samuel and Martha Bowen, both natives of Hart- ford, Conn., settled on a farm in De Ruyter, Madison county, N. Y. Her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Thankful Bowen, came from England to Hartford, Conn., about 1730. Samuel Bowen's sons were Hiram Bowen, a merchant in Salina, N. Y .; Daniel Bowen, a millwright in Green Bay, Wis .; and Moses Bowen, a farmer of Steuben county, N. Y. Nathan and Nancy J. (Bowen) Abbott had eight children: Sylvester, who was killed in a mill in Homer; Lewis L., a merchant of Clinton, Iowa; Wilson J., of Buffalo; George A., who resides on the homestead; Sarah L., widow of Daniel J. Durand; Mary L. (Mrs. Henry E. Meeds), deceased ; Jennette E. (deceased), who married Joseph A. Hunting, formerly principal of Al- fred Seminary in Allegany county and now principal of a similar institution in Wal- ton, Iowa; and Amelia A. (Mrs. Edward F. Watts), deceased. Wilson J. Abbott was born at Homer, N. Y., June 17, 1832, was educated in the public schools and Homer Academy, and in 1850 went to Syracuse as a clerk in the grocery store of Ames & King. Two years later he bought them out and continued the business until 1859, when he entered the wholesale grocery house of Henry Swift & Co., 118 Broadway, New York city. After four years he became associated with Francis M. Babcock & Brother at 32 Water street, and six years later he went with James S. Sturgess & Brother, sugar importers on South street, with whom he remained eight years. In 1877 he engaged in the wholesale grocery business for himself in New York and so continued for six years, when he returned to the homestead in Homer. In 1887 he removed to Buffalo, where he has since been the general agent of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. He is a lifelong Republican and a member of the Buffalo Republican League.

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Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 78

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