Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 8

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 8

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

where he first hung out his shingle in his chosen profession, and continued there until all of the tenants were obliged to remove, Mr. Edward Michael having rented his entire premises to the Adam, Meldrum and Anderson Company. Mr. Duckwitz is considered a good counsel, an excellent business lawyer, and being associated with Mr. Thayer, one of the ablest trial lawyers in this city, and Frederick S. Jackson, esq., a young attorney of the highest standing, his firm is one of the strongest, of what might be called young attorneys, in the city, and they are meeting with marked success in their profession. Notwithstanding his large professional duties, and his many interests in real estate, Mr. Duckwitz has devoted much time to charitable, religious and benevolent institutions. He was for many years the moving spirit of the "Mechanics Institute," was a member of the Board of Trustees, and its treasurer. Mr. Duckwitz is a member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal church, was for many years its treasurer, and is now junior warden. Mr. Duckwitz is a member of the Supreme Ruling of " The Fraternal Mystic Circle," a fraternal corporation of the State of Pennsylvania, and one of its supreme trustees as well as grand recorder of this State; an incorporator of " The Order of the Iroquois" of Buffalo, its supreme counselor, chairman of the committee of laws and one of its trustees; a member of the Supreme Council of the " Empire Knights of Relief," of Buffalo; member of the "Royal Arcanum," " Improved Order of Heptasophs," "United Friends," and many other fraternal and social organizations. Mr. Duckwitz is a Republican in politics of the most pronounced proclivities, though he has never taken any especially active part in politics; he is and for many years has been a member of the Buffalo Repub- lican League. He never hesitates or wavers in his political beliefs and actions, al- though his father, who died March 23, 1895, and his brothers are Democrats. Mr. Duckwitz was married in the city of Albany to Henrietta Waldron Springsteed, December 22, 1880. Mr. and Mr. Duckwitz have three children living; Caroline Fackler, Herbert Springsteed, and Raymond Waldron Duckwitz, who, with his wife's mother, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Springsteed, compose his pleasant home at No. 278 Hampshire street. Little need be said of Mr. Duckwitz's characteristics and popu- larity. In addition to what will be gained from a perusal of the above, he is at all times affable, courteous and a most generous gentleman, always ready to accommo- date and assist his fellow-men, and his professional standing is of a most enviable character.

Newbrock, William G., Buffalo, was born in that city, May 19, 1869, and was edu- cated in the common schools and prepared for college at the Buffalo High School. He entered Cornell University and was graduated in 1891, and was graduated from the University of Buffalo, Law Department, in 1893, and admitted to the bar the same year.

Lewis, Loran L., jr .- Among the native born Buffalonians who have been promi- nent in the affairs of the city, one of the most conspicuous is Mr. Loran L. Lewis, jr. He was born October 30, 1864, and early evinced a desire to acquire a liberal educa- tion, and after attending the public schools, he entered Williams College, from which he was graduated with the degree of A. B. After graduation he began the study of law in the office of Lewis & Moot, where he zealously pursued his legal studies and was admitted to the bar in June, 1889. Mr. Lewis was graduated from the Buffalo Law School just before he was admitted, receiving the degree of LL. B. He is

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

now a lecturer in the same school, on the subject of Eminent Domain. In July, 1889, he became junior member of the firm of Lewis, Moot & Lewis, which continued until September, 1894, when he formed a copartnership with his brother, George L., under the style of Lewis & Lewis, which partnership still continues. For thirteen months before the formation of the firm of Lewis & Lewis, he was city attorney for the city of Buffalo, which position he resigned in order to devote his entire time to his private practice. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Buffalo, Ellicott, Oakfield, and University Clubs. He was married June 12, 1889, to Anna M. Browne, daughter of Irving Brown, a noted law writer of Albany, N. Y.

Van Pelt, William D., Buffalo, is a son of the late Dr. William Van Pelt, of Williamsville, Erie county, N. Y. He was born in Williamsville, November 8, 1862, and was educated in the public schools of that place, and in 1882 was graduated from the Buffalo High School. He studied law in the office of Box, Norton & Bushnell, attorneys, and was admitted to the bar from their office, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Buffalo.

Brendel, Henry W., Buffalo, was born in that city, December 10, 1857. He was educated in the public schools of Buffalo and after determining to study law, entered the office of Hawkins & Fisher and completed his studies in the office of Delevan F. Clark. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1879, and immediately formed a copartnership with Gen. James C. Strong, for the general practice of his profession. The firm was most successful and conducted much important litigation. In 1891 this partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Brendel has since carried on his extensive practice alone.

Lawler, Patrick W., Buffalo, was born in Ireland about fifty years ago. He at- tended the national schools until he was about fifteen years of age, after which he spent one year in a model school. In 1865 he came to America and located in Massa- chusetts, where he remained until 1876, when he moved to Rochester, and the same year entered the law office of D. C. Feely and finished his studies in Buffalo. On October 10, 1879, he was admitted to the bar in Rochester. He began the practice of his profession in Buffalo, where he still resides.

Cloak, John G., Buffalo, was born in that city, August 1, 1858. He attended St. Joseph's College and was graduated from there with the class of 1873. Leaving col- lege, he entered the office of Gen. John C. Graves, began studying law, and was formally admitted to the bar in April, 1880. After many years of valuable service in the Superior Court of Buffalo, serving in the capacity of deputy clerk, he resigned his commission in the year 1887 and opened an office for the general practice of his profession, and is at present recognized as one of the leading members of the Buf- falo bar.

Gibbons, Frank, Buffalo, son of Marshville and Augusta F. (Foote) Gibbons, was born in Franklin, N. Y., January 17, 1869. He was graduated from Hamilton Col- lege in the class of '90, and after graduating he determined to study law. He re- moved to Buffalo and entered the office of F. M. Inglehart, where he remained for four years, and was admitted to practice in October, 1892. He remained in that office for two years after being admitted to the bar and then formed a copartnership

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

with L. D. Wood. In the spring of 1896 Mr. Pottle joined the firm, and it has since been known as Wood, Gibbons & Pottle.

Bacon, Hiram H., Buffalo, son of Hiram H. and Celestia (Farnham) Bacon, was born in Rossie, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., March 19, 1863. He attended the pub- lic schools and in 1884 was graduated from Ives Seminary. He then engaged in teaching in the northern part of New York, where he remained two years, and also taught in Michigan. In 1885 he began the study of law at Grayling, Mich., was ad- mitted to the bar of that State in June, 1886, and the same year entered the law de- partment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1887 with the degree of LL. B. He immediately began the practice of his profes. sion in Syracuse, N. Y., where he remained until 1893, when he removed to Buffalo, where he has since resided and practiced. He is a proctor in admiralty. Decem- ber 21, 1892, he married Fannie A., daughter of Ferdinand Benkert, of Syracuse.

Creamer, William J., Buffalo, was born in Lockport, N. Y., March 4, 1865. He remained with his parents until fourteen years of age, when he accepted a position in Cleveland, O., where he remained three years. He removed to Buffalo, where he studied law in the offices of Judge Swift, Judge Brundage, and Sprague, Morey & Sprague. In January, 1888, he was admitted to the bar, and has been in active practice in Buffalo ever since; first as a member of the firm of Ullman, Creamer & Ullman, and now and for the last three years as a member of the firm of Creamer & Patterson. In 1886 he married Edith J. Clark.

Douglas, William A., was born at York, Livingston county, N. Y., April 4, 1859. His early education was obtained at his old home and the Normal School at Geneseo, Livingston county, N. Y. After graduating at the Normal School he removed to Des Moines, Ia., where he taught for four years. He then returned east and began the study of law in the Columbia Law School of New York city, and also entered the School of Political Science, from which he was graduated in 1888. The same year he entered the office of Moot & Lewis, afterwards the office of Allen, Movius & Wilcox, and later was managing clerk in the office of Bissell, Sicard, Brundage & Bissell. After being admitted to the bar in June, 1890, he opened an office for the general practice of his profession. In October, 1892, he married Alice C. Hedstrom. In November, 1894, he was appointed to the Board of School Examiners in the city of Buffalo, which office he continued to fill till his resignation in November, 1896, on account of his appointment as receiver of the First National Bank of Spring- ville, N. Y.

Rupp, Charles A., Buffalo, was born in that city, April 1, 1850. He was compelled to leave school at the age of fifteen and begin his business career, which was as a " trotter" for the old Buffalo City Bank. In 1868 he entered the service of Henry Rumrill, a leading contractor and builder, as bookkeeper, and by hard work, ambi- tion and industry, he became a partner in the business in 1874. The firm of Rumrill & Rupp continued until 1893, when the partnership was dissolved, and since then Mr. Rupp has conducted the business alone as a mason, builder and contractor. In 1881 he was elected alderman for the Eleventh ward, serving for two years, and in 1890 he was appointed civil service commissioner. In 1894 he was appointed police and excise commissioner by Mayor Charles F. Bishop for the term of six years.

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Becker, Philip, Buffalo, was born in a town on the Rhine, of German parentage, in 1830. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and after passing his examinations, at the age of thirteen he was sent to France for a two years' col- lege course. In 1847 he came to America and located in Buffalo, which was at that time a small city, having scarcely more than forty thousand inhabitants. In 1854 he engaged in the wholesale grocery business, and from the foundations thus laid grew the great house of Philip Becker & Co., which is to-day one of the largest in West- ern New York. In 1869 he was made president of the Buffalo German Insurance Company, an honor which has been conferred upon him by re-election annually from that day to the present time. When the city and county had resolved to erect a city and county hall, Mr. Becker was appointed as one of the commissioners on the erec- tion of the building, which has long been a source of great pride and satisfaction to all Buffalonians. He put his best efforts into securing a building that should do honor to Buffalo, little dreaming that he would be the first one chosen to occupy it. He was thrice mayor of Buffalo, was a presidential elector on the ticket which made Harrison president in 1888, and was a delegate to the National Convention which nominated Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876.

Quackenbush, James L., Buffalo, was born in Brewerton, Onondaga county, N.Y., April 11, 1868. He was educated in the schools there and in the Syracuse High School. He graduated from the Buffalo Law School in 1890 at the head of his class, also receiving the Daniels prize for the best thesis on Constitutional Law. In March, 1891, he was admitted to the bar In January, 1895, he became assistant district- attorney of Erie county, which office he resigned in January, 1896, to accept the posi- tion of city attorney of Buffalo. In 1895 he was appointed lecturer on the Law of Torts in the Buffalo Law School.

Petrie, Sidney W., Buffalo, was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., May 25, 1856, and re- moved with his parents to Little Falls, N. Y., in the summer or fall of the same year. He was prepared for college at Clinton, N. Y., and entered Hamilton College in 1872, where he graduated and received the degree of A. B. in June, 1876. In October, 1876, he entered Columbia College Law School, graduating and receiving the de- gree of LL. B. therefrom in May, 1878, when he was admitted to the bar as attorney, and the following year as counselor. During the year 1879-80 he was principal of the Little Falls Academy-Union Schools. In 1880 he began the practice of his pro- fession at Little Falls, N. Y., where he remained until 1892, when he removed to Buffalo. Mr. Petrie was one of the first fire and police commissioners of Little Falls, and was afterwards recorder of that city, and a member of its Board of Education. He is a member of the firm of Petrie, Timerman & Pardee.

Hoffman, Richard B., Buffalo, was born at Redwood, Jefferson county, N. Y., June 7, 1861, and when four years of age removed with his parents to Buffalo, where he received his early education in the public and high schools. In 1880 he entered the law office of James E. Ford, and afterwards the office of Bass, Cleveland & Bis- sell, where he remained until 1887, when he was admitted to the bar. Since then he has been engaged in the general practice of his profession in Buffalo. He is a mem- ber of Washington Lodge No. 240, F. & A. M., and several civic organizations. He served five years in Co. F, 74th N. Y. N. G., attaining the rank of sergeant.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Crangle, Roland, Buffalo, came from Ireland to this country at the age of seven- teen. He was born in 1864 and up to the time of his emigration had lived with his parents on a farm. Upon his arrival in this country he located in Buffalo and went to work on the docks as a "lumber shover." He subsequently went to work as a freight handler in the freight house of the Erie Railroad; later to the L. S. & M. S. R. R. Company freight house, and finally secured a position as clerk in the freight office. In 1888 he became a student in the office of Rogers, Locke & Milburn. In 1892 he was graduated, but remained with the firm until 1894, when he opened an office for himself. Mr. Crangle is also a graduate of the Buffalo School of Elocution and is a forcible political speaker. He was admitted to the bar June 11, 1892.

Putnam, Harvey W., Buffalo, was born in Havre, France, September 21, 1863, at which place his father, Hon. James O. Putnam, was then United States consul, and came with his father on his return to his home in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1867. Since then he has lived in Buffalo. He was educated in the High School and was a mem- ber of the class of 1883 at Williston Seminary, Mass. He studied law, and was ad- mitted to practice in January, 1887. Mr. Putnam recently resigned the office of secretary of the Civil Service Commission of Buffalo, which office he held from March, 1888, to March, 1897. During his term of office he did much towards develop- ing the merit system in Buffalo. He was quartermaster of the 65th Regiment, N. G. N. Y., from June, 1888, to March, 1896. He represented the Thirtieth Senate Dis- trict as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1894. He was appointed com- missioner of the New York State Board of Charities, as the representative of the Eighth Judicial District on that board by Governor Morton, in November, 1896, and was reappointed by Governor Black and confirmed by the Senate in February, 1897. He has practiced law in Buffalo since his admission to the bar.

Haller, Frederick, attorney at law, Buffalo, was born in Augusta, Ga., April 8, 1860. His early education was obtained at the common schools of hisold home, and he there also learned the cigarmaker's trade. When he was about twenty years of age he removed to New York city and remained there for eight years. He then re- moved to Buffalo and began the study of law in the office of Tracy C. Becker, and afterward took a full course in the Buffalo Law School, and was graduated in the class of 1890. He was admitted to the bar in 1891 and immediately began the prac- tice of his profession. In May, 1896, the firm of Haller & Hancock was formed, which copartnership still continues.

Murphy, Daniel V., Buffalo, was born at Mt. Morris, N. Y., July 13, 1864. He attended the Mt. Morris Academy, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then began the study of law in the office of John M. Hastings, where he remained for three years, and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in January, 1889. He then went to Ithaca and took a full course in the law department of Cornell University, gradu- ating therefrom in 1890. He then came to Buffalo and was associated with the firm of Humphrey, Lockwood & Hoyt until January, 1892, when he formed a copartner- ship with Charles H. Avery, and subsequently with his brother, Joseph M. Murphy, now constituting the firm of Murphy & Murphy.

Cothran, George W., Buffalo, was born at Royalton, Niagara county, N. Y., Feb- ruary 25, 1834. He obtained his early education at his old home and in 1854 began

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

the study of law in the office of Phineas L. Ely, where he remained until he was ad- mitted to the bar in 1857. He immediately began the practice of his profession at Lockport, N. Y., where he remained for almost four years, when the call to arms was heard, and the beginning of the Civil war closed the door of his office behind him. He organized Battery M, 1st N. Y. Light Artillery (called Cothran's Battery during the war), and served for about two years, when he was taken sick and was compelled to return home, the battery serving, however, during the entire war. In 1877 he was appointed county judge of Erie county, serving for one year, and de- clined the nomination for a second term, In July, 1879, he removed to Chicago, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for eight years; he then returned to Buffalo and resumed his practice, where he has since remained. In 1875 he edited and published the sixth edition of the Revised Statutes of the State of New York, in three large volumes, the index to which was as near perfect as an index could be made. In 1877 Baker University of Kansas conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. In 1880 he edited and published an edition of the Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois, which has been revised bi-annually since, and is a standard book in use by the profession of Illinois. In 1888 he wrote a volume of over a thousand pages on the law of Supervisors, which was published by Messrs. Banks & Bros., Albany, and is still a standard book in use. In 1889 he wrote and the same house published a volume of 559 pages of the Law of Assessors and Collectors, which still remains a standard authority.

Smith, Philip Sherwood, Buffalo, was born in that city, November 22, 1863. He is the only son of Hon. James M. Smith of Buffalo (for ancestry see sketch of Judge Smith), and Margaret L. Smith. He received his education at the Heathcote School in Buffalo and after graduation therefrom, being prevented by illness from enter- ing college, he completed his studies under private instruction. He commenced the study of law in the office of Marshall, Clinton & Wilson, of this city, Mr. Wilson being his brother-in-law. After admission to the bar in 1887 he remained with the firm until the death of Mr. Wilson, when the firm was dissolved. He then asso- ciated himself with Charles R. Wilson of Buffalo in the practice of law, under the firm name of Wilson & Smith, the firm doing a general law business. Mr. Smith married, in 1890, Mary L. Cushing, daughter of Thomas W. Cushing, a merchant of Buffalo, and they have one son, James M. Smith, jr., born in 1891. Mr. Smith de- votes his leisure time to literary pursuits and pleasures and has a very large and valuable library, containing numerous treasures in the way of rare autographs, documents and early printed books. He is a member of the Episcopal church, at- tends St. Paul's church, Buffalo, and takes an active part in church matters. He is a member of various scientific and literary societies, among others being a Fellow of the American Geographical Society and a member of the Society of Colonial Wars.

Schelling, Albert, Buffalo, was born in that city, March 17, 1861, and after obtain- ing a liberal education from the public schools, he began the study of law in the office of William H. Gurney, where he remained for three years. At the end of this time he entered the office of his brother, Robert F., as managing clerk, which posi- tion he now holds. He was admitted to the bar June 6, 1884.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Burd, George B., Buffalo, was born in Navarre, Stark county, Ohio, April 21, 1862. In October, 1887, he removed to Buffalo, after completing his law studies at the Law Department of the Michigan University, from which he was graduated that year. He was admitted to the bar in Michigan in 1887 and in 1889 was admitted to the bar in New York. In 1890 he formed a copartnership with Edmond Clossey, which con- tinued until H. H. Bacon joined the firm, which is now known as Burd, Clossey & Bacon. July 14, 1892, Mr. Burd married Lillian Hamling.

Stone, Thomas R., Buffalo, son of Thomas W. and Leah H. (Jones) Stone, was born in Princess Anne, Maryland, September 1, 1857. Graduated from Washington University in July, 1876. In the fall of that year he began the study of law in the law office of John W. Cristfield, where he remained for a year and a half. He then went to St. Louis, Mo., and entered the law office of his brother, William S. Stone, who was at that time assistant attorney for the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Co. He was admitted to practice law in Missouri in October, 1878, and en- tered into copartnership with his brother. In 1880 he removed to Colorado and located at Alpine where he remained for two years. From there he went to Albu- querque, New Mexico, where he resided for five years, practicing his profession in both places. At the end of that time he removed to Kansas City; while located there he took part in some important litigations. He remained until 1892, when he returned east to continue the practice of the law.

Cole, Irving W., Buffalo, was born at Covert, Seneca county, N. Y., September 21, 1859. He attended the Union School in his native place and Cook Academy at Havana and was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1883. He was admitted to the bar in January of the same year, and immediately began the practice of his profession with his brother, Hon. Fremont Cole. This partnership continued until 1890, when his brother removed to the West, and his younger brother, Elbert, joined the firm. In 1894 the firm of Plumley & Cole was formed, of which he is still a mem- ber. Mr. Cole has never sought political preferment, but has been a great workerin the Republican party; was chairman of the Republican County Committee in Schuyler county in 1892.

Ely, Fred W., Buffalo, son of Ellsworth and Maria (Van Horn) Ely, was born at Lockport, N. Y., May 18, 1869. He attended the public schools at Lockport until 1884, when he removed to Buffalo, continuing his studies at the Buffalo High School, from which he graduated in 1886 at the head of his class, The next four years he spent at Cornell University, receiving the degree of A. B. He began the study of law at the University of Buffalo in 1890, and two years later received the degree of LL B. from that institution, being also awarded two prizes of $150 each, for thesis and class standing. While in college Mr. Ely was a member of the Beta Theta Pi, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Phi, Greek letter societies. Since 1892, when he was admitted to the bar, he has been engaged in the general practice of his profession in the city of Buffalo.

Farrar, Hon. Elbert O., attorney and counselor at law, Buffalo, was born at Mid- dletown Springs, Rutland county, Vt., June 17, 1850. He obtained his education at Fort Edward (N. Y.) Institute and Troy Conference Academy. After graduation he began the study of law in the office of H. G. Wood, at Fairhaven, Vt., whence he

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

removed to Dayton, O., and completed his legal studies in the office of ex-Congress- man L. B. Gunckel, and was admitted to the bar in 1875 at that city. He then re- moved to Syracuse and formed a partnership with Hon. Thomas G. Alvord, which was carried on successfully for four years. In 1882 he was elected to the Assembly on the Republican ticket and was re-elected in 1883. In 1889 he removed to Buffalo and has since been engaged in the general practice of law.

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Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II, Part 8

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