USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 82
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Peavey, D. R., Sardinia, was born in Sardinia, N. Y., April 17, 1852, son of James and Sallie (Stule) Peavey, the former born in New Hampshire, December 25, 1818, and the latter in Maine, August 24, 1824. D. R. Peavey was raised and educated in the village of Sardinia; he learned the trade of photographer in Jackson, Mich., with his uncle, H. A. Steele. After three years he went to Buffalo and engaged in hotel keeping ; with the exception of five years in the real estate business in Pasadena, and four years speculating in Los Angeles, Cal., he has followed that business, having conducted hotels in Idaho, Arizona, Dakota, California and Washington. He finally came to Sardinia and bought the old Sears farm and now carries on dairying and speculating. He is an Odd Fellow and Democrat. He married, March 4, 1884, in Mitchell, Dak., Rose Williams, of Marshall, Mich., who has borne him three children, Harry B., born in Mitchell, Dak., December 7, 1884, Dot M., born at Los Angeles, December 12, 1891, and Carl D., born December 25, 1893.
Welch, Ezra, Eden, was born in the town of Eden, July 26, 1819. He received a limited education from the common schools, but being a natural student he devoted his spare time to study and attended the Teachers' Institute, where he succeeded in securing a certificate. He taught school from 1842 to 1874, teaching during the winter months and farming summers. In 1874 he accepted a position as teacher in the public schools at Buffalo, where he remained five years, when on account of failing health he returned to his farm in Eden, where he taught five winter terms, making in all nearly forty-five years as a teacher. Since retiring from teaching he has devoted his time to the farm. In 1844 he married Harriet Oakes, and their chil- dren are Amelia, Ellen, Francis, Elizabeth, Lyman and Lillian. Mr. Welch's father, John, was born near New London, Conn., in 1789, and settled in Eden in 1809. In 1839 he went to Iowa to settle his oldest son, and they took up some 1,200 acres. They died three months later, within twenty-four hours of each other, having taken medicine in too large quantities to cure ague. His wife was Eliza Hall, and they had twelve children.
Miller, Joseph B., Hamburg, editor and publisher of the Erie County Independent at Hamburg, was born at Peruville, Tompkins county, N. Y., November 20, 1833,
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and is the son of John Miller, who removed to Rushford, Allegany county, in 1838. Mr. Miller spent his minority on the farm. He received an academic education at Rushford and for one year taught school near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he cast his first vote. Returning to this State he taught ten terms of school, mostly in the larger villages, including Allegany and Salamanca, N. Y., and later became a suc- cessful country merchant at Humphrey Center, Cattaraugus county, where he now owns about 750 acres of farm and timber lands, near which oil in paying quan- tites has recently been discovered. While there he served as supervisor two terms, was elected a justice of the peace when twenty-two, and held other local offices. From a farmer and merchant Mr. Miller became identified with the Cattaraugus Re- publican, and by push and energy materially developed its business interests. He was successively connected with the Buffalo Express, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, and the Buffalo Commercial, and in April, 1882, purchased the Erie County Independent at Hamburg, of which he has since been the editor and pub- lisher. The Independent then had a precarious existence, but with zeal and energy Mr. Miller has constantly developed it into one of the best and newsiest weeklies in Western New York. He has placed it upon a paying basis, and his motto: "Speak well of all people, evil of none, and the greatest amount of news in the least space," makes it a welcome visitor in 3,000 homes, which its subscription list embraces. Mr. Miller is an enterprising, public spirited citizen, deeply interested in the welfare of the entire community, and ably advocates the best principles of general advance- ment.
Stanler, Henry, Grand Island, p. o. Inland, an old and highly esteemed resident of Grand Island, was born in Germany, December 2, 1829, one of two sons and two daugh- ters born to Jacob and Laura Stanler, who were farmers. Henry worked on his father's farm until 1852; when he was preparing to come to America to seek his fortune, his father suddenly died, his mother having passed away four years previous. He re- mained at home long enough to sell the property, when with his young brother and two sisters, aged sixteen and twenty-one, he sailed for America, coming direct to Grand Island, where he was compelled to part with his last cent to pay the ferry- man. He landed on the island penniless, but not daunted began working on a farm and sent his brother to school, and after five years of prudent saving and toil he purchased from his employer a tract of fifty acres, upon which he began immediate improvements and later added to it; he worked hard and was ambitious and success crowned his efforts. In 1882 he purchased 100 acres more, upon which the creamery now stands, he having donated the land. In politics he is a Democrat, has served two terms each as supervisor, assessor and commissioner; he is a conscientious worker for his party's welfare. He is one of the directors of the Grand Island Creamery Co., also a director in the Erie and Niagara County Farmers' Association. In 1858 he married Katharine Kaiser, a native of Germany, and they have two children: Jacob H. and John W; both are Democrats and married. Mrs. Stanler is a member of the Protestant church.
Long, Henry W., p. o. Peach Haven, was born in Grand Island, February 7, 1864. His grandparents, John and Sophia (Heulker) Long, came to America in 1858 and after a few years' residence in Tonawanda moved to Grand Island, where after five
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years the father and his sons purchased 393 acres, which they worked and cleared. He later divided the farm equally among his six sons and died in 1871 at the age of sixty-two. His wife died in 1890 at the age of seventy-six. They were both mem- bers of the German Evangelical Church. Jochin H., the father of Henry W., was born in Mechlenburg, Germany, November 22, 1836, and came to America with his parents, remaining in Tonawanda, where after several years he engaged in the flour and feed business. He later engaged with John Nice filling contracts hauling wood, timbers, etc., with whom he remained six years, and then bought land with his father and brothers. He was destined to become one of the leading men of his town. Always being keenly awake to the public welfare of his town he was soon a recognized influence, affiliating with the Republican party. He was elected to and filled the offices of commissioner of highways several terms, assessor eight years, supervisor three terms, and often represented his party at conventions, etc. To his sixty-six acres of land he added 160 more. His wife was Katherine Spohr, born in Germany, and their children are Henry W., Bertha, George, Sarah (died when fif- teen), William, Mary, John, Katharine, Charles, Edward, Samuel, Harry and Laura. He died in June, 1887, and his wife survives him and resides on the homestead. Henry W. Long remained on the farm, assisting in a general way, and after the death of his father he and his brother George purchased a 120-acre farm from his father's heirs. They took advantage of the high prices paid for land on the island in 1892 and sold the farm for a good large sum. Henry reserved five acres on the corner of the Base line and Ransom roads, where he has made a residence place. He still continues on the farm, operating 240 acres, which he leases. He is the propri- etor of a cider mill, which he also operates. He is one of the directors and stock- holders in the Grand Island Creamery. In politics he is a Republican and filled the office of inspector of customs under President Harrison, being stationed at Eagle Park. October 17, 1888, he married Flora E., daughter of Peter and Dora Seyler, and they had two sons and two daughters. Mr. Long is a member of the L. O. T. M., and he and his wife are members of the German Evangelical Church.
Grehlinger, John, Grand Island, p. o. Inland, manager of the Grand Island Cream- ery and a prominent resident of that place, was born in Grand Island, October 28, 1864. His father, Lewis Grehlinger, was a native of Germany, born in 1827. He was a wagon maker by trade and came to America when twenty years of age, spend- ing one year in Tonawanda at his trade and came to Grand Island where he was em- ployed on a wood boat by John Nice, and for eight years acted as captain of the boat. His first purchase of farm land consisted of fifty-six acres, to which he continuously added as he became more prosperous until he had 360 acres. In politics he was a Republican, officiated as assessor of his town and was a member of the school board, also of the Farmers' Alliance, in which he filled official capacities. His wife was Louisa Lucca, a native of Germany, and they had eight children. His wife survives him and resides on the farm. She is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society. John Grehlinger learned the carpenter's trade when eighteen, which he followed contin- uously until the fall of 1896, when he accepted the management of the Grand Island Creamery, of which he is a stockholder and one of the directors. He now handles on an average of 5,000 pounds of milk daily, with an increasing trade, his product
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commanding the highest prices. He is a member of the K. O. T M. and Metropoli- tan Life. He married Clara, daughter of Edward Huling of Grand Island.
Fleischman, Peter, Grand Island, p. o. Inland, was born in Germany in 1852, one of six sons and four daughters, viz., John, Joseph, Peter, Cynthia, Leonard (deceased), Barbara, Michael, Mary and Margaret, born to John and Margaret (Gohler) Fleisch- man. John was born in 1820, his wife in 1819. He was a farmer and came to America in 1854, bringing his family with him and came to Cheektowaga, where he lived five years. In 1859 he moved to Grand Island, where he became foreman on the large Coatsworth farm. In 1869 he purchased a farm on the Staley road of 140 acres, the most of which was covered with timber, which he cleared. Here he pros- pered and later added two more farms of sixty and 110 acres each which he and his sons cleared, converting the timber into cord wood. He was a hard working, ambitious man, desirous of providing well for his family. In politics he was a Re- publican and was a member of the Farmers' Alliance of Grand Island. He died October 5, 1895; his wife survives him and resides with their youngest son, Diebolt. In 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Fleischman celebrated their golden wedding. Peter remained at home with his parents until thirty-two years of age, when he settled upon one of his father's farms, which he later came in possession of after the death of his father, and where he still resides. In 1882 he married Mary Carroll, daughter of William Carroll and granddaughter of John Carroll, who was an early settler on the island. Mr. and Mrs. Fleischman have seven children: Mary, Peter, James, Philip, Leonard, Thomas and Raymond. They are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Fleisch- man is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. In politics he is a Democrat.
Forsythe, James, Grand Island, farmer and leading breeder of thoroughbred driving horses of Grand Island, was born on the island in 1860. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common and district schools. In 1885 he purchased a farm of ninety acres on the east side of the island and in 1888 purchased fifty acres more adjoining and fronting on the east branch of the Niagara River, with a dock for steamboat landing, making it convenient for the shipping of his produce. He has a splendid apple orchard of several hundred trees, from which he has shipped in one year, 3,600 barrels. For a number of years Mr. Forsythe has devoted much of his time to the breeding of fine thoroughbred trotting horses for driving purposes, using excellent judgment in his crosses to get the size requisite for a good driving horse. He has the finest stud on the island. He is a thorough horseman, doing his own training and breaking, having his colts all under complete subjection and broke to drive single or double. His horses are always in demand at the best prices. In politics Mr. Forsythe is a consistent Democrat and has represented his party a num- ber of times at the district and assembly conventions. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance of his town. In 1889 he married Susan E., daughter of Clark Ransom of Tonawanda, and they have four children. Mr. Forsythe's father, Jacob, is an old resident of Grand Island, now living on one of his son's farms, and was born in County Derry, Ireland, October 14, 1822, the second of six sons and three daughters born to James and Jane Forsythe. He attended the common schools and worked on a farm. When fifteen he left home with an uncle and sailed for Amer- ica, landing at Prescott, Canada. His uncle died a week later from ship fever and
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the lad was then alone among strangers. He spent that winter in Canada and the following spring crossed the river to Ogdensburg, where he hired out to do farm work at $9 per month, one-half to be taken in store goods. He remained in that county five years and then went to Oswego county, where he spent a few years farming and in 1851 came to Grand Island, where he spent his winters in the woods chopping timber, and where he gained the reputation of being the most expert axman in his part of the country. His summers were spent canal boating from Buf- falo to New York; he followed these two vocations for many years and from the time he left home when a boy he has never seen or heard from a member of his family. In politics he has always been a Democrat. He was elected to fill the office of constable many years. October 26, 1857, he married Mary Ann Carroll, who was born in Grand Island in 1841, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Fales) Carroll. Mr. and Mrs. Forsythe had two children, James and Nellie. Elizabeth Fales was born in Buffalo in 1831, a daughter of Henry and Maria L. (Underwood) Fales, who were early settlers in Grand Island.
De Glopper, Peter, Grand Island, supervisor of the town of Grand Island, was born in Holland in 1847, a son of Jacob and Anna (Brieven) De Glopper, natives of the same place. Jacob was an only son, but had two sisters. His parents died when he was twelve years old. He attended school and worked on a farm, and later be- came foreman of a large estate. He served six years in the Holland army, a por- tion of the time in the service against France. He sold his property in Holland and came to America in the autumn of 1849 and settled in the town of Tonawanda, where he purchased eighty-nine acres, and there spent his remaining days leading the life of an honest, frugal, conscientious farmer, temperate in habits, and a mem- ber of the Dutch Reformed church. His wife is a member of the same church, and was the only child born to Martin and Barbara Brieven; the former died in Holland, and the latter came to America with her daughter, with whom she resided until the time of her death. Mr and Mrs. De Glopper reared five sons and one daughter ; Jacob died in 1884 at the age of seventy-four, and his widow survives him and now resides with her children; she still owns the homestead and is seventy-seven years of age. Peter De Glopper grew to manhood in Tonawanda and remained on the farm with his father until twenty-one, when he began the trade of wagon and car- riage maker, which trade he has followed to the present time. In 1885 he moved to the town of Grand Island and purchased his present farm of fifty acres and also es- tablished himself in the wagon, carriage and blacksmithing business, which he con- ducted in connection with his farming. In politics Mr. De Glopper is a Republican ; he is now representing his town (second term) on the Board of Supervisors, and was serving on the Board of Education at the time of his first election to his present office. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and K. O. T. M., in which he is actively interested. In 1871 he married Elizabeth R., daughter of Captain Samuel C. and Louise (Anderson) Forman of Buffalo, and they had seven children: Mary L., Charles L., Anna F., Frank F., Robert C., Walter J. and Mabel E. They are mem- bers of the Congregational church and Mrs. De Glopper is a member of the L. O. T. M.
Bradbury, Arthur A., M. D., Grand Island, the only resident physician of the town of Grand Island, was born in Clayton, N. Y., in February, 1869, a son of Prof.
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J. L. and Helen (Parmenter) Bradbury. His father was principal of the high school in Clayton and a graduate from Columbia College. Dr. Bradbury received his pre- liminary education in the high school of his native place and then determined upon a medical course. He received the degree of A. B. in Toronto, Canada, in 1889, and the degree of A. M. in 1890. In 1892 he was graduated from the University of Buf- falo, medical department. During the last two years of his medical course he was ambulance surgeon in the Fitch Accident Hospital of Buffalo and was house surgeon for two years after his graduation, being appointed to that position one month be- fore his graduation. In 1884 he located on Grand Island, where he has established a reputation of which any physician might well be proud. He is a member of the Erie County Medical Society, and fills the office of local justice of the peace. His wife was Jennie Glen of Pennsylvania.
Adams, Mortimer Frank, Buffalo, son of William H. and Jane (Westbrook) Ad- ams, was born in the town of Gates, Monroe county, N. Y., December 27, 1861, and was educated in the public schools and the State Normal School at Geneseo. Mr. Adams is the originator of landscape gardening in Buffalo, and is president of the Adams Landscape Gardening Company, which was organized in February, 1896. On October 23, 1882, he was married to Clara L., daughter of William H. and Rebecca Clare of Batavia, N. Y., and three children have been born to them: Archi- bald A., Gordon W. and Harold W. Mr. Adams is a member of the Economic Entomologist Association.
Braunlein, Hon. Louis, Buffalo, judge of the Municipal Court, was born in Buf- falo, N. Y., October 9, 1860. His education was obtained in the parochial and pub- lic schools of his native city. In 1874 he entered the law office of William C. Bryant as office boy, remaining in that office two years, when he entered the office of Humphrey & Lockwood, attorneys, as managing clerk, remaining there until Feb- ruary, 1880. He then entered the office of R. F. Schelling and continued with him until April 1, 1887, at which time he entered into partnership with William C. Fitch under the firm name of Fitch & Braunlein, which firm continued until May 1, 1890. The following year he was elected judge of the Municipal Court of Buffalo, in which capacity he is now acting. During his political and private career he has made many warm friends and is held in high esteem by all who know him.
Cusack, Patrick V., Buffalo, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1839. He is a son of Martin and Bidelia (Curtin) Cusack, who came to America in 1846 and settled in Al- bany, N. Y., whence they removed to Buffalo about 1852. Mr. Cusack served a three years' apprenticeship at the piano finishing trade. In 1861 he enlisted in the 21st N. Y. Vols. as a private, serving for over two years. He returned to Buffalo and on May 7, 1866, was appointed as a detective on the police force and August 1, 1884, was made assistant superintendent of police, which position he still holds. In November, 1868, he was married to Mary, daughter of William Avery Smith, of Buf- falo, and they have three sons and two daughters. Mr. Cusack is a member of the C. M. B. A. and the C. B. L.
Nussbaumer, J. George, Buffalo, son of John and Mary (Mohn) Nussbaumer, na-
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tives of Germany, who came to America in 1848, was born in Dunkirk, N. Y., Feb- ruary 23, 1866, and was educated in the public schools of Westfield, Chautauqua county. For a time he was associated with his father in the retail shoe business. He studied his profession with the leading photographers of New York, Pittsburg, Pa., and Buffalo, settling in the latter city in 1886. In 1890 he opened his present photographic studio at 512 Main street. Mr. Nussbaumer is one of the leading pho- tographers in Buffalo. He has been awarded a number of prizes each year since 1894 by the Photographers' Association of America, of which he is a member, win- ning in every competition in which his work has been exhibited. He is also a mem- ber of De Molay Lodge, No. 498, F. A. M., and of the Acacia and Lasalle Clubs. In May, 1891, he married Harriet A., daughter of Edward Newell, of Buffalo, and they have one son, Newell L.
Van Alen, Lucas H., Buffalo, son of Isaac I. and Anna (Van Alen) Van Alen, was born in the town of Kinderhook, Columbia county, N. Y., March 1, 1863, and came with his parents to Buffalo in 1868. His father was well known in business and po- litical circles, and for seven years was a member of the Buffalo Common Council. He is descended from John De Lue Van Alen, who settled in Massachusetts in the later half of the seventeenth century. His mother's ancestor was James J. Van Alen. Lucas H. Van Alen attended the public schools of Buffalo, was graduated from the Central High School, and in 1881 removed to New York city and engaged in the ice business with his father and brother, Isaac I., jr. Shortly afterward he accepted a position as telegraph operator with the Erie Railroad Company, which he served in various capacities, becoming train dispatcher and later chief dispatcher. In 1890 he was made train dispatcher of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad, but six months afterward returned to the Erie in the same capacity, and in May, 1892, en- tered the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as train master and assist- ant to the general northern superintendent, T. H. Fennell. On May 1, 1896, Mr. Van Alen was appointed permanent superintendent, which position he still holds, with headquarters in Buffalo. He is a member of Frontier City Lodge, No. 422, F. & A. M.
Wendt, William Franz, Buffalo, son of William Franz and Louise (Weichman) Wendt, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., July 2, 1858, was educated in public school 32 and at the Central High school, and became a bookkeeper for R. W. Bell & Co. In 1878 he purchased a half interest in the newly established Buffalo Forge Company. He took the financial charge of the business and in 1883 became sole owner, buying out his partner, Charles Hammelmann. In 1886 his brother Henry W. was admitted to partnership. The business has grown steadily and rapidly, and is now one of the largest portable forge manufactories in the United States. The manufacture of heating and ventilating apparatus was begun in 1884 and of high speed automatic engines in 1893. Selling agencies are maintained in London, Paris and St. Peters- burg and in the large cities of this country. Mr. Wendt is a prominent member of the Republican League, was one of the ten men who built the first electric railroad from Buffalo to Tonawanda in 1888, is a director in the Citizens Bank and a member of the Lutheran church, and is a real estate commissioner of the German Young Men's Astociation. November 8, 1882, he married Mary Gies, of Buffalo, and they have two daughters, Gertrude Mary and Margaret Louise.
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Bischof, George S., Buffalo, son of Albert S. Bischof, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1861. His parents removed to New York city when he was quite young, and there he received a public school education. In 1879 he removed to Buffalo, and, in company with his brother, Charles T., established the now well and favorably known firm of Bischof Brothers, druggists. Mr. Bischof is a member of the Erie County Pharmaceutical Association and an honored and respected citizen.
Kennedy, John J., Buffalo, alderman of the Nineteenth ward, is one of a family of three sons of Patrick Kennedy, a native of Ireland, and was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in July, 1856. He was educated in St. Joseph's College. When a young man he was employed on the docks, where he obtained that experience and knowledge of human nature which subsequently proved of great value in business affairs, and finally he took large contracts for handling freight. During the years 1895, 1896 and 1897 he was associated with his uncle, James Kennedy, in handling all the grain that came by boat to Buffalo harbor. In 1890 he formed a copartnership with John H. Cannon and engaged in the restaurant business at the corner of West Eagle and Pearl streets. From early manhood Mr. Kennedy has been an active and influential factor in the affairs of the city and county, attending as a delegate numerous local and State conventions and being a recognized leader of his party in all its councils. He has always been a Democrat. Since 1884 he has served continuously as alder- man of the Nineteenth (formerly the Eighth) ward, and in January, 1898, was unanimously elected president of the Board of Aldermen. Since 1896 he has been a prominent and influential member of the Democratic State Committee. He is a member of several social and benevolent organizations, a man of great force of character and good business ability, a popular, enterprising and progressive citizen.
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