USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 83
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Ogden, Frederick, Buffalo, was born in Northampton, England, in 1837, and came to this country in 1854. In 1855 he began the milling business in the old Etna mill in Rochester, where he remained until 1857, when he accepted a position in a mill at Thorold, Canada. In April, 1858, he came to Buffalo and entered the old Globe mill of Thornton & Chester at Black Rock, where he remained ten years, when he took charge of their new mill on Erie street, called the National Mills; he continued in this latter capacity until June, 1878. During nineteen years of this period he was the firm's trusted and capable head miller. In 1878 he accepted a favorable position which called him to England for nine months, and on returning to Buffalo in 1879 he was offered his old position with Thornton & Chester, which he declined for the purpose of engaging in business for himself. In company with John Esser, who had been Thornton & Chester's retailer and shipper, he leased the North Buffalo mill at Black Rock, and soon afterward H. C. Zimmerman was admitted to partner- ship. After eighteen months Mr. Ogden disposed of his interest; very shortly, however, he again associated himself with Messrs. Esser and Zimmerman and built the present Banner mill. In March, 1887, Mr. Zimmerman sold out to the present proprietors, who are John Esser, Frederick Ogden, and Henry F. Shuttleworth, and who continue the business of the Banner Milling Company. In 1887 he secured the old Erie mill at Black Rock, remodeled and renamed it the Marine Mill, and now operates it on spring wheat. Mr. Ogden is one of the best known and most experi- enced millers of Western New York. As a business man and citizen he is progres-
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sive, energetic, and highly esteemed and respected. He was married in 1858 to Miss Susan Haynes, daughter of William Haynes, of Canfield, Ontario, and they have three daughters and two sons, who are living: Frances Olivia, William Thomas, Fred- erick E., Alice Maria, and Susan Blanche.
Hoyt, Dr. Jonathan, the second settled physician in the town of Aurora, Erie county, came to East Aurora from the county of Saratoga in 1817 and practiced medicine over a wide territory until his death in 1850. He served as a judge of this county for several years, became a foundation member of the Erie County Medical Society in 1821, and was its vice-president in 1843. Dr. Hoyt was one of the leading early physicans of Western New York, and is frequently mentioned in the chapter devoted to the medical profession in these volumes.
Hoyt, Dr. Horace, son of Dr. Jonathan Hoyt, was born in East Aurora, Erie county, August 15, 1822, was graduated from the medical department of the Uni- versity of Buffalo in 1847, and practiced medicine in his native village until his death in June, 1896. He was not only a leading physician, but a prominent and influ- ential Democrat, and was one of the early excise commissioners of Erie county, post- master of East Aurora, candidate for county treasurer, a trustee of the City and County Hall for about ten years, and an active member of the Erie County Medical Society. He married Josephine Ballard, who died in 1886, leaving four children: Albert H., of East Aurora; William B., of Buffalo; Miss Jeannie D., of East Aurora; and Orson C., a law student of Cornell University, class of 1899.
Hoyt, William Ballard, Buffalo, son of Dr. Horace and Josephine (Ballard) Hoyt, was born in East Aurora, N. Y., April 20, 1858, and received his preparatory educa- tion at the Aurora Academy and Buffalo High School. He was graduated from Cornell University in 1881. During his college course he was managing editor of the monthly magazine, one of the editors of the college weekly, the founder of the Cornell Daily Sun, and one of the prize orators of his class. In June, 1895, he was elected a trustee of the university for a term of five years. On leaving college Mr. Hoyt entered the law office of Humphrey & Lockwood, one of the oldest and most prominent law firms of Buffalo, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1883. Shortly after he became a member of the firm under the name of Humphrey, Lock- wood & Hoyt, which was changed to the present style of Humphrey, Lockwood, Hoyt, Greene & Yeomans in the spring of 1896 by the admission of William C. Greene and George D. Yeomans. Although a young man Mr. Hoyt has achieved success at the bar as an able and conscientious lawyer. He is especially distin- guished for his consummate ability on cross-examinations, his clear and logical reason- ing, and his discriminating sense of justice. He is a powerful advocate before a jury. Probably no attorney in Buffalo has been more active or won a higher degree of eminence during a practice of fifteen years than has Mr. Hoyt. His firm has a large corporate business, and he has had charge of the trial of their causes prac- tically from the time he became a member. In 1886 he was appointed assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of New York and served until 1889, and in this capacity was connected with many important cases, notably that of United States vs. Lester B. Faulkner, one of the most celebrated bank wrecking
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cases ever tried. In 1894 he was appointed by Attorney-General Olney as counsel to the United States Interstate Commerce Commission for the States of New York and Ohio, his official title being assistant attorney-general. He is a prominent Dem- ocrat, is actively connected with various social organizations of Buffalo, has been for several years president of the Cornell Alumni Association of Western New York, and was for three years curator of the Buffalo Library. Under the new city char- ter of 1892 he was appointed by Mayor Bishop a member of the Board of School Ex- aminers, and was reappointed and resigned. December 20, 1887, he married Esther Lapham Hill, daughter of Dr. John D. Hill of Buffalo.
Hefford, Robert Rodman, Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., February 25, 1845, was educated in the public schools and at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, and was a clerk in a wholesale salt and cement house in 1862-63 and in the canal collec- tor's office in 1864. In 1865 he engaged in the coal trade with E. E. Hazard and in 1871 succeeded to the business, which he has since conducted, being now one of the largest shippers and forwarders of coal in Buffalo. Mr. Hefford has for many years been active in public and political affairs. He is a leading Republican, a public spirited and enterprising citizen, and a man highly esteemed for his ability, integ- rity, and progressiveness. He was alderman of the Second ward from 1879 to 1884, president of the Common Council in 1883-84, and also president of the Board of Health for two terms. In January, 1883, he became the Republican candidate for mayor to succeed Grover Cleveland, who had been elected governor. He is a foun- dation member and for several years one of the executive committee of the Repub- lican League of the State of New York, and was its first president in 1887 and re- elected in 1888. He was vice-president of the National Republican League from 1889 to 1893, is a member of the New York State Commission to the Tennessee Cen- tennial Exposition, was chairman of the Erie County Republican Committee in 1885- 86, and has been a member of the Republican General Committee several times. In December, 1895, Mayor Jewett appointed him a commissioner of public works, but he felt it necessary to decline the appointment for business reasons. Mr. Hefford has always been a strong supporter of the Erie Canal, and was chairman of the State executive canal committee which successfully carried through the $9,000,000 canal improvement appropriation. He was president of the Buffalo Merchants' Exchange and Board of Trade in 1894, 1895, 1896, and 1898, being unanimously elected for the last three years. He is a member of the Buffalo Republican League, the Buffalo Historical Society, and the Republican Club of New York; a life member of the Buf- falo Library; a member and director of the Ellicott Club; vice-president of the Buf- falo Traction Company; chairman of the Board of Trustees of the First Baptist church; and formerly vice-president of the Buffalo Club. January 4, 1870, he mar- ried Harriet Rosalia Whittaker, of Catskill, N. Y.
Boughton, C. V., Buffalo, has been established in his present business since 1886, at which time he patented a car seal for sealing car doors in transit. He then or- ganized the Buffalo Seal and Press Company, under the laws of the State of New York, for the purpose of manufacturing, and since the beginning has produced mil- lions of these articles yearly, finding his market over the entire world. His latest success is the Telephotos, an instrument that gives free communication between
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vessels at sea from lighthouses as well as upon land. This instrument has been . adopted by the United States and English navies. It is very rapid, and messages to the extent of 480 words have been transmitted to ships six and eight miles distance in thirty-one minutes. Mr. Boughton has this invention patented all over the world and covered by some eighty patents.
Bradley, F. A., & Co., Buffalo, composed of Frederick A. and Frank R. Bradley, was organized in 1891 with a small capital, besides their skill and industry. They are now among the leading plumbing, steam and gas fitting firms in the city, and the Messrs. Bradley are among the liberal, progressive and public spirited citizens of Buffalo.
Cowan, David M., Buffalo, son of Robert and Mary A. (Finley) Cowan, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., December 25, 1854, and received a public school education. He was employed in Bradstreet's Commercial Agency for a short time, and then en- tered the wholesale drug house of Harries, Powell & Co., of which he became a a member in 1890, and which is now Plimpton, Cowan & Co. This firm conducts one of the largest wholesale grocery and drug establishments in Western New York. Mr. Cowan was married in August, 1885, to Marian W. Moses, of Buffalo.
Meldrum, George, Buffalo, a native of Scotland, was born in January, 1860, and came to this country in 1879, settling in Buffalo. His first employment was with the Buffalo Street Railway Company, where he remained ten years, after which he was engaged in the grocery business for three years. In 1893 he engaged in the nickel plating business.
Ryan, Thomas M., Buffalo, son of John, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., November 14, 1842, and obtained his education in the public schools. His first employment was in the shipyard of Daniel Connors, where he remained several years, learning every branch of the ship building trade. In 1869 he engaged in the forwarding business, in which he has since continued with uniform success, having an office at 9 West Seneca street. Mr. Ryan was married in August, 1865, to Miss Mary Fralley of Buffalo, and they have four children: Mary G., John F., Charles C. and Stephen B.
Burgard, Henry P., Buffalo, son of Peter Burgard, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in June, 1861. Peter Burgard, a native of Bavaria, Germany, came to Buffalo in 1835, when fourteen years of age, and later was followed by his parents. He was one of the first butchers in Buffalo, a business he followed for many years. He was a life- long Democrat, served as alderman of the old Twelfth ward from 1862 to 1865; and died in June, 1897, honored and respected by a wide circle of friends. His wife, who survives him, is Sarah Rinch, who was born in Buffalo, and whose father, Wil- liam Rinch, came from Bavaria, Germany, prior to 1830. They had four sons and four daughters, and maintained the family home at 560 Walden avenue for about fifty years. Henry P. Burgard attended the public and Central High School of Buf- falo, and afterward was engaged in the coal and wood business with a brother, on Walden avenue, until 1895, when he withdrew and engaged in contracting and street
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paving, which business he has since followed, having an office in the Mooney-Bris- bane building. He has always been a prominent and active Democrat, served as alderman of the 18th ward for two years, being elected in 1891, and was a delegate to the State Democratic convention of 1895. He is a 32d degree Mason, holding membership in Erie Lodge, No. 101, and the Scottish Rite bodies to and including Buffalo Consistory. He resides in the house in which he was born, at 560 Walden avenue.
Walkowiak, Anthony J., Buffalo, was born in January, 1869, in Posen, Germany, which was also the birthplace of his parents, John and Mary (Pachulski) Walkowiak, who reared four other sons and a daughter. In 1880 the family left the fatherland and came to Buffalo, N. Y., where Anthony J. attended the public schools for four years. He then worked on a farm and later became a clerk in a grocery store and in 1888 accepted the position of traveling salesman for a wholesale grocery house, with which he remained until 1892. In 1893 he established his present wholesale and retail grocery and wholesale liquor business at 387-389 Peckham street, where he has a large double store and where he has built up a successful and constantly increasing trade. He has been an active Democrat and in 1892 was his party's can- didate for coroner. In 1893 he was appointed a doorkeeper in the Legislature at Albany. He was district committeeman four years, chairman of the Democratic City Committee two years and county committeeman at large two years, and since 1892 has been a member of the Democratic General Committee and is now acting on the advisory committee. He is a member of the Polish Union and the Monniscko Club, and in religion is a Roman Catholic. In 1890 he married Rose Pitass of Buffalo, and they have two sons and three daughters.
Graves, John J., Buffalo, son of John S., and Katharine (Van Wie) Graves, was born in July, 1840, in Albany, N. Y., where his father was a manufacturer. He at- tended the public schools, learned the trade of stove designing and in August, 1861, enlisted in Co. F, 44th N. Y. Vols. (Ellsworth Avengers). He participated in all the battles to the Wilderness and to the close of his three years term of enlistment; the last year he had charge of a camp of troops and deserters in Rhode Island and was mustered out as a sergeant. Returning to Albany he followed his trade there and in other cities in the East for several years, and in 1887 came to Buffalo, where he has since been connected with the S. S. Jewett stove foundry, the largest manufac- turers of stoves and ranges in Western New York. For four years he had charge of one of the departments and since then has been the general superintendent. He is senior vice-commander of Bidwell-Wilkeson Post No. 9, G. A. R., and a member of the American Legion of Honor, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, passing through all the chairs in the latter lodges to the Grand Lodges. His only son, W. R. Graves, is bookkeeper for the S. S. Jewett Company.
Zittel, Wadsworth J., Buffalo, treasurer of Erie county, was born in Detroit, Mich., November 24, 1855. His father, George Zittel, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, France, came to Buffalo with his brothers and sisters in the early thirties and later moved to Detroit, where he died at the age of seventy-eight. He was a machinist by trade and a Democrat in politics, and by his wife Margaret had two sons and three daugh-
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ters. Mr. Zittel, the youngest of the family, was graduated from the public schools and from Bryant & Stratton's Business College, and when fifteen years old went to Akron, O., where he became a clerk in a wholesale drug and grocery house. In 1873 he came to Buffalo and entered the employ of Philip Becker & Co., wholesale grocers, with whom he remained fifteen years, rising step by step to the position of traveling salesman. Afterward he was associated with Jacob Dold in the manage- ment of his large packing house in Wichita, Kan., until 1891, when he returned to Buffalo and engaged in manufacturing and wholesaling confections with Michael Hausauer and his son, George M. Hausauer, under the firm name of the Buffalo Candy Company, at 27 and 29 Ellicott street. This business has been successful from the start and is now one of the largest of the kind in Western New York, giving employment to a large force of factory and store employees and traveling salesmen. The business extends from Maine to the Missouri River. Mr. Zittel has always been a staunch Republican and active in the councils of his party, but has invariably de- clined public office until 1897, when he was elected treasurer of Erie county by a handsome majority. He is a 32d degree Mason and a member of the Odd Fellows and several social organizations. As a business man and citizen he is highly re- spected for his ability, integrity and progressiveness. He married Sarah, daughter of Philip Goetz of Buffalo, and they have a son and two daughters.
Reimers, John, superintendent of the Buffalo School Furniture Company's Foun- dry, was born in Kesten Hoge, Mechlenburg-Schwerin, Germany, April 1, 1846, a son of Joseph and Sophia (Hines) Reimers. His family is remarkable on account of their physical size. Mr. Reimers's father, Joseph Reimers, was a mechanic; hecame to Buffalo in 1857 and for some twenty years before his death had charge of George Squires Company's manufacturing plant. John Reimers attended the schools of his native town until eleven years of age and the public schools of Buffalo until four- teen, when he began his trade of moulder, which he has followed ever since, being connected with different concerns. From 1872 to 1877 he owned and conducted a brass foundry, at the corner of Quay and Washington streets, and for two years subsequent owned one-fourth interest in the Buffalo Steam Heating Co. at Lancas- ter. In 1879 Mr. Reimers accepted a position with the Buffalo School Furniture Co. and since 1880 has had charge of their foundry. He lives in Lancaster, where he owns a residence. Mr. Reimers hasserved his town one year as highway commis- sioner, being elected by the Republicans. He is a member of Arnum Lodge, No. 225, K. of P. His wife, Elizabeth Will, is a native of Lancaster, and they have five daughters and one son: Frederick, Susie, Margaret, Minnie, Barbara and Dorothy.
Klinck Brothers, Buffalo .- Christian and Charles Klinck are the third largest meat packers in the city of Buffalo. They are natives of Schoenenberg, in Germany, Christian coming to the United States in 1867 and Charles in 1872. Both settled in Buffalo. They came here poor boys and were employed by their cousin, C. Klinck, with whom they learned the packing business. In 1882 they engaged in the meat business for themselves in a small way, and by their energy and ability their busi- ness increased, until for a number of years they have been the third largest beef pro- ducers in the city. They later added to this the pork business, and in the spring of 1897 purchased the packing house of Joseph Roland, thereby increasing their capac-
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ity nearly one-half. Their weekly output is now about 200 head of cattle and from 1,000 to 1,200 hogs. Charles Klinck is a member of Modestia Lodge No. 340, F. & A. M.
Haake, Frederick William, Buffalo, son of John, was born July 21, 1830, in West- falen, Prussia, and spent his early life on his father's farm. When nineteen he came to America and settled in Buffalo, with only $5 capital. He first worked in a brick yard for $10 per month, taking half his pay from a store and working from dawn till dark. Afterward he was successively employed on a farm and as a team- ster for a Buffalo street contractor, in 1855 engaged in the business of boating sand to masons, and in 1861 began as a contractor on city streets. Purchasing a grain boat in 1864 he made six trips to New York during that season and in the fall sold it and resumed the business of contracting. He bought his present brickyard and engaged in manufacturing brick in 1875, and has ever since carried on the plant with success, taking in his son, William P. Haake, as a partner in 1896, under the firm name of Haake & Son. The establishment has a daily capacity of 60,000 brick. Mr. Haake also owns in Angola a valuable tract of sixty acres, consisting largely of a superior quality of shale well adapted for the manufacture of shale brick; a farm of forty acres lying near the Buffalo city line; city property comprising twelve acres; and several tenement houses. He was married, first, in 1855, to Louisa Slausser, by whom he had a son and a daughter. His second wife, Barbara Bly, of Hamburg, has borne him four sons, who are living. All his sons are Republicans, and William P. is a member of the Masonic order.
Depew, Ganson, Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., March 6, 1866. His father, William B. Depew, came here from Peekskill in 1864 and has since been connected with railroad enterprises. Mr. Depew attended the public schools of his native city, and in 1884 was graduated from the Buffalo High School as president of his class and class orator. He then began the study of law in the office of Green, McMillan & Gluck, with whom and whose successors he has since remained, being admitted to the bar in Buffalo in 1887, and becoming a member of the firm in 1890, under the present name of McMillan, Gluck, Pooley & Depew. This is one of the strongest and oldest law firms in Western New York. Its members are all distinguished lawyers and enjoy a high place at the bar. Mr. Depew, though a young man, has won honor as an advocate and distinction as a public spirited, enterprising citizen. He is a cousin of John Ganson and a nephew of Chauncey M. Depew, president of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company. In 1892 and again in 1895 he was elected a director of the Buffalo Library, receiving on each occasion the highest vote of any of the candidates, and in December, 1897, was appointed by Mayor Jewett a trustee of the Grosvenor Library. He is a member of the Buffalo, Liberal, Saturn, and Country Clubs, the Sons of the American Revolution, and St. Paul's Episcopal church, and is a Royal Arch Mason, holding membership in Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 441, F. & A. M., and Adytum Chapter No. 235, R. A. M. November 15, 1894, he married Miss Grace E., daughter of Frank H. Goodyear of Buffalo, and they have one son, Ganson Goodyear Depew.
Williams, John, Grand Island, p. o. Sheenwater, a resident of Grand Island since his boyhood, was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 1838, the eldest of four children
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born to Edward and Ellen Williams, natives of Wales. Edward Williams was pos- sessed of considerable money and came to America in 1837, bringing his wife with him and going direct to Ohio, where he embarked in the land business. This enter- prise proved disastrous and he lost his money. In 1845 he removed to Chippewa, Canada, and a year later located in Grand Island, where he found employment. A few years later and during the year of the cholera in that section he left home one day to go to Tonawanda to engage emyloyment and was never heard of by the family afterward. His wife survives him and resides with her son. After the death of his father John became the family support. When the war of the Rebellion broke out and a call for troops was made he was anxious to enlist his services, but the prevailing influence of his mother and sisters and the duties incumbent upon him for their support forced him to remain at home a few years longer, but enlisted as a private in Co. G. 187th N. Y. Vols., on September 29, 1864. The regiment was or- ganized in Buffalo, October 13, 1864, and ordered to join the Army of the Potomac in the field before Petersburg, Va., where it engaged in the siege of that place, tak- ing part in the battle of Hatcher's Run, October 27, where it lost eighty men killed and wounded. He was with hisregimentin the expedition of the Fifth Corps against the Weldon Railroad, known as the "Hicksford raid," and participated in the en- gagements of Nottaway Court House, Second Hatcher's Run, Vaughn Road, Quaker Road, Gravelly Run, Boydton Plank Road, Five Forks and Sutherland Station. The regiment was in the pursuit of Lee from April 2 to 9, taking part in the engagements of Amelia Court House, High Bridge, Jettersville and Appomattox. He was with his regiment from enlistment until after the surrender of Lee and was a gallant sol- dier. He performed many notable acts of personal bravery and was offered promo- tion which he declined. Since his return from the war he has devoted his time to farming. For several years past he has added grape culture, and owns a farm of twenty-five acres beautifully located on the bank of the west division of the Niagara River. In politics Mr. Williams is a Republican. He is a member of the G. A. R. of Buffalo. When a lad of ten Mr. Williams and his father (who was then badly dis- abled by rheumatism) had a remarkable escape from being washed over the Niagara Falls. While crossing the river in a canoe the swift current and a strong wind forced them down at a rapid rate, and by supreme efforts they succeeded in forcing the canoe to a reef, striking with such force that young Williams jumped out into the water, and seizing hold of his father held his head out of the water. The canoe cap- sized and went on over the falls. The current was slowly but surely washing the two off the reef, when the timely appearance of some men on the shore with a long rope rescued them from their perilous position, as they were about exhausted. In 1866 Mr. Williams married Margaret Welsh, born in Canada in 1844, and they have two children by adoption, Frank Bean, a nephew of Mr. Williams, and a girl aged ten years.
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