USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 84
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Baxter, Newton J., Buffalo, son of James and Lydia (Shirk) Baxter, was born in Welland county, Canada, April 12, 1861, and attended the public schools and re- mained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he began to work at the carriage trade. In 1882 he came to Buffalo and for three years was associated with J. C. Harvey and Charles Parker, carriage manufacturers. In 1885 he en- gaged in the business on his own account at Hagersville, Ontario, where he remained
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five years, when he returned to Buffalo and entered the employ of the King Spring Company, of which he is now superintendent. In April, 1885, Mr. Baxter married Miss Georgiana Snyder, of Canada.
Crowley, Thomas F., Buffalo, is the son of Timothy and Mary (Long) Crowley, natives of Ireland, who came to America about 1845 and first settled in Chicago, Ill., whence they removed in 1849 to Buffalo. Mr. Crowley was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 24, 1860, received a public and private school education, and then en- tered his father's undertaking establishment. The father died in 1884 and the busi- ness passed to his two sons, one of whom died in 1891. Since then Thomas F. Crowley has successfully conducted the business alone, and is one of the best known undertakers in Buffalo. He has for many years been a prominent factor in public and political affairs, and has served as a city assessor since 1887. September 30, 1885, he married Katherine F. O'Brien, and they have two daughters.
O'Brien, William S., is a native of Buffalo, and is proprietor of O'Brien's Phar- macy, at the corner of Eagle and Niagara streets, and the Ellicott Square Pharmacy. The business was established in 1874 by J. W. and W. S. O'Brien, who continued it until 1877, when William S. became sole proprietor.
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Babcock, Frank A., Buffalo, general agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, was born in Hamden, Conn., September 10, 1850, received a classical education at Everest's Military school in his native town, and when fourteen began active life as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in New York city. In 1868 he entered the service of the Hudson Bay Company, being stationed at Temisco- mingue, and has the distinction of being the only Yankee ever employed by that corporation as one of its officers. In 1870 he resigned and became a traveling sales- man for the Bradley Fertilizer Company, of Boston, which position he held five years. He was then engaged in the carriage business at Amesbury, Mass., from 1876 to 1888, when he was burned out, after which he was made an executive special agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. A little later he was appointed the general agent of this company for Western New York with head -. quarters at Buffalo, which position he has since filled with ability and satisfaction. Mr. Babcock is a member of Warren Lodge, F. & A. M., of Amesbury, Mass. ; Jerusalem Chapter, R. A. M., of New York city; Aleppo Temple Mystic Shrine, and Massachusetts Consistory, 32d degree, of Boston; Coeur de Lion Commandery, K. T., of New York; and the Bohemian Sketch Club and Orpheus Singing Society of Buffalo.
Schwartz, Marcus L., Buffalo, son of Leopold and Emma (Bronner) Schwartz, was born in Syracuse, N. Y. When he was six years of age his parents removed to Buf- falo, where he attended the public schools and also took a full course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. Afterward he entered his father's store. This estab- lishment was founded by his father and uncle, Benjamin Schwartz, in 1867. The enterprise has prospered since its inception, and consists of a large factory on Elk street for the manufacture of wood mantles and a large retail establishment on Main street, where is kept a full line of mantles, grates, tiles, onyx tables, clocks, bric-a-
ttt
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brac, and gas fixtures. In December, 1885, Mr. Schwartz married Janette Keiser, of New Orleans, La.
Snyder, Frank, Buffalo, was born in Waldmunchen, Bavaria, Germany, January 28, 1852, and is one of a family of four sons and two daughters of Joseph and Mag- delena Snyder, natives of the same place. Joseph Snyder, a tanner by trade, came to America about 1853, and five years later sent for his family. They settled at Griffin's Mills in the town of Aurora, Erie county, where he died in 1863. Afterward his widow and children removed to Buffalo, where she died in 1896. Owing to the death of his father Mr. Snyder was early obliged to shift for himself, and conse- quently his education was limited to the district schools. His first work was on a farm. When twenty-one he entered a flour and feed store in Buffalo, and two years later he entered the employ of a Mr. Pettibone, who was then engaged in the truck- ing business. During a service of seven years in this capacity he saved a little money and engaged in the trucking and teaming business for himself. By energy and perseverance he has become one of the largest and best known truckmen in the city, having probably one of the largest and best outfits for moving heavy material in Buffalo. He is a self-made man, owns considerable property in Buffalo, and by strict attention to business has won the esteem and confidence of the entire com- munity. He is interested in the Cary Safe Company and the Ellicott Square Bank and is a member of the Odd Fellows, the A. O. U. W., and the Order of Foresters. being independent in politics. In 1872 he married Loretta Moore, of Aurora, who died leaving two children, James and Ernest. His second wife is Elizabeth K., whose parents, James and Elizabeth (Kenly) Findlay, came from Dundee, Scotland, to Buffalo, in the early fifties.
Wende, John, V. S., Buffalo, son of Bernhardt A. and Susan (Kirch) Wende, was born in Millgrove, Erie county, N. Y., November 16, 1854. As a boy he worked on his father's farm and attended the district schools of his native village. In 1882 he entered the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, and was graduated in 1884 with the degree of V. S. He subsequently took a post-graduate course at the Royal Veterinary College in Dresden, Germany. Dr. Wende located in Buffalo in 1886, and has since been in successful practice in that city, having been located at 1593 Main street during the entire time, a period of over fourteen years. He was married in April, 1886, to Christina E., daughter of George W. Schworm, of South Newstead, Erie county, N. Y. Their children' are Susan H. A., born November 7, 1887; John A., born October 19, 1889; Harry A., born September 22, 1891; Simon F. T., born May 14, 1894.
Sheldon, Burton L., Buffalo, proprietor of Hotel Broezel, is the son of Loomis and Sarah (Beebe) Sheldon, natives respectively of Oneida county and Monroe county, N. Y. He was born in Parma, Monroe county, August 1, 1836, and received his education in the academies at Albion and Homer. He was associated with his father on the farm and in dealing in produce and horses for fifteen years, after which he removed to Rochester and became proprietor of the old National Hotel and later of the Clinton (now the Livingston) House. In 1887 he came to Buffalo to assume the proprietorship of the Hotel Broezel, which was burned in 1888 and rebuilt in
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1891. Mr. Sheldon has made this one of the best and most popular hotels in Western New York. He is a member of the Buffalo Club and Buffalo Yacht Club, and as a citizen is highly respected and esteemed. In December, 1861, he married Emma J. Fall, and they have two sons.
Furlong, Nicholas J., Buffalo, is a native of Buffalo and has resided in that city all his life. He was born August 8, 1867, a son of William and Mary (White) Furlong. His education was obtained in the public schools and at Bryant & Stratton's business college, from which he was graduated in 1884. Being well qualified by his business education he became bookkeeper for the firm of Russ & Wertheimer, filling the po- sition for two years and then entering the employ of the Standard Oil Company at the Atlas works in the same capacity. After a term of service extending over three years he received an appointment as clerk in the city treasurer's office, and in 1887 passed the civil service examinations for the postal service, receiving an appointment as clerk. In 1892 Postmaster Gentsch, recognizing the integrity and ability of Mr. Furlong, appointed him to the responsible position of superintendent of Station "D," one of the most important sub-stations in the city, employing a force of eight car- riers and four clerks and dispatching more outgoing mail than any sub-station in Buffalo. Mr. Furlong discharges the duties of this position with credit to himself and to the department and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends. In 1895 he married Mary, daughter of Michael Rogers of Buffalo, and they have one daughter, Estelle M., born June 25, 1896.
Eberhardt, Louis P. A .- Among the representative business men and valued cit- izens of the city of Buffalo there are few who have been more active, prominent or efficient in advancing the interests of the city than Louis P. A. Eberhardt. Mr. Eberhardt was born in Buffalo on January 26, 1860; he attended the public schools and after a common school education he entered the hotel business in which he was interested with the Bonny family until the year 1888, when he engaged in the real estate business. After several successful investments he purchased a large tract of land on Delaware Avenue in the town of Tonawanda and adjoining the northerly boundary of Buffalo, and immediately began the erection of a number of first class residences, naming the new section " Kenmore," a name derived from the Scotch to "know more." By Mr. Eberhardt's untiring, enterprising spirit, and personal in- tegrity, it has grown and is now the most thriving and beautiful of Buffalo's suburban residences. Through Mr. Eberhardt the investors in Kenmore have been exceed- ingly successful, he having organized thirty-nine syndicates, during the past seven years, to retail lots in this particular locality, of which the greater number have been sold to individuals who have already built or intend to build homes. Mr. Eberhardt is known as the father of Kenmore.
Healy, John, jr., Buffalo, son of John and Margaret Healy, natives of Ireland, was born in 1862 in Buffalo, where his father settled when a young man. John Healy, sr., was first a steamboat fireman on the lakes and afterwards a scooper and for thirty-five years was boss scooper for Thomas Clark & Co. He also conducted a restaurant at 376 Ohio street until his death October 17, 1897. He was a staunch Democrat, a member of the Cleveland Legion, and was four times married, being
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the father of twenty-two children, nine of whom are living. John Healy, jr., attended the public and parochial schools, St. Joseph's College and Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College, and first worked in his father's restaurant and afterward was time- keeper on the dock for his father. In 1897 he succeeded the latter as overseer scooper for Thomas Clark & Co. Mr. Healy is a popular citizen, has a large number of men under him unloading vessels and cars, and is a firm Democrat. He has been three times nominated for supervisor of the First ward, and tied the vote in 1895 and was triumphantly elected in 1897.
Brennison, F., & Son, Buffalo .- This is one of the representative commission firms of Buffalo. The business was established in 1885 by Frederick Brennison, sr., who took into partnership his son Frederick, jr., the association continuing until the death of the elder partner in 1897. Frederick Brennison, sr., was born in Baden, Ger- many, and came to America in 1852, settling in Brooklyn, where he was engaged for some time in the oyster business. From Brooklyn he removed to Lancaster, Erie county, and thence to Buffalo in 1885. In 1860 he married Anna R. Kaiser of Brooklyn, and one son was born to them, Frederick, jr., who was born in Brooklyn, April 14, 1862. He was educated in the public schools of Lancaster and the Central High School of Buffalo, after which he was employed by Charles Richardson as a bookkeeper for eight years, two years of which time he managed the butter depart- ment. In 1881 he accepted a position with the Porter Brothers Company of Chicago, remaining in their employ for a short time and then returning to Buffalo, where in 1885 the firm of F. Brennison & Son was formed. Mr. Brennison is a 32d degree Mason, a member of the Lodge of Ancient Landmarks and Ismailia Temple, N. O. M. S. He is also a member of the National League of Commission Merchants, having been secretary of the Buffalo branch since its organization. In 1884 he mar- ried Minnie A., daughter of Edgar Dawes of Chicago. They have four children: Ethel A., born February 28, 1886; Mabel H., born July 29, 1888; Frederick D., born November 19, 1890; Esther A., born November 18, 1895.
Griffis, Rev. Joseph K., Buffalo, has had a more eventful life than usually falls to the lot of man. His ancestors settled in Virginia about 250 years ago. His father, William B. Griffis, of Welch descent, ran away from home when a boy, went to Iowa and was ever afterward in the government employ as a scout, guide, etc. He lived in Missouri and later in Texas. He brought his parents to Iowa, where they died. He married Alzada Martelia West, a native of Tennessee, whose father was killed by the Confederates while standing in the door of his home in Missouri. They had two daughters and one son. In 1864, while he was in pursuit of horse thieves, the Kiowa Indians killed his wife and took his son Joseph K. a prisoner, and during the Apache war in 1882 he was himself killed. Rev. Joseph K. Griffis was born in Pike county, Ill., February 28, 1862, and being captured by the Kiowa Indians in infancy grew up in the family of their chief without knowledge of his white par- entage. When ten years old he was surrendered and taken to his uncle's home in Texas, but a few weeks afterward ran away and returned to the Indians, with whom he remained until he was nineteen, being adopted as the son of Big Bull. He learned the English and Indian languages and acted as interpreter. In 1878 he en- listed in the regular army and served two and a half years as interpreter, scout and
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guide; owing to some trouble with Captain Kruise he with two others deserted, but all were captured, tried and sentenced to be shot. The captain, however, ordered them sent to Fort Reno, and there with one companion he escaped by cutting through the roof of the guard house. He went to Texas, Mexico, New Orleans, up the Mississippi and to London, Canada, where he was converted to Christianity. Later he was arrested and imprisoned for ten days for preaching in the streets. Afterward he was an officer in the Salvation Army, finally engaged in evangelical work and in September, 1893, was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in Buffalo, where he is now pastor of the South Presbyterian church and where he settled in 1890, coming here from Ohio. He never attended school; his education has been obtained through self study since his conversion. He is emphatically a self-made man. On the platform he has often told the thrilling story of his life. He has been active in the cause of temperance and in 1896 and again in 1897 was nominated for member of assembly by the Prohibitionists. June 2, 1885, he married Rebecca J., daughter of James Rooney of Toronto, Canada, and they have two sons and two daughters.
Mang, Isadore, Buffalo, one of six sons and three daughters of Peter and Mar- garet Mang, natives of France, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., February 19, 1844. Peter Mang, born in 1808, followed his trade as weaver until 1840, when he came to Buffalo, where he engaged in farming, owning several small farms in the city limits and one of forty-five acres across the line in Tonawanda. He was a Democrat and died in 1885, leaving a valuable estate and his sons well provided for. His first wife died in 1875. Isadore Mang attended the public schools, assisted his father in clearing and working the farms, and when twenty-one rented a farm and afterwards bought one. In 1880 he built a hotel near the city line on Delaware avenue, in Tonawanda, which he successfully conducted for eleven years, when he sold the site, which com- prised twenty-two acres, for advanced figures. In 1894 he erected the present Hotel de Mang, at No. 2662 Delaware avenue, and in 1897 placed his son in charge and retired from active life. He is interested in real estate and in the Brush Brewing Company of Tonawanda, and in politics is a Democrat. He married Abigail, daughter of Hanan Colvin of Buffalo, and their children are Winfield, Laura, Flora, and Maybell. His hotel and premises is a well known and popular resort for wheelmen.
Stengel, John A., Buffalo, one of the family of five sons and three daughters of Nicholas and Margaret (Groh) Stengel, was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 5, 1841, where his father was a tavern keeper. In 1846 the family came to America and settled in Buffalo, where Nicholas Stengel was employed in a foundry for many years and where he died in 1893, aged seventy-six; his wife's death occurred in 1892. He was independent in politics and widely respected and esteemed. John A. Stengel, after attending the public schools, entered the Courier printing office at the age of twelve years and learned the printer's trade; by industry and strict attention to business he advanced rapidly to the position of foreman, which he held for thirty- two years, completing a continuous service for that company of over thirty-eight years. In 1890 he resigned to become keeper of the Erie County Alms House, being the first Democrat ever elected to that office. After serving a term in that capacity
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he engaged in the lumber commission business, in which he has since continued, having his son as a partner. In 1897 he was again elected keeper of the alms house. He became a volunteer fireman in 1858 as a member of Excelsior Hose Company No. 4, and served ten years. In 1863 he enlisted in the 74th N. Y. Vols and served six months, when his services were demanded by the Courier Company, who furnished a substitute and brought him back. He has been a Mason since 1868, is a member of Hayward Post, G. A. R., and was a delegate to the city convention of 1882 which nominated Grover Cleveland for mayor. He has also been a delegate to various city, county and assembly conventions, and in fact has always been active in his party's welfare. In 1862 he married Elizabeth Hulsinger of Williamsville, and they have four sons and three daughters.
Schlotzer, John G., Buffalo, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in February, 1854, and is the eldest of nine children of John Schlotzer, a native of Baden, Germany. The latter was born in 1827 and when one year old was brought by his father, Gotlieb, to America. Gotlieb Schlotzer spent the remainder of his life in Erie county, teach- ing school in the town of Boston and elsewhere. John Schlotzer was a moulder by trade, worked also in a tannery and later conducted a grocery store, spending his active life in Buffalo, where he died May 18, 1897. He was first a Whig and after- wards an independent in politics. His wife, Barbara Bickel, a native of Germany, was brought to America when eight years old, and died in 1881. John G. Schlotzer was educated in Buffalo in public school 32, followed the trade of moulder for about five years and then engaged in the grocery business In 1878 he became a patrol- man on the police force; he was a sergeant for four years, when he resigned, and again engaged in the grocery trade. In 1894 he was elected superintendent of the alms house. He has been active in politics, serving as general and district com- mitteeman and being a delegate to city, county, assembly and State conventions. He was also an inspector under the Agricultural Department, at East Buffalo, for one year. He is an Odd Fellow, a member of the A. O. U. W., and is interested in real estate and several breweries. December 23, 1875, he married Mary, daughter of Peter McNeil of Buffalo, and they have five sons and four daughters living.
Schutz, Joseph G., Buffalo, is one of three sons and one daughter of Peter and Louisa (Zizer) Schutz, natives of Prussia, Germany, and Brooklyn, N. Y., respect- ively, and was born in Lancaster, Erie county, October 10, 1863. His grandfather, Nicholas Schutz, born in 1800, came to America with his son Peter in 1852, and still resides in Lancaster (December, 1897), hale and hearty, having worked his farm until he was eighty-three years old. Peter Schutz was born in 1827 and succeeded his father on the farm, which he still conducts. He is a tanner by trade and from 1873 to 1888 was engaged in the liquor business in Buffalo. His wife died April 13, 1879. Joseph C. Schutz attended St. Anne's Parochial School in Buffalo and was successively engaged in the dry goods store `of Chester, Morgan & Aaron and E. Hirslifelt & Co., and in the meat market of Charles Orick. He continued in the meat business until 1883, when he engaged in it for himself, being interested with his father; since 1890 he has conducted it on his own account. He is an active Democrat, has served as committeeman three years, and in 1893 and 1897 was his party's candidate for supervisor. He has also been a delegate to various political
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conventions and is a member of the Odd Fellows, the C. B. L., and the Foresters. In June, 1887, he married Katharine, daughter of David Merganhagen, of Buffalo.
Hoefner, Anselm, Buffalo, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in January, 1831. His father, George, a brewer, reared eight daughters and three sons, the latter being Michael, Alois and Anselm, and came to America in 1848, settling in Buffalo, where he died a year later; his wife, Margaret Hathman, died in 1890, aged ninety-three. Michael and Alois engaged in the brewing industry and in 1860 had one of the largest breweries in the city; they subsequently built the present co-operative brew- ery on High street. Anselm Hoefner learned the trade of bricklayer, which he fol- lowed until 1852, when he engaged in the manufacture of potash on Monroe street. In 1854 he moved his establishment to the locality then known as the Hydraulics, now 162-170 Van Rensselaer street, where he added the manufacture of candles and soap and with his three sons now conducts the American Star Soap factory, one of the largest in the city. Gregory Ritt was a partner from 1855 to 1862; in 1884 Mr. Hoefner's sons, Anthony J. and Anselm M., were given each an interest, the former having been connected with the business from 1872. The factory was burned in 1881 and immediately afterward the present establishment was erected. The business has grown steadily, especially since 1876, and a branch office is maintained in Baltimore. They manufacture twenty-eight brands of laundry soap, all kinds of toilet soaps, the only scouring soap in the city and washing powders and export large quantities to South America and Australia. Mr. Hoefner is a Democrat, was supervisor one term, but has declined further political honors. He is a member of the C. M. B. A. and the Knights of St. John. His wife, Barbara Rentz, is a native of Darmstadt, Germany, and they have five sons and two daughters. One son, Anthony J., has been for eight years a manager of the Catholic Institute, is a member of the C. M. B. A. and the Knights of Columbus, and general manager of the factory. Anselm M. is the practical soap maker and superintendent.
Bakert, Charles J., Buffalo, only son of Charles Bakert and Mary, daughter of John Schwartz, his wife, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 29, 1855. His father, a native of Baden Baden, Germany, was brought to America by his parents when a child and spent his active life in Buffalo, following the trade of butcher. His ma- ternal grandfather, John Schwartz, by whom he was reared from childhood, was for many years a well known and prosperous farmer of Buffalo; he was later a real Mr.
estate dealer, and sold a large portion of Forest Lawn to the association. Bakert was educated in the public and high schools, was graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College, and for a time was assistant bookkeeper for the Eagle Iron Works. He read law with E. C. Hawks, Quinby & Sicard, and also with Hon. A. P. Nichols, and was admitted to the bar January 4, 1878. Shortly afterward he opened a law office at the corner of Main and Swan streets and successfully built up a large court and general practice. In 1881 he removed to No. 530 William street, where he has since conducted a general office business, acting also as agent for the Globe and the Dun Accumulating Savings and Loan Association. He is a Republi- can, for seven years was a district committeeman and chairman of the board, has repeatedly served as delegate to city, county, assembly and judiciary conventions
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