USA > New York > The men of New York: a collection of biographies and portraits of citizens of the Empire state prominent in business, professional, social, and political life during the last decade of the nineteenth century, Vol. I > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
Mr. Bissell has been associated in partnership with a number of distinguished men and strong lawyers. His first partner was Lyman K. Bass. Later, Mr. Cleveland joined the firm, which was known as Bass, Cleveland & Bissell. After Mr. Bass retired and Mr. Cleveland was elected mayor of Buffalo, the firm became Cleveland, Bissell & Sicard. On his election to the governorship Mr. Cleveland with- drew, and since then Mr. Bissell has been the senior
21
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
member of one of Buffalo's great law firms, the style to-day being Bissell, Sicard, Bissell & Carey.
Although so much and so intimately associated with a man now occupying the highest position in the gift. of the American people, Mr. Bissell reso- lutely abjured politics beyond what strong party fealty required of him. An earnest Democrat, always ready with time and services to aid in the success of his party, he preferred the practice of his profession to the allurements of political life. In Mr. Cleveland's first term Mr. Bissell had the refusal of several honorable offices, but could not be tempted from his purpose to remain simply a lawyer. However, when his old partner was elected for a second term in 1892, and invited him into his cabinet, Mr. Bissell felt that an honor so high and unsought by him should not be put aside. Therefore he accepted the position of postmaster - general in Mr. Cleveland's cabinet, and made the most of the large opportunities for usefulness that a cabinet portfolio presents. When, after two years of service, he resigned for purely personal reasons, he left behind him in the post-office department a rec- ord for thoroughness, unfailing courtesy, executive ability, and practical reform unsurpassed by any of his predecessors. The good will of men of both parties followed him to his home.
Mr. Bissell is prominent in the social life of Buffalo. He is a member of the Buffalo Club, of which he was president in 1888. In all public movements his counsel and his influence are sought, and every worthy cause finds in him a supporter and a friend.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Wilson Shan- non Bissell was born at New London, N. Y., Decem- ber 31, 1847 ; graduated from Yale College in 1869; married Louise Sturges of Genera, N. Y., February 6, 1890 ; was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in 1871 ; was presidential elector-at-large on the Democratic ticket in 1888 ; was postmaster-general, 1893-05.
George Bleistein is a remarkable example of the rapidity with which a young American can rise to positions of high responsibility when ability and favoring fortune go together. His school days were brief, ending when, at the age of fourteen, he left one of the Buffalo public schools, and entered the service of the Courier Company as office boy. That
was the beginning of his career, and there was little indication or promise up to that time of what the future was to be. Success came marvelously soon : for in five years the office boy had become superin- tendent, and in three years more, on the death of Chas. W. McCune - or less than a decade from the
WILSON S. BISSELL
time when the lad of fourteen entered the establish- ment - he was elected president of the company. From the foot of the ladder he had gained the top- most round.
Rapidly won success imposes upon him who wins it a greater task than that which rests upon the man whose rise is slower. In sustaining the large respon- sibilities that he assumed as president of the Courier Company, Mr. Bleistein has made evident the pos- session of qualities that explain and justify his mete- oric advancement. As a business man he has mani - fested enterprise and wisdom in the management of extensive affairs ; while in public relations he has made his position and abilities a positive influence for the welfare of the community in which he lives.
22
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
While he has not been active in politics in the lower sense in which that term is often understood, he has taken a decided stand in political matters, and one which, from his position at the head of the company that publishes the leading Democratic newspaper of Buffalo, has contributed much to the
GEORGE BLEISTEIN
well-being of his fellow-citizens. That stand is for pure government and home rule in home affairs. When the Home-Rule Democracy of Erie County sprang into existence in 1893, to battle with the influences that were committing the municipality and county to the power of a corrupt political machine, Mr. Bleistein was elected president of the organiza- tion. The effect of the movement was felt in state as well as in local politics, and to it belongs much of the credit for the victory won for good government at the polls in that year. Mr. Bleistein has never sought public office, and the only office which he has held is that of trustec of the City and County Hall in Buffalo --- a position that he occupied for seven years, four of which were spent as chairman of the board.
, Mr. Bleistein has furnished many proofs that he is a good citizen of Buffalo. Projects for advancing the interests of the city have always met with warm sympathy from him. He has given generously of both his means and his time and influence to such enterprises. Any movement with a benevolent object is sure to find in him an ardent supporter.
Mr. Bleistein is by nature one of the most social and companionable of men. Thus it happens that he has many friends, and is a member of many clubs. Among the social organizations to which he be- longs are the Buffalo Club, the Saturn Club, and the Country Club (of which he is president), all of Buffalo ; the Man- hattan Club of New York city ; and the Jekyl Island Club. He is a 32d degree Mason.
Mr. Bleistein is president of the Asso- ciated Press of the State of New York, and a director of the United Press of the United States.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - George Bleistein was born at Buffalo December 6, 1861 ; graduated from the public schools, after spending tivo years at a German school ; entered the service of the Courier Company, in Buffalo, in 1876, becoming superintendent of the company in 1881 and president in 1884 ; married Mrs. Elizabeth Wells Mc Cune of Buffalo April 28, 1886 ; was chosen president of Home- Rule Democracy of Erie County, N. Y., in 1893.
henry Tel. Brendel is one of the younger lawyers and politicians of Buffalo who have taken an active and intelligent interest in the affairs of the city. Although of German descent, he was born in Buffalo, and was educated in the public schools of that city. His course of study was completed in 1873, and he was then called upon to choose his calling in life. To the young man just entering the arena of action in this way, the future presents many and varied possi- bilities. The world of business, with its intense activity, wide opportunities, and splendid rewards, calls loudly to him to cast in his lot with its follow- ers, while the various professions offer their counter attractions with compelling force. Mr. Brendel, notwithstanding the obstacle of insufficient scholastic preparation, chose the study of law, and resolved to make actual work and training in a practitioner's
23
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION'
office take the place of a law school. This plan he successfully pursued, acquiring a knowledge of the law under these adverse conditions in about the same time that some law schools require. He remained one year in the office of Hawkins & Fischer, and completed his studies in the office of Delavan F. Clark. Realizing the fact that in the case of young men a successful practice of the law is most easily obtained through a connection with some attorney already prominent, Mr. Brendel forined a copartnership with General James C. Strong in the fall of 1879. The firm was most successful, and conducted much important litigation. In the year 1891 this partnership was dissolved by mutual con- sent, and Mr. Brendel has since carried on his ex; tensive practice alone.
Mr. Brendel has always been actively interested in Republican politics, and has served his party for a number of years as member of its executive committee, where his counsel and advice are much sought and are always valuable. While serving on this committee, he was chosen treasurer for three years, on account of his strict integrity and business and financial acu- men ; and he handled the funds of the organization in a manner highly satis- factory to the party managers. He has three times been nominated for the state assembly, but, living in a district strongly Democratic, he has been as many times defeated. These defeats he takes cheer- fully and philosophically, realizing that the man who can say, " I have never held a political office," has escaped many of the discomforts of life.
Mr. Brendel is a member of St. Stephen's Evangelical Church, and takes great interest in its work. Inheriting from his German ancestors that love of music for which the race is so famous, he belongs to the Harugari, the Teutonia Maennerchor, and other singing societies. He can claim much credit for the mag- nificent results accomplished by the Ger- man-American musical societies - one of the noteworthy and creditable features wherein Buffalo is pre-eminent among the cities of the Empire State - where the divine art is rationally mingled with domestic and social enjoyments, and with that genial Teutonic gemuthlichkeit that seems at pres- ent impossible to the less gregarious and more egoistic, nervous Yankee. To the Teutonia Maen-
nerchor, the chief among these societies, Mr. Bren- del has devoted his time and energy without stint ; and in other ways as well he has con- tributed liberally of both his means and influence to the advancement of the musical art and the cultivation of a sound musical taste in the city of Buffalo. Thus, with greater effectiveness than by more pretentious agencies, has he helped forward and developed that true urban civilization which has made the Queen of the Lower Lakes a city of cosmopolitan culture.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Henry II. Brendel was born at Buffalo December 10, 1857; weas educated in the Buffalo public schools ; began the study of law in 1875, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1879, was nominated for the state assem- ble in 1886, 1887, and 1889.
HENRY A. BRENDEL
3obn C. Bryant, while earning a handsome competence for himself, has devoted his life to the wel- fare of others. As president of the Bryant & Stratton Buffalo Business College he has contributed no small
*
24
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION'
share to the growth and prosperity of Buffalo, by the business training given at his institution to a host of young men, many of whom have become leaders in the business world. He can, therefore, look back upon his life with a degree of satisfaction that falls to the lot of comparatively few. Of good
JOHN C. BRYANT
old English stock, Mr. Bryant was brought to this country early in life. His education was begun in the common schools, and after a two years' course in the academy at Norwalk, Ohio, he determined to study medicine. For three years he devoted his entire time and all his energies to the study of that noble profession, and graduated from the Cleveland Medical College in 1846.
For the next ten years he was known as Dr. Bry- ant. His field of labor was in Amherst, Ohio, and here he was widely known and honored, both as a man and as a physician. Many a professional man has found, after a few years devoted to what he had expected would be his life-work, that there were
opportunities for remunerative usefulness in directions altogether unthought of. Such was the case with Dr. Bryant. It was in the fall of 1856 that he came to Buffalo and entered into partnership with his brother, H. B. Bryant, and his brother-in-law, H. D. Stratton, who had established business col- leges in Cleveland in 1853 and in Buffalo in 1854, which were to become links of a chain of similar institutions afterward located in forty-four cities of this country and Canada. These places of business training became famous as the Bryant & Stratton business colleges. To the projectors of these schools it was evi- dent that here was an unoccupied field. Young men had no opportunity to acquire a knowledge of business methods except by a slow course of training in some office or store ; and even then they were not likely to gain an insight into the theory and practice of business so comprehen- sive and accurate as modern conditions demand. From the first it was the in- tention of Messrs. Bryant and Stratton to make their course of study cover not only the theory but also the practice of mer- cantile methods. How successful these business colleges have been, thousands of young men, who have gone forth from them equipped with a practical knowledge of business methods, can testify.
Since 1860 Mr. Bryant has been pres- ident of the Buffalo college, and under his watchful care the original system „ has grown and expanded until it has apparently reached the stage of perfec- tion. Yet it has never been Mr. Bryant's habit to be satisfied with what was already accomplished. His motto might well have been "Progress," so closely has he lived up to that principle.
No author of practical text-books on bookkeep- ing and commercial law ranks higher than Mr. Bryant. He has given a great deal of time and in- telligent thought to the preparation of his books ; and the fact that they have a large circulation all through the United States and Canada, and are favorably known even in foreign countries, is an evidence of their great value.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-John Collins Bryant was born at Ebley, Gloucestershire, England, December 21, 1821; attended the Norwalk ( O.) Academy two years, and studied medicine three years,
25
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
graduating from the Cleveland Medical College in 1846 ; married Hannah M. Clark of Wakeman, O., May 21, 1851 ; practiced his profession at Amherst, O., 1847-56 ; came to Buffalo in 1856, and formed a partnership with H. B. Bryant and H. D. Strat- ton for the conduct of business colleges ; has been presi- dent of the Bryant & Stratton Buffalo Business College since 1860.
5. Douglas Cornell is the head of one of the best known and oldest families in Buffalo. He is a familiar figure on the streets of the city, and is one of the most popular men in its society. He is a gentleman in the best sense of the word, always courteous and affable, ever kind and considerate in his bearing toward others. Mr. Cornell was born in Fairfield county, Conn., but early in life came to Buffalo, where he, and his father before him, were identified for many years with the progressive business interests of the city. Mr. Cornell had the good fortune to be equipped for his life-work with an excellent education, begun at home, con- tinued under the care of able and watchful tutors, and finished (scholastically speak- ing) at Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., whence he graduated in 1860. Supple- mentary study brought him the degree of A. M. from the same institution in 1863.
Immediately after his graduation he began an active business career with his father, S. G. Cornell, who was a leading manufacturer of white lead - a business with which the name of Cornell was asso- ciated for a long period. His connection with the manufacture of this important product was interrupted for some time that he spent in Colorado as an agent for the examination of gold mines. In this specialty he was eminently successful, and in 1863 he published, as a result of his observations, a valuable pamphlet entitled "Prospects of Gold Mining in Colorado."
As Mr. Cornell's father desired the aid of his son in his rapidly expanding busi- ness, hitherto conducted under his own name, the young man returned from Col- orado and devoted himself to the interests of the firm, which thus acquired the style of S. G. Cornell & Son. The firm was so known until 1867, when it was reorganized as the Cornell Lead Company. Under this style the busi- ness was successfully carried on until 1888, when Mr. Cornell retired from active pursuits.
Mr. Cornell early interested himself in the National Guard of the State of New York, and long and faith- ful service therein must be placed to his credit. In this connection he may be referred to as colonel, since that was his rank for a long time. He enlisted as a private in the 74th regiment, in which he soon became a noncommissioned officer. The attention of Brigadier General William F. Rogers was called to the faithful young officer, who was thereupon given a staff appointment as junior aid-de-camp. Mr. Cornell remained on the staff of General Rogers for fifteen years, while that officer was a brigadier general and afterwards a major general in command of the 4th division. After serving through various subordinate ranks, Mr. Cornell won the position of assistant adjutant general and chief of staff with the rank of colonel. This position he retained until the
S. DOUGLAS CORNELL
reorganization of the National Guard and the abolish- ment of divisions.
Mr. Cornell is possessed of much histrionic talent, and would undoubtedly have made a brilliant success,
26
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
had he adopted the stage as a profession. Buffalonians have had the pleasure on numerous occasions of see- ing him in the entertainments of the Buffalo Ama- teurs -an organization that has acquired no little fame by reason of the finish of its performances and the high social standing of its members. For the former of these distinctions great credit is due Mr. Cornell, for he has been the stage manager of the organization from 1872 to the present time.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Samuel Doug- las Cornell was born at Glenville, Conn., December 2, 1839 ; graduated from Hobart College in 1860 ; mar- ried Lydia Hadfield of Buffalo January 29, 1862; spent about three years in Colorado, 1862-64, as agent for the examination of gold mines ; took part in his father's lead business for two years after graduation, returned thereto in 1864, and remained in the business until 1888 ; served on the stuff of brigadier general, afterwards major gen- eral, William F. Rogers, in command of Ath division, N. G., S. N. Y., for fifteen years, becoming assistant adjutant general and chief of staff, with rank of colonel.
William Caryl Cornwell has done much to spread abroad the fame of Buffalo, for press dis- patches often quote "W. C. Cornwell of Buffalo" as making a speech or reading a paper on some live topic before a gathering of bankers of state or national importance. Mr. Cornwell is known as one of the leading bankers of the country. Indeed, David A. Wells includes him among the six best conservative authorities on financial subjects, the other five so distinguished being David W. Stone, William B. Dana, William Dodsworth, Edward Atkinson, and Charles B. Fairchild. The fact is that Mr. Cornwell is a thorough master of the theory as well as the practice of banking, and when he speaks or writes on these subjects he is sure to have all attentive and appreciative audience.
Mr. Cornwell is thoroughly modern in his methods and ideas, and at the same time thoroughly sound. The best illustration of the truth of this is found in the great growth of the Bank of Buffalo, of which he was for fifteen years the cashier, and in that of the City Bank of Buffalo, which he organized in 1892, and of which he is president.
When Mr. Cornwell became cashier of the first- named bank it employed a few clerks, and used one room for the transaction of its business. When he left the bank it had a staff of thirty-five clerks, and was so cramped for room that it had been trying for some time to obtain a site for a building of its own. During his administration the business of the bank increased over 600 per cent, and its surplus earnings became greater than its capital, while its deposits
amounted to more than $4,000,000. In 1892, Mr. Cornwell withdrew from active connection with this bank, and organized the " City Bank, Buffalo, N. Y." This bank began operations in the spring of 1893 in the face of universal business depression ; but the. fall of the same year found the City Bank with deposits of $1,000,000, ali accumulated within six months and during a panicky season. These facts certainly speak volumes for the skill of Mr. Corn- well as a banker, and for the confidence that the business men of Buffalo have in him. He was one of the organizers of the Buffalo Bankers' Association in 1881, and has been its secretary from the start. It was largely through him that the clearing house was formed in 1889, and' made a part of the Asso- ciation. He was the first, chairman of the clear- ing-house committee, and held the position for three years. During that time he perfected two most im- portant undertakings. One was the making of clearings on a cash basis instead of by draft ; the other was the banding of the banks together for the issuance of clearing-house certificates. This was effected in 1890 upon Mr. Cornwell's forecast of coming danger. The banks at that time passed a resolution for joint action, and all machinery was arranged for clearing-house certificates. The possi- bility of using these promptly saved the city from impending disaster on the fatal 26th of June, 1893. The resolution of 1890 ran as follows :
" In view of a possible money crisis at any future time, the Banks, members of this Association, for the purpose of sustain- ing each other and the business community, do hereby resolve, That : A committee of five be elected, as hereinafter provided, to receive from Banks, members of the Association, bills receiv- able and other securities to be approved of by said Committee, who shall be and are hereby authorized to issue therefor to such depositing Banks loan certificates not in excess of seventy- five per cent of the securities or bills receivable so deposited (except in case of United States Bonds), and such certificates shall be received and paid in settlement of balance at the Clearing House ; the obligations given for such certificates to bear interest at the rate of six per cent per annum."
In the larger field of state, national, and interna- tional banking, Mr. Cornwell has won a renown that might well be the envy of an older man. He took a very active part in bringing pressure to bear upon congress to secure the repeal of the purchase clause of the Sherman act. It was he who prepared forms of petitions, and sent them all over the country to banks, which in turn obtained the signatures of their customers, and forwarded the petitions to Washing- ton. These collectively became known as the " Buffalo Petition." Mr. Cornwell's addresses and writings on financial subjects evince clearness of com- prehension, soundness of view, and strength of logic. Among his writings are a pamphlet on " Free
27
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
Coinage "; an address before the American Bankers' Association in 1891, on " Canadian Bank Currency," in which he pointed out the errors in our own sys- tem, and predicted the disasters of two years later ; papers on "Currency Reform and Bank Circula- tion " and "The Gold Standard," both ranking high among American economic writings; and " The Currency and Banking Law of Canada," a digest of the laws of Canada, recently published by G. P. Putnam's Sons.
Mr. Cornwell was one of the founders of the New York State Bankers' Associa- tion, and was its first president. So highly were his efforts in behalf of the institu- tion and of sound money appreciated by his associates, that he was elected an honorary member of the council of ad- ministration. He has also been vice president for New York state of the American Bankers' Association ; and in 1894 he was elected a member of the executive committee for three years.
Banking, however, does not occupy all of Mr. Cornwell's time. He is an artist of much ability, and a pleasant and discriminating writer on art topics. He studied art at the Julien school in Paris, and was a pupil of Lefebvre and Boulan- ger. He has produced many charming sketches and some work of a more am- bitious character that has been highly praised. Mr. Cornwell has a summer home at East Aurora, seventeen miles from Buffalo, where he and his wife have surrounded themselves with everything that artistic natures can desire.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- William Caryl Cornwell was born at Lyons, N. Y., August 19, 1851 ; attended the public schools of Buffalo ; married Marian II. Loomis of Buffalo October 9, 1873; was cashier of the Bank of Buffalo, 1877-92: organized the City Bank of Buffalo in 1892, and has been president thereof since ; was made the first president of the New York State Bankers' Association in 1894; was president of the Buffalo Society of Artists, 1894-96 ; was a member of the executive committee of the American Bankers' Association, 1894-96 ; has been Fund Commissioner of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy since 1880.
Charles T. Cusbman is an example of a class of men fortunately by no means rare in our country - men whose activity and usefulness begin
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.