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 31
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'The young man, on presenting himself to his uncle, was set to work painting plows and cleaning castings. For one winter he attended Silas Kings- ley's High School, still remembered by old inhabit- ants. Afterwards he learned the molder's trade, and then acted as a clerk in his uncle's warehouse until MIr. Skinner was burned out. Mr. Jewett was now in his nineteenth year, but he had so diligently improved his time that he was invited to form a copartnership with Franklin Day and Francis H. Root, under the firmn name of Day, Root & Co. They erected a small foundry on Mississippi street, Buffalo, took off their coats, and went to work. In a few years, by withdrawals and reorganization, Mr. Jewett alone remained of the original partners. He continued the business by himself for several years, when Mr. Root again became a partner, the style of the new firm being Jewett & Root. This partner- ship continued for thirty-five years, and was alto- gether successful, requiring after a time a Chicago branch, and winning an enviable reputation in the mercantile world. Upon the dissolution of the firm of Jewett & Root in 1878, a new company was formed, which has since been known as Sherman S. Jewett & Co. Mr. Jewett has always been energetic in the personal management of his business, and his hand is still ( July, 1896) at the helm. His name is a household word everywhere.
Mr. Jewett's success in his own line of business has naturally brought him into relations with the financial world. He has been one of the organizers of several of Buffalo's strongest banks. He was president of the Bank of Buffalo until 1892, and a director of the Manufacturers' and Traders' Bank for over thirty years, and of the Marine Bank for over twenty years. He has been a director of the Columbia National Bank since its organization in 1892. His reputation for financial ability and
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strict integrity received a notable recognition at the time of the great Chicago fire. That conflagra- tion proved disastrous to insurance companies all over the United States. In Buffalo three com- panies - the Western, the Buffalo City, and the Buffalo Fire and Marine - were placed in bank- ruptcy, and by the action of the Chi- cago creditors Mr. Jewett was appointed assignee of all. He applied himself to his great task with such zeal that in three years he received his official discharge from the work, which he completed to the entire satisfaction of all parties con- cerned.
In railroad circles Mr. Jewett has been a quiet but influential factor. He was one of the earliest promoters of the Buf- falo, New York & Philadelphia railway, a director for fourteen years, and presi- dent from 1876 to 1881. His manage- ment of this property was masterly in the highest degree, as he raised the road from practical bankruptcy to prosperity, returning to the city of Buffalo its entire investment in the road - $700,000. He has been a director of the New York Central railroad since 1884, and presi- dent of the Western Transit Co. since 1885.
By virtue of the services of Captain Joseph Jewett in the War for Independ- ence, Mr. Jewett is a member of the society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Religious and philanthropic institutions have ever found in Mr. Jewett a generous contributor and steadfast friend. His loyal and unselfish support of the Young Men's Association made it a success. Unostentatious in his giving, he is prudent in the bestowal of assistance, always requiring that the object be a worthy one, and that the means con- tributed to it be wisely expended. Mr. Jewett finds relaxation from business cares in the rod and line, and Izaak Walton never had a more devoted disciple.
In politics Mr. Jewett is an original Republican. He was thrice elected to the common council, and acted as mayor pro tempore on several occasions. His services to the city at that time were exceed- ingly valuable, and the council adopted his plan of creating both the Ohio and Erie basins, the advocates of each of which desired to destroy the other. In 1876 he was nominated for congress without his knowledge, but ill health compelled him
to decline. In 1880 he was a presidential elector, and helped cast the vote of New York for Garfield and Arthur. The organization of the Buffalo park system was planned at his house, and he has been a member of the board of park commissioners from the beginning.
SHERMAN S. JEWETT
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Sherman Skinner Jewett was born at Moravia, N. Y., January 17, 1818; was educated in district schools and at Kingsley's High School in Buffalo ; went to Buffalo in 1834, and began work in a foundry ; married Deborah Dusenberry of Buffalo August 14, 1839 ; was a mem- ber of the common council, 1845, 1846, and 1848 : has been park commissioner since the organisation of the board in 1871, and president of the tourd since 1879 ; has carried on the foundry business, alone or in partnership, since 1836.
herman C. fkoerner developed early in life the artistic talent that has brought him success in his chosen calling of lithography. As a youth, in the
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public schools of Brooklyn, his native city, his apti- tude for drawing and designing resulted in his cap- turing all the prizes for which he competed ; and at the close of his school life, in 1870, he naturally be. came an apprentice to the lithographic business in New York city, where for several years he devoted
HERMAN T. KOERNER
himself to close study, and acquired considerable knowledge of the various branches of the art. The enormous development of the art of illustration, for both literary and commercial uses, gave ample scope to his talents, and he soon launched out for himself, establishing an office in New York city, and execut- ing work for the lithographic trade. In 1876 he ac- cepted a situation in Buffalo, and in 1878 assumed a position of importance in the establishment of which he is now the head, where his talent and industry rapidly pushed him to the front rank of practical lithographers. On the death of the junior member of the firm, Mr. Koerner was admitted to a share in the business, and on the death of the founder of the house, he became senior member of the firm of
Koerner & Hayes. Since that time this well- known house has grown to large proportions, repre- senting a capital of half a million dollars, and em- ploying over five hundred operatives.
A number of important and valuable inventions, used chiefly in the various processes of lithography and printing, have been the fruit of Mr. Koerner's active and versatile mind ; and his services in this direction have received substantial recognition in both trade and scientific circles.
While actively engaged in his engross- ing duties as the chief artist of his own establishment, Mr. Koerner's artistic tastes have found other outlets in great variety. He had a thorough training in music in early life, and is a fine performer upon both the piano and violin, as well as a singer of taste. His genius in music is creative, also, and he has been a pro- lific composer of both vocal and instru- mental music. He is well known in the musical circles of Buffalo as an enthusi- astic amateur and musical director, and as the leader for seven years of the Men- delssohn Club.
Among his other occupations Mr. Koerner has frequently furnished to the illustrated press vivid and pungent car- toons upon local and general subjects. In this line of work he is peculiarly happy. He has strong opinions upon public af- fairs, and his pencil treatment of them is direct and striking. His manner of drawing shows decided individuality, and is instantly recognizable by those who have once seen it. His cartooning has been done con amore, but should he devote himself to it entirely, Mr. Koer- ner would easily attain high rank among satiric pic- ture teachers of the day. Almost as clever with his pen as with his pencil, Mr. Koerner contributes to the press pointed articles upon current topics, which always show a grasp of the subject, and treat it in an original and entertaining manner. His numerous brochures and treatises on lithography, discussing the subject in both its practical and its ab- stract aspects, have been extensively copied, trans- lated, and printed in this country and abroad.
As secretary and treasurer of the National Lithog- raphers' Association for nearly a decade, he has ren- dered invaluable services in behalf of his profession.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Herman Theodore Koerner was born at Brooklyn November
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MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
9, 1855 ; was educated in the public schools of that city ; moved to Buffalo in May, 1876, to take a posi- tion as lithographer in the establishment of Cosack & Co .; married Georgia M. White of Buffalo May 31, 1877 ; has been a member of the firm now styled Koerner & Hayes since August, 1881.
George b. Lamy is a true son of western New York, and though he has wandered at times, there he has found his greatest success in life. His quiet, unassuming manners conceal executive ability of a high order, and only to those who know him best is his full worth revealed. He was born in the old Lamy homestead at East Eden in Erie county, where his grandfather, George Lamy, settled in 1829, and where his father, Henry Lamy, died in 1895. Mr. Lamy acquired a good common-school education as a foundation for his battle with the world, and was for a time a student at the well-known Springville Academy. His first venture in business life was made in 1862, when he went to Buffalo and be- came a clerk in a grocery. After remain- ing in this position about a year, he saw greater opportunities for advancement in another direction, and turned his atten- tion to the transportation industry on the Great Lakes. He remained in this busi- ness for eight years, becoming in that time the owner of one vessel and part owner of another.
His ambition still unslaked, Mr. Lamy resolved to go to that El Dorado, where, according to Horace Greeley, fortune awaited every man who would grow up with the country. Mr. Lamy spent nearly two years in the West, mostly on the plains, and had many experiences of an interesting character. He was present at the driving of the golden spike that marked the completion of the Union Pa -. cific railroad. But the West did not have sufficient attractions to keep this eastern-bred young man, and soon his face was set in the direction of more advanced civilization.
After returning to Buffalo he received an appointment as a keeper in the Erie- county penitentiary, managed at that time by Charles E. Felton, who has since become known as an expert penologist. Mr.
Lamy at once proved himself the possessor of those qualities that are so necessary in one who is respon- sible for the care and conduct of imprisoned men.
When Mr. Felton was called to a larger field, found in the superintendency of the House of Correction at Chicago, he induced his able assistant to accompany him. Mr. Lamy was made chief keeper of that important institution, and for eight years he filled with entire success this trying and responsible position.
A desire to return to Buffalo led Mr. Lamy to accept the appointment of office deputy under Sheriff W. W. Lawson after that official's election in 1880. When Mr. Lawson was succeeded by Harry H. Koch, at the end of three years, Mr. Lamy was retained in his position ; and when Frank T. Gilbert was elected sheriff in 1886, he recognized Mr. Lamy's fitness and ability by promoting him to be under sheriff. This position he filled also during the term of Oliver A. Jenkins.
GEORGE HI. LAMY
Mr. Lamy's long service in the sheriff's office had qualified him in a marked degree for the head position there, and in 1892 he received the Re- publican nomination. This was a bad year for that
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party, however, and he went down with the rest of the ticket. Two years later he was once more his party's candidate, and was elected by a solid majority of 13,299 votes in the county of Erie -a certain indication of his personal and political popularity.
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WILLIAM F. MICKEY
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - George H. Lamy was born at East Eden, Erie county, N. Y., March 19, 1846 ; attended district schools and Spring- ville Academy ; went to Buffalo in 1862, and engaged in lake traffic, 1863-11 ; was chief keeper at the House of Correction, Chicago, 1811-79; married Lana C. Keller of North Boston, N. Y., April 16, 1874: was appointed office deputy by the sheriff of Erie county in 1880, and under sheriff in 1886 ; has been sheriff of Erie county since January 1, 1895.
William f. Mackey, like thousands of other bright young men brought up in the smaller towns, was attracted by the manifold advantages of a great city, and in early manhood settled in Buffalo. In
the twelve years that he has spent there he has inter- .ested himself actively in public affairs, and has become well known both in his profession and beyond it.
Mr. Mackey is a native of western New York, and was born at Albien, Orleans county, late in the His early education was obtained in the private and public schools of his native village. In 1869 his parents moved to Middleport, Niagara county, and he at- tended the public schools there for three years. Then he took a four years' course at Lockport Union School, from which he graduated in 1876.
The legal profession possessed decided attractions for the young man, and he began at once to prepare himself for it, entering the office of the well-known firm of Ellsworth, Potter & Brundage in Lock- port, as a student. When Judge Brun- dage withdrew from the firm Mr. Mackey -continued his studies with him, and after admission to the bar, in 1879, he re- mained in the office as managing clerk. He continued to fill this responsible po- sition until 1883, when Judge Brundage moved to Buffalo. For a short time Mr. Mackey practiced alone at Lockport : but in 1884 he, too, yielded to the magnet- like attraction of a large city, and moved to Buffalo.
It requires no small amount of courage and determination on the part of a young lawyer to make a place for himself in his profession without forming an alliance with some older man whose reputation is already established ; and the difficulty is considerably increased if the young aspirant for fame and fortune be a stranger in the community. But Mr. Mackey was equal to the task before him, and for several years he worked alone, with ever increasing success. Finally, in 1890, he associated himself with John C. Draper, Jr., under the firm name of Mackey & Draper, and this partnership still continues.
Mr. Mackey's greatest interest outside his pro- fession is in the domain of politics, so fascinating to many lawyers. He has taken an active interest in public affairs ever since he left school, and his party has gladly availed itself of his services. Before he left Lockport he was the Democratic candidate for district attorney of Niagara county, but was defeated with the rest of his ticket. Soon after his arrival in Buffalo he took an active part in the formation of the Cleveland Democracy. He was its president
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MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
in 1887, 1888, and 1892, and has been especially interested in the organization ever since. In 1888 he was his party's candidate for the coveted position of representative in congress, but was defeated by John M. Farquhar by a majority of about 1600. In December, 1890, Mr. Mackey's devotion to the Democratic cause was rewarded by an appointment as assistant city attorney, and he held the position for three years, until his election as assistant United States attorney in 1893. This position he still holds.
Mr. Mackey is not actively connected with the many social and fraternal organizations of the day, but finds in politics all the relaxation he needs from the cares of his profession. He is a member of Buffalo Lodge, No. 21, B. P. O. E.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-William Fleming Mackey was born at Albion, V. Y., January 3, 1858 ; graduated from Lockport Union School in 1876 : was ad- mitted to the bar in 1879 : married Ella L. Robinson of Cambria, N. Y., Novem- ber 10, 1817 : practiced law at Lockport, N. Y., 1879-84; was assistant city attor- ney of Buffalo, 1890-93 ; has been assist- ant United States attorney since 18933 : has practiced law in Buffalo since 1884.
Deter D. Miller has long been active in the business life of Buffalo. His entire career has been devoted to practical objects, and he has done much to increase the material prosperity of his native city. With the exception of a few years' schooling, he is a self-educated man. He began early the task of mak- ing his own way in the world. Having learned the machinist's trade in the Buf- falo Steam Engine Works, he graduated from the shop to the steamboat. He be- came connected with the Western Trans- portation Co., and for a time was assistant engineer on one of their screw propel- lers. Subsequently he was promoted and made chief engineer of the steamer " Free State." Finally the company made him chief engineer of its entire fleet. As a practical engineer Mr. Miller rendered most efficient service to the Transporta- tion Co., and at the time of its dissolution in 1884 he was holding the responsible position of su- perintendent, and was also a director in the company.
In the following year Mr. Miller entered a new field, in which he was also destined to achieve
success. He became secretary and treasurer and managing director of the Citizens' Gas Co. of Buffalo. He had been connected with this company as a director ever since its organization in December, 1873. He has also extended his business relations in several quarters. He is a director in the American Exchange Bank and the Buffalo General Electric Co. His practical mind was early attracted to the elec- trical field, and in addition to the directorates men- tioned he is president of the F. P. Little Electrical Construction & . Supply Co. He also retains his interest in Jake commerce, and is a member of the Lake Carriers' Association, as well as manager and part owner of the Red Star line of steamers of Buffalo, Mr. Miller was among the first engineers to recognize the value and feasibility of compound engines, and he introduced the first one of the kind on
PETER P. MILLER
the lakes in the case of the steamer "Susquehanna."
In politics Mr. Miller's affiliations are with the Republican party, and in 1869-70 he represented the 4th ward in the common council. In recent years
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
increasing business cares have caused him to take a less active interest in public affairs so far as they relate to politics ; but his convictions on questions of the day are strong and well founded. Mr. Miller is naturally of a retiring disposition, content with doing his duty as it appears to him from day to day.
JAMES MOONEY
He is a man of unflinching courage and of quick resolve, and displayed these qualities to great advan- tage at the memorable burning of the American block in January, 1865. Three firemen had lost their lives, and the conflagration threatened to spread and become general. At this juncture Mr. Miller con- cluded that heroic measures were needed, and with a quantity of giant powder he entered and blew up the structure, thus preventing the fire from spreading. Mr. Miller is a prominent Free Mason, and is a member of a number of lodges in Buffalo. He is also a member of the Buffalo Club and of the Merchants' Exchange.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Peter Paul Miller was born at Buffalo November 20, 1837 ; was
educated in the public schools of the city ; learned the machinist's trade; and became engineer on lake steumers ; was superintendent of the Western Trans- portation Co., and a director in the company, 1860-84 : has been secretary, treasurer, and managing director of the Citizens' Gas Co. since 1885.
Games Mooney has made his name synonymous in Buffalo with enter- prise, business energy, and public spirit. He possesses a rare combination of tact and push, and when once he has em- barked on an undertaking knows no such word as fail. He is of Celtic origin but of American training ; and unites in himself the suave but independent spirit of his race with the shrewd and progres- sive character of the native American. As a young man he was dependent largely on his own resources for success : but he was ambitious, and laid a founda- tion of character and ability sufficiently broad and stable to support subsequent eminence and fortune.
Mr. Mooney took up his residence in Buffalo about forty-six years ago, and received his education in the public schools of that city. His early ambition was to practice law, and he began a course of legal study in the office of the late Charles D. Norton. But Mr. Mooney soon concluded that his talents lay in another field, and he put aside his law books to engage in the real-estate busi- ness. Few men in Buffalo have been more fully identified with the develop- ment of the city than he. At a time when land improvement was hardly con- ceived, he showed his faith in the destiny of his adopted city by expending time, money, and energy in reclaiming and laying out vast tracts of realty that are now within the limits of the city. Rare judgment and courage were required in such undertakings, but the reward has been commensurate with the outlay.
Mr. Mooney has long been an active factor in public affairs. While not an office-seeker, he has been called upon frequently to fill public positions of trust and responsibility, and in every case he has fulfilled the duties imposed upon him in a business- like manner. He was one of the original park com- missioners of Buffalo, and served in that capacity for fifteen years. For five years he was one of the commissioners of the State Reservation at Niagara
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
Falls, and proved himself watchful of the public interests, and conscientious in the discharge of his duties. In 1891 he was appointed by Mayor Bishop commissioner of public works, and this position he still holds.
In recent years Mr. Mooney has devoted consider- able attention to building, and in the grand structure known as the Mooney-Brisbane building he has reared a lasting monument, creditable alike to him- self and to the city of Buffalo. He has not confined his activities to mercantile lines. Causes appeal- ing to his patriotism and his sense of justice have ever found in him an ardent supporter and a cham- pion. He was one of the leading spirits in the Irish Land League of America, and was its president from 1881 to the time of its consolidation with the Irish
National League. Loyalty to race and traditions has ever been a characteristic of men of Irish lineage, and this loyalty Mr. Mooney ·possesses in a high degree. For all that, his stanch Americanism is none the less marked and active, and he is a fine example of the true meaning of the ap- pellation Irish-American - loyal to his native land, but true to the land of his adoption.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- James Mooney was born in Queen's County, Ireland, and came to Buffalo in 1850 ; was educated in the public schools ; married Ellen L. McRoden of Rochester in 1873 : has carried on a real-estate business at Buffalo since 1860 ; has been commis- sioner of public works of the city of Buffalo since 1891.
Charles 3. Worth is a fit repre- sentative of the men who, from very humble beginnings and without help, i work their way up to success and a place of honor in the community. His early years were passed in circumstances that gave little hint of what the future was to be. He was born on a farm far up in Clinton county, in which all of his great- grandparents had been pioneers. Per- haps the best part of his inheritance con- sisted of the qualities that he derived from a long line of Puritan and Quaker an- cestors, one of whom, George Soule, was a signer of the "Compact" in the cabin of the " Mayflower."
In the panic of 1857 Mr. North's parents were reduced to distress : and insufficient food, fuel, and
clothing made the winter one to be remembered. He was at that time thrown upon his own resources. His education was limited to what he had received in the district school, and to attendance for two or three winters at a private school, where he built the fires, shoveled the snow, and swept the schoolrooms, , in payment for his tuition. However, he was an eager reader ; and by sitting up nights after his day's work was done, and studying the few schoolbooks at his command, he made up in part for the limitations described.
Thus meagerly prepared, the boy set out with a stout heart to work his way upward. He earned his living by laboring as a farm hand until the spring of 1873, when he went to Buffalo, a total stranger, with a few hundred dollars, saved by the utmost denial, as his total capital. Having found employment in
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CHARLES J. NORTH
an instance office, he quickly mastered the details of the business, and secured the confidence of his employers to such an extent that within a short time he was promoted to the most responsible position in
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