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 33
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ness methods, and was well equipped at his majority for a business career. To John H. Jones, now president of the Buffalo Fish Co., Mr.
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stafford is indebted for encouragement and assist- uwe in taking his first important step in commer- mal life. The firm of Jones, Stafford & Co. was formed, consisting of Messrs. Jones, Stafford, and (. A. Trevalee, and they originated the subsequently famous Fulton Market. Some years later Mr. Staf- ford became sole proprietor of this fine establish- ment. Afterwards his brother, Richard H. Stafford, was taken into the business, the firm becoming James B. Stafford & Bro. The brothers conducted the Fulton Market until 1892, when they sold out to Faxon, Williams & Faxon. In the meantime Mr. Stafford had erected a substantial four-story brick building at the corner of Pearl and Church streets, which was the home of the Fulton Market for many years.
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Mr. Stafford retired from the grocery business to become president of the Security Invest- ment Co. of Buffalo, which was formed by a number of leading citizens for the purpose of transacting real-estate business on a large scale. Mr. Staf- ford's entire time is devoted to the management of the company's extensive affairs.
There is another side to Mr. Stafford's life besides the one most open to public gaze. His private life is singularly happy. lle is devoted to his wife and chil- dren, and spends almost all his leisure hours with them. He has never been indneed to become a clubman. He is, however, a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He and his family are deeply interested in church affairs, attending the Methodist church. The many charitable and religious movements of Buffalo have found in Mr. Stafford an ardent and a generous supporter. He has never as- pired to political office, but takes an y tive interest in municipal affairs. He . has had a leading part in public move- ments for the benefit of the community in which he lives, and well deserves his reputation as an ideal citizen.
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PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- james Bluett Stafford was born at Dub- lin, Ireland, September 23, 1853; came to the United States in childhood, and settled in Buffalo in 1863 ; married Hen- rictta Ella Holloway of Buffalo June 13, 1878 ; carried on a grocery business, with various partners, 1874-92; has been president of the Security Invest- went Co. of Buffalo since 1892.
Richard h. Stafford has an established rep- utation in mercantile and financial circles in the city of Buffalo. His commercial training has been long and thorough, and he is familiar equally with the practical and the theoretical sides of business opera- tions. Mr. Stafford was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland, a city famed for the high standing and ability of its mercantile class. After obtaining a sound elementary education in the schools of his native city, he came to the United States the year the Civil War broke out. He took up his residence in Buffalo the same year, and entered the employ of S. N. Callender, then the leading grocer of the city. He remained with Mr. Callender five years, when he secured a more attractive position with another house engaged in the same line of business. In this second position he also remained five years.
RICHARD H. STAFFORD
Mr. Stafford was now a young man of twenty- three, and had already won a reputation for capacity, integrity, and faithfulness under two successive em- ployers. Meanwhile his brother, James B. Stafford,
MEN OF NEW YORK -WESTERN SECTION
had met with such success that he decided to embark in business on his own account, and he invited his brother Richard to take charge of the financial part of Fulton Market. After working for his-brother six years, Richard received, one Christmas morning, a substantial recognition of the value of his services
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WILLIAM THURSTONE
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in the form of a present of a third interes: in bis brother's business. Under the management of the Stafford brothers, Fulton Market throve, and its owners prospered. Mr. Staford continued this business association with His brother till 1802. when they sold out to the house of Faxon. Williams & Faxon.
Mr. Stafford no- directed his attention to a new feld, in which success has crowned his efforts. In company with his brother. he helped to organize the Security Investment Co. of Buffalo, of which he has since been treasurer.
In his relations with business men, Mr. Stallord is noted for his frank dealing and oullging disposition. In church and Masonic work, he is un sally active
for a man so engrossed with business cares, and no good movement in Buffalo fails to receive his en- couragemen: and support. In Masonic circles he hes atrained high honors, being a Knight Templar in Lake Erie Commandery, No. 20, a 32d degree member of the order of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Stafford is president of the board of trustees of the Richmond Ave- que Methodist Episcopal Church. and in that position has done notable service in developing the association from a strug- gling mission to a prosperous and infu- ential church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Richard H. Stafford was born at Dublin. Ireland, August 10, 1848 : was educate.l in the common schools of Dublin ; came to the United States and settle.i in Buffalo in 1861 : was a clerk in grocer, houses, 1861-12 : woas associated with his brother in the management of Fulton Market, 1878-92 ; married Ella S. Gatehell of Medina, N. Y .. October 29, 1527 : ha. beer: treasurer of the Securit. Investment Co. of Buffalo since 1892.
William Churstone was twenty- eight years old when he came to this country, a sturdy, hearty Englishman. ready to grapple with whatever fate hi. adopted land might have in store for him. He was not the sort of immi- grant for whom Uncle Sam has only a half-hearted welcome -immigrant: who claim that the world owes them a living. but who do nothing towant collecting the debt. He had served a seven years apprenticeship as printer to the Honor- able Stationers' Company of London. had been a Reporter for several London newspaper. ami had become proprietor of the Hariculturel J.una !.
With such an equipment Mr. Thunsione did no: need to wait long for employment. The first money he earned in Buffalo was by setting type on the city directory, and he was soon after engaged as con- positor by the Commercial Abertiver, and It by the Expr .... Printer- in those days were 20: paid for their intervals of waiting for " co. v." and after setting the -ingle column of local Nem- there was often a long. profitles delay before work could begin on the telegraphic dispatches. time from ten or eleven o'clock at night entil :a) or there in the morning was frequently spent in
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watching for the possible arrival from New York of English news, which came by steamer, and was then transmitted by wire. When a notification was re- . eived that a steamer had been sighted, its arrival and the news it carried were waited for. Mr. Thur- stone was too ambitious to yield passively to such enforced idleness, and he seized the opportunity to do the work of a reporter in these intervals. He w.ts connected in this twofold way with the Express, the Courier, and the Commercial Advertiser ; and finally became commercial editor of the Courier, retaining this position twenty-two years. His pluck and industry had now advanced him from a position where, according to the custom of those days, wages were paid two thirds in store produce and the rest in current and uncurrent money (the latter some- times suffering two or three per cent discount) to one of independence.
When Mr. Thurstone was appointed secretary of the Board of Trade thirty- three years ago, the institution was too poor to pay more than a dollar a day for his services. His fidelity and devotion have done much to make that body the power it is to-day, and he is still its trusted secretary. He has also been sec- retary of the Merchants' Exchange for fourteen years.
The United States bureau of statistics is indebted to Mr. Thurstone for much thorough and painstaking work, includ- ing many reports on the commerce of the Great Lakes and western New York, and one on the railroad and canal systems of the state of New York and the Dominion of Canada, published in the United States public documents. For over thirty years he has furnished statistical matter for boards of trade, commercial conventions, newspapers, and pamphlets, and ranks as an expert in this line. He has also contributed extensively to the editorial columns of New York and Chicago maga- zines.
Politics has claimed a large share of his attention, as would be expected from so public-spirited a citizen. Twice nomi- nated for alderman in the old 9th ward, he failed of election because the district was so strongly Republican ; but it is noteworthy that his election as supervisor was the only Democratic victory ever achieved in that ward.
Loyal to the church of his native land, Mr. Thur- stone has been identified in Buffalo with the Church
of the Ascension and St. John's, serving in the former as vestryman and treasurer, and in the latter as vestryman and warden.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-William Thur- stone was born at London, England, February 21, 1826 ; was educated in a private school ; was appren- ticed as printer, 1840-47 ; married Mary Anne Dit- lon of Hereford, England, June 1, 1848 ; came to the United States in 1854, and settled in Buffalo in 1855 ; occupied various positions there on the " Ex- press," "Courier," and "Commercial Advertiser," 1855-85 ; has been secretary of the Board of Trade since 1863, and of the Merchants' Exchange since 1882.
James TI. Tillingbast is widely known in the important sphere of commercial telegraphy, and
JAMES W. TILLINGHAST
he has rendered valuable service to the public by his efficient management of one of the largest telegraph offices in the country - that of the Western Union company at Buffalo.
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Mr. Tillinghast is a native of the Empire State, and knows the lay of the land within all its borders as perfectly as others know their immediate locality. His business has made topography one of his strong points. Receiving his early education at private and public schools in Rome, N. Y., he completed his academic training at the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He began his commercial life at Toronto, a few years before the Civil War, as a clerk for his father in the office of the Northern Railway of Canada. With characteristic enterprise and in- dustry he took up the study of telegraphy as an outside diversion, having no idea at the time that this pursuit would become the work of his life. In 1861, however, he went to Pittsburg, and entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph Co. as an operator. While engaged in that capacity his time was largely taken up with the handling of cipher dispatches passing between the western armies of the Union and the war department at Washington. His duties became so exacting and severe that his health failed, and by the advice of his physicians he aban- doned active telegraphic work in 1863. The next year he moved to Madison, Ind., as manager of the telegraph office there. Less arduous duties in a quieter scene brought about a gradual restoration of health, and Mr. Tillinghast found himself strong enough in the spring of 1865 to become assistant manager of the Western Union office at Buffalo. During a part of that year he was located at Erie, Penn., as manager of the Western Union office there, but he returned to Buffalo in the fall. Five years later he was placed at the head of the office, and has occupied that position continuously since.
In 1868 the general agent of the New York Asso- ciated Press formed a rival organization, and with several agents of the old association left it without notice. Mr. Tillinghast was at once appointed agent of the Associated Press at Buffalo, invested with full charge of the service west and south of that point, and clothed with supreme authority. So complete was the rout of the new association that it quickly abandoned the field, and Mr. Tillinghast resumed his position with the Western Union. For the services then performed for the Associated Press he received a vote of thanks from the executive com- mittee, and a personal letter from every member of the committee praising his work in the highest terms. This period is the only break in his long connection with the Western Union since he entered the service in Pittsburg in 1861.
Mr. Tillinghast is much attached to Buffalo, and has more than once declined offers of promotion involving residence elsewhere. He has the respect
of his business associates and the confidence of the community, both in large measure. He is the only son of James Tillinghast, for many years a famous official of the Central-Hudson railroad.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - James II'. Tillinghast was born at Brownville, N. Y., Novem- ber 5, 1844 ; was educated at Rome Academy and Fort Edward Collegiate Institute ; commenced busi- ness as clerk in the office of the Northern Railway of Canada at Toronto, in 1858 ; entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph Co. at Pittsburg, Penn., in 1861 ; married Sara A. Dannals of Pitts- burg October 6, 1863, and Mrs. Anna Kelley of Lock- port, N. Y., February 1, 1868 ; has been manager of the Western Union telegraph office at Buffalo since 1870.
Greenleaf S. Van Gorder, though not yet beyond middle life, has made himself an important factor in public affairs. His career is an inspiring example to every American youth, and illustrates anew the truth of the time-worn proverb, " Where there's a will there's a way." He was thrown upon his own resources in early boyhood, and his surround- ings were such as to develop the best qualities in an ambitious young man. To be born in an intelligent community, having intercourse through library, school, and press with the current events of the world, is no mean inheritance. The small town and the village rival the great cities in their contribution to the ranks of the professions, and of the leading business men of the country. The boy born in the city is surfeited with opportunities, and too often does not sufficiently appreciate them : but the country boy makes the best of the few at his command.
Mr. Van Gorder was educated in the common schools of Geneseo, and received further training in Angelica Academy and the academic department of Alfred University. He supported himself, mean- while, by farm work, teaching, and any other resource that presented itself. He is not a graduate of any school except, as he himself puts it, the "school of experience." Having secured all the preliminary education within his means, Mr. Van Gorder began the study of law in the office of Sanford & Bowen of Angelica, one of the leading firms in Allegany county. He was admitted to the bar at a term of the Supreme Court held in Buffalo, and began the practice of his profession at Pike, Wyoming county. By industry, energy, and perseverance, he has attained high rank among the members of the bar in his part of the state.
Political advancement, as well as professional suc- cess, has marked Mr. Van Gorder's career. He is a
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Republican in politics, and has been a delegate to many conventions of his party. He was elected town clerk of Pike, and held the position four years. . This was his entrance into the arena of political activity, in which he was destined to become a prominent actor. After holding the office of super- visor of Pike for five years, he was elected a member of the state assembly from the county of Wyoming for 1888 and 1889. While in the assembly he served as a member of the important judiciary com- mittee. Representing Wyoming county, the center of the western New York salt fields, he started a movement that resulted in the amendment of the constitution of the state, providing for the sale of the state "salt reservation " at Syracuse, and thus removing the state as a com- petitor against the private capital em- ployed in the salt industry in western New York. The strong fight made by Mr. Van Gorder on this question made him a prominent figure in what was then the 30th senatorial district, composed of Liv- ingston, Niagara, Genesee, and Wyoming counties. In the fall of 1889 he was elected state senator with but little oppo- sition, and was re-elected two years later. In the senate, also, he was a member of the judiciary committee. In both houses Mr. Van Gorder proved himself a pains- taking servant, and performed his duties with credit and distinction. He was identified with much important legisla- tion. He was the author, for example, of one of the best and most far-reaching laws ever placed upon the statute books of the state - namely, the act to prevent any peace officer or police official from engaging in the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors. In the session of 1893 he was the author and introducer of the "Bi-partisan Election In- spectors " bill, which subsequently, in 1895, became a law of the state.
Mr. Van Gorder's activities have not been con- fined to politics or his profession. He has taken a deep interest in educational matters, and for many years has been one of the trustees of Pike Seminary. He is also director and president of the State Bank of Pike, and thus has come into contact with financiers in western New York. He is a member of several fraternal orders, and of the Holland Society of New York. June 1, 1896, Mr. Van Gorder entered into a copartnership for the practice of law at Buffalo,
and is now a member of the firm of Bartlett, Van Gorder, White & Holt. In all his relations as a lawyer, a banker, and a public man, he enjoys the esteem and confidence of those who know him.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Greenleaf Scott Van Gorder was born at York, Livingston county,
GREENLEAF S. VAN GORDER
N. Y., June 2, 1855 ; received a common-school and an academic education ; studied law, and was admitted to the bar June 15, 18TT ; moved to Pike, N. Y., Au- gust 7, 18TT ; married Eva E. Lyon of Pike August 20, 1878 ; was supervisor of Pike, 1883-88, member of assembly, 1888-89, and state senator, 1890-93; practiced law at Pike, 1877-06 ; has been. president of the State Bank of Pike since January, 1894; has practiced law at Buffalo since June 1, 1896.
harrison needham Vedder is less than forty years old, but he has already, by dint of energy and close application to business, won for himself a high place among the substantial business men of Buffalo. The insurance firm with which he is
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connected is regarded as one of the leaders in its line. But Mr. Vedder is not among those who selfishly confine their energies to their own personal interests. He is a man of public spirit, interested especially in promoting the business welfare of the city. He has long been one of the most active members of
HARRISON NEEDHAM VEDDER
the Merchants' Exchange ; he was chairman of its postal committee in 1895, and is now serving his second term as trustee of the institution. . On the social side he is greatly interested in yachting, and is perhaps as well known for his connection with this sport as for his business enterprises. He helped to organize the Buffalo Yacht Club, and was its commo- dore for three years, 1883-85.
Mr. Vedder is a genuine product of Buffalo. He was born and educated there, served his business apprenticeship there, married there, and has always lived there. He began attending school at the age of six, and was able to continue his education until he was fourteen years of age. Young as he was, he then began to earn his own living. He entered the
insurance office of Captain E. P. Dorr, where he remained three years. Thus early did he gain an experience in the business that has proved his high- way to success.
After leaving Captain Dorr young Vedder went to work as a clerk for the insurance firm of Smith, Davis & Clark. Here he continued five years, thus devoting altogether eight years to the insurance business as an employee before branching out for himself. He was now a young man of twenty-two, and ambitious for more rapid progress than seemed possible in the position that he was then occupying. He had been prudent and economical, and had saved some money. He had, besides, formed an extensive acquaintance, which is of considerable value to a young man enter- ing almost any calling, and of decided value to one embarking in the insurance business.
Mr. Vedder did not immediately, how- ever, enter business for himself. For a brief time he abandoned insurance alto- gether, becoming chief clerk for the West- ern Elevating Co. But after about a year of this business he returned permanently to insurance, forming a partnership with Charles J. North that has since continued.
Mr. Vedder is active in the Masonic fraternity, and has attained distinction therein. He is at present Senior Warden of Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 441, F. & A. M. He is also a member of Adytum Chapter, No. 235, R. A. M., and of Hugh de Payens Commandery, No. 30, K. T. He takes an interest in the study and preservation of local his- tory, and is a life member of the Buffalo Historical Society.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Harrison Needham Vedder was born at Buffalo September 11, 1858 ; was educated in the public schools ; was clerk in an insurance office, 1872-80 : married Ida Elisa- beth Loveridge of Buffalo September 13, 1881; has been a member of the insurance firm of North & Vedder since 1881.
ffrancis G. Ward, recently appointed super- intendent of the water bureau of the city of Buffalo, is a man of thorough experience in the conduct of vast enterprises. He is a factor and product of this intensely practical age, which hesitates at nothing, from harnessing Niagara to divorcing continents.
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Mr. Ward belongs to the generation reared since the love of the Civil War. He received his preliminary clucation at the Rectory School in Hamden, Conn., and when still a child was sent to France, and placed in the Institution Cousin and Lytte Bonaparte, Paris. I here he remained four years, acquiring not only a careful scientific education, but as well a thorough Knowledge of the French language. The rumblings uf the coming struggle between France and Germany were already in the air. and Americans residing in Paris felt it wise to return home before the stormn broke in all its fury. So young Ward came back to the United States, and prepared to enter the An- napolis Naval Academy, to which he was appointed a .adet in 1872. His stay in his native country, however, was not long. for he soon returned to Europe, declining the cadetship. After another year spent abroad in study Mr. Ward re- turned home, and entered the employ of the Laflin & Rand Powder Co., whose Buffalo representative he became in 1875. After two years in this business he re- signed to accept a position with the New York C'entral & Hudson River railroad. He began his railroad apprenticeship in the arduous and responsible position of night yardmaster and train dispatcher at the Grand Central station in New York city. He was with the Central in various important capacities for seven years, when he became assistant manager of the Har- lemn line.
Mr. Ward's experience in railroading. and his skill in handling large bodies of employees, coupled with his scientific training and command of the French lan- guage, commended him to the favorable notice of the Cie Universelle Canal Pana- ma, which was engaged in building the canal across the isthmus of Panama ; and he was offered the superintendency of the Panama railroad, then owned by that company. He thereupon resigned from the Harlem line, and accepted the po- sition under the French company. After spending two years at the isthmus, he was ordered to Paris and made manager of the railroad department of the canal company, and a member of the construc- tion committee of the Turkish-Asiatic railroad. . In connection with these interests he remained abroad until 1889, when he obtained leave of absence, and returned to Buffalo to look after per- sonal matters. These he found so much disordered
as the result of his long absence, that he felt obliged to resign his position with the canal company, and to devote his whole attention to his affairs on this side of the water.
In military circles Mr. Ward is well known. For twelve years he was a member of the 7th New York regiment, and as a member of the 74th regiment, of Buffalo, he became captain, lieutenant colonel, and inspector of the 8th division. While at Panama he was for three years acting colonel of the battalion formed of employees of the Panama railroad located at Aspinwall. Among the many souvenirs of Mr. Ward's residence at Aspinwall, one he values very highly. After the destruction of that city by fire in 1885, Mr. Ward rebuilt the entire plant of the canal company, including wharves, railroad tracks. and the streets belonging to the French govern-
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