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 55
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Arthur C. hastings, recently elected mayor of Niagara Falls, and pre- viously prominent in political and in business life, is still a young man, having been born in Brooklyn a few months before the beginning of the Civil War. His early education was received in the public schools of Brooklyn ; and he afterward attended Smith College at Hatfield, Mass. He commenced his active business career in 1877 at Rochester, with the Rochester Paper Co., becoming secretary of the company after a short term of service. Resigning this position in 1889, he associated him- self with John F. Quigley in building and operating pulp and paper mills at Niagara Falls, N. Y. After that he became treasurer and manager of the Cliff Paper Co. at Niagara Falls, and is still so engaged. Mr. Hastings has concentrated his busi- ness activity on a single industry, and has in that way acquired a wide knowledge of the field. ile
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knows thoroughly both the manufacturing end of the business, and the difficult market in which the product must be sold. The paper industry has ex- panded enormously in recent years because of great improvements in machinery and processes ; and men who have grown up with the new order of things are correspondingly valuable in the conduct of paper-making plants.
Mr. Hastings has given his best attention to busi- ness, and has not until lately taken an active part in outside pursuits. He has always been interested, however, in public matters, and only the pressure of private business has kept him from participation in political affairs. In 1896 he became president of the police board of Niagara Falls, and made so good a record in the office that his name began to be mentioned in connection with the mayoralty of the city. As the time for deciding upon the nominees approached, his candidacy in- creased in favor, and he ultimately re- ceived the Republican nomination. He was elected in March, 1897, overcoming the usual Democratic majority. Although Mayor Hastings has served but a part of his term as chief magistrate of Niagara Falls, the prophecy may safely be made that his administration will be efficient, business-like, and clean.
In the social life of Niagara Falls Mayor Hastings has naturally been prom- inent. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Arthur Chapin Hastings was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., July 13, 1860; was educated in Brooklyn public schools and at Smith College, Hatfield, Mass. ; mar- ried Alice W. Brown of Rochester January 13, 1887 ; was connected with the Roch- ester Paper Co., 1877-S9; has been treasurer and manager of the Cliff Paper Co., Niagara Falls, N. Y., since 1892.
Lee 1R. Sanborn has stamped himself indelibly upon the map of Niagara county, and in the hearts of its people. His father was a teacher at Bath, N. H., and afterward an itinerant preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church ; and his mother was likewise a teacher at Worcester, Mass., and a person of culture and character. Under the wholesome influence of their precept and ex- ample Mr. Sanborn acquired a thorough moral and a
fair intellectual education. He was born near Brockport, Monroe county, but moved a few miles west, to the place that now bears his name. There he engaged in the lumber business and in mani- facturing, and soon became widely and favorably known. . In fact his position in the community ultimately became such that the people of the place named the village after him.
The prominence implied in this event was also evident in numerous public trusts to which Mr. San- born was called early in his career. At one time or another he has held almost all the town offices. In 1870 and again the next year, he was a member of the state assembly, and took a prominent part in the proceedings of that body. ` He has often been sent as a delegate to state conventions, and in 1884 was a delegate to the national convention that nom-
ARTHUR C. H.ISTINGS
inated James G. Blaine. For many years he has been regarded as one of the leaders of the Repub- lican party in Niagara county ; and his great influence at home and elsewhere has contributed materially to
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the strength of the Republican cause in his part of the state. In 1886 he was appointed by the gov- ernor of New York a member of the board of man- agement of the state school for the blind at Batavia. He was elected president of the board of trustees in the same year, and still holds that position. He is
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LEE R. SANBORN
noted for his interest in all philanthropic enterprises, and for many deeds of private benevolence.
Mr. Sanborn has been engaged in various com- mercial undertakings, and has shown unusual busi- ness ability in the conduct of the same. He has been largely interested in the manufacture of lumber in western New York and Michigan, where he has had large timber interests for many years. He has also taken nich personal interest in his farm, which is one of the most fertile in the county.
Mr. Sanborn has been since carly manhood a firm believer in Masonry, and has risen to high rank in the order. He is a member of Genesee Command- . ery, No. 10, Knights Templars, Lockport, a Scot- tish Rite Mason, and a member of Ismailia Temple,
Buffalo. He is also greatly interested in the Royal Templars of Temperance, and other fraternal orders. I: 1887 he was elected representative to the Supreme Council of Koyal Templars, and by that body was made a life member of the board of directors. In 1892 he was elected Supreme Councilor, and now holds that position.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Lee Randall Sauboru was born at Sweden, Monroe county, N. Y., August 8, 1831 : wees educated in public schools ; married Julia C. Crawford of Lewiston, N. Y., September 9, 1849 ; was a member of the New York state assembly, 1870-71; has lived at Sanborn, N. Y., engaged in lumber dealing, farming, and various com mercial enterprises, since 1848.
Bobn G. Wallenmeier, 3r., is of German descent, but his life thus far has been spent in western New York. Born in the section of Buffalo known as Black Rock during the early part of the Civil War, he was taken to Tona- wanda in childhood, and has made his home there ever since. He received his education in the public schools of the town, and gained his first knowledge of commercial life there.
Shortly before he attained his majority Judge Wallenmeier began business on his own account, opening a grocery store in Tonawanda in May, 1883. He con- ducted the undertaking with prudence and energy, and met with a good degree of success from the start. After a few years he added a meat market to his est ih- lishment ; and the combined business was continued until the spring of ES?], when he sold his store in order to devote himself to other duties.
Judge Wallenmeier has always been an active Republican, and has taken a prominent part in public affairs in Tonawanda. His devotion to hi party and the cause of good government in general was appreciated by his fellow-citizens : and wi- appropriately recognized by his appointment by the council of Tonawanda as the first police justice under the act of 1894 establishing a police force in the town. In the spring of 1895 he was elected by the people to the same office for a term of four years. The growing and changing population of the thriving manufacturing town is not always of the most peaceful character, and Judge Wallenmeier has
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had abundant opportunity to exercise the functions of his office. He has fulfilled its duties with com- mendable zeal and vigor, and with strict impartiality as well ; meting out due punishment to all offenders without regard for position, and with a sturdy deter- mination to render justice that has gained for him the approval of all right-minded persons.
Judge Wallenmeier has taken much interest in the work of the savings and loan associations that have become so popular in recent years. Their facilities for utilizing the small weekly savings of the working- man appealed to his German thrift and common sense. In 1890, accordingly, he helped to organize the Niagara Savings and Loan Association, and was its president for several years, retiring in 1896 when he found the cares of the position too arduous to be continued longer in connection with his public duties.
In the general and social life of the community Judge Wallenmeier is nat- urally prominent, and he has a host of friends. He is the Worshipful Master of Tonawanda Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M., and belongs to the German Evangelical church. Having served from 1878 to 1××6 as a volunteer fireman at Tona- wanda, he received his exemption papers from the village council in April, 1886. In April, 1897, he was elected by the active volunteer firemen a member of the Tonawanda Firemen's Benevolent Association then organizing, and was cho-en by a unanimous vote its first secretary.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- John George Wallenmeier, Jr., was born at Buffalo October 10, 1862 : was cdu- cated in the public schools of Tonawanda. N. Y .: married Hattic May Koch ci Tomatoanda November 14, 1883 ; cop- ducted a grocery and meat market at Ton- amanda, 1883-94 : was president of the Viagara Savings and Loan Association. 1995-96 : has been police justice of Ton- manda since 1894.
Bobn G. Ilichs, one of the leading attorneys of the Chautauqua-county bar. has been prominentiy identified with the municipal history of the city of James- town since its organization. When that community outgrew its village conditions, and assumed the dignity of a city, Mr. Wicks was chosen a member of the first common council from the 1st ward of the city. He had been instrumental, with
others, in drafting the original charter by which the new city was to be governed. On the organization of the common council he took an active part in in- augurating and maintaining the policy of the munic- ipal government.
Mr. Wicks was particularly prominent among those who demanded a municipal control of certain natural monopolies, such as public waterworks, electric lighting plants, and the like. It was largely through his efforts that a municipal electric lighting plant was established at Janiestown. As an alder- man of the city he worked for this end in season and out of season ; and the plant has since been enlarged and developed to such an extent as to justify and reward his early activity and energy in its behalf.
After a service of four years in the common coun- cil Mr. Wicks retired from public office ; but his
JOHN G WALLENMEIER JR
work was too important to the commonwealth to permit of long inactivity, and at the end of a year he was chosen attorney for the city of Jamestown. Acting in this capacity for four years. he drafted
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many amendments to the city charter : virtually, indeed, he redrafted the entire instrument. During his term of office many public improvements were undertaken ; and all the bonds created thereby were issued under his direction, and the contracts for more than half a million dollars' worth of public
JOHN G. WICKS
works were drawn by him. To his credit as an attorney it can be said that no flaw has been dis- covered in any of this work.
Mr. Wicks was born in the town of Carroll, now Kiantone, Chautauqua county. After graduating from the Jamestown High School, and later from the Albany Law School, he was admitted to the bar in 1876, and soon took rank with the leaders of his profession in his native county. Among the at- torneys who have graduated from his office are A. C. Pickard, J. Delevan Curtiss, and D. D. Dorn. For several years he was associated with Mr. Curtiss : since the dissolution of this partnership he has pre- ferred to practice alone.
Aside from his connection with the legal pro-
fession, Mr. Wicks has been prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, hold- ing the office of District Deputy Grand Master of Chautauqua county for three years in the '80's. Hle has always been active in the Republican party.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-John Gilbert Wicks was born in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y., January 10, 1855 ; was educated in country schools and the Jamestown High School : grad. uated from the Albany Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1876 ; married Emma L. Russell in December, 1876: was an alderman of the city of James- loon, 1886-00, and city attorney, 1891- 95 ; has practiced law in Jamestown since 1876.
ffred D. Corey was born in Jeffer- son county, New York, during the Civil War. He was educated in the public schools of Watertown, the county seat, and graduated from the high school there in 1884. He at once turned his attention to teaching, and followed this occupation very successfully for the next six years. For the first half of that time he remained in his native county, and held the position of principal succes- sively in the schools at Evans' Mills, Brownville, and Sackett's Harbor. In 1887, however, he accepted the princi- palship of a grammar school at Norwalk, Conn., and for the next three years labored there. By this time he was in his twenty-eighth year ; and it became evident to him that the teacher's calling. though attractive in many ways, did not afford the opportunity for advancement that he desired. Accordingly, he gave up his position in Connecticut, and began, somewhat late in life, to prepare himself for admission to the bar.
Returning to the city of Watertown, Mr. Corey entered the office of Hannibal Smith as a student, and remained with him a little more than a year. In the fall of 1891 he became a member of the Buf- falo Law School, and graduated therefrom in the following May. Realizing that the Queen City offered a field of professional activity unsurpassed. perhaps, by any city in the land, he decided to try his fortunes there. For two years he worked in the office of Robert F. Schelling as a clerk, and then, July 1, 1894, formed a partnership with Edward D. Strebel, under the firm name of Strebel & Corey,
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that still exists. In the years since passed he has made good progress in building up a substantial clientage, and making a place for himself at the bar of Erie county. The fact that he was several years older than the average lawyer when he began prac- tice, has been in his favor in some respects, since he has been able to bring to bear upon legal prob- lems a more mature mind and more ripened judg- ment.
Mr. Corey devotes himself wholly to his chosen profession. Thus far he has resisted the allurements of political life, which as a rule appeal so strongly to a lawyer, and he is not a member of any social or fraternal organizations. He belongs to the North Presbyterian Church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Fred Daniel Corey was born at Black River, Jefferson county, N. Y., May 27, 1863 ; graduated from the Watertown ( N. Y.) High School in 1884 ; taught school, 1884-90 ; married Ella L. Phelps of Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., August 17, 1887 ; was admitted to the bar in 1892 ; has practiced law in Buffalo since 1892.
Roland Crangle is a notable ex- ample of the oft-cited fact that in America hard work, when combined with native ability, is sure to be amply rewarded. Even in America, though many men amass large fortunes in a comparatively short time, it is not so common for a man to rise from the position of a day laborer to the ranks of one of the learned professions in a dozen years. Such, however, is the story of Mr. Crangle's career thus far.
Born in the north of Ireland little more than thirty years ago, Mr. Crangle spent his boyhood on the farm in County Down where his parents still reside. At an early age he became a pupil in one of the National Schools of the country, and continued his studies there until his sixteenth year, obtaining thus a good general education. He was ambitious for a far higher career than any that seemed open to him in his native land, and he accordingly determined to emi- grate to America. Arriving in New York, he betook himself at once to Buffalo, which has proved a most hospitable home. Without friends or money, he was obliged to begin at the foot of the ladder, and his first employment was that
of a laborer on the docks. He afterward worked as a freight hand in the Erie-railroad freight house, and subsequently secured a position as clerk in the freight office of the Lake Shore road.
During the years thus occupied Mr. Crangle de- voted his spare time to the study of elocution, for which he had a great liking, and much natural aptitude ; and in due time he graduated from the Buffalo School of Elocution. In the presidential campaign of 1888 he used his talents in the service of the Democratic party, making many speeches in favor of its candidates. His political work brought him to the favorable notice of many men prominent in Buffalo ; and, as he had now accumulated some capital from his eight years of hard work, he was able to gratify his ambition, and prepare himself for a position where his abilities would have full scope.
FRED D. COREY
In January, 1889, accordingly, he entered the law office of Rogers, Locke & Milburn, Buffalo, where he remained five years, during which he was duly admitted to the bar. This firm stands second
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to none in western New York, and Mr. Crangle's long connection with the office as student and clerk could not fail to give him a thorough knowledge of the principles and practice of the law. Since January, 1894, he has practiced on his own account, and has attained a most satisfactory measure of
ROLAND CRANG !. E
success. He is recognized by his fellow-members of the Buffalo bar as a painstaking and careful lawyer of decided ability, and his steady advance- ment in his chosen profession may be confidently predicted.
Mr. Crangle cares little for club or society life, preferring to devote himself to his profession.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Roland Crangle was born at Ballyquintin, County Down, Ireland, August 17, 1864: was educated in the National Schools of Ireland: came to the United States in 1880, and worked as a laborer and clerk at Buffalo, 1880-SS ; studied low, and seas admitted to the bar in June, 1892; has practiced law in Buffalo since January, 1894.
f. D. Duchwit3 was born less than forty years ago in the town of Wheatfield, Niagara county, New York. His parents, Augustus and Louise Donath Duckwitz, were natives of Stettin, Germany, who came to the United States in 1853. They spent five years in New York, and then moved to Niagara county, where Augustus Duck- witz bought a farm and carried on a large nursery, selling nearly all the fruit trees in that section of the state. During the war he served as provost marshal, and after his return North bought a large general store in St. Johnsburgh, Niagara county. This he conducted for several years, acting at the same time as auction- eer, insurance agent, and justice of the peace. Ferdinand Duckwitz helped his father on the farm and in the store, attending district schools as he had op- portunity, until his fourteenth year. At that time his father sold the store, and the new proprietor was glad to secure the young man's services at a salary. Mr. Duckwitz remained with him two years, and accumulated a sufficient sum to enable him to gratify his desire for a better education than he had thus far obtained. At the age of sixteen, accord- ingly, he left home and betook him- self to Buffalo, where he studied for a year at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. He then went West, and spent a year working on farms and in stores in various places. By this time he had determined to become a lawyer, and had also decided the question of locality in favor of the East. Returning, therefore. to his native county, he entered the office of George C. Greene of Lockport as a student. His preparatory training had not been so thorough as would have been desirable, but he made up for any lack in this respect by close appli- cation and natural ability. During his three years in Mr. Greene's office he published the Lockporter Deutsche Zeitung, a weekly German paper, and also acted as insurance agent and organizer of lodges. managing in this way not only to support himself. but to save enough money to take him to college. He entered the law department of Union University in 1879, graduated May 24, 1880, and in the same month was admitted to practice in all the court- of New York state.
Immediately after his admission to the bar Mr. Duckwitz opened an office in Buffalo, where he has
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practiced ever since with most gratifying success. In the early part of his legal career he was much helped by his thorough knowledge of the German linguage, which the large German population of the city rendered particularly useful. In 1881 he tormed a partnership with John B. Perkins, which listed until Mr. Perkins's death in 1883. He then associated himself with Charles K. Robinson, and later with William Armstrong. January 1, 1890, Mr. Duckwitz established the present firm of Duckwitz, Thayer & Jackson, in partnership with Wallace Thayer and Frederick S. Jackson. This association was a most fortunate one, and has be- come one of the most popular of the younger law firms of Buffalo. Mr. Duckwitz is an excellent counselor and business lawyer, Mr. Thayer possesses decided talent as a trial lawyer, and Mr. Jackson is an able co-worker in the general business of the firm.
Mr. Duckwitz is actively concerned in a variety of matters outside his pro- fession. For a number of years he was the treasurer and a trustee of the Mechanics' Institute, and took the great- est interest in the association. He belongs to many social and fraternal organizations, including the Royal Arca- num, the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and the United Friends. He is a mem- ber of the Supreme Council of the Em- pire Knights of Relief, and of the Supreme Kuling of the Fraternal Mystic Circle of the State of Pennsylvania. He was one of the incorporators of the Order of the Iroquois of Buffalo, and is the Supreme Councilor of the order, chairman of the committee on laws, and a member of the board of trustees. In politics he is a stanch Republican, who never hesitates or wavers in his party allegiance, and has been for many years a member of the Buffalo Republican League. He is one of the wardens of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and was for a time its treasurer.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- Ferdinand Herman Duckwits was born in the town of Wheatfield, V. Y., Aug- ust 11, 1858 ; attended district schools and Bryant & Stratton's Business College ; studied law in a Lockport office, and graduated from the lato department of Union University in 1880 ; married Henrietta Waldron Springsteed of Albany December 22, 1880 ; has practiced late in Buffalo since 1880.
Joseph L. ffairchild, who has been prom- inent in public life for many years, was born in Seneca county, New York, during Andrew Jackson's first administration. After attending the private schools of his native town, and graduating at Water- loo Academy, he continued his studies under a private tutor, and fitted himself for the sophomore class at Hobart College. He changed his mind, however, when about to begin his collegiate course, deciding to study law. His uncle, Harlow 'S. Love, was then one of the leading attorneys of Buffalo ; and in his office, that of Talcott & Love, Mr. Fairchild read law. He was admitted to the bar in 1853, and be- gan his career as a lawyer at once in Buffalo.
For the next fifteen years Mr. Fairchild gave him- self unreservedly to his profession, building up a practice that was at once lucrative and gratifyingly
F. H. DUCKWITZ
significant of his legal ability. He served accepta- bly several of the successors of the Holland Land Co., and other individual and corporate clients whose legal interests were important. In the fall of
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1867 an important position came to him entirely without solicitation on his part, and Mr. Fairchild abandoned his profession for the office of register in bankruptcy. In the year mentioned congress passed the momentous piece of legislation known as the 'national bankruptcy act, which called into being an
JOSEPH L. FAIRCHILD
important set of officials concerned in the adjustment of bankrupt estates. Their functions were both judicial and administrative, and only men of high character and tried ability were selected for the office. Mr. Fairchild received his appointment from Salmon P. Chase, chief justice of the United States, and was sworn into office January 3, 1868. For the next decade he devoted all his time and strengthi to his important work, sparing himself in no respect, and discharging most efficiently the trying duties of his office. In 1878 congress repealed the act under which Mr. Fairchild was appointed, except as to cases existing at that time. Mr. Fairchild still re- tains the office, but its work has been increasingly light since the repeal of the law.
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