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 65
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
The death of the senior Mr. Weed in 1878 produced some unsettlement in the Weed concern, and indirectly resulted in Mr. Roth's retirement from the ser- vice of the house. He then engaged in the business with which he has ever since been identified - insurance. Entering the office of William D. Lewis, he re- mained with him about four years, and learned thoroughly every branch of the insurance business. By that time he had become so well known among insurance people that James Ferguson, a prominent underwriter of New York city, sought his alliance in a partnership in the fire and marine insurance business. Mr. Roth accepted the offer, and the firm of Ferguson & Roth wrote a large volume of insurance up to the time of Mr. Fer- guson's death in 1885. Mr. Roth then continued the business under the present well-known style of Edward C. Roth & Co. In 1888 George H. Hughson was admitted to the firm, and in 1891 Frank W. Fiske, Jr., became one of the part- ners : these two, with Mr. Roth, con- stitute the existing firm.
Since Mr. Roth has concerned himself with insurance the business has changed in many respects, and has enormously expanded as regards both volume and kinds of risk assumed. Fire and marine risks constituted at first the greater part of his busi- ness, and still make up a large proportion of his transactions ; but he has added from time to time various branches of insurance -boiler, plate-glass,
burglary, employers' liability, etc. - as new condi- tions produced new hazards and the need of cor- responding safeguards. He is now the Buffalo representative of some of the strongest companies in the world, providing insurance against a multi- tude of casualties.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY -- Edward C. Roth was born at Buffalo October 22, 1859; was educated in the public schools of the city ; was employed in a hardware store, 1873-78 ; was clerk in an insur- ance office, 1878-81 ; married Hattie Weller of Buf- falo September 29, 1891; has conducted a general insurance business in Buffalo since 1881.
3obn L. Schwart3, vice president of the Buffalo Brewers' Association, is a native of the Queen City, and is well known in its business, social, and
EDWARD C. ROTH
political life. Born in 1859 in the old 4th ward, at the corner of Washington and Chippewa streets, he received his early education in St. Michael's paro- chial school ; and when St. Canisius College was
-
460
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
opened in 1870 he became one of its first students. After a course of four years there he left school at the age of fifteen, and began business life.
At this time Mr. Schwartz's father and brother carried on a planing mill in Buffalo, and the young man went into business with them for several years.
JOHN L. SCHWARTZ
Four years later the father died, and the business was dissolved ; and Mr. Schwartz became a clerk in the office of Joseph Berlin, who conducted a general insurance and coal business. After about a year in this capacity he established a coal and wood business on his own account. He was just twenty-one years old at this time ; but he had had considerable busi- ness experience, and was well qualified by natural ability and training to carry on such an undertaking. He conducted the enterprise with entire success for twelve years, when he sold out to his brothers, Edward J. and Joseph .1. Schwartz.
Having disposed of his coal business, Colonel Schwartz took up an entirely different line of work. In company with John S. Kellner, Edward A.
Diebold, and Joseph Phillips, he bought the plant of the Queen City Brewing Co., at the corner of Spring and Cherry streets, and established the Star Brewery for the conduct of a general brewing and bottling business. He has devoted himself to the management of this enterprise ever since, and has become widely known in one of Buffalo's most important industries.
Though he has never held public of- fice, Colonel Schwartz has long been prominent in the counsels of the Demo- cratic party. He is actively interested in several fraternal societies, and has membership in many such. He was for many years one of the board of trustees of the Buffalo Catholic Institute, and is still a member of the organization. Since 1892 he has been Grand Treasurer of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, having been elected for the third time at Syracuse in 1897. He owes his mili- tary title to his connection with the Uniformed Catholic Knights, having been colonel of the 2d regiment of that organization in the state of New York for the past eight years. He belongs, also, to the Buffalo Orpheus, the Catholic Benevolent Legion, and the Royal Ar- canum ; and is a trustee of St. Michael's Church. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Buffalo Volks- freund Printing Co. since 1887, and president of the Alumni of St. Canisius College since 1894.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - John Leo Schwarts was born at Buffalo April 13, 1859; was educated at St. Canisius College, Buffalo ; worked in his father's planing mill, 1874-78, and in a coal office, 1878-19; carried on a coal and wood business in Buffalo, 1880-92 ; married Elisabeth J. Zegewits of Rochester October 12, 1887 ; has been manager and part owner of the Star Brewery, Buf- falo, since 1892.
Thomas Eugene Warner, well known for many years in the journalism of Niagara county, was born in Orleans, Ontario county, fifty-odd years ago. He received his education in the schools of his native town, and at the age of sixteen began to earn his own living. He was fortunate in choosing at first a trade that proved congenial, and that led naturally to the position of newspaper publisher which he has filled now for upwards of fifteen years.
-
461
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
Becoming a printer's apprentice in an office at Phelps, N. Y., in 1860, he worked at his trade for the next seventeen years. His apprenticeship was completed in the office of the Geneva Gasette, under Stephen H. Parker, one of the best-known represen- tatives of the Democratie press in the state ; and his practical experience of the printer's craft was gained in a number of newspaper offices in some of the largest cities in the United States, where he became thoroughly conversant with the different departments of the business. In 1877 he took up an entirely new line of activity, accepting an appointment as warden of the Jersey City Charity Hospital, where he re- mained for the next two or three years.
In September, 1880, Mr. Warner moved to Tona- wanda, and became associated with Thomas M. Chapman in the publication of the Tonawanda Herald. He had already had consider- able experience in newspaper work, serv- ing at first as a reporter on the Detroit Free Press, and later as state editor of that well-known journal, at the same time furnishing reportorial correspond- ence from the several cities of Michigan. He was therefore well qualified by train- ing as well as by natural ability for the new work which he undertook in Tona- wanda, and which he carried on for sev - enteen years with much success. In the fall of 1897 he sold his interest in the Herald to Mr. Chapman, the senior part- ner ; and established the daily, semi- weekly, and weekly Argus in the "Twin Cities" of the Tonawandas. For the conduct of this enterprise he formed a partnership with Frank P. Hulette, for many years the successful editor of the Wyoming County Leader of Arcade, N. Y., and widely known as the secretary of the New York State Democratic Editorial Association. The new paper is the only one in its territory devoted to the inter- ests of the Democratic party ; and as Messrs. Warner and Hulette are both ardent supporters of that party, and newspaper men of trained ability, the success of the venture need not be re- garded as doubtful.
During his residence in Tonawanda Mr. Warner has become well and favor- ably known in both public and private life. In 1886 he was appointed clerk of the village of North Tonawanda, and held the office continuously until the adoption of the city charter in April, 1897.
when he was unanimously chosen the first city clerk. He is a Mason, and holds the office of Past Master in Tonawanda Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M., and that of High Priest in Tonawanda Chapter, No. 278, R. A. M. He is a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Thomas Eugene Warner was born at Orleans, N. Y., March 2.3, 1844; was educated in common schools ; learned the printer's trade and worked at the same in various cities, 1860 -- 77 ; married Florence Elizabeth Hana- ford of Jersey City, N. J., September 18, 1876 ; was warden of the Jersey City Charity Hospital, 1877-80 ; was one of the publishers of the Tonawanda ( N. Y. ) " Herald," 1880-97 ; has been clerk of the village and city of North Tonawanda since 1886 ; established the Tonawanda " Argus" in October, 1897.
THOMAS EUGENE WARNER
Irving EEmmet Waters, cashier of the Citi- zens' Bank of Buffalo, has had an important part of late years in the commercial activities of the Queen City ; and, though comparatively a newcomer there.
£
462
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
has done much to further its prosperity. His public- spirited zeal has been unflagging, and he is widely known in business circles as a man of unusual energy and sagacity.
Mr. Waters is a native of Herkimer county, New York, and a large part of his life thus far has been
IRVING EMMET WATERS
spent there. Born in Little Falls about fifty years ago, he received his education in the common schools and academy of that place, and at the age of seven- teen began to earn his own living. His first posi- tion was with the American Express Co., where he remained four years. He then secured a situation as clerk in the Herkimer County National Bank, where he gained his first insight into the manage- ment of a financial institution. After several years in this position he went to Buffalo in July, 1873, as teller in the Bank of Commerce, which had just been organized.
.
Banking was to be Mr. Waters's life-work, and Buffalo the scene of his success as a banker : but he did not stay long in the city at that time, returning
to Little Falls in May, 1876, and engaging in busi- ness there for the next four years. This was quite long enough to convince him that his talents were better suited to a financial than a mercantile career : and accordingly, in 1880, he again entered the employ of the Herkimer County National Bank, this time as general bookkeeper. He re- mained in this position for ten years, becoming thoroughly familiar as time went on with the science of banking, and gaining experience that has been invaluable to him since.
In 1890 the Citizens' Bank of Buffalo was organized ; and Mr. Waters's friends in that city, who had recognized his ability during his short connection with the Bank of Commerce fifteen years be- fore, suggested to the board of directors that the post of cashier of the new insti- tution be tendered to him. The offer was made and accepted, and from the time the bank first opened its doors Mr. Waters has filled that responsible posi- tion. Under his energetic and efficient management the new institution pros- pered from the beginning, and soon be- came recognized as one of the solid financial concerns of the city. In the conduct of its affairs Mr. Waters for the first time had an opportunity to exercise his talents as a financier, and the high standing that it has attained shows how well he has availed himself of that oppor- tunity. The Citizens' Bank has been in existence only seven years, and dur- ing much of that time the financial con- dition of the country has been far from prosperous ; furthermore, it is one of the smaller institutions of the city, having a capital of only $100,000. In spite of these facts it occupies a foremost position in the financial world, and is deemed one of the strongest institutions of its size in the country.
Mr. Waters has had the best interests of Buffalo closely at heart ever since he took up his residence there, and has had a part in many enterprises that have been productive of good to the city. He has been very successful in attracting outside capital thither, and thus promoting business activity. He was one of the organizers of the Lenox Corporation, that completed in 1897 the Lenox apartment house, a large and elegant structure on North street near Dela- ware avenue, that compares favorably with the finest buildings of its class in any city in the United States.
-
. 463
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
All his best energies Mr. Waters devotes to busi- ness, spending little time in politics or society mat- ters. He is a member, however, of the Buffalo Orpheus.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY-Irving Emmet Waters was born at Little Falls, N. Y., August 13, 1846 ; was educated at Little Falls Academy ; was employed in various capacities in Little Falls, 1863-73; married Elisa I. Waterman of Little Falls February 4, 1875 ; was teller of the Bank of Commerce, Buf- falo, 1873-76 ; engaged in business in Little Falls, 1876-80 ; was bookkeeper of the Herkimer County National Bank of Little Falls, 1880-90 ; has been cashier of the Citizens' Bank, Buffalo, since 1890.
Elbert 3. Wiright is well known in both business and social circles in Buffalo, where he has lived since childhood. He is descended from good old English stock that settled in the American colonies in early days, the most illustrious member of the fam- ily being Silas Wright of Canton, N. Y .- governor, congressman, United States senator, and an able statesman in the days of Clinton, Clay, and Webster.
Mr. Wright was born in Oswego, N. Y., where his father, Alfred P. Wright, also a native of the place, car- ried on a large business in canal trans- portation. When he was eight years old his father moved to Buffalo, and the boy began his education there. After spend- ing about two years in Public School No. 14 he prepared for college in the Buffalo Classical School under Professor Horace Briggs, and then took a scientific course at Wesleyan University, Middle- town, Conn.
Returning to Buffalo in 1878 in his twentieth year, Mr. Wright was fortu- nate enough to find an excellent opening ready for him. The firm of Preston & Wright, established by his father a dozen years before for the handling and transfer of grain, had met with marked and continuous success ; and the young man at once entered their office, and set himself to master the intricacies of the business. Two years later Mr. Preston was compelled by ill health to give up active business, and the firm of A. P. Wright & Son was organized, with Albert J. Wright as the junior partner.
The new firm soon became one of the most widely known in the country ; and the long experience of
the father and the enterprising and energetic spirit of the son were alike factors in its remarkable suc- cess. In the first year the enormous amount of 33,000,000 bushels of grain was handled by them during the season of navigation. After ten years of uninterrupted success the firm was dissolved in 1890, and since that time Mr. Wright has carried on alone a business as banker and broker in grain and stocks. His earlier experience as a grain merchant has been of value to him in this new enterprise, and he has met with the success to which his unquestioned abil- ity entitles him.
In 1884, when only twenty-six years old, Mr. Wright was elected president of the Buffalo Mer- chants' Exchange. He was the youngest man ever chosen for that responsible position, and the fact is evidence of the high opinion of his powers
ALBERT J. WRIGHT
entertained by the business men of Buffalo. After his retirement from the presidency of the association he served for several years as a trustee. He also served in 1884 as president of the Buffalo Board of Trade.
1
464
MEN OF NEW YORK-WESTERN SECTION
He was for a time trustee of the Buffalo Library, and was a member of the board at the time the money was raised for the erection of the present library building.
Mr. Wright is a prominent member of several exclusive clubs in Buffalo and elsewhere. He was one of the incorporators of the Country Club of Buffalo in 1889, and is still a governor of the insti- tution. He is also a governor of the Buffalo Club, and belongs to the Ellicott and Yacht clubs of Buf- falo and the Chicago Club of Chicago.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY - Albert J. Wright was born at Oswego, N. Y., August 2}, 1958 ; was educated in Buffalo schools and Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn .; married Gertrude Bent of Middletonon September 25, 1878 ; engaged in the grain commission business in Buffalo, 1878-00 ; was president of the Merchants' Exchange and the Board of Trade of Buffalo in 1884; has carried on a banking and brokerage business in Buffalo since 1850.
-
£ 4851.57
5200
1
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.